OTM Examples
Read below for an example of both a National and Regional OTM winner example.
National Winner
Month: November 2012
NACURH, INC.
Organization of the Month
School: San Jose State University Region: PACURH Nominee: Makoto Ushihara NRHH Chapter
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’. These words uttered by President John F. Kennedy as he took the oath of office of the Presidency of the United States impacted an entire generation of Americans. The Makoto Ushihara Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) has given back to the SJSU community, particularly in the month of November. The members of this chapter went above and beyond in this month, being complete rockstars. Most of our chapter members helped with the PACURH 2012 Conference. They either served as conference staff members, delegates, or volunteers. One would think that after a conference would be a time for rest. Not this chapter!PACURH was only the beginning of an amazing month for this chapter, and it’s accomplishments as a chapter. There is an annual ‘Great American Smoke Out’ day that occurs nationally. This is designed to bring awareness about the effects of tobacco. Seeing the need to help our residents, as well as partner with the campus community, NRHH had a weeklong program entitled ‘Tobacco Prevention and Awareness Week’. In this week NRHH provided several programs such as Letters for Lungs, a program designed for students to send letters to their loved ones encouraging them to stop smoking. There were various other programs that NRHH collaborated on with the campus community, including the Great American Smoke Free day, in which smokers are encouraged to stop smoking for that specific day.
Perhaps NRHH greatest accomplishment in the month of November was its dedication to community service. Early in the semester, the chapter members agreed that there philnathropy of choice for they year would be the Heifer International Fund, which helps impoverished people all across the globe. November was the month that saw all of this chapters planning come to fruition
First was the ‘RA Date Auction’, a program in which Resident Assistants (RAs) volunteered to be auctioned off for NRHHs philanthropy. 16 RAs volunteered to be auctioned off. The theme of this date auction was ‘Take Me Out’. There were several advertisements out, and many residents were excited the week of this event. This program was a huge success, with over 50 residents showing up to be participate. Over $450 was raised for the heifer international fund. This was not the only fundraising efforts this chapter did. NRHH also began to sell ‘Candy Cane Grams’, to residents in our halls, as well as a legacy program called ‘wrap your package’, in which residents can bring their holiday gifts down to be wrapped for a small donation, all of which goes towards the heifer international fund.
This chapter ended the month of November off strong. In honor of World Aids Day, NRHH decided to do programming that increased awareness about the aids pandemic.The chapter decided to tabling efforts in our residence halls, and pass out red ribbons to residents informing them about this very important issue. NRHH was able to give out over 300 red ribbons to our residence in just a few hours. In addition to ribbons, there were various posters with information about AIDS across the globe.
On top of all of our programming efforts, this chapter has done amazing recognition work. In November, NRHH was able to recognize many groups, including RAs, Professional Staff members, and Office Assistants that work in our academic Living Learning Center (LLC).This chapter and its members have exceeded all expectations, and it is for these reasons I would like to nominate the Makoto Ushihara Chapter of NRHH as organization of the month, for November 2012.
Word Count: 600
Month: November 2012
NACURH, INC.
Organization of the Month
School: San Jose State University Region: PACURH Nominee: Makoto Ushihara NRHH Chapter
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’. These words uttered by President John F. Kennedy as he took the oath of office of the Presidency of the United States impacted an entire generation of Americans. The Makoto Ushihara Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) has given back to the SJSU community, particularly in the month of November. The members of this chapter went above and beyond in this month, being complete rockstars. Most of our chapter members helped with the PACURH 2012 Conference. They either served as conference staff members, delegates, or volunteers. One would think that after a conference would be a time for rest. Not this chapter!PACURH was only the beginning of an amazing month for this chapter, and it’s accomplishments as a chapter. There is an annual ‘Great American Smoke Out’ day that occurs nationally. This is designed to bring awareness about the effects of tobacco. Seeing the need to help our residents, as well as partner with the campus community, NRHH had a weeklong program entitled ‘Tobacco Prevention and Awareness Week’. In this week NRHH provided several programs such as Letters for Lungs, a program designed for students to send letters to their loved ones encouraging them to stop smoking. There were various other programs that NRHH collaborated on with the campus community, including the Great American Smoke Free day, in which smokers are encouraged to stop smoking for that specific day.
Perhaps NRHH greatest accomplishment in the month of November was its dedication to community service. Early in the semester, the chapter members agreed that there philnathropy of choice for they year would be the Heifer International Fund, which helps impoverished people all across the globe. November was the month that saw all of this chapters planning come to fruition
First was the ‘RA Date Auction’, a program in which Resident Assistants (RAs) volunteered to be auctioned off for NRHHs philanthropy. 16 RAs volunteered to be auctioned off. The theme of this date auction was ‘Take Me Out’. There were several advertisements out, and many residents were excited the week of this event. This program was a huge success, with over 50 residents showing up to be participate. Over $450 was raised for the heifer international fund. This was not the only fundraising efforts this chapter did. NRHH also began to sell ‘Candy Cane Grams’, to residents in our halls, as well as a legacy program called ‘wrap your package’, in which residents can bring their holiday gifts down to be wrapped for a small donation, all of which goes towards the heifer international fund.
This chapter ended the month of November off strong. In honor of World Aids Day, NRHH decided to do programming that increased awareness about the aids pandemic.The chapter decided to tabling efforts in our residence halls, and pass out red ribbons to residents informing them about this very important issue. NRHH was able to give out over 300 red ribbons to our residence in just a few hours. In addition to ribbons, there were various posters with information about AIDS across the globe.
