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The
ABC's of ProgRAmming - It's as Easy as "P.I.E."
Dan Oltersdorf -
ResidentAssistant.com
Programming
is a very important part of the RA position. Programming assists
in building community on your floor, educating residents about
important issues, and helping them be more socially, academically,
and personally successful.
This
article focuses on the basics of successful programs. Whether you
are a 3rd year RA, or this is your first semester, take
a moment to get “back to the basics” so you can be a great
programmer this semester.
The
three primary components of programming can be remembered by
following statement: “It’s as easy as P.I.E.” P.I.E.
stands for Preparation, Implementation, and Evaluation.
P.reparation
I. E.
Preparation
is the most important part of programming. Preparation consists of
many elements which combine to produce great programs. Some of
them are outlined here:
Assessment
– In order to put on effective programs, it is important to know
what your residents need and want. This can be done through formal
and informal evaluation. A formal evaluation can be done using a
survey and by asking for verbal feedback. For an example of a
written survey, click here. Informal assessment comes through your
daily interactions with residents and your knowledge of their
needs.
Relationships.
Having good relationships with your residents is a key component
to programming. If you have a strong connection with those you
want to program for, they will want to do things together. You
will know more about their needs and interests, as
well as when the best time is to have a program.
Planning
– While some great “improptu” programs happen at the last
minute, the most effective programming requires that you plan a
date in advance. This will allow you to get all of the details you
need in place, including your location, any materials, guests,
etc. Use your supervisor to help you in this process! You can also
plan programs based on the time of year. For some great calendar
resources with student issues, theme months, etc, visit the ResidentAssistant.com
calendar page.
Advertising
– Effective advertising should come in many forms. It is helpful
to come up with a creative title for your program that will help
you with advertising.
An
example of an effective advertising strategy follows:
2 weeks before the program, post simple flyers all over the
hall in order to generate curiosity. With 1 week left, place door
hangers on everyone’s door with more details. With 3 days
left, put more detailed flyers up. On the day of the
program, email everyone on your floor and put up big
posters announcing the program. During this entire time, utilize
“word of mouth” advertising. “Talk it up” to you
residents! If you don’t ask them to come, they might not take
the initiative. This is where the relationships are so important.
P.I.mplementationE.
– Now that you have finished the Preparation process, you
are ready for your program!
Here
are some keys to remember as you execute a successful program:
-
The day before the program, confirm all details, including
speakers, room reservations, or other important components of your
program.
-
Show
up early: Depending on the program, make sure you are there
early enough to set up, meet any guest speakers, or do any
other preparation.
-
Enjoy
your program! You put a lot of work into it, now enjoy it!
-
Be
sure to thank everyone who was involved in making the program
a success!
P.I.E.valuation
– The Planning is over, and
the program has been Implemented,
so now all that is left is Evaluation.
Evaluating how a program went will not only help you in the
future, it will also help others who want to do the same program
or a similar program. Evaluation can happen on several levels:
-
Formal
resident evaluations – Hand out evaluation sheets to the
residents who attended the program.
-
Informal
evaluation – Ask participants what they thought of the
program. Watch their responses and interactions.
- Self-evaluation
– Fill out an evaluation of how you think the program went.
Include your thoughts on the planning, advertising, content,
location, etc.
Following
these simple suggestions can help make your programming efforts
even more fun, rewarding, and beneficial. Watch for more
information on this topic at ResidentAssistant.com.
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RA
Calendar
Brought
to you by the Residence Life
Calendar Website by Laurie
Tennison, Residential Life Coordinator, New Mexico Institute
of Mining and Technology
The
calendar can be one of your greatest programming tools! Use these
dates to create great programs for your residents!
January:
National
Soup Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Be-On-Purpose Month,
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, National Your-Mine-And-Our's
Month, March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
Notable
Dates in January
-
January
13-19 National Thrift Week
-
January
18 National Maintenance Staff Day
-
January
20-26 AIDS Awareness Week
-
January
21 MLK, Jr. Day
-
January
27- February 2 International Clergy Appreciation Week
-
January
29 National Puzzle Day
January
Programming Ideas:
-
Post
a Bulletin Board where people with blended families can
write/post pictures or words about their family in honor of National
Your, Mine and Ours Month.
-
Make
Door Decs out of packages of Oatmeal to honor National
Oatmeal Month.
-
I
Want To Suck Your Blood Party! Get an old vampire movie and
host a blood party. Serve Red Kool-Aid, red chips, etc. After
have a blood donor sign up sheet for National
Blood Donor Month.
-
Put
a puzzle together as a floor for National Puzzle Day. Glue/Duct
Tape the puzzle together and post it on your floor.
This is a way to create unity, teamwork, and fun!
-
Host
a Budgeting program during National Thrift Week.
-
Host
a Clergy Appreciation Luncheon for all clergy in your town or
on your campus in honor of International
Clergy Appreciation Week. Be sure to include a diverse
population.
For
these and MANY MORE
calendar dates, theme weeks, and programming ideas, be sure to
visit the Residence Life
Calendar Website and the ResidentAssistant.com
Calendar Page.
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