Tips for a Successful Activity

I’m no expert in Student Organizations, but I pride myself in having actively participated in SWE and Tau Beta Pi for the past four years. Over these years, I’ve taken a number of roles, among them, Vice President, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster. I’ve also been a mere active member in both societies, as well as other societies, so I’ve seen student activities from both sides, as an attendee and as organizer, on many levels. I was recently asked to go over what makes an activity or project a successful one, and I thought I’d share my answer with you.

It’s a tough question; what works for one society may not work for another. Besides, depending on the scope of the activity and the participation of the attendees, your goals and your expectations and how far it is from reality… there are a lot of factors that can affect the success of your activity. However, I’ve noticed three things most of the activities I’ve organized or attended had in common: promotion, incentives, and following-up. Neglecting any one of these key components in an activity will not necessarily result in a disastrous activity, but none of those activities I’ve attended that were deemed a success left them out.

As you plan your activities and projects for this semester, consider the following three tips. Also, if you’ve got tips you’d like to share, don’t forget to comment! Or, send them in to rcne-d@swe.org.

February Update

Region D Divas! I’d like to thank all the sections who have submitted their information for the “Better Know a Section” feature. I hope to be posting some sections soon. Some sections haven’t yet responded; other sections have yet to receive the questionnaire. If you want your section to be featured on the Blog, let me know: write me an e-mail to rcne-d@swe.org. You need not be a section officer – as long as you’re interested, you can appear on the Blog.

Also, nominations for Collegiate Senator, Representative and Newsletter Editor are still open (although there are few days left for the Collegiate Senator position); make sure you submit your nomination for the position of your choice before the deadline!

On this Month’s Hot Topic, to be featured as always on the 15^th, we’ll be talking about how to get people out when the weather’s rough. Make sure you send in ideas and leave suggestions as comments on the 15^th! And I hope you enjoyed January’s Hot Topic: Making the Most of Region Conference. If you’ve gone to the Regional Conference before and have suggestions, don’t forget to leave a comment!

While I’m at it, I’d like to take this time to remind you to register for the Region Conference, if you haven’t already. There are more Blog Posts on Regional Conference: just check on the Region Conference Category link (the link is also on the sidebar on the left of this post).

That’s all for now… keep visiting, and I’ll see you all conference! In the meanwhile… leave your comments!

Josuan

SWE Magazine: Winter 2009

I received the winter issue of SWE Magazine two Fridays ago. Never before have I identified myself to as many articles as I have in this one. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy SWE magazine and I agree that the articles are interesting, engaging and informational, but, being the guy that I am, not many articles are meant to speak out to me. Which is fine – this is the Society of Women Engineers, I expect that. However, in the winter issue I’ve found articles that seem to be written directly for me.

First was the “Engineers Week 2009” – it provides information about diverse activities that go on during E-week as well as links to websites dedicated to outreach activities; many of which have resources you can use during your own E-week activities. I’ll be making some of those websites available here on the Blog soon.

I’m a philatelist (I collect stamps)… and I found the article on the USPS Black Heritage commemorative stamp series very interesting. I’ve known about the series for a while, and I own some of them as part of my collection (not many, though – my collection is pretty small), but I had never read about the history of the series per se.

The Conference Highlights article was a nice way to go back to my first conference… and to see some of the things I didn’t have the chance to see, especially the Achievement Award Acceptance Address from Dr. Melanie W. Cole.

It was inspiring and at the same time saddening to read the “In Memoriam” article on Mabel R. Esteves Velazquez, P.E. I get excited when I read about other Puerto Ricans, and it’s saddening to have lost a woman who promoted SWE wherever she went. Mabel is truly an example to follow.

Finally, in the SWE scrapbook section, I found the article on MASWE (Men’s Auxiliary of the Society of Women Engineers) pretty interesting. A bit of history of my gender’s involvement with SWE, and I found that refreshing… especially when I read what MASWE President George Hannan wrote in a letter to members: “When a man applies for membership in MASWE, in a way he is saying, ‘Women engineers are welcome in all field of engineering! I am going to help women engineering students complete and obtain their degree in the field of engineering of their choice!’” That still rings true today, and one of the reasons I’m still in SWE after almost four years.

