Last Blog!

I can’t believe this is the last blog. I feel like this semester moved really fast. I remember being worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a good group to join for this assignment. But now, after my own experience and after hearing about everyone else’s experiences, I’m amazed at how many different types of groups there are to join. There’s something about seeing people organize that really inspires me to want to be more involved in community practice.

It’s been a great learning experience. Joining a group really gave us the opportunity to apply some of what we were learning in the classroom to our experience. I also learned a lot from you guys. Reading about your experiences was enlightening. And being able to read your feedback really shed a lot of light on some of the community practice themes that were somehow slipping past my radar.

This experience has helped me realize how much can be accomplished when people organize. I always wanted to be involved with community practice, but now my desire to do so has been magnified. And I feel much more prepared to do so, moving forward. This experience has been very inspiring.

Today I’m attending the rehearsal for tomorrow’s big event. I’m glad I’ll have a chance to see exactly what’s planned so that I can feel confident about my role. I’ve seen a slide show already, but having an actual walk-through will be much better. One of the things I’ve learned from this experience is that every member of the group needs to be prepared and on the same page in order to succeed.

I can’t wait to tell you guys about the event next time I see you. Once the campaign is launched I’ll be able to show you guys a website with the video and stuff.

Thanks for reading my blogs all semester!

Phil

Week 8

Hey Jess and Alan,

I don’t have too much new stuff to report to you guys. Today I had another meeting with the Assistant Vice President of Alumni Affairs and Campaign Manager, and the Associate Director of Advancement Communications. Unlike the last meeting, which consisted of about 50 of the people involved in the event, this meeting only consisted of the 3 of us. The purpose of the meeting was to talk a little more in detail about my role and how the night would unfold. We also nailed down the details about the story I’m sharing and all of my bio stuff for the web page they are launching the day of the event. It was a very productive meeting.

I got to see some of the video they are showing that night. They showed it to me because it’s going to help me write my minute long spotlight speech, which is supposed to lead up to the part of the video that I’m in. They told me today that I have to submit my speech to them by Tuesday. I guess they need to review it or something. I’m not totally sure.

The next thing I have to attend is the dress rehearsal, which is next Friday. And then the event is the next day, Saturday. I’m getting really excited. I just got a nice new suit that I can’t wait to put on. It’s a very formal suit. I want to make a good impression. I was told in the meeting today that Congressman John Tierney is attending the event, as well as Mayor Driscoll.

I wish I had more I could report but that’s all I’ve got for now. I’m honored to be part of this event. It’s been a great learning experience, but it’s also been really fun being part of everything so far. Enjoy the weekend!!

Phil

week 7

I’m really excited about this past week. I attended the training that I needed to complete and I found out so much more about the fundraising campaign. I also had a chance to meet about 50 of the other students and faculty/staff that are involved in one-way or another. There was also a really well put together power point presentation by the vice president of Institutional Advancement and the director of Alumni Affairs. The campaign manager also spoke to us. A lot was covered and it was very informative. We were given a progress report of the campaign and funds raised so far. And our roles were explained more in depth.

I learned so much more about the goals of the campaign. The goals are to present SSU as a dynamic institution and vital educational resource, highlight areas of excellence in the university, educate donors, and ultimately raise $25,000,000.  We were also briefed about the timeline of this fundraising campaign. They explained to us how the idea was thought up and launched. We were also informed about the different phases of the campaign, such as the creation of the case task force, the president’s cabinet, and the steering committee. The work that all of these individuals on these teams have put into this campaign since its creation in 2011 is unbelievable. I felt so honored to be in their company. I’m honored that they’ve found a role for me.

We were also given an overview/walkthrough of how the event would unfold and what would take place throughout the night. I have to say it’s pretty exciting. This is definitely a very big production. I can’t even imagine how much they are spending on it. The power point had models/pictures of what it was going to look like. I can’t even describe it. It’s going to look like Hollywood. It reminded me the Grammy’s or something….valet parking, music, dance performances, choruses, and special guest speakers too.  It’s going to be amazing.

We also learned a lot about the university. I learned how many students we have, how much money the university generates for the local economy, as well as some other things that I won’t bore you guys with right now. They also showed us pictures of some of the high rollers that will be attending so we could identify them; apparently buildings at SSU are named after them. And they said they will be sending us actual bio’s of the people who will be seated with us so that we know all about them. The night then ended with some fun. I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to my next meeting on April 2^nd.

Week 6

I wish I could tell everyone that I finally met with the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement, but my meetings keep getting rescheduled. At this point, my meeting is set up for April 2^nd. This meeting will be informative for me but it is also to discuss the spotlight role a bit further and to give my story in writing for the website they are creating.  The Associate Director of Advancement Communications will also be in this meeting.

I also have to attend an orientation next Thursday. Apparently this is where I will get the tools/knowledge I’ll need to have informed conversations about the campaign and the university. I can’t wait to attend it because it will also be a chance to meet the other students and faculty that are attending. Then on April 10^th I have to do the dress rehearsal/walk through. And I’m not sure when, but sometime soon I’m supposed to be getting an overview of the guests that will be at my table. I’m not sure what type of information will be in the overview but I’m supposed to review it before the event so that I’m familiar with them.

I wish I had some more to write but that’s all I’ve got for now. I will have more for you after my meeting next Thursday.

Week 5

Hey Everyone,

This was the week that I was supposed to meet with the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement, but the meeting has been rescheduled for the 12^th. So unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out a whole lot more about my involvement. But I’m looking forward to my meeting next week because I’ll have a chance to ask a lot of questions. My involvement with the group and in the event will be much clearer after the meeting.

Jess – in your response last week you said that the group seems to have a feminist model approach. I agree with your assessment. The impression I’ve been given so far is that this event is all about building relationships. The organizers are bringing everyone in the target community in to personally meet with students, faculty, and school administrators. It’s a great approach when you think about it.

Since I don’t have much to write about this week I thought I would just share my overall feelings about my experience so far. I have to admit, I wasn’t really enjoying the veterans group. It was so unstructured that it was driving me crazy. It’s hard to feel motivated to participate in a group when its members don’t seem very motivated or organized.  That’s why I’m so happy to be part of the fund raising event that’s happening. It’s something that I’m actually looking forward to being part of. They are putting a lot of work into this event and that alone motivates me. I also have a strong desire to participate because I feel that it gives me an opportunity to give back to my current community, SSU.

Enjoy the break!