December Student Organization of the Month

Forza Financial

Contributing Writer, Elisabeth García

            Forza Financial isn’t your average student organization. It’s an innovative lending institution mirrored in only two other universities in the U.S.

            Forza, “strength” in Italian, is an organization designed to help low-income entrepreneurs get their start, said David Bailey, the organization’s president.

He said many of these people have poor or no credit scores and cannot find loans.

“Almost none of our borrowers have a banking relationship,” Bailey said. “They don’t even have a checking account.”

That’s where Forza, a nonprofit organization, steps in. Bailey said many times, the reason entrepreneurs cannot get a loan is not their ability to pay it back but the circumstances in their lives. Forza works to re-gauge an applicant’s credit score and approve them for a loan.

Bailey said Forza only charges 10-20 percent compared to the rates of money lenders- 50 percent/month- and cash advance- 453 percent/year.

The company was started in the fall of 2009 when Bailey presented his idea to faculty at UA. Two other students, Alex Murray and Matt Miller, had similar ideas and the three formed Forza Financial.

From there, it’s become a company staffed entirely by more than 24 students, which might seem like an impossibility when you hear words like “microfinance” and “lending institution.”

“It is business-based but students do 100 percent of the work,” he said. “The beauty of what we’re doing is we use student labor.”

Even the company’s website was completely designed by students. These staffers earn independent study credit through the Honors College, Bailey said.

Eventually, he would like to introduce a microfinance class on campus. This is quite an advancement for UA considering the fact that a microfinance minor doesn’t exist.

The company also offers free classes to their lenders that cover issues from tax returns to creating a budget. Bailey said they hope to build a calendar with other companies to offer more classes.

The classes are one condition that lenders face in order to get a loan. Bailey said many of the loans are recommended from community leaders, such as church pastors. This makes social collateral, the company’s insurance, work so well.

Bailey said six people will be grouped into threes as borrowers. The second three cannot receive their loan until the first three have paid off a substantial portion of their loan.

This creates a peer pressure that makes the borrowing system so successful. The fear of a whole church judging you for not repaying your loan and inhibiting a fellow member’s loan is a big motivator, Bailey said.

            He also emphasized the fact that Forza isn’t just seeking outside lenders in the community.

“We also lend to students,” he said. “One of the most underserved populations for credit is students.”

Bailey said the company’s goal is to establish this kind of business throughout the southeast. They also want to build their research, making the more marketable to banking partners.

A possible reality TV show is also rumored but details are yet to be released, he said.

For now, members are working hard and empowering each other to go further, Bailey said. Chief officers meet every Sunday, the whole group meets monthly, and each team meets once a week to develop ideas.

“At the bare minimum, the least that someone spends is three hours,” he said.

Some members spend as much as 20-30 hours a week, speaking to the dedication of the staff. Bailey said the ability to change lives is a driving force that excites so many Forza workers.

“I could not speak highly enough about the quality and caliber of everyone in the program,” he said.

Bailey said more UA students are welcome to be part of this with several areas of involvement. First, students should go to Forza’s website and check out the company’s history.

Next, students should connect through Facebook or Twitter and contact one of the chief officers.

Bailey said they’re seeking independent applicants with good people skills but who aren’t over-committed.

“When you commit to something in Forza, it is paramount that you do it,” he said.

            Forza is currently accepting applications for affordable business loans. Local and student entrepreneurs are encouraged to see for themselves at www.ForzaFinancial.com.

Daniel Connors's Farewell Address

A New Foundation 

For all who don’t know, I took an exciting opportunity to study in China next semester. However, it saddens me because as of today I will be stepping down from my position as Director of Communications for the SOURCE. Being Director of Communications has given me the chance to experience the memorable journey of transforming the image of a resource center that over 400 student organizations have called home. My team and I were given the task to redesign the SOURCE logo and other related advertising materials. I believe that we have fully accomplished this goal. We created a new logo, built an advertising campaign that will kick in full swing next semester and increased awareness via social media and our blog. We also increased the communication outlets between the student organizations with newsletters and increased publicity for the new and current SOURCE events. We have finally finished building a new foundation to help to continue and expand its resources to be the voice for all student organizations.

