Of The Months SURVIVAL GUIDE

What is an OTM? OF THE MONTH! Recognition of a person, group or event These people, organizations or events have stood out to you during the month

Why should I write an OTM? Make someone’s day! Make someone feel special! Get to know someone better! (Don’t just write one because you have to)

How do I write an OTM? Go to the website http://otms.nrhh.org/ Find “Submit OTMS” (left-hand side of the website) General category: advisor, student, organization, community, maintenance, security guard, etc. Program category: community service, diversity, educational, social Select University of Pittsburgh #H2P Select the category Start writing! (The OTM Nomination Form will guide you through this)

General Category: WHAT DO I NEED? Nominee’s name Campus Address Phone Number Pitt email address Information on what the person/organization did

What do I write? What did the person/group do that made them stand out? How did they address motivation, recognition or support?

Examples An organization, RA, or security guard providing motivation for midterms/finals Custodial staff doing extra work Organization recognizing others Advisor who helped you personally A student who is making an effort to get to know others or get other involved An executive board member showing leadership

Program Category: WHAT DO I NEED? Person in charge Campus Address Phone Number Pitt email address Program Title Target Population Number of people in attendance Number of people to organize Time needed to organize Date and cost of program

What do I write? There are 6 sections: Origin of Program (Where and how did it start?) Description of Program Goals of Program Positive and lasting effects of program Short evaluation of program How it could be adapted to other campuses You will NEED to talk to the person in charge if you did not attend the event! Make sure you have all of the information in time to write it (don’t wait until the last day)!

Examples Floor, building-wide, campus-wide, and spontaneous programs Goals of program: education (alcohol, other cultures, violence), getting freshman involved, getting students to come out of their rooms, giving students a break from studying Lasting/ positive effects: meeting new people/making new friends, new knowledge, organizations learning how their members work together, gaining a better understanding of an organization or group of people Evaluation: rating program on a scale, getting direct quotes from those who attended, writing about the amount of work put into program Adapting programs to other campuses: almost every program can be adopted to other campuses! Talk about what they would need and where they could host it

DO’S and DONT’S

1. Month-Specific OTM must be month specific! Program must have been held during that month For the individual being recognized, talk specifically about what they did during that month, not what they have been doing the whole year Good Example: “In the month of December, Ian's leadership style was very clearly exhibited. Ian proposed some changes to the executive board that could have been met with emotionally charged reactions. Knowing this, Ian provided the board with his rational behind the proposed changes and allowed the board to ask him questions.” – Lauren Manning Bad Example: “He is a great leader. Throughout this whole year, he has shown his amazing leadership style. For example, in October he was able to solve a conflict going on within the organization. In November, he was able to bring all the residence hall councils together for one large event. Now, in this month, he is beginning to propose more changes.”

2. DETAIL Try not to be too general! Speak with the nominee(s) to get more details! Good Example: “After planning to host a program centered around drag culture, Ras Bridget Deely, Geof Hollinger, and Jonah Warshawsky decided to find and contact an actual drag queen. All three could not think of a better way for their residents to obtain a better knowledge of this cultural aspect than to have a member of the Pittsburgh drag community come and speak at their program. The RAs reached out to faculty member Matt Landy, who through personal connections, was able to put them in touch with Alora Chateaux. Miss Chateaux, a Pittsburgh resident and favorite in the local drag community, was more than happy to come and talk to students. With this confirmation, Bridget, Geof, and Jonah finalized the date of the program, and began advertising the event throughout their residence hall. In addition to a Question and Answer session with Alora Chateaux, the programming team planned on showing the documentary "Paris is Burning" and providing drinks and snack food for all in attendance.” – Micah Vinovskis Bad Example: “The organization did a great job planning this program. They were able to get a drag queen, and she was able to answer questions at the end. They really put a lot of work into it.”

3. Make it meaningful Don’t just go through the motions Good example: “Everything Olivia did surrounding this event, from the first day of planning right through the last drop of the last drink taken, was perfect. I had numerous people approach me during the event and tell me that we did a great job. Most of my night was spent correcting them, stating matter-of-factly, “Thank you, but I can’t take the credit for this. This is all Olivia.” Here’s to you, Olivia Rauktis. I admire everything about the way you pulled together RSA’s best-ever Non-Alcoholic Mix-Off, and I’m far from the only one who is singing your praises all over Pitt’s campus. Hail to Pitt, and Hail to Olivia Rauktis.” - Ian Snyder Bad Example: “Olivia is great. She really put so much work in to the program. We couldn’t have done it without her.”

4. Quotes Get quotes from those who attended the event It will be the best way to show just how truly great the program, person or organization is