SUNY Corltand SALT Bid Color Copy

8/3/2019 SUNY Corltand SALT Bid Color Copy

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Summary:The$SUNY$Cortland$Residence$Hall$Association$and$National$Residence$Hall$Honorary$have$

individually)grown)and)improved$rapidly$over$the$past$two$years.$$RHA$has$established$

annual$programs$and$also$have$started$to$initiate$advocacy$issues$in$the$residence$halls$and$

around$campus$to$make$the$living$community$a$better)place.$$NRHH$has$also$made$great$

strides$in$their$organization.$$They$have$had$a$full$chapter$for$the$past$two$years$and$continue$

to$equally$use$each$of$the$four)pillars$in$their$organization.$$At$the$end$of$the$year$RHA$and$

NRHH$met$to$discuss$how$things$could$be$better$for$the$year$to$come.$$$We$realized$that$we$

had$to)work)together)like)the)sister)organizations)we$are.$$Starting$with$the$executive$boards,$

we$knew$working$together$side$by$side$would$benefit$both$RHA$and$NRHH$even$though$we$

were$different$organizations.$$The$main$goal$of$both$organizations$was$to$instill$leadership$in$

each$one$of$their$members.$$After$revamping$old$leadership$training$and$implementing$new$

ones,$RHA$and$NRHH$wanted$to$ensure$that$the$members$of$each$organization$became$

effective$leaders$and$wanted$to$make$a$difference$on$our$campus.$$Most$importantly$we$

wanted$them$to$understand$that$these$organizations$wouldnt$be$here$today$if$it$wasnt$for$

leadership$because$RHA)and)NRHH)run)on)leadership!$$

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3/25! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

SUNY Cortland Campus

State University of New YorkCollege at Cortland:In$1848$SUNY$Cortland$was$known$as$the$Cortland$$ $

$ $ Normal$School.$$Over$time,$the$campus$eventually$$ $

$ $ $ grew$and$in$1948$it$officially$became$known$as$the$

State$University$of$New$York$College$at$Cortland.$

$ $ There$are$approximately$7,300)undergraduate)students$$ $$

$ $ pursuing$degrees$within$the$Colleges$three$academic$$

$ divisions,$along$with$twentyeight$academic$departments,$which$

offer$the$SUNY$Cortland$student$body$a$selection$of$63$majors$and$44$

minors$to$choose$from.$Snuggled$into$the$hills$of$beautiful$Central$New$

York,$Cortland$is$well$known$for$its$excellence)in)teacher)education,)and)is)

a)prominent)leader)in)physical)education)teacher)certification)and)sport)management.)

Not$only$is$SUNY$Cortland$continuing$to$grow$

in$academics,$Cortland)is)also)booming)in)the)

residential)community.$$$

With$approximately$3,600)residents,$there$has$

been$a$10year$plan$within$the$SUNY$Cortland$

Residential$Life$and$Housing$Department$working$to$

improve)each)of)the)15)residence)halls)every)year.$

While$Cortland$is$a$small$and$quiet$community,$the$

strong$involvement$of$students$in$RHA)and)NRHH)has)

worked)to)give)our)campus)fun,)exciting)options)to)

supplement)the)lack)of)possibilities)in)the)

surrounding)area.)

!

he$Residence$Hall$Association$(RHA)$is$the$organization$on$campus$that$strives)to)

mprove)the)residence)hall)community)and)oncampus)living.$$This$organization$$$

ngages$residents$to$get$involved)in)campuswide)programs;)initiate)))))))))))))))))))))

dvocacy)issues)on)campus)and)within)the)residence)halls)and)creates))))))))))))))))

eadership)opportunities)for)residents.$$SUNY$Cortlands$RHA$was$inactive$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

rom$1989$to$2006$until$one$student,$John$Rudenko,$and$one$advisor,$Cheri$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

kipworth$reinstated$$$RHA$and$affiliated$it$at$Mini$NoFrills$in$2007.$$Since$then,$$$$$$$$$$$

he$organization$$has$grown$into$one$of$the$largest$student$run$organizations$on$campus,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

ehind$only$the$Student$Government$Association.$$Our$RHA$consists$of$both$student)

taff)members)and)residents$who$live$on$campus.$$Each$residence$hall$has$their$own$hall$

ouncil,$which$is$responsible$for$putting$programs$on$for$residents$in$their$individual$hall.$$

Over$the$years,$the$continued$involvement$of$students$living$on$campus$has$increased$

remendously$and$there$has$been$a$recent$push)of)enthusiasm)to)make)our)

rganization)a)better)one.)))


4/25! !