Although there is still work to be done, I have confidence that Katie O’Laughlin, the new Director of Communications, and her team (Emily Dowdell, Elisabeth Garcia, and Cate Roepke) will continue these efforts of building awareness for the SOURCE. These efforts will be continued through the new advertising campaigns, maximizing publicity for Spring Get on Board Day and other events and also offer advice to new and old student organizations. The SOURCE grows and our voice becomes stronger through every newsletter, student organization of the month articles, posters and handbills, logistic documents, leadership programs, tweets and Facebook updates. Student organizations who continue to use the resource center as guidance for their clubs are guaranteed a successful year. Networking and the resources we have to offer will develop stronger relationships between the SOURCE and student organizations. The short seven months that I have been with the SOURCE has been eye opening because it showed me the true face of the University of Alabama with all the interests and passion that embodies within it. I want to make sure I leave this resource center with its unique perspectives that always has been the voice for student organizations for the past twenty five years.

Correction to Wheelchair Basketball Article

The name of Wheelchair Basketball Director, Brent Hardin, was incorrectly stated in the previous post as Brent Watkins and has now been corrected in the original post. The SOURCE apologizes for the mistake and is happy to correct it! Thank you.

UA Wheelchair Basketball

            What do five wheels, an orange ball, and the University of Alabama have in common? That would be the University of Alabama Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball teams. According to the Women’s team President, Lindsey Metz, these teams function just like any other UA athletic team, with practices Monday through Friday, lifting weights three times a week, and voluntary extra practices where athletes can work on their game shots in small focus groups with the aid of Brent Hardin, the Wheelchair Athletic Director.

            Metz, in her first year as President, got involved with the team after coming to a wheelchair basketball camp run by UA while she was in high school. Metz, like many of her teammates, was recruited by Hardin, made a campus visit, and eventually committed to the program. “I played in high school, and decided I wanted to go on to the next level,” she said. However, a number of Metz’s teammates followed a slightly different route to the University and the team. According to Metz, the United States is currently the only country with college wheelchair athletics, so some international students came specifically to play. The women’s team currently has members from Canada and Germany who came to play at the university.

            In order to play wheelchair basketball, an athlete must have a certifiable disability. However, that disability does not necessarily mean the athlete must require a wheelchair. “You essentially have to have a doctor say that you can’t perform regular sports,” Metz said. So while any legally disabled student may tryout for the team, at this moment, an “able-bodied” person cannot play for a university team. Sorry, everyone.

            So what’s the difference between wheelchair basketball and the basketball most people are familiar with? The main differences between wheelchair basketball and able-bodied basketball deal with dribbling and travelling and fouls. In wheelchair basketball, a player must dribble every two pushes of his or her wheelchair, or else it is considered travelling. As far as fouls are concerned, the essential difference is in the way they are called. There are still five fouls, but in wheelchair basketball, most fouls are chair fouls, of which there is a variety. Also special in wheelchair basketball? The type of wheelchair that the athletes use. The wheelchair used in a game is much lighter than an everyday wheelchair, to help with speed, and has a bar across the front near the player’s feet to prevent players getting tangled during contact. The game chair also has angled wheels to allow for faster turns, straps for safety, and a fifth wheel for both stability and balance.

            Metz encourages students to come see a game and get a feel for how the game is. “It’s totally different than you’d think, it’s really a new experience.” The frequency of Wheelchair Basketball games depends on the semester; however, both teams usually play roughly 30 games a season, with many games coming from tournaments. Because wheelchair basketball teams are few in number and spread out, the teams play at a variety of different levels in some of their games in order to play as much as possible and prepare themselves for the games against other schools with established wheelchair athletics programs. For example, the women’s team will play both men’s teams and club teams for as much play time as they can get. Both teams will play at home on Saturday, December 3^rd and Saturday December 10^th, and the games against other college teams begin in the spring semester. Both teams’ schedules can be found on the Wheelchair Athletics website at http://uads.weebly.com.

David Phelps, the SOURCE Director of Organization Leadership for the SOURCE

By: Elisabeth García

Working as Director of Organization Leadership for the SOURCE at the University of Alabama is more than just a résumé-builder for David Phelps. It’s a way to further his passion of empowering student organizations.

            Phelps is a sophomore majoring in civil engineering and New College with a depth study in urban education and social improvement.

            The Bama fan hails from Tiger country: New Orleans, La. He’s not a passive student either.

Even before attending UA, Phelps earned one of the freshmen spots in the University Fellows Experience, where he met fellow director Michael Forst. Throughout his freshmen year, he also acted as a co-chair for Freshman Forum.

This year, Phelps headed Bama Buddies on campus, a campus-wide service project that allows organizations or individuals to create and customize stuffed animals for local children.

            Continuing as a Fellow, he is also a member of Lambda Sigma, a sophomore honor society. Phelps also attends The Well at Calvary Baptist Church.

            His favorite class, Dynamics of American Education, was the first education-related class he took after feeling called into the field, he said.

