Region II Newsletter: August 2022

AUGUST 2022

IN THIS ISSUE Message from Regional Director Regional Conference Info Regional Scholarships & Awards Upcoming Events Union Highlight Volunteer Opportunities

Message from Regional Director Happy Return-To-School, Region II !

This break between semesters might go down as the fastest on record. We blinked through orientation, we briefly plugged our ears for Band Camp (which has forever ruined the Star Wars opening credit music for me); and now we find ourselves staring down August- simultaneously the most joyful and most exhausting of months. But we know all that work to welcome students back to campus serves the greater purpose of getting them re-engaged with their friends, their spaces, their organizations, and their education.

So, too, do Region II’s programs do the same for us. We were fortunate to have The University of Missouri host a drive-in for us in June, and I know our friends at UH-Clear Lake are champing at the bit to host one as well. We’ve had conversations over Zoom about engaging with students as leaders, as trainers, and as well-rounded humans. And best of all, our Regional Conference returns to an in-person gathering this year, October 21-23 at Sam Houston State University.

Having visited the Lowman Student Center, I can say with confidence that this conference will be a phenomenal opportunity to re-engage with your ACUI friends, new spaces, and our organization at large.

Message from Regional Director Whether it’s through submitting an educational session for Region II’s Conference, showing up to a Zoom meeting, or volunteering for our Regional Leadership Team; the members of Region II have always done two things well: showing up, and showing up big. With all our challenges the future will present, that alone is comfort enough to keep me motivated in this busiest time of year.

-Rob Stagni Regional Director

Regional Conference 2022

Call for Proposals!

The Conference Planning Team has been hard at work planning an amazing event that will take place October 2123 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

The team is now accepting educational session proposals from both professional staff and students. Share your knowledge and expertise with your peers by submitting a proposal here.

The theme of the conference is "The New U", focusing on forward thinking and reflection. We can't to see your creativity in how you incorporate this theme into your sessions. Submit today!

Regional Conference 2022

Conference Proposal Best Practices Here are some tips to help you create an engaging and informative conference session.

Fill a knowledge gap and/or provide information needed by colleagues Answer a question or offer a solution to a problem in your expertise area or topic Create a transferable presentation which can be applied broadly beyond your campus community where possible Consider the various session formats, ACUI's core competencies and the conference theme to create a session that is relevant and valuable

Session Ideas Social justice, inclusion, anti-racism Our role as community builders Best practices in college unions, from operations to programming Ways to navigate workforce changes Trends, issues and best practices for global student unions Future of student unions

Regional Conference 2022 The Regional Leadership Team and Conference Planning Team spent some time touring the Lowman Student Center at Sam Houston State in preparation for the conference. The LSC features upgraded lighting and production equipment, a food court, multiple lounge areas, and even a bowling alley! We can't wait for you to see it all in-person. Follow us on social and keep an eye out for emails with more exciting conference details coming soon!

MARCH 2021, VOLUME 3

Regional Scholarships Region II is proud to offer scholarships to professional staff and students covering the registration fee for our Regional Conference.

Visit https://www.acui.org/regions/ii/regional-scholarships to learn more and submit an application.

Applications are due by Monday, August 15, 2022.

Email Ricardo Reyes at ricardo.reyes@tamucc.edu with any questions.

Regional Awards Region II offers several annual awards outstanding individual and institutional members.

recognizing association

Visit the Region II website for descriptions of each award and the nomination process. Nominations are due Thursday, September 1, 2022.

Email Ricardo Reyes at ricardo.reyes@tamucc.edu with any questions.

MARCH 2021, VOLUME 3

Upcoming Events Important Dates

Student Roundtable

August 3 – Adulting 101: Navigating Professional Communication Come join other student leaders from around the region to discuss how individuals communicate, how to communicate professionally, and other important communication skills to assist in your roles and jobs.

A Zoom link and time will be sent out via email. For more information on each roundtable topic, contact our Student Involvement Coordinator Kat Paynter, at katheryn.paynter@tamucc.edu

IPDS Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations!

Region II supports the attendance of ACUI members to ACUI-affiliated programs such as seminars and institutes. We congratulate two Region II members on receiving scholarships to IPDS: New Professionals Seminar!

Zach Greene - Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Hannah King - Louisiana State University

Union Highlight Important Dates Let's take a moment to highlight the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) Student Union for their renovated meditation space with the addition of an ablution room.

The space was previously an underutilized lounge area but has been transformed into a calming, quiet space for the community to use for meditation, prayer or reflection. The ablution room is a welcome addition for Muslim members of the campus community, providing them a space for cleansing before prayer.

Want something included in our next issue?

Contact Katie Garza at katie.garza@utsa.edu and Andrea Brown at andrea.brown@utsa.edu

Volunteer Opportunities Are you interested in getting more involved with ACUI? Region II is seeking dedicated professionals for both the Regional Leadership Team (RLT) and Conference Planning Team (CPT) in the following areas.

2023 Regional Conference Coordinator (18-month commitment) Educational Programs Coordinator (6 month commitment) *Some roles serve on both teams Visit https://www.acui.org/regions/ii/regionalvolunteer-opportunities to apply today!

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