Bootcamp teaches organization officers important skills

Anthony Crenshaw, assistant director of student organizations and leadership development, taught student leaders how to create a vision for his or her organizations at the first Organization Officer Bootcamp on Sunday.

Creating this vision, getting others involved and motivating members were among the most important things for leaders of on-campus organizations to learn, Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw led a workshop for 23 presidents and vice presidents of on-campus organizations, called Org Officer Bootcamp. There will be a second workshop April 7 for another set of students that will follow the same format and cover the same topics as Sunday's workshop.

Crenshaw said the workshop had consisted of three parts: a general session about the concept of leadership, a session about turning great ideas into successful programs and a funding and financing session.

The idea for a bootcamp for student leaders was two-fold, Crenshaw said. He felt that there were untapped resources on campus, and he wanted to present those resources to students in a way that made them accessible and practical. Second, Crenshaw said he wanted to give students an opportunity to learn about all of the resources available to them in one session, instead of them having to go to different information sessions and meetings about each aspect of their organizations.

Members from SALSA, Model UN, Mock Trial and UR Fierce attended the workshop, Crenshaw said.

"I think the students got the most out of meeting other leaders who have had the same challenges," Crenshaw said. "The vision and budget information also seemed helpful to them."

Liz Dedman, president-elect of Mock Trial, attended the workshop Sunday. She said having one all-encompassing meeting had been valuable.

"Overall, I think I gained a lot of new tools and new ideas to organize and plan for next year," Dedman said. "When we make it to nationals, I'll be sure to thank Anthony."

Student leaders can register for the second workshop until Friday, April 6, at activities.richmond.edu.

Contact reporter Molly Gentzel at molly.gentzel@richmond.edu