Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, spoke this morning. She spoke about having the right attitude and leadership building. My favorite part of her session was actually the Q & A bit– someone asked her to sing a country song (she’s in Nashville trying to start one).  She has a really nice voice. She mentioned that music producers telling her to just stick with rapping instead of country, because she’s black.

She also left us this bag of M & M’s. It was part of her analogy about being a truffle in a bag of M and Ms. I don’t see any truffles in there, but I’m happy to chug the M and M’s.

The bag was full when we got it. I was not alone in eating them.

After Ericka’s speech, we’ve had about two hours of workshops on everything from writing a personal statement to how to take the GRE. And there’s more workshops to come in the afternoon after 3.

Before that, though, we have Lee Bienstock and Astronaut Chris Armstrong– between 1:30 and 3pm. Lee was on the 5th season of the Apprentice, where he spent several weeks staring down Donald Trump in the boardroom and trying his hardest not to laugh at The Donald’s hair. (At least I assume that’s what he did– I know I’d fall over laughing if I had to stare at DT’s hair all night).

I wrote the intros for most of the keynote speakers we had at the Convention. It’s fun and a bit strange to hear the National Leadership Council folks read those intros. Maybe that’ll be my next career– convention speechwriter. No, don’t feel sorry for me.. I’m only half-joking about the speech-writing bit.

I attended a lot of workshops this afternoon—all of which were designed to help chapter officers and advisors improve recruitment, visibility and members’ experience.

At the work, “Don’t just lead a binder, leave a legacy” Alicia (one of our member experience managers) and Lauren (who is a SA) led an idea- generating workshop about improving member turnout, and setting and implementing goals for individual chapters.

Later in the day, Andrea (the director of outreach) and Stephanie (also an SA) led a workshop on the NSCS class of 2008, and ways to increase membership.

Here are some tips that both workshops had, about increasing recruitment and/ or involvement:

Ideas that people had for various events:

• Doing a social event before the induction ceremony to get inductees excited about the ceremony.
• Giving people stars (gold, silver, bronze for attending meetings).
• Holding raffles for those who attend meetings so that they can win prizes.
  Get involved in Freshman Orientation week—wear your NSCS T-shirts as you work, so that freshmen see NSCS on campus. Decorating the dorm room doors of people who’ve joined:
• –working with advisor, stay in contact with your Registrar.
• End-of-the-year party where members could bring non-member friends.
• Facebook ads.
• Using facebook to promote community service events.
• Invite your academic advisors to NSCS induction—so that they know about NSCS and can answer questions from other students. Also invite representatives from the honors college/ department.
• Help create a homecoming float.
• Work with the student activities office.

Gratuitious workshop images:

Alicia and Lauren.

Stephanie and Andrea are in there, I promise. I just can’t guarantee picture quality, or you know, zoom.

Proof that I was working. I typed everything in word docs, and then did a cut and paste job later.

I wanted to highlight a cool campaign I just heard about and that relates to the Convention:

FirstBook is a nonprofit that provides new books to children in need. You’ll see their reps at the Convention on Friday in the Whitpen room between 11:15am and noon. They’ll explain how you can help them alleviate illiteracy.

FirstBook also has a campaign  called “What Book Got You Hooked?” From now through July 31st, they’re seeking your comments on the book that got you interested in reading. Then you can vote for which state should receive 50,000 new books. In August, they’ll announce the top 50 books with the most votes, as well as the state that won the books.

Addendum: They have a blog too.