            “It is entirely discussion based,” he said. “With opinions ranging from traditional to progressive, the discussions have provided the perfect sounding board for new ideas and have shaped many of my current views on charter schools, No Child Left Behind, and alternative certification programs.”

            Due to his enthusiasm in this area, Phelps is currently eyeing a career in education.

            “Whether obtaining certification from graduate school or other non-traditional route, I plan to teach for many years,” he said.

            At present, he’s not sure which age range he will end up teaching, but he plans to teach middle school or high school in an urban environment.

He said one of his educator role models, Ron Clark, argued that middle school is the critical time in life for changing paradigms and ensuring future success, which is what he is leaning towards.

Phelps said his favorite moment thus far at UA was last winter’s campus-wide snowball fight on the quad. He said close to a thousand random students ran around, forming spontaneous teams and hurling thousands of frosty grenades at one another.

  “The climax of the evening was when one of the snowball throwers shouted the email announcing classes were canceled, and a collective ‘Roll Tide’ was heard across campus,” he said.

Phelps enjoys tuning into Pandora for an eclectic mix of Michael Buble, Janelle Monae, Matt Nathanson, Adele, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Confident in his musical taste, Phelps said it’s the best station ever.

As for other bests, he said the best ending could be found in his favorite film, “The Prestige.” His favorite book, “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell, is also top-notch as a bestseller.

Working as a director for the SOURCE, he and his team strive to do the best work possible. Together, they build a campus brand aligned with effectiveness and efficiency, he said.

“My team is not here to simply control or supervise organizations, but to build infrastructure for campus leaders to further pursue their passions,” Phelps said.

This includes publicizing SOURCE opportunities and resources as well as creating, developing and implementing projects that increase the impact of campus leaders.

Phelps said his team is also finalizing two new projects. The first, SOURCE Course, uses a series of videos to demonstrate useful online tools and basic campus functions.

The second is called the Lasso. This tool will act as an activity database offering leaders creative ways to promote teamwork and harmonious collaboration.

This type of synergy has started within Phelps’ own group. He said it’s been a joy and honor to work with his teammates and fellow directors.

“I have certainly asked an absurd number of questions and made lots of mistakes, but I am confident we can continue our momentum into the future,” he said.

SOURCE Rebranding

The SOURCE is rebranding with a new logo, posters and flyers to help get the word out to student organizations on campus. Keep an eye out for our new advertisements in the Ferguson Center and around campus. Our new advertisements consist of speech bubbles to help represent student voices and different questions they may have. We want student organizations to be more aware of the SOURCE and the different resources we can supply to them. 

“We also want the SOURCE to be more visible to students to give them information about involvement opportunities on campus,” said Daniel Connors, Director of Communications for the SOURCE. “If students have any questions, please call 205.348.6114 or come stop by the 3^rd floor of the Ferguson Center. 

Nancy Coresa Hogan, Director of Fiscal Affairs

by Elisabeth García

            Nancy Coresa Hogan’s three names are pretty well known across campus. What students may not know is that the Source Director of Fiscal Affairs is not interested in running a power structure. 

            “It’s really funny,” she said. “I’m not a politician. I’m just an advocate for change.”

            Over the course of a few minutes, you realize she’s no ordinary student. In fact, she is full of surprises.

            Hogan is a senior majoring in marketing and apparel & textiles with a concentration in fashion retail.

            She has a minor in Spanish and, as a member of the International Honors Program, plans to study abroad. But she doesn’t think she wants to go to Spain or South America.

            “Ironically, I don’t want to study abroad in a Spanish speaking country,” she said.

            Instead, she’d like to visit locations in Italy such as Florence or the fashion provinces. She might bend towards Malaga, Spain, but she said she wants to go somewhere coastal, not somewhere targeted towards tourists.

            Hogan works as a sales associate for Altar’d State, which is a Christian retail store. She said there might be a future with the company, perhaps as a marketing intern.

            She also dreams of a TOMS internship, with the ultimate goal of working in fashion politics. She said she’s particularly interested in matters such as international fair trade and textiles within international trade.

            Though she said she’s not interested in politics, she has a list of leadership experiences credited to her name.

            Hogan is the president of the Anderson Society. The society comprises the top 24 leaders on campus, so you could say that, as president, Hogan is the ultimate campus leader.

            She is also president of the Coordinating Council of Honor Societies and the executive assistant for the Black Student Union.

            Additionally, she said she works with UA Movement, known primarily for its work with TOMS but also serving as a philanthropic organization.

