MSWSO Meeting Minutes
October 5th, 2006
4:00 pm
Attendance: Professor Ghindia, Erin, Margaret, Reneé, Heather, Jessica, Alumni Jesse
Special guest: Miranda ?
-Introductions of members, sharing of contact information, welcoming
-The group informally discussed roles and elected/volunteered officer positions. The votes were unanimous ?, and are as followed:
President: Erin
Vice President: Heather
Treasurer: Margaret
Secretary: Jessica
Webmaster: Reneé
Advocate Editor: Jessica, Co-editor- Margaret
-Discussed the role of the MSWSO to be
- to be recognized throughout campus,
- active presence/voice at the school of social work,
- getting involved in policy/empowerment/community activities,
- providing encouragement, support, and information to 1st and 2nd year students,
- Represent the school in the community through various means
- Increase membership and involvement of students
-The group decided that it would be beneficial and interesting if all members took turns being the MSWSO liaison by attending monthly faculty meetings. So far we agreed that Renee will attend the first one in October, and Heather will attend the one in November.
-Renee will post a list to get emails for students interested in joining
-If possible we are looking into a formal meeting room; Dennis will try and help us with that
-Discussed the Advocate: Getting an issue out for October is one of our first goals/priority as a group. The first issue will be out by the end of October (the week of the 23rd) this means the deadline for submissions is 10/13, next Friday. We will get out whatever we can by that date and do the best with what we have, so please send to Jessica (jklein_3798@ric.edu) your submissions if you have anything you would like to say/write about/etc.
-We did a lot of great brainstorming around the Advocate. The first issue of the Advocate plans to feature the following:
-Welcome message from the MSWSO
-Editorial
-Alumni Column (thanks Jesse! What would the MSWSO be without his legacy?-there is life after graduation!!!)
-Current News/Events- a few noteworthy issues to write about
-A question/answer/advice column- questions from students will have a forum to be discussed/answered (for the first issue since likely nobody will have posted a question by the deadline, maybe we can simply announce important upcoming dates regarding registration and such? Unless you guys have any other questions you think should be published-Just let me know, we can wing something for now
-Humor section (for the first issue, if there are no submissions from other students/people, I will maybe just put in a few jokes)
-poetry/creative /quotes section as well, ideally related to social work/social justice issues, or it could just be words of inspiration/encouragement...if no submissions by 10/13 I will just throw in a verse or two)
-Ideas section- encourage the social work community to submit their ideas/have their voice be heard as well (promote membership/community/etc.)
-We talked about maybe having a cardboard box to leave in the student lounge for students to drop in notes/questions/ideas/etc.
-We discussed possible activities for the upcoming year: A talent day/fundraising/ holiday events/Guest lecturer/food/toy drives/Have another Panel discussion/Go to the state house during the legislative season...lot's of good ideas we bounced around-to be more fine tuned at the next meeting- we definitely should remember to reward ourselves for our progress as we go along!
-Next Meeting: Thursday October 19th 4:00 in the atrium unless we are able to get a room
Thanks everyone!!!