Down The Rabbit Hole To Authentic Leadership School of the Year East Tennessee State University Tennessee Association of Residence Halls 2016 TARH Vegas Tennessee Technological University
Every Child Who Loves Alice RHA Executive Board Rebekah Cisney President Fall Kaelyn Bishop Vice President Stephanie Hill President Spring NCC Alicia Luc Advisor Sarah Halfacre Branding & PR Tyeasia Dabbs Business & Secretarial Rachel Gilliam NCC-IT
Down the Rabbit Hole Structure and Organization of Residence Hall Association FAST FACTS East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is the largest student organization on ETSU s campus. We focus on both advocacy and programming. ETSU RHA is the governing body for the nine hall councils on ETSU s campus. MEMBER S VOICE ETSU RHA General Body members have a voice in every meeting. The members have the opportunity to share information on events happening in the halls, on campus, or in the community. Our meetings are a great place for the hall councils and resident advisors to advertise programs and events. GENERAL BODY MEETINGS The East Tennessee State University RHA holds its General Body meetings on a weekly basis. These General Body meetings take place in the lobby of the oldest residence hall on ETSU s campus, Carter Hall. We hold our meetings every Tuesday at 5:30. COMMITTEES In addition to being General Body members, many of our members are also members of our various committees, which meet periodically. Philanthropy Committee Special Events Committee Diversity and Inclusion Committee Leadership Development Committee Advertising Committee OTHER MEETINGS The RHA Executive Board meets weekly with our Advisor to discuss upcoming events and other topics. The RHA Vice President meets bi-weekly with the Special Events Committee to plan events, share ideas, and create items needed for events. The Advertising Committee meets before events in order to create advertisements, chalk campus, and raise awareness for upcoming events. The Philanthropy Committee meets as needed to help coordinate philanthropy endeavors. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets and works with the Special Events Committee to plan diversity focused events. Pictured to the left is the Executive Board and the General Body after a meeting. 2
A Mad Tea Party Hall Councils GENERAL INFORMATION ETSU is home to nine hall councils. The hall councils meet every week to discuss programs and activities specifically for the residents that live in that hall. The hall council executive positions are: President, Vice President, Secretary, and RHA Liaison. The executive positions are open to anyone who lives in the building, even Freshmen. Elections are held every fall. HALL OFFICER ORIENTATION AND TRAINING Every fall, the East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association hosts a Hall Officer Orientation and Training for the new hall council executive members and general body members. This two day mini conference gives the new officers and members the chance to get to know the RHA Executive Board while learning their roles as on campus leaders. The hall council officers also get the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and collaborate with other officers. HALL OFFICER TRAINING In the spring semester, the East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association hosts a Hall Officer Training. This is a one day mini conference similar in style to a Regional Business conference. This event is to help the hall council officers continue to develop and collaborate with one another. This is also an opportunity for the hall council members to talk to the RHA Executive Board about RHA elections, which happen soon after, as well as the next hall council election cycle, which takes place in the fall. HALL COUNCIL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS In October, the Carter-Stone-Powell Hall Council partnered with the Davis Hall Council and threw the annual Boo Bash to celebrate Halloween. Lucille Clement threw a Halloween dance party called Shake Your Boooooty for their residents. Centennial Hall hosted Halloween and Holiday Events in their program room. Carter-Stone-Powell Hall Council held a weekly program called Taco Bout Your Problems Tuesday. Davis Hall Council hosted both a Music Night and an Art Night for their residents. Above is the Governors Hall Council at Hall Officer Orientation and Training 2016 3
All In A Golden Afternoon National Residence Hall Honorary FAST FACTS The East Tennessee State University chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary is the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter. COMMUNITY SERVICE The Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter is proud to have completed several community service projects this year. Our NRHH is proud to have 26 active members. The Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter focuses on both recognition and community service. One community service project that was completed was working with the Johnson City Boys and Girls Club. Our members volunteered their time to help students at the Boys and Girls club with homework and participated in after school activities. CONFERENCE INVOLVEMENT The Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter is proud to have had representation at every conference this year. Additionally, NRHH Advisor Jon Mitchell currently serves as the Tennessee Association of Residence Halls Advisor. Active Member Stephanie Hill serves on the Regional Of The Month Committee. The Beta Upson Chi Sigma chapter also volunteered at a local nursing home, interacting with patients and passing out small gifts. Another community service project that was completed by the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter was working