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Leading with Community Service Stop Paying Attention 3 Easy Ways to Build Stronger Communities
2017 APCA
FALL REGIONAL CONFERENCES NORTHEAST : NYC AREA OCT 13TH-15TH SOUTH CENTRAL : HOUSTON OCT 27TH-29TH MIDWEST : CHICAGO NOV 10TH-12TH visit us online:
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Article: Leading with Community Service by Del Suggs, M.S.Ed.
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2017 National APCA Award Recipients
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2017 APCA Star Nationals Winner
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Article: Stop Paying Attention by Joe Martin Ed.D.
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Join the APCA Family
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13th Annual leadership on Broadway Experience!
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Feature: 3 Easy Ways to Build Stronger Communities by Dee Dube / SwiftKick.com
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Feature: On Campus Live
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The APCA Campus Life Trends Magazine is published quarterly. Submissions for articles must be emailed to: jamie@apca.com Publisher: Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Production: Jamie Morton, Hoz Fierro Graphic Design: The Thomas Group The Campus Life Trends Magazine is a trademark of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. All rights reserved. No articles or images of any kind may be reprinted from this magazine without the written permission of The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Anyone seeking such permission should forward their request by email to: jamie@apca.com
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Leading with Community Service Del Suggs, M.S.Ed.
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Leading with Community Service Del Suggs, M.S.Ed. One the best means to get students involved is through community service. Now, when you think of community service, you might first think of service learning projects. Your campus Office of Student Activities is often tagged the duties of student engagement and student leadership, and you can certainly fulfill those duties with community service events. For example, many schools across the country participate in “Alternative Spring Break” programs that use vacationing students to work in community service projects. A number of schools sent students to the Gulf Coast to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina, and vacationing students frequently volunteer to help rehabilitate homes or work in homeless shelters. Here’s another concept: use your skills in producing entertainment programs and events to enhance and improve a community service program. You can often make an existing program even more effective by adding entertainment. Having good entertainment can amplify the program by bringing attention to the event, attracting more participants and keeping them in attendance longer. Think about the power of entertainment to raise money. We’re all familiar with the Labor Day Telethon which was hosted for many years by Jerry Lewis, and how every year it raises millions of dollars for a wonderful cause. Take that idea, and apply it locally. One December, I performed for a fund-raising event for a high school scholarship fund in my hometown. We raised over $50,000 in one night at the Holiday Gala. Of course, it wasn’t just my performance that did it. Those attending were served a nice meal, had a fun program, and also had the chance to make additional donations. Still, it was the entertainment that clinched to deal and make the Holiday Gala happen. There is great power in entertainment. Early in my career, I helped to produce a fund-raising concert for Habitat for Humanity. The money we raised at the show was the seed money which helped establish the Habitat chapter in Tallahassee, Florida. In the years since, the local Habitat chapter has built over 100 homes for deserving residents-- and it all began with that one concert.The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) supports “Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS” as their national charity. At every APCA conference dinner, they have a charity auction for an autographed poster from a popular Broadway musical. Who wouldn’t want a poster from “The Lion King” or “Newsies” signed by the original cast. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provide the posters for free, and they are frequently auctioned off for as high as $700. Many of the school members of APCA have been inspired, and they also auction off signed posters from Broadway Cares that they get through the APCA. Anytime you have an audience, you can do fund-raising. But there are more ways to incorporate entertainment into your community service than just fundraising. I’ve worked on many different service events that involved music and other entertainment to make the project successful. At a university in Georgia, I performed for a Campus Blood Drive. Does that sound odd? Well, think about it. A laid-back, calm and peaceful musicial performer (think Jack Johnson) can be very soothing. The Student Activities Office thought it was a great way to settle the nerves of people lined up to give blood, and a good distraction for those in the process of donating. It worked, and they had a record volume of donors. A two-year college in Florida had me perform for their “Rock The Vote” voter registration drive. Working in conjunction with the staff at MTV, the Student Activities Office organized a big event with a cookout, musical entertainment, and the local Supervisor of Elections there to register college students. Many students registered for the first time, and were able to participate in the next election. A college in South Carolina had me perform for their “Safe Spring Break” program. For the week before Spring Break, they did an awareness campaign about the pitfalls of that infamous school vacation.