NRHH Rho Delta Chapter:The$National$Residence$Hall$Honorary$on$the$SUNY$$

Cortland$$campus$all)started)from))one)OTM.$$After$being$recognized$with$$$an$OTM$for$Resident$Assistant$

of$the$month$by$her$hall$director,$Ashley$Hudson$

decided$she$wanted$to$implement$$NRHH$chapter$on$

our$campus,$because$she$loved$getting$recognized$and$

wanted$to$share$that$feeling$with$the$entire$campus.$

Cheri$Skipworth$and$Ashley$started$a$committee$in$the$

Spring$of$2007$to$see$if$we$wanted$to$bring$a$chapter$

to$campus.$After$finishing$the$constitution,$they$started$recruiting$members$at$the$

beginning$of$Fall$2007.$In$October$2007,$they$inducted$the$Alpha$class$of$about$30$

members.$$The$new)NRHH)wanted)to)recognize)those)leaders)who)do)things)outside)their)jobs)and)whats)required)of)them)while)also)excelling)at)school)(scholarship.$$

They$also$wanted$the$programming$focused$more$on$service.$The$organization$has$

continued$to$grow)and)expand)over)the)past)few)years,$expanding$beyond$just$$$

student$staff$members$to$other$leaders$on$campus.$Instilling)the)four)) ) )

pillars)in)the)organization)has)been)a)constant)goal$of$

NRHH$over$the$past$few$years,$as$well$as$creating$program$traditions$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

within$the$organization,$and$finding$new$and$creative$

ways$to$recognize.$History of Leadership Training on Campus:

RHA$and$NRHH$have$historically$had$separate$trainings$for$their$organizations.$$RHA$hosts$a$

Leadership$Night$at$the$first$general$body$meeting$of$the$semester.$$At$Leadership$Night$each$

person)learns)and)understands)their)roles)on)hall)council,$while$bonding$with$the$general$body.$$

This$year$NRHH$decided$to$try$a$different)form)of)leadership$training$and$take$their$chapter$to$

Raquette$Lake$for$a$retreat$weekend.$$Usually,$executive$boards$of$each$group$would$go$through$

separate$trainings$during$the$summer.$$However,$this$year$we$decided$to$have$an$Executive$

Board$retreat$including$both$RHA$and$NRHH$executive$boards$and$go$on$a$leadership$retreat$at$

Adams$Eden$Camp.$$

!

Left: RHA/NRHH E-boards Right: NRHH E-board on a scavenger hunt!


5/25!

Unify: Get$familiar$with$all$traits$of$each$

board$member,$including$strengths$

and$weaknesses.$$

Form)a)better)relationship)with)NRHH$to$open$the$door$to$

collaborations.$

!

Educate: Read$through$our$constitutions.$ Understand$what$each$executive$

board$position$does$for$both$of$our$

organizations.$

Learn$necessary)procedures)for)programming)and)advocacy)on)

campus.))

Transition: Work$hard$at$planning$ahead$and$setting$expectations$to$make$a$

smooth)transition)from)one)

semesters)executive)board)to)the)

next)

Leadership Training: Challenge$ourselves$on$the$ropes$

course$to$use)our)communication$skills$as$effectively$as$possible.$

Quickly$learn$the$differences$between$effective)and)ineffective)

leadership)methods$

Understand the roleof RHA: Advocacy$to$all$residents$as$we$

strive$to$improve)our)campus$for$everyone.$

Programming$to$enrich$the$residents$awareness$and$

experiences$while$living$on$

campus.$

Recognition$put$forth$for$every$deserving$individual$who$works$

hard$to$make$our$campus$a$better$

place.$$

!

Understand the roleof NRHH: Implementing)all)four)pillars$

equally$on$our$campus$ Put$on$service)programs$to$benefit$

the$Cortland$campus$and$

community$

Have$members$learn$different$leadership)opportunities)

!

Understand our rolein NEACURH/NACURH Realize$our$RHA$and$NRHH$are$just$

one$small$number$out$of$many$across$the$nation$who$are$all$

associated$with$NACURH.$

Know$that$we$can$turn)to)these)organizations)for)help$$or$future$

career$opportunities!$

!


6/25!

Leadershipandgrowth

Making aDifference

onCampus

KnowYour HallCouncilposition

FamilliarwithNRHH

Have Fun

Know your hall council position:During$leadership$night,$each$hall$council$member$

attended$our$RHA$meeting$to$learn$the$specifics$of$

their$position.$$This$qualifies)them)to)run)an)

efficient)hall)council.$$Each$Eboard$member$ran$

their$own$session$for$their$specific$position.$!

)All$of$these$activities$gave$

hese$attendees$ideas$to$use$in$their$hall$

r$even$on$a$campus$wide$level.$$This)

nables)them)to)change)the)way)they)

hink)to)make)a)difference)on)campus.

Leadership and Growth:During$all$of$our$training$sessions$and$retreats$there$were$many$activities$for$everyone$to$

take)charge)and)escape)their)comfort)zone.$$From$a$high$ropes$

course$at$the$executive$board$retreat$to$ice$breakers$during$

leadership$night,$attendees)were)able)to)push)themselves)to)

the)limit.!

Familiar with NRHH:During$the$NRHH$retreat$the$members)familiarized)

themselves)with)the)organization$as$well$as$

participated$many$other$activities.$$This$

allows$the$members$to$gain$the$most$out$of$

their$organization.$

!

Have Fun:Throughout$planning$of$

the$retreats$and$

leadership$night,$each$

executive$board$wanted$

to$make$these$activities$

fun)and)enjoyable)for)

their)members.)$This$will$

make$the$members$want$

to$work$harder$and$enjoy$

themselves.