with Niswonger Children s Hospital. The chapter made cards for the children and passed them out to help brighten the day of the young patients. OTHER INVOLVEMENT The Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter teamed up with the Residence Hall Association and the Student Dietetics Association to raise money and participate in Relay of Life. Together, our team raised over seven hundred dollars for cancer research. RECOGNITION The Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter had a Spring 2016 and a Fall 2016 induction, where more than 7 new members were brought in. In addition to inductions, out chapter also held an end of the year awards banquet, recognizing our graduates, hall of the year, program of the year, student of the year, and more. This year, our chapter decided to have a bake sale in order to raise money of our chapter. Our bake sale spanned over two days, with members baking and selling the sweet treats for no more than one dollar an item. We saw good success with this, both raising money for our chapter as well as raising awareness about who we are and what we do. This year, our Vice President pushed for more OTM submissions, and due to his hard work, we saw an increase in OTM submission every month of the academic year. 4
The Mock Turtle s Story Benefit to Students RESIDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION The Residence Hall Association is the only student run organization on ETSU s campus to represent all students who live on campus. The Residence Hall Association has direct contact with the ETSU Department of Housing and Residence Life We give our members a voice. The General Body members have the opportunity to submit legislation, as well as the chance to submit ideas for on campus improvements that are taken to the Department of Housing and Residence Life. ETSU RHA creates programs that are both fun and educational. We also focus on advocacy and find new and creative ways to give back to our community. BETA UPSILON CHI SIGMA NATIONAL RESIDENCE HALL HONORARY NRHH gives students who live on campus an incentive to work hard both in the classroom as well as in their residence hall. Members participate in community service projects, where they give back to both the university and the community. NRHH members have the opportunity to attend conferences, where they gain knowledge and understand more about how RHA and NRHH work together for the good of the students. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE The ETSU Department of Housing and Residence Life strives to make on campus living the overall best choice for students. ETSU has a variety of Living Learning Communities, where students who have the same major or are involved in the honors college can live and work together. The Department of Housing and Residence Life listens to the students who live on campus and make changes the residents want to see, like a fire pit, hammock poles, and increased lighting around the halls. HALL COUNCIL Hall Council gives freshmen the unique opportunity to run and serve in a leadership position. ETSU Hall Councils strive to create fun and educational programs for the residences that live in the hall or halls. The members of ETSU Hall Councils are given the opportunity to attend to miniature on campus conferences, where they gain knowledge and share ideas with other members. As a member of the ETSU Hall Councils, they gain valuable friendships, knowledge, and leadership experiences. 5
We re All Mad Here Haunted House PROGRAM SUMMARY ETSU RHA hosted its Haunted House for its 25th year. The Haunted House is open to both the ETSU and the Johnson City community, and is free of charge to everyone. The theme of this year s Haunted House was The Haunted Carnival. GOALS To familiarize students with the Residence Hall Association and to let students know that if they live on campus, they are already a member. To increase RHA general body membership. To give our current members an increased sense of belonging by allowing them to help with every aspect. To give members of both the ETSU and the Johnson City community a safe place to have fun on Halloween. To raise money for our philanthropy, Relay for Life. To the left is a picture of Anna and Analise at the 2016 Haunted House. CHALLENGES Paint We made a tent that was white and red using paint, and without us knowing the red paint bled through the sheet, leaving paint all over the floor. It was permanent. Location We moved the location of the Haunted House this year to the D.P. Culp Center to help resolve the space concern. By doing this we created another problem, the room was open so we had to manufacture temporary walls. Event Timing SAACURH was on Halloween weekend, so we had to hold the Haunted House the weekend before which caused confusion. SUCCESSES We marketed for RHA through the school paper, school website, and social media. Our executive board effectively worked through problems and worked as a team to make sure Haunted House. We raised money for Relay for Life. We had over 400 people come through our Haunted House. 6
