I was recently approached by a fellow student who asked me if she could interview me for a leadership class she's taking. I was thrilled to do it, and I think its flattering she chose me to do such a task. I have listed the questions below because I'm hoping that my experience may offer some insight to others!
What is your position on Relay?
I am the Relay For Life Public Relations Director
What is your position on Relay?
I am the Relay For Life Public Relations Director
Why did you choose to do this?
I am a PR major, so it just made sense that I would seek out that exec position. But I love Relay for many other reasons, and I knew I wanted to be a part of the nation's largest college Relay.
I am a PR major, so it just made sense that I would seek out that exec position. But I love Relay for many other reasons, and I knew I wanted to be a part of the nation's largest college Relay.
What does Relay mean to you?
Relay is very important to me for so many reasons. When I was in 3rd grade my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and she continues to fight the battle today, 13 years later, which is truly inspiring. Knowing that American Cancer Society is working to find a cure, it motivates me to work hard for them so that other grandmas can watch their grand children grow.
However, on the other hand, my grandfather died of cancer 2 weeks before I started my freshman year of college. I literally watched him die. When he was well he used to call the Dawgs every time I entered the room since I was going to UGA. But before he died, he didn't even know my name, much less how to call the Dawgs. I lost one of my childhood friends to cancer, too. He died a day before my 18th birthday, and he was buried a few days before our high school graduation. Experiencing this pain first hand, I know that I have to Relay so that one day we will have a cure, and this way no one will ever have to endure the pain of cancer or losing a loved one again.
Relay is very important to me for so many reasons. When I was in 3rd grade my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and she continues to fight the battle today, 13 years later, which is truly inspiring. Knowing that American Cancer Society is working to find a cure, it motivates me to work hard for them so that other grandmas can watch their grand children grow.
However, on the other hand, my grandfather died of cancer 2 weeks before I started my freshman year of college. I literally watched him die. When he was well he used to call the Dawgs every time I entered the room since I was going to UGA. But before he died, he didn't even know my name, much less how to call the Dawgs. I lost one of my childhood friends to cancer, too. He died a day before my 18th birthday, and he was buried a few days before our high school graduation. Experiencing this pain first hand, I know that I have to Relay so that one day we will have a cure, and this way no one will ever have to endure the pain of cancer or losing a loved one again.
What events does your team hold prior to Relay?
I'm on the Executive Board, so we're over all of Relay, including the hundred some odd teams that participate in Relay. But as far as an Exec goes, we hold many fundraisers to gain publicity and promote Relay. We've had a date auction, benefit concert and mini fundraisers monthly at Tate. We also had a downtown night where many of the establishments supported Relay teams by decorating their buildings.
I'm on the Executive Board, so we're over all of Relay, including the hundred some odd teams that participate in Relay. But as far as an Exec goes, we hold many fundraisers to gain publicity and promote Relay. We've had a date auction, benefit concert and mini fundraisers monthly at Tate. We also had a downtown night where many of the establishments supported Relay teams by decorating their buildings.
Why do you hold these events?
We host these events for publicity and for fundraising. We do these events because knowing you're doing something for a cure is inspiring and that spirit is contagious. We hope to ignite every one's enthusiasm for Relay.
We host these events for publicity and for fundraising. We do these events because knowing you're doing something for a cure is inspiring and that spirit is contagious. We hope to ignite every one's enthusiasm for Relay.
Which have been successes? Which have been failures?
I don't know that I would say any events in particular have been failures, but we can improve on some. Our fundraisers that we host are normally very popular, and therefore are successful. The date auction and the benefit concert was wildly successful. The process of holding events are trail and error--some are great and some can be reworked to make them better.
I don't know that I would say any events in particular have been failures, but we can improve on some. Our fundraisers that we host are normally very popular, and therefore are successful. The date auction and the benefit concert was wildly successful. The process of holding events are trail and error--some are great and some can be reworked to make them better.
What leadership qualities are important as a leader of Relay?
Dedication, being committed to the cause, organization, high morale, having GREAT time management skills, willing to do anything for Relay ( i.e., if we raise $500,000 or more, I'll shave my head with some other members of Exec).