!


7/25!

Plannin

The$advisors$informed$the$new$Eboards$of$

the$dates$for$the$retreat$in$the$spring$

semester$of$2011.$They$gathered$

information$to$present$during$the$training,$

made$reservations$at$Adams$Eden,$and$

planned$team$building$and$leadership$

activities.$The)Eboard)members)were)also)

past)down)a)binder)full)of)information)from)

the)previous)member)full)of)pertinent)

information)about)the)position.$

$

Location

The$retreat$was$held$at$Adams)Eden)Camp$in$

LaFayette,$NY$about$45$minutes$away$from$

SUNY$Cortland.$Adams$Eden$is$a$family$run$

Camp,$which$has$a$high$and$low$ropes$course$

on$site.$TEAM)Adventure)partners)with)

Adams)Eden)Camp)to)facilitate)team)

building)activities)and)the)ropes)course.)

$

At TEAM Adventure it is our mission to lead quality adventure

based learning experiences that help people: become better leaders,become highly functioning teams, communicate more effectively,

learn to trust themselves and others better, have a fun experience

while they learn!

Executive boards work together during alead the blind activity

NRHH

E

-Boa

rd

in

fron

t

of

Adams

Eden

sign


8/25

Schedule

Bud et

We$created$a$budget$for$the$retreat,$using$money$

from$both$RHA$and$NRHH.$It$included:$

Retreat Location(Adams Eden)

$572

Ropes Course(Team Adventure)

$950

Supplies $121.33

Food $317.28Total: $1960.61

!!


9/25!

Activities

Da 1

With$TEAM$Adventure$facilitating,$we$started$off$

the$day$with$our$whole$group$blindfolded,$being$led$

through$obstacles$by$one$member$of$our$group$to$

the$location$of$our$next$activity.$After$we$

completed$it,$we$were$asked$how$what$we$may$

have$gained$from$this$activity$could$be$applied$back$

at$SUNY$Cortland.$This)is$when)the)sister)organizations)started)to)really)work)together)as)a)

team.)

$

Next$we$did$a$very$risky$exercise.$At$first$we$had$a$

mouse$trap$to$ourselves,$had$to$set$it,$then$put$our$own$

hand$over$it,$then$release$it.$This$got$us$to$trust$

ourselves.$Then$we$got$with$a$partner$and$did$the$same$

thing,$to$trust$one$other$person.$Then$as$a$group$in$a$circle$we$all$had$to$trust)each)other$and$let$go$of$the$

mouse$traps.$This$was$particularly$difficult$for$some$

individuals$but,$we)were)supportive)of)each)other)and)

a)lot)of)trust)was)built.$$

$ We$then$moved$on$to$two$different$low$ropes$courses.$The$first$

one$got$us$all$talking$and$we$realized$the$importance)of)

communication)and)making)sure)everyone)is)heard,$but$also$that$

sometimes$too$many$conflicting$opinions$can$harm$the$group$and$

relationships.$The$second$of$the$low$ropes$courses$tested$us$

physically$and$mentally.$We$encouraged)each)other,$offered$support$and$it$wouldve$been$impossible$to$make$it$through$

without$verbal$affirmations$and$physical$assistance.$$

$

We$briefly$broke$for$lunch,$and$lots$of$water!$We$then$returned$and$went$on$to$the$high$ropes$

course.$There$we$broke$up$into$two$groups.$One$went$through$an$obstacle$course,$and$the$

other$went$on$a$zip$line.$Then$the$groups$switched.$Within$each$group$there$were$some$who$

stood$out$and$easily$conquered$the$challenges,$but$then$they$helped,$coaxed$and$encouraged$

the$others$through$it.$Most$of$us$were$very$tired$and$went$to$bed$early$that$night!$

Mouse Trap Activity

Executive boards work togetherduring a lead the blind activitywalking up hill over a log

Low ropes course


10/25!

Activities

Da 2

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$After$a$good$nights$$$$

$ $ $ $ sleep$in$a$cabin$at$$

$ $ $ $ Adams$Eden,$we$woke$

up$and$got$down$to$business.$We)had)a)day)full)of)

learning)ahead)of)us.$After$breakfast$we$each$picked$

a$random$motivational$quote$to$get$the$day$started$

out$right.$Then$we$addressed$time$management.$We$looked$at$it$from$a$healthy$stand$point.$We$filled$out$

a$questionnaire$to$create$an$accurate$wellness$wheel$

to$see$what$areas$of$our$lives$need$a$little$help.$After$

filling$that$out$and$discussing$within$the$group$how$

we$felt$about$it,$we$created$a$commitment)to)self$

which$included$our$goals$for$the$semester/year$as$an$

organization$and$a$person.$$

$After$this$we$moved$onto$policies)and)procedures,$and$then$NRHH$created$their$budget,$

while$RHA$had$a$continued$discussion$of$policies$and$procedures$as$well$as$bonding$and$time$

to$work$on$their$Eboard$buddy$craft$project$(RHA$had$already$created$their$budget$over$the$

summer).$$

After$lunch$we$discussed$effective)ways)to)run)a)meeting,$which$was$a$good$chance$for$the$

sister$organizations$to$share$the$different$ways$we$do$things,$but$how$it$may$be$effective$in$

either$organization.$Also$effective)and)creative)new)ways)of)advertising$was$discussed.$$

$

The$Eboards$separated$to$create$Eboard$expectations$for$the$year$and$go$over$our$

constitution$and$bylaws.$$

$

Overall$this$time$was$used$to$better$ourselves$as$individuals,$get$us$on$the$same$page,$and$

make$us$more$knowledgeable)about)our)positions)and)duties.))

