A Proposal.

 How do we preserve and celebrate history?  Why do we celebrate history?  The proposal  Examples –  Genealogy  Military History  Meteorology History  Other History Organizations  Project Task Listing  Gantt Chart  Budgetary Considerations  Conclusion  Evaluate Me!  Bibliography

We talk about it. We study it. We embrace it.

“We virtually must [study history], to gain access to the laboratory of human experience. […] We emerge with relevant skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and simple awareness.” -- American Historical Association

On 6 October 2014, Peter Olson, Ph.D., of the Department of English at Mississippi State University, presented the assignment to “propose a new student organization on the Mississippi State University campus.” There are numerous student organizations at Mississippi State University, encompassing many different cultures, subjects, and interests. These organizations serve the students and staff of the University, and offer many different opportunities for people to engage one another. In researching the various organizations, it was noted that there was nothing dedicated to or referencing “General History,” which could be defined as relating to the various branches of history, but not micro-focusing or staying tied down to one particular branch.

A General History Appreciation Society that would involve students and faculty of the University, as well as members of the Starkville community, would be of great benefit to the University and community. The purpose of this society would be the development of an organization that would provide the students, faculty, and community members an outlet to discuss topics of historical significance. Meetings could be held monthly, and guest speakers could be invited to talk about various topics including but not limited to Mississippi Civil War history, Meteorology history, general American history, genealogy, historical artifacts, and the like.

Source – Genealogy Genealogists do interviews, examine historical records, analyze old photographs, and talk to others to determine pedigrees of families. An incredible amount of history is exposed during this research, and sometimes new discoveries are made.

Source – blog.mlive.com Military History Examining military history provides virtually innumerable opportunities for presentations, speeches, and shows.

Meteorology History The Tri-State Tornado of March 1925 was responsible for hundreds of deaths, and is the deadliest tornado in United States History. It was a landmark occurrence that helped people realize that tornado forecasting was needed.

Source – screenshot – Join Other Organizations A General History Appreciation Society at Mississippi State University could join other history organizations, such as the American Historical Association, and develop cross-affiliations and work in conjunction with each other.

Task List If this project is authorized, research on the feasibility of this project would begin. There is a survey page on the proposal website that users would complete to indicate their desire to participate in the organization. The results would be compiled and a final determination would be made on the feasibility of the organization.

Task List  Proposal Prospectus document. Developed and presented to Peter Olson, Ph.D., on October 19,  Proposal Memorandum document. Developed and presented to Peter Olson, Ph.D., on November 24, 2014.

Task List  Proposal Website developed and published on November 24,  Proposal PowerPoint slideshow developed and published on December 4, 2014.

Gantt Chart of Task Schedule Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project. Terminal elements and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project. Task Listing Date of Task Completion (Sunday) Develop the Prospectus Memo Develop the Proposition Memo Develop the Proposal Website Develop this PowerPoint Oct. Nov. Dec. Conception in progress Completed

Budgetary Considerations Budget considerations for the proposal itself are not of concern. If the Society is successfully organized, budget concerns would include various items such as meeting refreshments, a modest compensation to those invited to speak, multimedia presentations, and administrative costs such as printing of announcements and memos, letterhead, etc. The University has access to the U.S. Grant Archives for this purpose.

A General History Appreciation Society at Mississippi State University would be of great benefit to the students and faculty of the University, and to the Starkville Community as a whole. I am therefore respectfully requesting the approval to develop this organization. Respectfully submitted, Christopher Cawley

Please take a few minutes to evaluate this presentation, and me with the feedback! On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, how effectively does this presentation convey its message? On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, are the slides in an order that makes sense and is logical? On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, is there enough elaboration or information presented? On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best, does the style of the presentation reflect the purpose of the message? Yes or no, is the text of the show free of errors in grammar, spelling, use? Yes or no, is the text readable and organized? How could this PowerPoint slideshow be improved? Do you have any further comments? THANK YOU!

Bibliography Olson, P. (2014). Proposal Project: Proposing a new student organization on the Mississippi State University Campus. Retrieved 14 October 2014, from the MSState student classroom portal. Author unknown. (2014). The difference of One: Campus MSU. Retrieved 15 October 2014, from Author(s) unknown. (2014). American Historical Association. Retrieved 12 November 2014, from Bishop, R. (2008). In the Grand Scheme of Things: An Exploration of the Meaning of Genealogical Research,” Journal of Popular Culture 41(3): Retrieved from accessed 15 November Author unknown. Accessed 15 November Author unknown. Weather History Encyclopedia at The Weather Channel. Accessed 15 November Markel, M. (2013). Practical Strategies for Technical Communication. Bedford/ St. Martin’s. Boston, New York.