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While it might be a challenge to get college students to attend a program to learn about the dangers of binge drinking and unprotected sex, they will come to hear music and enjoy a performance. The Student Activities staff learned that they could distribute materials to the crowd that attended the show, and help to inform their students. A university in Virginia brought me in to perform during their campus “Involvement Fair.” That was their name for the program that most schools hold at the beginning of each semester to recruit students for all the clubs and organizations on campus. The Student Activities staff had learned that having a performer at the event would draw a crowd from all over campus. Then, those students might visit the tables being staffed by club representatives. One more smart move by this campus--they did their Involvement Fair for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and they held the event twice each day at Noon and at 5 PM. That way they caught students with various schedules, those who weren’t on campus every day and those evening students who are so often overlooked. You can also increase your student engagement at your campus Involvement Fair or Club Fair by inviting off-campus groups to participate. Some students may not be interested in the Chess Club or Nursing Student Association, but they might want to become involved with the Humane Society or the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program. Invite those worthwhile off-campus groups to come and recruit, too. Another college in Florida scheduled me to perform on the day of their SGA elections. By having a musical event (and free hot dogs!), they were able to attract and hold many students who normally would just head to class, the library, or just leave campus. The students who were attracted to the event would log on and vote right there at the event. As you might imagine, participation in their elections skyrocketed thanks to this event. I’ve mentioned Habitat for Humanity before. The local chapter will often do a “Blitz Build” where they will build an entire home in just three or four weeks. I’ve helped out with entertainment there, too. They have a tight schedule for a blitz build, as you might imagine. They start early, work hard, and take few breaks-- but they always eat lunch. I would arrive before Noon, set up a sound system, and then sing for the workers while they ate lunch. A little music can go a long way, and even a brief thirty-minute show was appreciated. They were working hard to build a deserving family a home, so it seemed like a great way to lift their spirits and reward their efforts. Finally, for many years I’ve produced and performed for “The Almost Christmas Concerts” with my friend Pierce Pettis. It has become a big event, and we frequently sellout both nights of the show. After several years, I realized that we were missing out on an amazing opportunity to do something good with all of those people. So we started asking the audience to bring a non-perishable food item to the concert for the local food bank. In the last eight years, we’ve collected over 2,000 pounds of food! Just by inviting those already attending the show to do a simple act of kindness, we’ve been able to help restock the holiday pantry at the local food bank. Now that’s using the power of entertainment to do community service. I hope this article will inspire you to discover ways to combine your entertainment programs with your community service opportunities. Think about the many ways you can add an entertainment component to your service learning to make them even more effective. And, think about ways you can add a community service component to your existing entertainment events. You can enhance both programs, increase your attendance and impact, and have even more fun. That’s definitely a “win-win” situation. Copyright by Del Suggs 1-800-323-1976 www.DelSuggs.com Excerpted From Truly Leading: Lessons in Leadership Second Edition by Del Suggs Available at www.DelSuggs.com and Amazon.com
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Congratulations to the 2017 National APCA Award Recipients! Lifetime Achievement Award
Hypnotist of the Year
Heart of APCA
Mentalist of the Year
SCHOOL AWARDS
Magician of the Year
Cliff Scutella Genesee Community College
Sailesh Jiawan Metropolis Management
Paul Sedor Celebrating His Passion, Drive, and Determination
Spidey GP Entertainment
Joseph Réohm Neon Entertainment
National Service Project of the Year Hawk Sculpture Tradition Northeast Community College
Novelty Function of the Year Campus Spa
National Event of the Year
Band of the Year
A Visit With Santa Bossier Parish Community College
Polaroid Summer Houla Entertainment
Ernest C. Jones National Advisor of the Year Award
Male Solo Artist of the Year
Delnita Evans Chattanooga State Community College
Jared Mahone Degy Booking International
National Programming Organization of the Year Award
Female Solo Artist of the Year
Georgia State University Panther Activities Council – Newton Campus
Lakin Degy Booking International
National Student Programmer of the Year
Spoken Word Artist of the Year
Bralyn James Northwestern State University
Lady Caress Neon Entertainment
ASSOCIATE AWARDS
Game Show of the Year
Houla Entertainment
Nerdology Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Entertainer of the Year
Cultural Act of the Year
Sailesh Jiawan Metropolis Management
The Black-Jew Dialogues Dialogues on Diversity
Comedian of Year
Dance Party of the Year
Bill Fry Agency of the Year Award
Paint U Dance Party Degy Booking International
Adam Grabowski
Campus Speaker of the Year Dr. Justine Shuey
Juggler of the Year
Nick Pike Neon Entertainment
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a h s i l A A C e P o A g e R r l F a n Y o T at i
Su r 2 0 1 7 N Winner!
r o a t S A C AP
School: SUNY Cobleskill, Major: Communications, Classification: Senior, Hometown: Adams, NY,
Stop Paying Attention Joe Martin Ed.D. visit us online:
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S t o p P a y i n g Attention Joe Martin Ed.D.