            Additionally, she envisions a potential future at the forefront of an organization with the ability to be her own boss. No matter the path she chooses, Hogan said she doesn’t want to be tied to one career.

            Hearing of all her accomplishments, you might think this comes from the drive of being the eldest child but her situation is quite the opposite.

            “I am the baby baby,” she said.

            Hogan is the youngest of six siblings and the youngest of 20 grandchildren.

            Originally from Birmingham, Ala., her siblings are spread across the United States with a wide range of careers from chef to stay-at-home mom.

            Another surprise comes from Hogan’s movie interests.

            “I love action movies,” she said. “I love things blowing up, exploding, gunfights.”

            Hogan also enjoys espionage movies and historical action like “The 300.” She emphasized that she does not enjoy chick flicks.

            As for television, she tunes in to criminal based shows such as Law & Order: SVU, Cold Case and Criminal Minds.

            Like many other students, she does not often find time to read, but she cited “Their Eyes were Watching God” and Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon” among her favorites.

            Many of her hours are spent at the SOURCE office. As a director, she is at the Ferguson every day, including weekends, for up to seven hours at a time.            

            Each day, she wades through a sea of emails that constantly bombard her inbox, only to begin again the following morning.

            She also plans and facilitates foresight meetings once a month, which all student organizations must attend once before applying for funds.

            Additionally, as part of the Financial Affairs Committee (FAC), she attends three-hour meetings to learn about updated information. She then explains requirements to the other SOURCE directors and organization leaders.

            Working with the directors doesn’t stop with explanations. She also maintains their budgets, as well as her own.

            Executive board members can particularly appreciate Hogan’s work. She plans the yearly ReSource Fair, which resembles a wedding expo for organization leaders.

            Leaders receive free merchandise while browsing various vendor stalls, with the idea of gaining valuable contacts for various event essentials. Vendors range from caterers to t-shirt companies.

            Hogan may not be a politician, but one thing is certain. She’s making an impact on lives at UA.

BAMA BUDDIES XPRESS NIGHT

Bama Buddies is beginning with a bang as we co-host an Xpress Night this Thursday night! Come build a buddy for charity while enjoying live music and absurd amounts of coffee. Click the logo above to visit the Facebook event, or check the website here.

October Student Organization of the Month, Project Health

by Emily Dowdell

            With November comes cold and flu season, and with the coming of cold and flu season, we as students should never be more grateful for one particular student organization on campus, an organization that calls itself Project Health. Project Heath, according to the organization’s website, projectheath.ua.edu, is an organization that “strives to promote health and wellness throughout the UA campus and surrounding community.” Project Health’s president, Amanda Walker, says its members attempt to provide peer support, education, and awareness on health issues that are specifically relevant to college students.

            A common misconception about Project Health is that a student must be a nursing, nutrition, or health-related major to join the organization. But according to Walker, “anyone who is passionate about health is always welcome,” she says. “We have bi-weekly meetings, there are no dues, and the organization is based completely on how involved the members are. We have all majors that participate.” All members are trained to educate the campus, so no experience is necessary.

            Project Health participates in a variety of different events and activities in which members can get involved and prospective members can learn about the organization. Events like Komen on the Go, a breast cancer walk held in October, and the Student Health Fair, an event that has previously been held in the fall, but this year will be held in the spring. Additionally, according to Walker, “anything that the Student Health Center puts on, we’re there to answer questions as well.” One of those Student Health Center sponsored promotions is the Health Hut, a tent that changes locations every so often, highlights a different health topic every week, and gives out things like fliers, buttons, magnets, and chapstick in order to promote a particular health topic for the week. The Health Hut is a branch of the Student Health Center that works together with Project Health on events. Walker says eventually Project Health plans to officially partner with the Health Hut, a partnership that would make all Health Hut workers Project Health members.

            Walker’s favorite Project Health event is more of a program that is called Beautiful Health. In this program, Project Health partners with Tuscaloosa One Place and goes to middle schools to mentor students about issues like self esteem and peer pressure. The program lasts the entire spring semester, and focuses on being confident in oneself in the tough middle school years.

            Sound interesting? To join, go to Project Health’s website, projecthealth.ua.edu, and download the application, then email it to projecthealth@ua.edu.

            

ReSOURCE Fair: Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The ReSOURCE Fair is intended to help student organization officers make connections with departments, businesses and other student organizations all in one central location. This year, the event is planned for October 25^th from 11:00am-2:00pm in Room 300 of the Ferguson Center. If your organization wants to secure product discounts, event help, or other helpful resources, then we hope that you will attend! Organizations will also be entered to win prizes for your student group!

