When I was in College I someone how decided to become the member for Student Goverment Association (SGA) for my residental hall. No one else wanted to volunteer, and I decided I would do it. I could help the hall.
I didn't have any classes scheduled at the time.
I was a little apprehensive about the first meeting. I wasn't sure exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Luckily, a lot of people were helpful, and made me feel welcome.
This memory isn't about the first day, it is about later. I remember my first semester of SGA I decided to try to write a bill. It was a small bill, and it was about redefining the pathways that were already there. It was a small bill, and I don't think it garnered much attention.
Somehow, I am not sure how, I think two semesters into serving I was elected the chairperson of the community and environmental committee.
It was because of this that one of the student organizations reached out to me. They wanted to me to help them try to get a schoolwide recycling program. They were called the students for sustainable life. I went to a few meetings before I even agreed.
For the most part it was a small organization, but they had lovely people there who were willing to work hard for what they believed in. They taught me a lot of cool things like turning magazine papers into envelopes, and also they were turning used paper, and cereal boxes into notebooks.
I remember they helped me get a lot of websites that would be helpful in the research. Also, I went to the environmental fair which was sort of like a craft fair, and concert. It was really fun. It was a gorgeous day on the quad.
The President of SGA was actually an awesome guy, and he was able to get a meeting with one of the deans of facilities. I also remember arranging a meeting with one of the professors who taught environmental science (I actually had a class of his later I think)
I was so nervous meeting the dean. I thought I was going to mess up. He was actually excited about my idea. He was able to give me specific concerns for the bills, and some other avenues to look into. Also, the president of SGA was there as well, and he helped a lot.
It took me almost a year to get the bill written and passed through the student government. A little after that it was passed through the University Senate (which includes faculty and board of trustee members )
I was lucky that all the faculty that I had spoken to were very receptive of the idea. I think if they weren't it would have been a lot harder. I know before I graduated I started to see green recycling bins around campus. And it was nice to know I helped with it. Luckily I had a lot of help. But it was totally awesome to see someone's dream come true.
When I had started SGA my first semester, I hadn't thought of doing something grand. It just sounded like a new experience. By doing it, I met a lot of fun people, and learned a lot of things I didn't expect to learn like how to write a bill, and also how sometimes something that can start with a small group of people could turn into something that helps lots of people's lives.
I think I need to remember all the hardwork put into the recycling program, and know that things don't just happen. Sometimes you have to put in an effort.
No comments:
Post a Comment