)

After$dinner$the$Eboards$worked$together$to$do$a$

picture$scavenger)hunt$(And$since$there$were$two$

birthdays$to$be$celebrated$it$was$a$good$chance$to$get$

us$out$of$the$cabin$so$the$advisors$could$decorate!).$

This$was$a$relaxing$time$for$us$to$go$out$on$an$

adventure$and$work)together)as)students)in)

leadership)roles.))

$

$

Wellness wheel activity

RHA E-board during the

scavenger hunt


11/25

!

We$learned$more$about$each$individual$through$team$building$activities,$but$we$were$also$

able$to$concentrate)on)collective)goals)for)the)upcoming)year.$We$were$able$to$create$

expectations$of$ourselves$to$maintain$for$the$year,$which$we$still$look$back$on$now$to$make$

sure$we$are$staying$on$track.$This$creates)motivation)for)us)to)live)up)our)leadership)roles.$$

$

This$retreat$also$brought$out$leaders$within$the$group$that$may$not$have$normally$been$

recognized.$People$were$able$to$show$their$strengths$and$help$the$others,$who$may$have$

struggled,$specifically$with$the$physical$challenges.$This$gave$a$chance$for$them$to$shine,$

gave$them$confidence)and)allowed)us)to)rely)on)each)other)more.$Recognizing$the$

strengths$and$weaknesses$of$the$Eboard$members$is$good$to$recognize$early$and$we$

emphasized$asking$for$help$whenever$necessary.$This$helps$us$work$more$cohesively$as$a$

team.$$

$

This$trip$allowed$us$to$bond)within)our)Eboards,$RHA$and$$$$$$

NRHH,$but$also$allowed)for)communication)between)the)

two)groups.)Between$RHA)and)NRHH,)we)offered)each)other)advice)about)what)has)worked)in)within)our)specific)

organizations)and)how)it)translates)to)the)other)

organization.)))

$

$

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Our$Eboards$may$have$known$each$other$before$this$retreat,$

it$gave$us$a$chance$to$relax$away$from$SUNY$Cortland$and$focus$on$each$individual.$It$

allowed$us$to$recognize)strengths)and)weaknesses)and)offer)support.$This$retreat$

was$crucial$for$the$Eboards$work$together$in$an$effective$manner.$Even$during$

unscheduled$time,$like$before$bed,$the$sleeping$arrangements$allowed$us$to$stay$up,$talk,$and$get$to$know$each$other$better.$Knowing)the)Eboard)members)on)a)personal)

and)not)just)business)level)lets)us)work)more)cohesively.$$

!

Both Executive Boardsextremely tired andhappy aftercompleting the highropes course!

RHA E-boardfrolicking in the

grass as part of thescavenger hunt


12/25!

Purpose:$The$SUNY$Cortland$Residence$Hall$Association$has$an$annual$Leadership)Night.$This$event$is$

an$opportunity$for$all$the$hall$councils,$from$every$

residence$hall$to$come$together,$mingle$with$each$other,$

make)connections)and)most)importantly)learn)their)

position)requirements)on)hall)council.$This$event$is$

traditionally$the$third$week$of$classes$to$allow$the$

residence$halls$enough$time$to$create$a$full$hall$council.$$

!

!Planning Progress: In$our$first$executive$board$meeting,$we$decided$that$Leadership$night$was$

necessary$and$from$there$we$could$start$planning$the$activities$and$information$

that$would$be$given.$$ The$executive$board$decided$that$this$year$we$would$implement)cheat)sheets$

that$the$hall$councils$could$bring$back$with$them$to$use$as$a$reference$throughout$

the$year$

The$cheat$sheets$included$information$about$the$duties$of$each$position$along$with$the$contact$information$of$the$corresponding$executive$board$member.$$

We$planned$ice$breakers$to$at$first$get$people$comfortable,$learn$a$little$about$each$other$in$order$to$help$them$make$potential$connections$and$have$a$little$fun$before$

getting$down$to$business$

!

Budget:Leadership)Night)is)used)as)a)learning)tool)for)the)Residence)Hall)Association)to)assist)the)Hall)Councils)so)the)effects)are)priceless)to)us.$We$had$a$budget$of$67,$which$included$supplies$to$make$nameplates$for$every$Hall$Council$member$(a$

minimum$of$4$council$members$per$16$residence$halls),$candy$to$be$used$in$ice$breakers$and$

to)keep)energy)levels)high.!