Other Region Blogs

As you probably know, I’m not the only RCNE blogging. There are 9 other talented bloggers and fellow RCNE’s that have done a great job these past few months blogging about the wonderful things that have gone on in their respective regions. I urge you to take a look at their blogs (links can be found on the left of this Blog, under Region Blogs). There are a lot of things going on in SWE across the nation, and there’s a lot we can all learn from other sections. Take a minute to visit their blogs as well, and don’t foget to leave them a comment!

Blog Update

Hey there Divas!

I just wanted to let you know that for the next six months, the Blog will stay more active than ever. I intend on keeping it updated at least twice a week, and I really want to hear more from you. Here’s a list of what you can expect this semester:

• I’ll be adding more messages I get from SWE at the Regional and National level, to keep you updated on what goes on in SWE beyond your sections.
• I’ll be contacting Section President’s a little more often. Hopefully not too often, but just enough so you know what’s going on and have more than enough chances to get involved with the Blog.
• Just in case you missed them; I included a list of the posts from December 10th to January 6th on January 7th. I’ve also included the calls for RCR and RCNE for Region D for the upcoming academic year. AAAAAND, I’ve also included a list of Award Recipients from Region D at the National Conference.
• Hot Topics will be posted on the 15^th of each month. This week we’ve got 2009’s first Hot Topic: making the most of Region Conference. Make sure you add to the discussion: leave comments! Next month we’ll be talking about how to get people out when the weather’s rough – if you have suggestions, make sure you send them my way! Write to rcne-d@swe.org.
• We should be hearing about different sections in the upcoming weeks. I’ve already contacted section presidents to let them know they’ve been selected for inclusion on the Blog – write me for more details!
• I’ve added the Diva Diamond Display Case (look on the links along the top of the blog). Make sure your section gets a Diva Diamond!
• I’ve also added a list of the collegiate sections (Collegiate Sections, also along the top of the blog) in our region along with their websites. If your website isn’t on the blog, let me know.

Thanks for all your attention. I hope to hear from you soon, and don’t forget to leave comments!

Call for RCRs and RCNE

The call is official! Region D is now looking for it’s next Regional Collegiate Representatives (we need two) and for it’s next Regional Collegiate Newsletter Editor! More details follow in a copy of the e-blast you, as a Diva, should have recieved from Pamela Snyder and Jennifer Vallero, RCR-RCNE Coordinator and Coordinator Elect, respectively.

(I’ve edited the e-blast to include information relevant to our Region.)

Call for Applicants!

Are you interested in taking your SWE leadership to the next level?  Do you want to make a difference in programs for collegiate members?  If so, this is your opportunity to apply! You could be your region’s next Region Collegiate Representative (RCR) or Region Collegiate Newsletter Editor (RCNE).

The RCR is responsible for representing collegiate members’ interests among regional leaders.  The RCNE is responsible for communicating important SWE events and best practices primarily through the region’s blog.  Plus, the RCR(s) and RCNE from each region will get to attend next summer’s Collegiate Leadership Forum in Chicago, IL!

Both positions provide invaluable interaction and coaching from SWE leaders.  These leadership opportunities sharpen your career skill-set in the areas of leading and facilitation, group dynamics and communication, and project leadership. Please click on this link to get started on your RCR or RCNE application.

When you apply you will need:

• Member number
• Section/Region
• School and Permanent Address
• Position of interest
• SWE leadership positions
• Other leadership positions
• What you bring to the RCR or RCNE position
• What SWE means to you
• Interest outside of SWE
• Reference to confirm GPA/academic standing

Applications are due by Friday, February 13^th.

Like FY09, in FY10 there will be 1 RCR for every 1,000 collegiate members in the region up to 2.  Below is a summary of each Region’s membership as of November 30^th.  Regions with a collegiate membership of 1,000 members by Dec 31^st 2008 will host 2 RCRs.

Region D: 1,226 members (2 RCRs)

Note the application for becoming Collegiate Senator was provided in a separate eBlast.  There will be opportunities to learn more about the differences between Collegiate Senator, RCR, and RCNE in the coming weeks.

More information about the election process can be found in the SWE Community “Collegiate Leadership Opportunity Community“. If you have any questions regarding the RCR/RCNE positions or the election process, please contact your Region Leadership:

Position	Region D
RCR	rcr-d@swe.org
RCNE	rcne-d@swe.org
Region Governor	Karen Ramsey-Idem

or Pam Snyder, FY09 RCR-RCNE Coordinator

Thank you,

Pam Snyder, FY09 RCR/RCNE Coordinator
Jennifer Vallero, FY09 RCR/RCNE Coordinator-Elect