Do you realize we only hear what we pay attention to? I know you’re probably saying, “Duh, no kidding.” But don’t take this simple truth for granted. See, the real question is “What are you paying attention to?” Allow me to explain... If you ask the average person in higher education (or any Jane or John Doe on the street), “What do you think about the state of higher education today?” More than likely you’ll “hear” something that’s equal to a PR person’s worst nightmare. You’d hear things like:
“Support staff is terribly underpaid.” or “Faculty is overpaid.” “Students act so entitled.” “Parents are too involved.” “Staff is underappreciated.” “The cost of tuition is outrageous.” “Students are so apathetic.” Now, I’m not here to debate whether or not some or all of these issues are true, but rather to question if YOU are paying attention to what you’re hearing. See, whatever we pay attention to we digest. And like food, whatever you digest influences how you feel. If you don’t believe me, try poison (of course I’m being facetious). But some of the things we allow into our ears, just like poison, can adversely affect our health and how we feel about our job in higher ed. And how you FEEL about something usually determines how you ACT towards it; and how you act towards it will ultimately determine the RESULTS you produce from it (in your life as well as on your job). So, my question again is, “What are you paying attention to?” It doesn’t take much effort to “hear” and focus on all of the ills, issues, and problems we face on our campus; most outsiders can’t even understand how we manage to survive a week of it. However, I often tell my friends when they question my sanity concerning teaching and my ability to maintain a positive attitude: “I have a simple choice each time I start a new semester: I can either focus on whining about education or I can focus on winning as an educator. And I’ve learned from 21 years of teaching experience that whining (or worrying) has never produced a positive benefit for me. So that’s why I choose to pay attention and focus on winning.”
So what about you? What are you paying attention to? Remember, always keep your eyes on the prize and keep your ears on the cheers, not the jeers. And as always, lead with passion!
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You Don’t Want to Miss this
Engaging and Exciting
Opportunity! S t u d e n t Lif e St ude n t Le ade rshi p Advi s o r In st it u te : In st it ut e : Experience a rare professional development opportunity specifically geared towards Student Life professionals! Keynotes and Interactive Sessions on Engagement and Assessment for both Community Colleges and Universities, Campus Law Updates, Parent/Family Engagement, Diversity and Inclusiveness, Training Effective Student Organizations, and much more.
Featured Keynotes: LINDA GARCIA, PH.D., (CCCSE) Center for Community College Student Engagement, University of Texas at Austin ROBERT GONYEA, ED.D., (NSSE) Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University School of Education
Students will attend numerous educational sessions, keynotes, showcases, networking mixers, and more!
Team Leadership Blocks: All student delegates will be members of one of three teams. Each team will rotate through three dynamic leadership sessions on Friday, and will then come together to debrief those sessions on Saturday.
The three Team Leadership Blocks that each student will experience are: PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Hoan Do CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT: Tom Krieglstein & Melissa Ruiz ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT: Dr. Sherene McHenry
Every year, the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) works with colleges and universities around the country to develop campus engagement through quality educational experiences, affordable entertainment, and community service initiatives. With our annual conferences and leadership institutes, we strive to provide quality professional development for you and leadership training for your students. We also give campus programming boards the ability to save thousands of dollars though our Cooperative Buying program, which allows you to block-book campus entertainment and leadership programs with other institutions in your area! We are excited about the many opportunities available in the coming year, and WE INVITE YOU TO BE A PART OF THE APCA FAMILY!
Want to read more? Visit APCA.com Annual membership fees are $299, but you are invited to join today for the discounted rate of $269! HERE’S SOME INFO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEMBERSHIP: • • • • • • • • •
APCA members save up to 30% on conference fees and resources Free publications, resources, and networking opportunities for your professional development Search & download artists and vendors by region, state, agency, etc. Opportunities to be published in our quarterly Campus Life Trends Magazine Opportunities to serve on your regional team Be interviewed and featured in APCA TV APCA Gems Program Eligible for APCA Regional & National Award Watch for more great membership benefits and features coming soon!
Deadline to join at the special rate of only $269 is 7/1/17! Use promo code, “EARLYBIRD” at checkout. HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? CONTACT OUR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SERVICES, DANIELLE STECKLEY, AT DANIELLE@APCA.COM OR CALL US TODAY AT 865-429-9123
as seen on
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3 Easy Ways to Build Stronger Communities
1. Create a playlist Music is one surefire way of connecting people. Put on a Top 40s playlist before a meeting begins to start conversations, to get people singing along, and to ease any awkward silences. If you’re in a closed-in setting like a car (perhaps for a 12hour road trip to Virginia for Alternative Break), figure out someone’s favorite band and start a Spotify radio station based on it. Radio apps allow variety in music while sticking to one genre, keeping things interesting but still familiar enough. Pay attention to moods, too. If you’re hosting a sports-themed meeting, find a pump-up playlist rather than something mellow. Although it’s a small touch, music can improve moods, set the tone, and build relationships. Music is one way to build stronger communities without anything you don’t already have downloaded on your phone.