Location: Our$General$Body$always$meets$on$Tuesdays$at$7pm$to$9pm$in$our$conference$room$called$the$Fireplace$Lounge$

$

Agenda:7:00pm! Meeting!begins!7:00pm!/!!!7:10pm! Executive!Board!Introductions!

7:10pm!/!7:30pm! Making!of!Name!Plates!

7:30pm!/!7:45pm! Ice!Breakers!

7:45pm!/!8:05pm! E/board!meets!with!corresponding!hall!council!positions!

8:05pm!!8:20pm! Closing!Remarks!

8:20pm! Meeting!adjourned!

!


13/25!

Leadership Night Activities:SUNY$Cortland$RHA$believes$that$ to)run)on)leadership,)you)must)first)learn)to)walk .$This$meeting$was$used$to$educate$and$ease$the$transition$into$their$hall$council$positions.$The$

executive$board$introduced$ourselves$and$explained$our$roles$and$how$we$could$ assist)the)hall)

councils.$Also,$our$mission$statement$was$read$so$there$was$no$confusion$as$to$what$our$

expectations)are.$$ $

First,$we$decided$making$name$plates$would$be$beneficial$for$the$executive$board$to$help$us$learn$our$General$Body$members$by$name$faster,$but$also$to$ increase)the)community)between)

members)of)different)hall)councils.)We$provided$many$craft$supplies$to$create$these$name$

plates,$such$as$a$wide$variety$of$stickers,$tape,$colorful$paper,$scissors,$string.$We$have$found$

communication)to)be)much)more)effective)in)the)general)body)if)all)members)are)able)to)call)

each)other)by)name)so)this)was)a)way)to)facilitate)that)for)the)future. $$ $

A$variety$of$icebreakers$were$utilized$to$be$silly$and$to$get$to$know$people$on$a$personal$level.$One$icebreaker$utilized$was,$My$Name$is$(insert$favorite$ice$cream$flavor),$and$my$favorite$ice$

cream$is$(insert$name).$$General$Body$members$rotated$groups$between$executive$board$

members$and$were$encouraged)to)be)in)groups)with)people)they)didnt)know. $The$purpose$of$

meeting$new$people$was$for$the$potential$that$halls$could$collaborate$on$programming,$or$keep$

in$contact$to$assist$each$other$outside$of$our$meetings.$$After$that,$the$executive$board !met$with$their$corresponding$positions,$handed$out$the$cheat$sheets$and$fielded$any$position$specific$

questions.$Duties)and)expectations)of)each)role)were)also)discussed .!

The Overall Effect:Overall,)Leadership)Night)was)a)huge)success !$General$Body$members$have$informed$us$about$collaborative$programs,$and$even$collaborative$fundraising$

for$a$service$project.$There)is)much)chatter)before)our)General)Body)meetings)now)as)all)the)hall)

councils)have)become)familiar)with)each)other. $The$cheat$sheets$were$a$brilliant$addition$to$this$

years$Leadership$Night.$Leadership$Night$can$often$be$long$and$it$is$hard$for$our$members$to$

retain$all$the$information,$so$our$cheat$sheet$was$a$ simple)way)to)ease)the)transition)and)it)has)

really)benefited)us)in)the)end.) There$is$less$confusion$about$duties$and$tasks$and$the$general$body$

members$can$always$look$back$and$use$it$as$a$reference,$and$even$if$the$answer$cant$be$found,$

contact$information$of$the$executive$board$members$can$be$found,$so$we$can$help.$It$was$because$

of$this$meeting$we)gained)the)attention)of)a)Hall)Council)member)interested)in)an)open)

leadership)position)on)our)Executive)Board.))

$!

"Leadership+Night+was+an+

awesome+way+for+the+e5board+

to+show+their+skills+and+

effectively+translate+that+to+the+

hall+councils.+Without+a+

successful+Leadership+Night,+

hall+councils+would+not+be+able+

to+function+to+the+best+of+their+

abilities."++

5+Ashley+Stockbridge+

!


14/25!

Purpose: Every)fall,)the)members)of)SUNY)Cortlands)chapter)of)NRHH)go)on)a)retreat.$The$time$is$

meant$to$allow$new$and$returning$members$to$get$to$know$

each$other,$for$all$members$to$bond,$and$for$the$organization$

to$take$care$of$some$business.$After$not$being$able$to$go$the$

previous$year,$this$years$fall$retreat$was$up$in$the$

Adirondack$Mountains,$located$on$the$college$owned$

property$of$Raquette$Lake.)!

