The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

Got a tip? Have something you need to tell us? Contact us

Loading Recent Classifieds...

Student leaders plan for the future

The Matador Involvement Center provided tools and advice at its annual Clubs and Organizations Recognition Conference in the University Student Union Oct. 1.

The morning began with an estimated 200 clubs and organizations checking in at the front of the USU. Upon checking in, representatives from each club were given a notebook to store handouts and forms given throughout the day.

“This is my fourth year in a row coming to the conference,” said Kathy Anderson, president of the Sigma Phi Omega Gerontology Honors Society. “They really give you a ton of information about how to organize events, campus policies and procedures, resources for grants and scholarships, as well as how to advertise on campus.”

The conference began in the San Fernando Valley Hall, with a welcome from event coordinators, followed by a presentation by Chad Charton, Associated Students president, who focused on leadership and presented a video montage of past A.S.-sponsored campus events.

“By having this event, I am able to bring this information back to other members of my club, so they can learn too,” Anderson said.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Vicki Allen, assistant director for student involvement at the MIC, introduced keynote speaker Tony Magee.

Magee, a professional speaker and CSUN alumnus, delivered an action plan with the purpose of achieving success. Magee, also known as “the Destiny Doctor,” began his speech by motivating a seemingly sleepy crowd and performing a rendition of “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Magee emphasized that success was reliant on important leadership qualities such as courage, creativity and enthusiasm.

“I am looking forward to the workshop sessions because they give you useful things you can actually use,” said Imani Johnson, a member of the Health Administrative Student Association. “My major is health administration, and any session on leadership will help with the organization, as well as my career.”

The conference offered more than 20 workshops for student leaders to help them lead their student groups, on topics such as event planning, personal and interpersonal motivation, conflict resolution, fundraising and creative leadership.

“The purpose of the event is to have these club representatives walk away with accurate information so they can thrive and be successful with the necessary skills and tools to grow within the CSUN community as leaders,” said Alexandria Barabin, a graduate assistant in the MIC and coordinator of the event.

The conference required attendance from a least one officer of a student club or organization, and was mandatory for campus clubs and organizations wishing to be chartered and recognized officially for the 2005-06 academic year.

“You must be chartered,” said Colleen Frenck, administrative support assistant in the MIC. “For one thing, it tells us what groups are viable at this point and allows us to give proper information regarding what the university expects and has to offer.”

By being chartered, a club or organization is then eligible to receive an array of perks and privileges, including the use of the CSUN name, the ability to post flyers on campus, and the use of campus mailboxes.

Most importantly, being chartered enables clubs and organizations to request funding for events and supplies from Associated Students.

“Financing is definitely important to our club,” Anderson said. “We travel to conferences and it allows us to fund our events.”

Renee Hassija can be reached at editor@csun.edu.

More to Discover