|
One year. It seems like such short period of time. However, 365 days
seems so much longer. They are equal amounts of time, but the
difference is in how the time is utilized for it to become valuable.
The Truman State University Chapter of the National Residence Hall
Honorary has only been active for one year, but 365 days ago a change
occurred on this campus for the better. It was last February when
nominations for membership began and from there we have progressed
significantly to become a strong new chapter among those in the
region. As a chapter we have struggled to get members to come to
meetings, write and submit OTMs, follow-thru with recognition of OTM
winners, and participate with the residence halls. This being seen,
this past month the chapter challenged to improve upon the weaknesses
they see in themselves and work towards the mission of the
organization; to represent the top leaders on campus and recognize
those leaders within the residence halls who deserve to be
acknowledged for their contributions to the betterment of the life on
campus. Wow, just thinking about it is exciting, but seeing it in
writing is motivating. In the beginning of February the chapter held
the first meeting of the semester and brainstormed new ways to
recognize individuals, planned a campus-wide OTM campaign, and worked
on raising some funds for future endeavors. The recognition did not
waste any time and by the following week had made and distributed door
tags for all the members, redesigned the OTM winners certificates and
distributed them to past and present winners, announced the winners in
the campus wide newsletter, and made a group on the popular facebook
for all members, OTM writers, nominees, and winners. Ambition carried over to the OTM committee who launched the large-scale
campaign to raise awareness of what an OTM is, how to submit one,
recognizing those winners, and encouraging future recognition. The group
baked OTM cookies for the winners, made manuals with examples of how to
write a quality OTM, hung up posters across campus with information on
them, and hung up a banner by the library. They also send out monthly
reminders of due dates to the hall staffs and RHA members to help keep
the idea fresh in everyone’s mind. The fundraising crew has been
working on organizing with OCM diploma frame sale, a bake sale, and
car wash for the spring. Also, they designed t-shirts and sweatpants
with the catchy saying, “you better recognize” and NRHH for members to
wear as well as ordering honor chords for graduating seniors. Seeing the support and drive in the eyes of the members of the chapter,
as president I decided to see what I could do to for the department on
campus. After discussing ideas with the Director of Residence Life, a
new idea was put into action. NRHH along with Residence Life is
sending letters to the parents of those students living on campus who
received a 3.5 GPA or higher during the first semester. The letters
will also have a bumper sticker acknowledging the success of the
student and the encouragement NRHH would like to give. Through caring
for the cause of the organization, the dedication of the members to
that cause, and fully participating in all aspects of on-campus life
while balancing school and other commitments the Truman State
University Chapter of NRHH has a great deal to offer. It has been a
short month of only 28 days, but this group took no time to utilize
the time to make a difference. Word Count: 596
|