After$having)previous)difficulties)in)

attempting)to)book)a)trip)to))

Raquette)Lake,)last)years)executive)

board)took)steps)to)make)sure)

that)would)not)be)a)problem)again.$$

The$planning$process$for$this$years$

retreat$began$at$the$end$of$the$$

spring$semester,$with$the$decision$of$where$the$retreat$was$to$be$held,$what$weekend$it$

would$be$held,$and$that$we$would$be$participating$in$the$low$elements$challenge$course.$The$

planning$process$continued$into$the$fall$semester,$as$this$years$executive$board$worked$to$

plan$out$the$itinerary$for$the$retreat.$Since$this$years$retreat$fell$later$in$the$semester,$the$

usual$business$that$is$typically$taken$care$of$at$the$retreat$in$regards$to$committees$had$

already$been$done$in$previous$meetings;$other$activities$had$to$be$planned.$A$lot$of$planning$

also$went$into$trying$to$figure$out$the$logistics$of$our$departure$time$considering$we$had$a$

deadline$of$being$unpacked$and$at$the$boat$dock$by$6:30pm.$

Above: Playing hacky sack in themiddle of traffic!

Left: Members of our NRHH sittingduring our business meeting


15/25!

aquette$Lake$is$located$in$the$heart$of$the$Adirondack$

Mountains,$and$is$the$only$National$Historic$Landmark$in$

he$SUNY$system,$receiving$its$designation$on$August$18,$

004.$There$are$two$main$facilities,$Antlers$and$Camp$

untington,$as$well$as$a$third$site,$Kirby$Camp.$We$stayed$cross$the$lake$at$Camp)Huntington.$As$much$as$you$plan$

retreat,$or$anything$for$that$matter,$there$will$always$be$

omething$that$throws$a$monkey$wrench$into$your$

chedule.$For$our$group,$that$was$getting$caught)in)

tandstill)traffic)for)an)hour)for)a)car)fire,$and$a$meal$

top$that$took$much$longer$than$anticipated.$No$worries,$

ur$group$used$the$stop$along$the$highway$as$the$perfect$

hance$to$practice$their$hacky$sack$skills$and$get$in$some$

ompetitive$BopIt.$Our$original$two$and$a$half,$three$

our$drive$ended$up$taking$us$five$hours,$but$there$was$ot$one$single$complaint.$We$arrived$and$after$a$boat$ride$

cross$the$lake,$met$with$our$facilitators$for$the$following$

ay,$where$we$discussed$safety,$expectations,$and$

articipated$in$ice$breakers.$$

Budget:In$comparison$to$our$RHA,$NRHH$

has$a$fairly$small$operating$budget$

for$the$year.$However$with$that$

being$said$the$executive$board$felt$

it$was$necessary$and$appropriate$to$allocate$as$much$funding$as$we$did$

for$the$fall$retreat.$The)retreat)

ended)up)costing)around)$4,000;$

however$the$benefit$to$our$

organization$has$no$price.$That$

amount$covered$our$stay$at$the$

facilities,$which$included$meals,$

and$the$low$elements$challenge$

course,$and$the$cost$of$renting$vans$

for$the$trip.$!

Our NRHH

showing off ourmoose love!


16/25!

! ! ! ! ! Activities:With$four$people$to$a$small$room,$no$cell$phone$service,$$$$

and$not$much$else$to$do,$we$entertained$ourselves$and$had$the$chance$to$get)to)know)each)other)better$on$Friday$Night.$$$

$

$$$$$$$$$Saturday$morning$we$reconvened$with$our$facilitators$$$$

$ $ $ $ where$we$went$over$trust$falls$and$safety$procedures$for$the$

$ $ $ $ $ challenge$course.$We$then$trekked)out)in)the)cold)rain$

$ $ $ $ where$we$split$into$two$smaller$groups.$As$a$group$we$did$the$

Whale$Watch,$Spiders$Web,$and$one$part$of$the$Mohawk$Walk.$Each$of$these$three$

activities$we$participated$in$throughout$the$day$involved)trust,)communication,)and)

organization.$$Theses$three$elements$are$important$to$have$a$functioning$NRHH.$$$$

$Saturday$afternoon$had$a$twohour$window$$

of$free$time,$where$some$members$went$and$

tried$the$high$ropes$course,$while$others$just$

$hung$around$the$cabin$and$socialized.$The$$

group$then$reconvened$where$we$reviewed))

changes)made)to)our)constitution,)created))

expectations)for)both)the)general)body)and)

)the)executive)board,)and)also)came)up)with))

slogan)ideas)for)our)chapter)shirts.$After$$

business$was$over,$our$advisor$prepared$an$$

activity$called$Quest.$$Quest$is$a$game$that$$

is$commonly$used$on$cruise$ships.$$The$$

activity$involves$challenges$where$teams$$

have$to$either$bring$up$a$stated$item$or$$

perform$something.$Raps$were$created,$and$there$was$even$some$singing$and$dancing$to$

Michael$Jackson.$$Since$the$rain$squashed$the$possibility$of$having$a$bonfire,$we$instead$had$a$

piata$and$passed$around$a$bag$of$questions,$where$we$took$a$spin$on$the$traditional$question$

ball.$Laughter$continued$through$the$night,$and$we$all$had$an$opportunity$to$get$to$know$one$

another$a$lot$better.$

!

