#studentorg

Now that we’ve got your attention, allow us to introduce ourselves.

We are Musi-Comedies, a student organization at the University of North Texas that is all about comedy, musicals, musical comedies, and comedic musicals. (Sounds a little redundant...)

Anyway, this our first post on Tumblr (yay!), and the first time we are announcing our show for the fall semester. It is a student-written show called “Curiouser and Curiouser,” and is based on the “Alice in Wonderland” novels.

Be sure to stay tuned for all the latest news regarding all things Musi-Comedies.

AND be sure to check out our other social media platforms to get the word out about this amazing organization!

Facebook: @MusiComedies

Twitter: @MusiComedies

Instagram: @musicomedies_unt

Pinterest: MusiComedies

AAANNNDDD if that doesn’t get you interested... here is a random GIF.

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at UWM seeks to educate, support, and bring awareness to social issues regarding the Muslim community. Additionally, their goal is to inform UWM students of Islamic culture. https://uwm.presence.io/organization/muslim-student-association-2 (link to the MSA UWM page)

During this semester, we've been working towards the goal of understanding cultural and/or ethnic identity. I believe this group perfectly depicts those ideas. The MSA proudly represents their culture through the events they hold. For example, they've had a multitude of events (depicted below) that give the org the ability to interact with and listen to guest speakers with important stories to tell, from all cultures.

(Instagram, 11/2023)

(Instagram, 11/2023)

Additionally, I think there is a close tie between the MSA and the article from the NYT titled “Race Remixed: Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above.” (Santora, 2016) This article focuses on the influx of interracial marriages over the last few decades and the increasing number of multiracial people. Additionally, there was a focus on student organizations that allowed those of a mixed race to feel welcome and heard. From my understanding of MSA, their org is very similar to the one in the article. MSA hosts events that are welcome to the public, they have conversations that expand the knowledge of the Muslim community, and they work at promoting an understanding of Muslim culture. This idea fits into the thoughts of the article, showing that being proud of one's identity doesn't have to be shared amongst those who are part of that identity, but by anyone interested in learning and expanding their horizons.

From the NYTimes website, "From left: Shannon Palmer, Japanese/Irish; Vasco Mateus, Portuguese/African-American/Haitian; Laura Wood, black/white.Credit...Stephen Crowley/The New York Times" (Santora, 2016)

The MSA's work also promotes cultural identity. One of the reasons for student organizations is to allow people to interact with others like them. There is a feeling of safety and ease when people of a similar group, be it race, culture, religion, or otherwise, are with other people of that ideology. In that way, the MSA does a great job of including those in the Muslim faith and culture to share in the pride of their culture and expand the knowledge of both to those willing to learn.

(Facebook)

(Facebook)

Citations:

Saulny, S. (2013, February 5). More young Americans identify as mixed race. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html

Instagram. (n.d.). https://www.instagram.com/p/C0NYv2HsVn_/

Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/msauwm/

Running for a student organization officer position can seem overwhelming. All members are focused on determining your credibility and trustworthiness on election night. However, being able to influence members to vote for you doesn’t have to be so hard. Here are 5 steps you need to take if you wish to be elected as a future student organization officer.

Reach out to past officers

Reaching out to past officers, allows you to gain the best insight into the responsibilities and duties you will experience. Past officers are able to tell you the most effective ways to campaign and engage members. In addition, past officers can provide creative ideas for new initiatives or explain why certain initiatives may be unobtainable. Reaching out to past officers at the beginning of your decision making is crucial to the success of your campaign.

Connect with members

One of the most important aspects in running for an officer position is connecting and establishing a positive relationship with members. Ultimately, the more members you connect with on a personal level, the higher chance you’ll have at gaining votes. Get feedback and find out what members believe should be changed and what is going well. This will be very beneficial in the process of creating initiatives.  

Establish creative initiatives

An initiative is what a candidate will do to make their position better. This can mean adding new events, building on current events, or changing the structure with how the position is run. Thus, a candidate is only as good as their initiatives. Furthermore, even if you have mastered all 4 other characteristics, having strong initiatives can make or break getting the position or not. Create initiatives that will engage with members and leave a lasting impression of excitement. If members are excited and view your initiative as constructive, the more likely they are to vote for something they’ll enjoy. This is arguably the most influencing aspect of running for an officer position. Ultimately, great initiatives can go a long way in running of a successful campaign.

Practice your speech

Practicing your speech is one of the most important aspects of running. Individuals can tell when candidates are prepared or not. A good leader will always sound confident when public speaking. Thus, practicing your speech until you are comfortable and confident will improve not only your credibility but trustworthiness. Leading up to election night ensure you get as many practices runs as you can in front of people. Lastly, get feedback from others on what can be improved to make your speech even better.

