1. OTMs Why they are awesome and you should do them By Katie Duguid, the new OTM Lady (aka VPR for NRHH)

2. What is an OTM?  OTM stands for “Of the Month.” They serve as a way to recognize all the awesome people that surround you on campus.  Almost anything can have an OTM written about it – whether it be an awesome event, a spectacular RA, or just a really sweet roommate.  It also helps you help your AG win the OTM Cup!

3. How do I submit an OTM?  It’s actually super easy.  Go to www.otms.nrhh.org www.otms.nrhh.org  I suggest making an account so you can review your past OTMs, but it’s not necessary  Go to submit an OTM and choose your category  Make sure to write at least 75% of the word maximum!

4. Make it good!  If you write a really spectacular OTM, it can be recognized campus-wide, regionally, and even nationally!  The better your OTM, the more likely it is to win. When you win, that means more recognition for your OTM but also more points for your AG toward the OTM Cup!  So the real question is: how do you make it good?

5. Tips & Tricks  For a really spectacular OTM, you should try to do the following:  Write about an event or a person that is really unique in what they did.  Have lots of examples to back you up.  Try to write creatively – I like to use a theme with mine and incorporate it throughout.  Cute theme ideas: super heroes, Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, celebrities – think pop culture!  Remember! Make it *at least* 75% of the word count – generally, that will be at least 450 words!

6. Winning the Cup  This year, the AG that wins the OTM Cup will be chosen a little differently than it has been in the past.  The percentage of residents in your area divided by the total number of residents will yield a monthly percentage.  Your monthly percentages will be averaged at the end of the year, and the highest AG percentage will win!  Murphree has been the winner the last few years, but this year it is truly anyone’s to win!

7. Some resources:  http://www.nrhh.nacurh.org/otms http://www.nrhh.nacurh.org/otms  http://otms.nrhh.org/ http://otms.nrhh.org/  Be sure to review the national winners to see some awesome examples!  And always feel free to email me at OTM@housing.ufl.edu OTM@housing.ufl.edu  Good luck and happy writing!