Memories/Overall Effects:The$weekend$retreat$at$Raquette$Lake$provided)an)incredible)opportunity)for)members)to)bond,)as$well$as$to$experience$Raquette$Lake.$While$some$programs$at$Cortland$go$up$

to$Raquette$Lake$as$a$requirement,$many$of$our$members$had$never$been$up$there$before,$

and$this$would$be$the$only$opportunity$they$would$have.$New$members$had$the$

opportunity$to$get$to$know$returning$members,$and$get)a)better)feel)for)what)NRHH)is)all)

about.$The$low$elements$challenge$course$allowed$members$to$stretch)their)comfort)

zones,)and)let)their)leadership)voice)be)heard,)while)most)importantly)we)all)learned)to)

work)with)each)other)as)an)organization.)SUNY$Cortlands$fall$retreat$to$Raquette$Lake$

was$not$only$running$on$leadership,$but$it$was$also$running$on$moose$love!$

!

Ju

leen

an

d

the

un

icorn

pia

ta

!


17/25

!

The$executive$board$retreat$allowed$for$collaboration$and$the$sharing$of$ideas.$This$continued$ into$ our$ organizations$ separate$ leadership$ efforts.$ On$ our$ executive$ board$

retreat$there$was$a$lot$of$bunk$bed$discussion,$where$each$board$explained$how$exactly$their$ organization$ runs$ on$ leadership.$ For$ example$ NRHH) told) RHA) how) they) utilize)

committees)and)committee)heads)to)spearhead)their)efforts)to)execute)the)four)pillars,)

and)how) that)could)translate)to)program)planning)and)advocacy)for)RHA.$Since$NRHH$

does$not$do$as$many$programs,$they$offered$RHA$nontraditional)program)ideas$that$they$

felt$would$benefit)the)SUNY)Cortland)campus)community.$NRHH$suggested$to$RHA$ways$

to$ encourage$ their$ general$ body$ members$ to$ write$ OTMs.$ The$ two$ groups$ further$

discussed$ a$Double) Dare) program) that) they) are) planning) on) collaborating) on) in) the)

spring,$as$well$as$how$they$could$work$together$on$service$projects.$

) )

) At$Leadership$Night,$RHA$worked$to$make$the$members)aware)of)the)power)that)

they)have)in)being)a)general)body)member,)and)the)influence)they)have)on)campus.$They$

delegated$ the$ programs$to$the$ general$ body$ so$they$would$be$planning$programs$they$

wanted$ to$ see.$ This$ was$ something$ discussed$ at$ the$ retreat,$ and$ both$ organizations$

decided$it$would$be$effective$to$implement$for$both$of$their$general$bodies.$General$body$

members$ began$to$bring$potential$ service$ program$ ideas$ for$ the$ semester.$ In$planning$

their$programs,$RHA$split$up$into$committees.$When$this$was$not$as$effective$as$originally$

expected,$the)executive)board)referenced)what)they)learned)from)NRHH)at)the)executive)

board)retreat,)and)implemented)committee)heads.$

$ $

$ On$the$NRHH$retreat$at$Raquette$Lake,$NRHH$took$a$page$out$of$RHAs$book,$and$

explained$the$possibilities$for$their$members$to$get$involved$at$the$regional$level.$This$is$something$ that$ previously$ had$ only$ occurred$ in$ RHA.$ Past) NEACURH) and) NACURH)

delegations)had)minimal)NRHH)involvement.)The)current)NRHH)executive)board)wanted)

to)bring)the)moose)love)that)was)in)RHA)to)their)organization.))

!

RHA! NRHH!

Both organizations are working together to educatemembers about their sister organization. That way therewill be unity and moose love spread throughout both RHAand NRHH Kyle Shea, Programming Chair RHA


18/25!

SUNY$Cortlands$RHA$and$NRHH$leadership$trainings$

exemplify)the)mission)and)core)values)of)ACPA)where$

both$the$trainings$emphasized$the$need$to$educate$students$about$leadership$in$the$residence$halls$and$

around$campus.$$At$these$trainings$the$participants$were$

involved$in$sharing$their$own$ideas$on$how$to$make$each$

organization$grow$and$improve$on$campus.$

Education and development of the total student .UNY$Cortlands$RHA$and$NRHH$focus$on$educating$members$to$recognize)their)strengths)and)

weakness)and)how)to)use)them)to)benefit)the)continued)success)of)our)organizations.$$

Inclusiveness in and access to association-wide involvementand decision-making.RHA$and$NRHHs$executive$boards$discussed$during$the$retreat$different$ways$to$make$

ourselves$known)on)the)regional)level,$with$NEACURH,$and$how$we$can$benefit$from$all$of$

the$opportunities$NEACURH$provides.$$We$talked$about$bidding$and$got$the$inspiration)to)

bid)for)SALT.$$

Free and open exchange of ideas in a context of mutualrespect.All$participants$shared$their$thoughts$on$how$to$better$each$organization$comfortably$with$each$xecutive$board.$

Relevance to college students and professional developmentThe$purpose$of$these$trainings$is$to$help$attendees$gain$a$better$knowledge$of$their$abilities$

as$leaders$around$campus.$$The$skills$that$they$gain$from$these$trainings,$as$leaders,$will$

help$them$make)decisions)beyond)their)college)career)and)when)they)leave)Cortland.)

Continuous professional development and personal growthof student affairs professionals.