Prepare for Q&A

Many students in college today go to school and leave right after their class finishes. Those students are missing out on a critical aspect many colleges offer, student organizations. These organizations offer students a vast number of benefits, seeking to build up and develop students towards success. Below are just some of the many reasons to join a student organization at your own college or university.

Networking – Being a member of a student organization will expose you to a large network of students, alumni, and professionals. Depending on how large the organization is, a member has the opportunity to connect to many other students in a similar career path as themselves. Being around students with the same life goals and aspirations can really motivate and encourage success among individuals. A student organization can also create alumni events where students can be matched up with professionals in a similar field and establish a mentor/mentee type of environment. Lastly, any successful student organization will be sponsored by a number of companies seeking to recruit future employees. This can be especially beneficial for students in their search for career opportunities as it connects them to many companies.

Leadership opportunities – Student organizations also allow students to develop important leadership skills. Any successful organization will have plenty of these opportunities ranging from member events, competitions and member positions. Perhaps the biggest leadership opportunity offered by an organization is the chance to be part of an officer board. Here elected members are put in charge to control a certain aspect of the organization giving them a large degree of responsibility, credibility, and leadership.

Career development – As I have mentioned student organizations have plenty of career development opportunities for its members. Sponsored companies are able to come in and give presentations on important topics they believe students should know before entering the workforce. For example, a company like KPMG may host a case study competition, allowing students to gain a visual into life as an accountant. This will give student real-world experience and better prepare them for the future. Ultimately, a successful student organization will bridge the gap between students and employers.

Giving back to the community – One common theme amongst student organizations is their willingness to give back and help the community. Not only are these events beneficial to those in need, but they also give members an opportunity to bond, have fun and create a positive association with volunteering.  Volunteering opportunities can range from a number of events such as blood drives, park clean-ups, festivals, and pet care. No matter what is done organizations that give back to the community through the time of its members 

  School orientation is important because it is the first step to take before embracing responsibilities. It gives guidelines and set of activities to its members in the upcoming semester.

  Last September 23,2016,Junior People Management Association of the Philippines (JPMAP)-Perpetual chapter held a general orientation with the theme “How to be You? Be an active J.P.M.A.P (Join, Participate, and Mold as Perpetualite)” at Ernesto Palanca Crisostomo Hall, at University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. The attendees of the orientation are different students from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy: Marketing Management, Human Resource Development Management and Entrepreneurship.

          “The JPMAP Perpetual officers think that the best way to kick off this school year is to orient the student body first about the organization and what would be the benefits of joining in it. It is also a way to have a connection with the students to assess what the student body needs to learn and what characteristic or knowledge they want to develop that the organization can assist by conducting different activities. The purpose of this event is to broaden the knowledge regarding the history and past accomplishments of the organization and to allow the students to socialize and participate with the upcoming activities of the organization inside and outside campus events. This school year the JPMAP-UPHSD Chapter aims to unleash potentials of Students by providing them activities like training, seminars, corporate social responsibility programs and other aspects as well that can that help them gain knowledge and can set as a practice to them in preparation for our future job as an  employee. ” stated by Madeline Benedicto, President of JPMAP-PERPETUAL.

  JPMAP holds various  activities like: Project J.Art  “JPMAPerps: An Articulated Personality”  "Creative Marketing Approach in Human Relation Development" seminar,  “Operation Management Film Production” seminar, chrysalis” national convention, 20th General Membership Meeting and  Junior People Management Association of The Philippines Orientation 2015.  

          “I joined this organization because I am excited in the different events that they will offer where I can meet my Human resource family. This serves as a team building where I can meet new friends and also share knowledge with them.  I am looking forward for many seminars that they are going to present which is I am sure going to be full of learning. And as of now, I enjoy and love being a member of JPMAP. Also, I want to enhance my social skills, time management and self-responsibility skills. Since I joined the JPMAP Organization, I’ve already met different people, build friendships and have fun while developing my skills.” said by Curtny Wagwag and Ivie Sanchez, members of JPMAP-PERPETUAL.

Why you should join a student organization?

Okay, we all heard it… “Join a student org!” Reality is many students don’t join any.

To Make Friends - I’d say the friends you make in college will be the most valuable friendships you’ll have. College isn’t meant to be done alone.

Leadership opportunities - As a member of an organization you’ll have the opportunity to grow as a leader and gain skills that you could apply to your life professionally and personally.

Networking opportunities - Many student organizations host professional events in which they bring out recruiters from different companies to speak to you

Volunteer opportunities- organizations usually volunteer at local non-profits and give back to the community.

Resume Builder - Recruiters like to see what extracurricular activities you are involved in at school... They want to see that you have a life outside of just academic work.

Fun - We all need to have fun while in college and joining a student org can help you get your mind of school related stuff.