Tea Time Water Party and Pancake Breakfast WATER PARTY RHA took part in the Back to School fun by hosting a water party that included inflatables, watermelon, and popsicles! GOALS To familiarize students with the Residence Hall Association, and to let students know that if they live on campus, they are already a member. PANCAKE BREAKFAST One of the most loved ETSU tradition is to host a Pancake Breakfast on the first night of Finals Week, where students can come eat away stress with all you can eat pancakes and sausage. To increase RHA general body membership. To show our buccaneer pride and give students a reason to be excited about school during a difficult transition week. COLLABORATION ETSU recently began a new contract with Sodexo and as a result, Pancake Breakfast was more successful this year than ever. We added topping bars and more drink options this year. CHALLENGES Working with a New Vendor We decided to work with Spacewalk of the Tri-Cities to provide inflatables that were fun at an affordable rate. They were unfamiliar with the process and showed up an hour and a half late to begin set up. The ETSU Gospel Choir singing at Pancake Breakfast has become tradition, and is well loved by all students. Each semester, faculty and staff lend their hands to making and serving pancakes for the event. New Vice President The current Vice President had not served on the board prior to that semester and it was her first event. There was a learning curve in making reservation, booking a vendor, and all other aspects of planning an event. To the left are students enjoying the Water Party Pictured above are students and faculty members enjoying Pancake Breakfast 2016. 7
Painting the Roses Red Football Homecoming, RHA Tabling Opportunities, and Pridewalk Painting HOMECOMING RHA, along with several hall councils, participated in Homecoming 2016. SUMMER ORIENTATIONS Almost every week during the summer, ETSU opens its campus up for student orientation. During orientation, different student organizations set up tables to promote their organization and try to increase attendance. RHA attended also every orientation, and in return saw some familiar faces at the General Body meetings this year. To the left is the RHA Homecoming banner WELCOME WEEK The first week of classes at ETSU is known as Welcome Week, and it is full of fun and freebies for ETSU students. RHA set up a table at the Welcome Week events to promote RHA and to meet the BUCS! CHALLENGES Poor Timing Due to the fact that most of the homecoming events took place during the late morning, many of our members had class, making it harder to participate. Budget Our budget did not include much allocation in the way of homecoming, hindering what events we could afford to be involved in. Pictured above is the RHA Table at Welcome Week PRIDEWALK PAINTING PridWalk is a large student walkway that goes through the center of campus. Each semester, student organizations submit designs for the chance to paint a square on the PrideWalk. In the Fall, RHA was not only selected to paint a square, but our square was selected third place winner. To the left is the design RHA submitted. To the right is some of the paint used. 8
On The Road To Wonderland Relay For Life and Walk A Mile In Her Shoes RELAY FOR LIFE Relay for Life is held every April at ETSU, and RHA always has a team participate and raise money for a cure. In 2016, the Residence Hall Association teamed up with the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary and the Student Dietetics Association. MONEY RAISED In 2016, our team raised over one thousand dollars for Relay for Life. We accepted donations at all of our events and had several generous contributions. WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES Walk a Mile in her Shoes is a international men s march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. ETSU RHA gave money both to the events itself, as well as paying the registration and shoe rental fee for several of our members to participate in the walk. PARTICIPATION ETSU RHA has men walk in the race every year, but in 2016 we decided to sponsor several members by paying the registration fees and the fees to rent shoes. PARTICIPATION Every year, ETSU RHA has a booth at Relay for Life which features a jail. This attraction allows people to place someone they know in the jail for a ticket and the prisoner has to pay a ticket to make bail. The East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association made signs and cheered on the men who walked in the event. We hope our contribution to this cause increases support and raises awareness for sexual assault and gender violence. ETSU RHA always has a team member walking for a cure. Our team often has members who walk together, checking out other booths and interacting with the other teams. During the General Body meetings leading up to Relay for Life, we host a registration party, where people can use our computers to sign up on our team. To the left is the ETSU RHA Relay for Life booth, featuring our jail Pictured above are Logan Corbin and Christopher Shultz. 9
Defeating The Jabberwocky ETSU Residence Hall Association Chapter Challenges ATTENDANCE Just like any student organization, ETSU RHA sees fluctuation in attendance every week. We are constantly challenged to not only find ways to keep our current members coming to General Body meetings, but also to find ways to draw in new members. We have discussed attendance raffles to keep current members returning weekly. We also strive to get members to talk and participate in meetings to make them feel more like an important part of our organization. EXECUTIVE BOARD EQUITY One big challenge this year has been strategically looking at our Executive Board positions and asking ourselves if the work load is equitable among the board. In the coming weeks, as we elect new officers for the 2017 2018 term, we will be critically discussing changes we can make to ensure equity among the Executive board. COMMITTEES This year, our Executive Board decided to restructure our committees to include: Philanthropy, Special Events, Leadership Development, Diversity and Inclusion, and Advertising At the first several meetings of the Fall, we focused on committees and urged the General Body members to sign up. We had several members sign up for each, and created email lists. As the semester went on, committees have fallen to the wayside, and one goal of our Executive Board is to refocus our committees in