HA$and$NRHH$trainings$empower)these)new)leaders)to)play)an)active)role)in)the)SUNY)

ortland)community.$$Members$are$continuously$challenged$to$grow$and$learn$outside$of$

raining$and$throughout$the$course$of$the$year.$$$

Outreach and advocacyIncreasing)advocacy$in$and$around$campus$is$one$of$RHAs$main$goals$this$year.$$During$

leadership$night$they$discussed)different)issues)they)wanted)to)fix)around)campus.$$These$

trainings$sessions$allowed$residents$to$speak$their$mind$about$the$residence$hall$community.$$


19/25

!

Executive Board Retreat:Positive$$

Built$community$within$Eboards$ Better$understanding$of$opposite$organization$ Exchanging$of$ideas$ Strengthened)our)moose)love!$ Recommend$this$retreat$for$future$Eboards$

Leadership Night:ositive$

Knowledge$of$role$in$RHA$and$Hall$Council$ Made$connections$with$other$halls$ Built$community$within$Hall$Councils$

egative$

Publicize$more$for$full$attendance$!

NRHH Retreat:Positive$

Pillars$incorporated$into$retreat$ Built$trust$within$members$and$chapter$ Practiced)team)building$through$ropes$

courses$

Used$SUNY$Cortland$Outdoor$Educational$Facilities$

Negative$

Whole$chapter$didnt$attend$$

This+e5board+retreat+has+to+have+

een+one+of+the+most+amazing+

weekends+I+have+experienced+this+

emester.+All+of+the+bonding+we+reated+is+undoubtedly+going+to+

elp+both+of+our+organizations.+"++++++

Caitlin+Higgins+

The+NRHH+retreat+was+a+great+

bonding+experience+with+my+fellow+

members.+I+had+a+great+time+getting+

to+know+everyone+and+doing+all+the+team+building+exercises.+I+hope+all+

NRHH+members+will+challenge+

themselves+to+go+on+one+of+the+

retreats+in+the+future.++

5Anna+Yoo+

!

Leadership+Night+was+my+

first+experience+in+RHA.++It+

made+me+excited+to+be+in+this+

organization+and+encouraged+

me+to+apply+for+Regionals+

5Emily+Devore+


20/25!

!

!

!

!

!

! ! ! ! ! Conference:Run)on)over)to)learn)how)SUNY)Cortland)learned)how)to)properly)

conduct)leadership)from)their)retreats)an)training)in)this)session .$$In$

these$sessions$you$will$learn$and$$

understand$how$SUNY$Cortland$

$learned$leadership$in$unique$ways.$$$

You$will$be$ready$to$head$out$into$the$

$world$with$brand$new$ideas$to$spark$

$leadership$in$your$Executive$board!$

!

!

Bringing this to YOUR Campus!Learning)good)leadership)tactics)is)vital)to)running)any)club)or)organization.$$No$matter$

the$size$of$your$school,$whether$big$or$large,$rural$or$urban,$our$techniques$can$be$adapted$

anywhere.$$Even)with)a)smaller)budget)this)is)possible.$Using$these$techniques$you$can$

even$bring$it$to$your$school!$$

The$very$first$step$would$be$to$decide$how$you$would$like$to$work$leadership$into$your$training$for$what$you$are$doing.$$Do$some$research$and$figure$out$whom$you$

would$like$to$bring$in$as$your$professional$leadership$facilitator.$$$

To$save$money$try$to$figure$out$a$cheap$way$to$get$off$campus,$parks$are$a$great$idea$where$you$can$spend$the$whole$day$and$get$a$lot$accomplished.$$$

Another$good$idea$is$to$ask$your$campus$food$service$to$donate$food.$This$can$save$you$some$budget$money$as$well$to$bring$a$professional$facilitator.$$$

Another$way$to$gain$funds$would$be$to$ask$your$Residence$Life$and$Housing$Department$for$some$money$to$help$cover$the$costs$of$this.$$

!

Introduction: Introduce$the$speakers$and$what$the$program$is$intending$to$teach.$

$

Icebreakers:$Do$an$Icebreaker$from$the$retreat.$A$rope$and$everyone$holds$on$and$

leans$back,$helps$teach$trust$within$the$group.$$

$

Presentation:The$PowerPoint$would$show$how$we$set$our$goals$and$expectations$and$

how,$we,$as$leaders$accomplished$them.$

Main Activities

Items:

After$the$presentation,$discuss$how$attendees$plan$implementing$their$

own$leadership$techniques.$Tell$everyone$to$write$down$two$big$ideas$

and$submit$their$favorite$one$into$a$hat$and$pick$out$ten$and$talk$about$

how$they$could$or$would$work.$$This)can)help)a)lot)of)people)brainstorm)

their)own)ideas)on)how)to)get)leadership)into)their)campus) or$executive$

board.$$Implement$thumb$check$to$make$sure$everyone$is$on$the$same$

page.$$Then$question$and$answer$

Activities:

Rope,$projector,$paper,$and$pens$

$


21/25

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25/25

Documents

SUNY Corltand SALT Bid Color Copy