For me, it really depends on what you're looking for from being involved with a student-led org. If you're someone who loves making big plans and taking charge of events, then maybe something like the Student Union Board is a good fit. They've got the budget and resources to put on pretty big events, so if that's your thing, it could be worth investing some time into.
On the other hand, if you're more interested in specific communities or interests, then orgs focused around those topics might be better for you. For example, our LGBTQ+ org is super close-knit and does a lot of stuff for community outreach and support. It's not as flashy as something like SU Board, but it can be really rewarding to be involved with.
In terms of workload vs benefits, I'm not sure that it's always a fair trade-off. Sometimes being in charge of events and planning can burn out pretty easily because you're putting so much into it. It's good to have some support and resources to lean on when taking on a leadership role. Our org has done a decent job of establishing those, or at least trying to - we've had some bumps along the way.
But I do think that being involved in student-led orgs can be worth it if you're passionate about the things they're working towards. Even if there's not as much prestige or attention from upper admins, these groups are still doing important stuff and giving students a say in campus life. And even though they might not have the same funding or support, I think that orgs like ours can create just as strong of a sense of community and belonging. So yeah, I'd recommend giving it a shot if you haven't already!