the Spring. EXECUTIVE BOARD RETENTION In the Spring of 2016, our then Vice President Nathan Wallace was re-elected to his position. Nathan had to step down, so we appointed Business and Secretarial Chair elect Kaelyn Bishop to the Vice President position. To fill the Business and Secretarial Chair position, we appointed Tyeasia Dabbs. With those two appointments, the Executive Board was complete. However, in the Fall of 2016, then President Rebekah Cisney decided to follow her dream of traveling the world by studying abroad in Greece. Since she was leaving the country and could not hold her position, National Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hill was elected to the President in October, and was approved to hold both positions for the duration of her term. In January of 2017, Tyeasia Dabbs resigned from her position as Business and Secretarial Chair, leaving us with a three person Executive Board. NCC-it Rachel Gilliam stepped up to help handle the work load. Additionally, we held elections for the Business and Secretarial Chair position in February, and successfully elected Anna Elmore to the position. She will be sworn in next week. 10
Advice From A Caterpillar ETSU Residence Hall Association Chapter Successes CONFERENCES One of our biggest successes as an RHA this year has been increased interest, attendance, and commitment to conferences. The Executive Board decided to make every delegation member pay twenty five dollars to help offset the registration cost, which has increased delegate dedication. Our goal for this year was to bid in every category possible at conferences. We also decided that every delegate is responsible for a program proposal. We have had interest in the State Officer positions, and we have members who are passionate about conferences. Overall, we are proud of the strides we have made in the conference realm. HALL COUNCILS ETSU RHA is the governing body for the nine hall councils on ETSU s campus. During the Fall of 2016, our hall councils saw a dramatic increase in attendance. All nine hall councils were present at the Fall Hall Officer Orientation and Training. We are seeing more hall council collaboration, and increased hall council attendance at RHA. Every hall council was involved in some sort of Halloween celebration this past Fall. CONSTITUTION The East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is proud to announce the ratification of a new constitution! National Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hill began working on a brand new constitution during her first term, and the 14 page document officially became the governing constitution for the East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association in the Spring of 2017. OFFICE HOURS AND VISIBILITY The 2016-2017 Executive Board strives to be visible to the General Body members as well as students as a whole. The East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association has called our new office home for a full year now, and have decorated it with conference awards. The Executive Board has planned office hours, more than are required by our constitution, to increase our visibility. Additionally, the Executive Board members stay at least twenty minutes after every General Body meeting, mingling and catching up with our members. We also give our personal emails to the members for easy contact. 11
The Pool Of Tears ETSU Residence Hall Association Chapter Budget The East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is funded almost entirely by funds from the Student Activities Allocation Fee account. We apply and go in front of the Student Activities Allocation Committee every academic year for these funds. BEGINNING BALANCE - Student Activities Allocation Funds GENERAL $17,000.00 RHA 2016 Shirts (Logopro) -700.00 Hall Officer Orientation and Training HOOT Supplies -32.87 HOOT Lunch (Sodexo) -338.00 HOOT Shirts (Logopro) -604.80 HOOT Dinner -350.00 Haunted House -900.00 ETSU Pridewalk -75.32 Water Party -867.10 RHA Study Day -53.92 Miscellaneous Program Supplies -300.00 Promo Items -629.04 ENDING BALANCE $11,282.65 BEGINNING BALANCE - Student Activities Allocation Funds TRAVEL $3,000.00 SAACURH SAACURH Registration -970.00 SAACURH Travel -700.00 TARH TARH Registration -640.00 TARH Travel -300.00 ENDING BALANCE 390.00 In addition to the funds we are graciously given by the Student Activities Allocation Committee, we also receive fundraising money from On Campus Marketing, which we use to pay our Executive Board, as well as purchase items for General Body meetings. 12
Sister Queens Partnership with National Residence Hall Honorary SISTER ORGANIZATIONS ETSU RHA is proud to be the sister organization of the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary. This year has been a great year, full of fostering new relationships between these two amazing student led organizations. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NCC AND NRHH REPRESENTATIVE The National Communications Coordinator and the National Residence Hall Honorary Representative have always been close at ETSU, but this year the relationship has been extra amazing. The two representatives are passionate about their organizations, and understand how important their role in representing ETSU is. Both the NCC and the NRHH Representative take time before every conference to discuss with the Executive Boards as well as the members the legislation that they will be voting on. This is in order to make sure they are voting for the good of ETSU. MEMBERSHIP Most of the RHA Executive Board are members of the National Residence Hall Honorary at ETSU. Additionally, over half of the NRHH members also attend RHA weekly. This relationship makes it easier to bridge these two organizations. Working together is the best way for both RHA and NRHH to accomplish great things. MEETINGS At every weekly RHA General Body meeting, a representative from NRHH is present to give the membership updates on what NRHH is doing. At the bi-weekly NRHH meetings, the NRHH President, along with the RHA NCC, give updates on what RHA is currently involved in as well as conference updates. To the left is the NCC and the NRHH Representative having fun at SAACURH 2015. 13
