Weekly Minutes (week 3)

Hello Class,

We are now getting into this event more than ever, which means a lot of frustrations and fears. Keep your focus, communicate with each other, and ask for assistance when you need it. Amanda and I are here for you. We will help you in any way we can as long as you put forth your time and efforts as well. We want you to have an event that YOU created and that you can be proud of. It's happening but a lot of pieces have to come together to make it successful. We have learned and explore that we are a very diverse group of people, tap into that diversity. The resources we have among us are amazing!

Communicate effectively with each other. Some important communication reminders: raise your hand, wait until you have everyone's attention before speaking, address the class not just your group, speak clearly and explain things to your best abilities, ask for feedback, stop and ask the class what you are saying to be sure they are understanding your message, and share your thoughts, ideas and opinions as well as respecting others.

Class this week was not easy. It feels as if we are not moving forward. I ask you during these times to continue to push ahead and think outside of the box if needed. During class stay busy, work with each other, stop and listen when committees are reporting their information, do not only hear but listen to what people are presenting, ask each other questions, do not be afraid to offer advice or assistance to another group, keep your phones out of sight unless you have asked permission to make or accept a call. Effective Communication is the key for what we are doing. Remember what you learned last semester and apply it to now.

***********From this week on, your committee is responsible for their own weekly minutes. These minutes must be well organized, typed, sent to Amanda and I, and 10 hard copies need to be printed and brought to class each week. These will be distributed to all committees to keep in their folders. This means that Amanda and I must have your minutes by 10:00pm Monday evening.********

I know that this is not going to be easy and there will be days of frustration and despair. But, I can promise you the best things in life are never easy and when you do the work and see what you have accomplished, there is no feeling like it. Making a difference, being the difference and embracing the difference is what this is all about.



Here is a recap on what we covered today.



~Decided to stay with the theme: Firework

~Slogan: Come and Let Your Colors Burst!

~Theme: Fun Sophisticated

~Fundraiser: Bracelets are ordered. They will arrive in March and we can begin to sell them. ******* Each student owes Meghan $10.00. She has a check list and will check you off after she has been paid. If you cannot or do not want to participate, please let her know. We can take money from our account to make up the difference. She needs to be paid ASAP since she paid for these bracelets with her own funds. THANKS MEGHAN!*******

~Location: we do not have one yet. This needs to be found ASAP. UMD is looking like our best option right now.



Fundraising:

Mission: Creating a list for possible donations and creating a letter to ask for donations. Will continue to contact Student Senate and Bekah's mother that works for the local group homes for additional funds.



Coyer
Jake
Kyle
Mary
Meghan

Advertising:

Mission:find out how much it costs for local advertising. Create a list and provide class with what form of advertising you select and provide the cost for that service.

The Committee is working on samples of the poster and invitation. They will have three examples of each to share with the class next week.

The committee has been asked for next week to continue to seek more places to advertise, find out exactly how much this will cost & propose this to the class, create three drafts for our poster and invitations. Poster and invitation computerized drafts will be brought to class next week for the class to discuss. Students will vote which they would like to use.

Kayla
Michelle
Maggie D
Jake T
Katelyn
Maria
Maggie C

Food/Dec.Food/Dec:

Mission: Look for possible locations.

The committee is having trouble finding an accessible and affordable location for our event. The committee is still waiting to hear from UMD to find out costs, accessibility, and liable issues. They will continue to search for other locations as well. They will report locations, costs, accessibility, and insurance next week.

For next week, this committee has been asked to create what this ball will look like in regards to decorations that may our theme. They are to collect ideas and find out how much they would cost. Three ideas will be presented. The students will create samples for the class so we can visualize the event. Food will be discussed when a location has been decided.
Krista
Lane
Sher
Kristin
Nikki
Kelsey
Lauren
Jake


******************HOMEWORK!********************

Kayla will make our~Facebook Page. Please be prepared to show us during class.

We need to learn about our disabilities. We must get started ASAP. I will be inviting the UMD Access For ALL group to come and share their stories with us very soon.

~Begin to place your research on your disability into a powerpoint slide. Be sure to meet with your group and create 10 slides. This is your first draft of many. Please do not panic, this is only the starting point. Amanda and I will look at each groups powerpoint and give feedback. The first draft is due during week 7, the next draft is due week 9 & 10 & 12 and the final project is due one week before the event. For the power point you need to define your disability, give local agencies that work with this disability, create a day and a life with this disability, provide factual information about your disability (be sure to cite), provide accommodations used, and provide something that is inspiring(youtube has a wealth of information). You can decide how you want to arrange this. This is worth 100 points. This is 25% of your final grade.

I have provided some websites that provide very valuable information on how to create a powerpoint.
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/skills/presentations.aspx
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/microsoft/bb/powerpointrules.htm

~Each committee must get together this week and post important information and questions you may have. (only one student from each group needs to do this. Be sure all students names that were PRESENT are listed)

~If anyone has any other ideas that they would like to share here. Please feel free to do so!

********COMMUNITY DAY********

Our class will need to participate in our annual community day: Thanksgiving in the Spring. We have been assigned to help in the kitchen on Monday from 3:00 to 4:30. We are to report for cooking
duty with Jack at the Greenview kitchen on the Monday Feb. 21st.