On top of all of our programming efforts, this chapter has done amazing recognition work. In November, NRHH was able to recognize many groups, including RAs, Professional Staff members, and Office Assistants that work in our academic Living Learning Center (LLC).This chapter and its members have exceeded all expectations, and it is for these reasons I would like to nominate the Makoto Ushihara Chapter of NRHH as organization of the month, for November 2012.
Word Count: 600
Regional Winner
December 2012. Nominee : The LLC
December is perhaps one of the most stressful months for any student on any college campus. This month brings with it term papers, the stress of final examinations, and the holiday season. This month there was one particular community that stood out to me, and it wasn’t what one would expect. When we think of communities, we often think of specific residence halls, or floors. However, this is not always the case.For the month of December, I would like to nominate the Living Learning Center (LLC) at San Jose State University (SJSU) for Residential Community of the month. You might be wondering why I am nominating an academic intensive learning center for Community of the month. It is quite simple in fact, and to demonstrate that I will try my hardest to do a rap… here it goes,
Check 1… Check 2… okay, let’s go!
Now, this is a story all about how
the community at SJSU learned how to get down
and I liked to take a minute Just sit right there
I'll tell you how the LLC become community of the month
At SJSU born and raised
At the Resident Activity Center was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And doing some homework outside of the school
When a couple of RAs
Who were up to some good
Started building community in my neighborhood
I got one little F, and my RA got scared
said 'You're going to LLC, and I’ll meet you there’
Okay, enough of my rap… but seriously, the LLC was the place to be in December! December saw amazing community being built at the LLC. The month of December started off with numerous workshops presented by Peer Connections, a campus agency, designed to help residents with studying for finals. Furthermore, many RAs did programming based on academics in the LLC. These programming efforts varied wide from handing out test taking materials such as scantrons, test booklets, pens, and pencils, to entire programs dedicated to managing stress. The advertisements for these programs were very creative, and done intentionally to help promote the LLC. This was great because it highlighted the specific resources the LLC had.
In addition to all of the amazing programming that happened in the LLC, December saw the LLC’s hours of operation increase. To be more accessible to students, and to create a safe study space, the LLC extended its hours of operation until 1am every night, including weekend nights. This was the first time the LLC had extended its hours of operations in its nearly 6 year existence. Dozens of residents could be seen studying in the LLC every night. The LLC staff did an amazing job of helping energize residents. They even passed out goodie bags to residents every night to help keep them motivated to do well on their examinations. Not only did they help boost the morale of residents, they also made sure to answer any questions that the residents might have had.
What made the LLC one of the best communities in the month was the fact that it brought together residents and student groups from all across the campus in their shared belief to help residents within our residence halls. The LLC saw amazing collaboration between RAs, Office Assistants, tutors, peer advisors, and professional staff members aimed at helping create a ‘cool’ space where students could come together to make their academics a priority. It is for all of these reasons that I believe the LLC should be the Residential Community of the month for, December 2012.
Word Count: 600
December 2012. Nominee : The LLC
December is perhaps one of the most stressful months for any student on any college campus. This month brings with it term papers, the stress of final examinations, and the holiday season. This month there was one particular community that stood out to me, and it wasn’t what one would expect. When we think of communities, we often think of specific residence halls, or floors. However, this is not always the case.For the month of December, I would like to nominate the Living Learning Center (LLC) at San Jose State University (SJSU) for Residential Community of the month. You might be wondering why I am nominating an academic intensive learning center for Community of the month. It is quite simple in fact, and to demonstrate that I will try my hardest to do a rap… here it goes,
Check 1… Check 2… okay, let’s go!
Now, this is a story all about how
the community at SJSU learned how to get down
and I liked to take a minute Just sit right there
I'll tell you how the LLC become community of the month
At SJSU born and raised
At the Resident Activity Center was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool
And doing some homework outside of the school
When a couple of RAs
Who were up to some good
Started building community in my neighborhood
I got one little F, and my RA got scared
said 'You're going to LLC, and I’ll meet you there’
Okay, enough of my rap… but seriously, the LLC was the place to be in December! December saw amazing community being built at the LLC. The month of December started off with numerous workshops presented by Peer Connections, a campus agency, designed to help residents with studying for finals. Furthermore, many RAs did programming based on academics in the LLC. These programming efforts varied wide from handing out test taking materials such as scantrons, test booklets, pens, and pencils, to entire programs dedicated to managing stress. The advertisements for these programs were very creative, and done intentionally to help promote the LLC. This was great because it highlighted the specific resources the LLC had.
In addition to all of the amazing programming that happened in the LLC, December saw the LLC’s hours of operation increase. To be more accessible to students, and to create a safe study space, the LLC extended its hours of operation until 1am every night, including weekend nights. This was the first time the LLC had extended its hours of operations in its nearly 6 year existence. Dozens of residents could be seen studying in the LLC every night. The LLC staff did an amazing job of helping energize residents. They even passed out goodie bags to residents every night to help keep them motivated to do well on their examinations. Not only did they help boost the morale of residents, they also made sure to answer any questions that the residents might have had.
What made the LLC one of the best communities in the month was the fact that it brought together residents and student groups from all across the campus in their shared belief to help residents within our residence halls. The LLC saw amazing collaboration between RAs, Office Assistants, tutors, peer advisors, and professional staff members aimed at helping create a ‘cool’ space where students could come together to make their academics a priority. It is for all of these reasons that I believe the LLC should be the Residential Community of the month for, December 2012.
Word Count: 600