Troy Stende recently returned from what he calls ‘a crazy and amazing orientation tour.’ He visited 11 states in 15 days like a rock star on a mini tour… but without all the partying. His life is an example of one of the things he advises students to do, “Find something you love and do it with passion!”

Jordan is a financial guru and his son is just starting his freshman year at Dartmouth. Jordan’s been dealing with money for years as an expert in the field, but for his son it’s a whole new territory. And arming his own son with the right financial tools is new territory for Jordan as well.

That’s the question I asked Dave Kelly, America’s Student Leadership Trainer. He’s been working with student leaders for 30 years – since the days he was a student leader himself. He keeps in touch and up to date by continuing to work with students clubs and organizations on college campuses and through his volunteer work with Kiwanis and their college branch, Circle K. Drawing on his relationship with thousands of students and student-led organizations across the country, here’s what he thinks are the three essential qualities of a good student leader.

Believe it or not your speaker or other campus guest cares whether or not you get a good turn-out for your event. And many speakers are willing to get involved and help you promote your event to students, faculty, staff and the local community in any way they can. The best speakers know what draws people to their events and are often willing to devote extra time to insure your success.

For years, college students have been rocked by credit card debt after being victimized by what can be considered a system that’s no less vicious that the predatory mortgage lending practices that have dominated the news in the past year.

Dave Farrow is the current Guinness World Record holder for Greatest Memory. Dave was able to remember all 3068 cards in random order to make the claim of having the greatest memory.

What the….? “Where’s the Fun?” is NOT the first thing I thought when I saw these four t-shirts comin’ at me. Then I thought, “How the… are they getting away with that?” Followed immediately by, “Oh, I gotta ask!” — “Hey! You guys! What the…?” — That’s a conversation starter every time – especially in New York City!

If you have access to a student email list on your campus, this simple but effective triple-action, strategy can put it to efficient use. By composing a repetitive, three-part email campaign to promote your campus speaker everybody will get the details about your event in logical intervals. Conducting a triple action campaign is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

It can be hard to get students to come to a speaker-based event – no matter how well you’ve planned it. You’ve got to overcome that fact that they’ve been sitting in class all week and WILL NOT come to another boring lecture. First, don’t pick a boring speaker and second promote the heck out of it using every available channel. Budgets are tight, but these low-cost (and sometimes free) ideas can have a huge impact on the attendance at any student activities event.

Now that the Serve America Act has been passed does it mean scholarships in exchange for community service? That’s what the president has promised. Is it a good idea? Will it work? What do you think that will mean to you?

VIDEO: Obama Calls For Renewed Spirit Of National Service

Last year, I was dedicated to watching the presidential debates, avoiding the news and making an informed decision for myself. In the middle of it all I was pleased with the ‘time out’ both candidates took to turn the country’s focus to community service. I’m no longer interested in sitting on someone’s board and want to do something much more fun and interactive. Any suggestions?

When the outcome is on you, you may feel pulled in a thousand directions dealing with all the details, disruptions, headaches and nightmares of your next campus event. Dealing with the details is necessary, but we can do without the disruptions, headaches and nightmares. Let’s go for ‘teamwork,’ ‘smooth sailing,’ and ‘a good time was had by all’ with these six ‘big picture’ leadership tips.

If you’re gonna pull of your next campus event you need everybody’s support! The faculty, the staff, the dean, the chancellor, the provost, the president, the librarian, the janitor, the lawn maintenance guys – I mean everybody! We spend lots of effort trying to get students to attend, but what if we got professors, staff and advisors totally on board?!

In support of Dave Kelly’s Building Leaders Through Service Network I submit this September 2008 video that highlights and links to a campaign to inspire a new era of voluntary citizen service in America – ServiceNation.org. I invite you to join an effort – any effort – to expand national and community service. Like the song says, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” We’d like to hear about your efforts to build a nation of service, reach out a helping hand, be a good neighbor or perform other random acts of kindness on your campus or in your community. PEACE.

I got this e-mail from a frustrated Student Affairs Coordinator in Florida: “How do you keep from feeling as though NOTHING IS WORKING, when you follow all the steps and STILL staff and faculty AND STUDENTS do not participate and even go so far as to say (1) “No one told me,” or (2) “I never read those e-mails anyway.”?

When you bring in a speaker for your next event consider all the costs involved. By considering everything up front, you can reduce costs by a significant amount. From travel fees to follow up surveys, there are countless places to reduce the costs especially if you’ll consider these easy tips to slash prices.