2. Go shopping together Do you have to make sure 13 people are fed two out of the three meals per day on your week-long service learning trip? Do you need supplies in order to make your club’s member appreciation week a success? You’re definitely going to need to go shopping, and you should definitely bring somebody with you. From racing carts to finding the most ridiculous items that you just need to get, stores provide innumerable opportunities for silliness, connection, and fun. Taking someone with you on a shopping trip can make them feel like they have insider knowledge, boosting their respect for you and their feelings of attachment to the community. The next time you need to pick something up for a program, ask if someone on your team wants to tag along.
3. Record all things hilarious Did someone on your team just say something so ridiculous that it needs to be recorded for the rest of time? This is where having a quotes board comes in handy. Swift Kick is great at this kind of community building. Having something you said make its way onto the quotes board is like earning a badge of honor. Quotes boards turn team memes into team memories, and they have practical applications, too. Give a certificate of recognition to the person who ended up on the quotes board the most at the end of the year. If you missed a situation that resulted in a particularly hilarious quote, ask for the story to break the ice at your next meeting. However you recognize your people, having a quotes board can make remembering the good times even easier.
S o m e t i m e s t h e l i t t l e t h i n g s h a v e b i g r e s u lt s ! F o l l o w i n g t h e s e t i p s takes little effort and can have great effects on team relationships. by Dee Dube / SwiftKick.com
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A Digital Revolution in Campus Activities A high-definition television relies on thousands of tiny squares – pixels – to render an image. Up close a single pixel displays just one color. But with distance, these thousands of these tiny pixels come together to show a picture. In the most underappreciated wing of the entertainment industry, Matthew Walt looked at college events and saw pixels, but no picture. Thus began a 4-year project to create a tool designed to catalogue and archive the living history of campus entertainment. “For years I worked as a college middle buyer and tour producer, then took the leap and started my own company. The archive started as a pet project to broaden my understanding of trends within the industry.” As Walt began to flesh out his ideas, what started as a personal archive, soon developed into more. “I’ve always seen myself as a connector of people within the industry. Whether it be school to school, artist and student, or buyer and seller, I always prioritized personal interaction, open communication, and sharing of information.” Walt envisioned a tool capable of cataloguing histories and showing the players involved that make big ideas become reality – artists, programming boards, production teams, etc., all cataloguing their contributions to campus activities. “It evolved into this bigger picture plan to create a worldwide hub for campus events. All of the information that’s otherwise scattered across the web would now be in a central location available to everyone.” And so, oncampus.live was born. “I began working with some of my clients and associates, collecting their event histories, ranging from coffeehouse shows to large scale arena concerts. We also had some early adapters from larger agencies, willing to share their key artists’ college histories.”
A database that started with 200 campus events soon grew to 400 and then 800 and beyond. As the events kept rolling in, it became clear that oncampus.live could fill a void in campus activities. Along with the archive came features allowing users from all areas of campus entertainment to tag events they had contributed to or participated in, share news and reviews, post promotional content, view routing, offer advice, and much more. Student contributors, later Student Ambassadors, began to share original content highlighting top songs & artists, reviews of shows, interviews, and continued collecting school and talent histories to add to the archive. “Artists, agents, students, advisors ¬¬– everyone can use it to inform their decisions about future events.” Oncampus.live came out of beta in late summer 2016. With the launch came new opportunity. OCL would highlight future events as well as past, allow student users to find opportunities to see acts nearby, encourage artists and vendors to promote themselves to the college audience, and usher in thoughtful development across campus activities. What’s more the concept of Block Booking has never been easier for artists at every level. Today the service hosts over 600 active users and a database of 5000 events and counting. “I truly aspire to piece together the complete history of campus entertainment. You don’t know your future until you start to understand your past. And you can’t fully appreciate the value of campus programming until you see just how many major artists – some of them now international powerhouses– who got their start performing at colleges.”
by Sam Helm 16
2017 APCA
FALL REGIONAL CONFERENCES NORTHEAST : NYC AREA OCT 13TH-15TH SOUTH CENTRAL : HOUSTON OCT 27TH-29TH MIDWEST : CHICAGO NOV 10TH-12TH CAMPUS LIFE TRENDS
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GOT friends with TALENT ? DO YOU KNOW artists, comedians, magicians, speakers, or anyone with a talent that should be on the APCA Stage? Refer them to APCA Director of Associate Services, Jamie Morton JAMIE@APCA.COM
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