Who Stole The Tarts? ETSU Residence Hall Association State Recognition TARH 2016 RECOGNITION At the Tennessee Association of Residence Halls 2016conference, East Tennessee State University was honored to receive the following awards: School of the Year Advisor of the Year National Communications Coordinator of the Year Most Spirited Delegation 1st Place Banner Competition It s Not Hard to be a Leader When You Know what Your Values Are Top Three Program Communication: The Key to the Castle Top Three Program Above is the ETSU TARH 2016 delegation after closing ceremonies. Jon Mitchell Iris Award Recipient Stephanie Hill Iris Award Recipient Alicia Luc Iris Award Recipient 14
I Was A Different Person Then State Involvement Host Institution 2016 TARH ADVISOR ETSU is proud to host the 2016 2017 TARH State Advisor, Mr. Jon Michell. In addition to being the State Advisor, he is also an Area Coordinator for the Department of Housing and Residence Life and the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma National Residence Hall Honorary Advisor. He also holds his ART certification through NACURH and his MA in Higher Education Counseling from ETSU. As returning Advisor, Jon has many goals for the TARH Association. He wants to strengthen the communication between the TARH board members, as well as communication between the states. He is also working with the AD Recognition to find new, creative ways to recognize members at the state level. To the left is TARH Advisor Mr. Jon Mitchell and his family. TARH DIRECTOR ETSU is proud to host the 2016 2017 TARH Director, Ms. Rebekah Cisney. In addition to being the TARH Director, Rebekah is a Junior who is a candidate for a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. She previously served as the ETSU RHA President and is a member of the Beta Upsilon Chi Sigma National Residence Hall Honorary. She is also a distinguished member of the ETSU Honors in Discipline program. This semester, Rebekah is studying abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece. To the right is TARH Director Rebekah Cisney 15
Curiouser and Curiouser Regional Voting, Involvement, and Recognition SAACURH 2016 East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is proud to have voted on all legislation presented in Combined, NCC, and NRHH boardroom at the SAACURH 2016. Additionally, ETSU RHA had delegates who attended all programming sessions. The ETSU delegates loved the programs so much, many of the delegates have presented the programs at other events and conferences. REGIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2016 RECOGNITION At the SAACURH Regional Business Conference 2016, East Tennessee State University was honored to receive the following awards: SAACURH 2016 School of the Year National Communications Coordinator of the Year 2016: Stephanie Hill REGIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2016 East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is proud to have voted on all legislation presented in Combined, NCC, and NRHH boardroom at the SAACURH Regional Business Conference 2016. Additionally, ETSU RHA voted on and participated in discussion on bids presented at Reginal Business 2016 including SAACURH Executive Committee bids, No Frills 2017 Host, and more. ETSU also voted in and participated in discussion on all bids that were presented online, include School of the Year, Advisor of the Year, and RHA President of the Year. SAACURH COMMITTEE INVOLVEMENT East Tennessee State University is currently represented on the SAACURH Regional Of the Month committee by National Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hill. SAACURH TASK FORCE INVOLVEMENT East Tennessee State University is currently represented on the SAACURH National Communications Coordinator Orientation Task Force by National Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hill. Pictured above is the ETSU SAACURH 2016 delegation. 16
It s My Own Invention National Attendance, Representation, and Recognition NACURH 2016 East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is proud to have attended NACURH 2016 hosted by the University of Delaware. NACURH SUSTAINABILITY CASE STUDY East Tennessee State University Residence Hall Association is overwhelmingly honored to have won the NACURH 2016 Sustainability Case Study Award, given out by the University of Delaware Conference Staff. NACURH 2016 PROGRAMMING SESSIONS East Tennessee State University RHA was represented at the NACURH 2016 programming sessions by NRHH President Megan Butler, RHA Vice President Kaelyn Bishop, PR and Branding Chair Sarah Halfacre, and Business and Secretarial Chair Tyeasia Dabbs. NACURH 2016 CORPORATE BUSINESS INFORMATION SESSION AND CORPORATE BUSINESS East Tennessee State University RHA was represented at the NACURH 2016 Corporate Business Information Session as well as the NACURH Corporate Business by National Communications Coordinator Stephanie Hill, National Residence Hal Honorary Representative Cory Dillard, National Residence Hall Honorary Advisor Jon Mitchell, and RHA Advisor Alicia Luc. Additionally, Vice President Kaelyn Bishop and Branding and Public Relations Chair presented a program on communication. To the right is a picture of Stephanie Hill with the Best Case Study Award at NACURH 2016. 17
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