Dedication, being committed to the cause, organization, high morale, having GREAT time management skills, willing to do anything for Relay ( i.e., if we raise $500,000 or more, I'll shave my head with some other members of Exec).
Who does your team gain support from? i.e. do you have a lot of community support, etc.
We have a lot of community support. We have support from students, faculty and staff. We have support from the local ACS office, and we have support from other on-campus organizations. Its really cool to see how everyone comes together and fuses their resources to make a successful Relay.
We have a lot of community support. We have support from students, faculty and staff. We have support from the local ACS office, and we have support from other on-campus organizations. Its really cool to see how everyone comes together and fuses their resources to make a successful Relay.
Why do you think these people choose to support you?
Because I think everyone has been affected by cancer--be it that they have/had it, a friend has/had it or maybe even a loved one. Cancer doesn't discriminate--it touches anyone it wants to, so many people are passionate about finding a cure, which is what Relay is all about. Also, we celebrate survivorship, so we love to see survivors walk around the track and get support from the crowd. I think survivors support us too because we celebrate their biggest victory in life: beating cancer.
Because I think everyone has been affected by cancer--be it that they have/had it, a friend has/had it or maybe even a loved one. Cancer doesn't discriminate--it touches anyone it wants to, so many people are passionate about finding a cure, which is what Relay is all about. Also, we celebrate survivorship, so we love to see survivors walk around the track and get support from the crowd. I think survivors support us too because we celebrate their biggest victory in life: beating cancer.
What has been your biggest challenge with Relay?
Sometimes its hard to get people to fund raise and participate in events because everyone at UGA is so involved with many different amazing organizations, so conflicts can arise in schedules and such. But for the most part, organizing a Relay is hard work, but it is more than worth it.
Sometimes its hard to get people to fund raise and participate in events because everyone at UGA is so involved with many different amazing organizations, so conflicts can arise in schedules and such. But for the most part, organizing a Relay is hard work, but it is more than worth it.
What events will you have at the actual Relay?
We had an Entertainment chair who organizes a wonderful calendar of events. We have top notch bands, fun performances and games to play, too. We all know it can be challenging to stay awake for such a long period of time, especially near finals, so we do all we can to keep morale high and fun things happening.
We had an Entertainment chair who organizes a wonderful calendar of events. We have top notch bands, fun performances and games to play, too. We all know it can be challenging to stay awake for such a long period of time, especially near finals, so we do all we can to keep morale high and fun things happening.
What were some of your goals this year?
We want to raise $260,000 or more. And personally, I want to see people come to Relay and want to come back every year. I think participation is awesome and we can only get better and bigger as long as we have campus support.
We want to raise $260,000 or more. And personally, I want to see people come to Relay and want to come back every year. I think participation is awesome and we can only get better and bigger as long as we have campus support.
How do students get involved and if involved, what are their requirements? What do they do?
Students can get involved via so many avenues. They can interview to be on committees, and then move to Exec. They can be on teams, which is the most popular way of involvement. It's very easy to be part of Relay, all you have to do is visit www.uga.edu/relay and sign up via Kintera (there's a link on the website) to start or join a team. There is a $10 registration fee, but that also covers the cost of a Relay shirt.
Students can get involved via so many avenues. They can interview to be on committees, and then move to Exec. They can be on teams, which is the most popular way of involvement. It's very easy to be part of Relay, all you have to do is visit www.uga.edu/relay and sign up via Kintera (there's a link on the website) to start or join a team. There is a $10 registration fee, but that also covers the cost of a Relay shirt.
And finally, what would you say to someone who was unsure about getting involved...what should their motivations be?
I would say of course get involved and stay involved. You make great friends and can network by being involved. But most importantly, I would advise that a person be involved in something that is important to them--be it Relay, intramural sports, Greek life, etc. It's all about finding your passion and being able to channel that passion to the common good of everyone.
I would say of course get involved and stay involved. You make great friends and can network by being involved. But most importantly, I would advise that a person be involved in something that is important to them--be it Relay, intramural sports, Greek life, etc. It's all about finding your passion and being able to channel that passion to the common good of everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment