RHA: More Than Meets the Eye

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RHA More Than Meets the Eye

• Michael Grzelak President RHA, Syracuse
  University

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Everyone Knows What RHA Is!

• RHA is the greatest organization in the world and
  everyone on our campuses knows who we are and
  what we do!!!!!
• Waitwhatyou mean to tell me that there are
  people who do not know us?
• Some actually think we are a council of RAs?
• Well we need to fix this!!!!!

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The Issues

• Some RHAs doing a great job of marketing their
  organizations but for many of us, RHA is a
  behind the senses operation. We are visible at
  some points, but a lot of the hard work occurs
  out of the residents sights.
• This causes some issues for RHA residents do not
  always know who we are, what we do, or how they
  can take advantage of us.

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The Issues

• Some people actually confuse RHA with RAs or
  believe we are an extension of SGA
• Some think we just program a few times a year
• Some within residents life do not know the fully
  story about us either
• Sometimes we assume others know us or we do not
  want to put the work into spreading our message.

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What does this Mean?

• FEW ACTUALLY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHO/WHAT RHA IS!

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Is this a Problem?

• Yes!!!!! Here is why
• Recruitment/retention is harder
• Program attendance is harder
• Elections are harder
• Gaining respect is harder
• Life is just harder

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Who Needs to Know About RHA?

• There are three groups that need to understand
  what RHA is
• The Residents
• Professional Staff
• Other Student Organizations

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Why Do They Need To Know?

• The Residents
• They are why we exist. We work for them, program
  for them, and function because of them. Without
  residence we mean nothing. We provide services
  that they need to know about.

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Why Do They Need To Know?

• Professional Staff
• We need allies, especially in the Office of
  Residence Life, Housing, Admissions, Recreation
  Services, Space Allocation, and so many more.
  Life will be made easier with allies.
• Other Student Organizations
• CollaborationCollaborationCollaboration
• Funding Too!

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How to Promote RHA

• You need to make a game plan for each group
• You need to be creative and specific
• You need to be direct and honest
• You need to be forceful and enthusiastic

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How to Promote RHA?

• Residents
• Flyers (old school method needs to be creative
  in order to work)
• Create an RHA website
• Town Hall Meetings/Coffee Chats
• Newspaper Articles
• Knocking On Doors Meet and Greets
• RHA News Boards in Halls
• Mailings
• Quarter Sheets for Dining Halls
• Chalking the Quad
• Monthly Newsletter
• Fun Contests (Prize Patrol)
• Resolutions
• Committees (both internal and external)
• Use your logo (water bottles for Dining Halls)
• Bathroom Stall Messages
• Pictures
• Surveys
• JUST BE VISIBLE

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How to Promote RHA?

• Professional Staff
• One on one meetings
• Listservs
• Training Sessions
• Advocacy issues (resolutions)
• Surveys
• Committees
• Business Cards
• RHA Manual
• Outline what you are all about
• Invite to meetings

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How to Promote RHA?

• Student Organizations
• Meet and greet
• RHA Manual
• Attend their meeting
• Invite them to your meeting
• Website
• Funding opportunities
• Collaboration

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What Not To Do?

• Assume that people know what RHA is
• Just use flyers
• Take a back seat
• Leave it for another executive board to deal with
• Assume it will get better on its own
• Blame the students
• Nothing

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Now Lets Hear From You!

• Any stories (good or bad)?
• Comments?
• Questions?
• Problems?
• Issues to Work Out?
• What works/Doesnt Work For You?

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Thanks So Much

• This PowerPoint will be on the SU RHA website
  (orl.syr.edu/rha) if you want a copy
• Or email Michael at msgrzela_at_syr.edu for a copy
  or if you have questions/comments you want to
  chat about!!!!!