Also, if your organization is planning on applying for funds at the November 7th FAC Meeting, then you must have a representative attend the fair! Student groups that visit the fair will receive credit for attending the October 31st Foresight meeting that has been cancelled and replaced with the ReSOURCE Fair. 

Like us on Facebook

You may have become our friend on Facebook but have you liked our page? The SOURCE UA is deleting its friend page. Stay in-the-know about all your favorite student organizations and events. Like Source UA today!

Bama Buddies

Bama Buddies is a campus-wide service project at the University of Alabama that allows organizations or individuals to create and customize stuffed animals for local children. This streamlined program is great for groups as all logistics are handled by The SOURCE's Organization Leadership Team. Each Bama Buddy kit will consist of a buddy of your choice, stuffing, a heart, a birth certificate, and a personalized nametag. All Bama Buddies (and donations) will be donated to local charities (TBA). In addition to providing the monetary and stuffed animal donations, this project fosters communication and collaboration among diverse student groups. Toward this end, we are introducing the "Bama Buddies' Bonanza!", a single, centralized event for organizations to stuff their animals together. 

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger 2011 SOURCE Organization Awards

Prizes for Student Led Organizations:

·  100-250 Pounds of Cans: 100 Free Copies

·  251-750 Pounds of Cans: 300 Free Copies

·  751-1000 Pounds of Cans: $50 in Free Pepsi Products

·  1001-1500 Pounds of Cans: Student Organization Banner

·  1500+ Pounds of Cans: $75 in Free Event Equipment (tables, pop-up tent)

Awards:
All winners will be recognized in the Crimson White and at the SOURCE Banquet

·  Overall Winner: Lunch with Dr. Nelson @ University Club

·  Overall Runner-Up: Free Gameday tent rental

Awards by Category:

·  Academic: Free Get on Board Day table (spring/fall)

·  Professional: Free Get on Board Day table (spring/fall)

·  Honorary Society: Free Get on Board Day table (spring/fall)

·  Sports & Recreation: Free Get on Board Day table (spring/fall)

·  Special Interest: Free Get on Board Day table (spring/fall)

For every 10 cans you donate, your organization will receive 1 service hour on SL Pro.

For every 100 cans your organization collects, you will receive 1 additional service hour on SL Pro.


Your donations that your student organization collects must be placed in a clearly labeled container with the name of your organization written on it. They can be brought directly to the West Alabama Food Bank or to the collection truck parked across from the Ferg plaza.


Possible Ideas for Collection Events

·  Cookout (BBQ, fish fry)

·  “Can or Treat”

·  “Clean out your cabinets”

·  Sports teams—free admission for non-students who bring cans

Questions? Call 205-348-2865 or e-mail beatauburnbeathunger@gmail.com

Organization Spotlight: The Indian Association of Tuscaloosa

           Nonprofit organizations are widespread across the University’s campus, but the Indian Association of Tuscaloosa is much different from the typical club.

           “We are all together all the time,” said Nischit Kadari, the organization’s president.
           Kadari, a graduate student in the mechanical engineering program, said he came to the University in 2009 after learning about its top program in aerospace engineering.
           After being accepted, he contacted the Indian Association via email after locating their website online. They quickly replied and assured him that he would be taken care of, even offering Kadari a temporary apartment for the first week.
           Narendra Chaganti, the association’s webmaster, said these apartments are offered to all incoming students who contact them through email.
           Entrants are paired with Indian roommates, with whom they normally room for the remainder of their campus stay.
           “Most of them just want to stay close to anybody who is from India,” he said.
           Gaurav Mehta, the association’s treasurer, said about 10 to 15 students come from India each year. He said entrance has decreased over the years, which may be associated with rising tuition.
           Mehta came from Bombay, India to get his Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University.
           Besides helping newcomers find accommodations, the association celebrates Indian culture with festivals such as Diwali and Indian Independence Day, Mehta said.
           The association makes sure others understand the Indian culture and shows them how good it is, he said. Events they hold share the customs and history of the nation, including traditional food and dance.
           Despite the name, the association maintains diversity. Mehta said they’ve reached out to other Asians who come to the University and may not be familiar with the customs.
           Though all three board members have engineering focuses, Mehta said they have people from many majors, ranging from business to science.
           Chaganti stressed that the association is not solely for those from India and is largely a learning environment.
           “We are open to anyone who wants to come and know what’s happening here,” he said.
           The association also participates in the Crimson Cricket Club, which competes in championships with other Southern schools.
           The club incorporates students from many nations, including Ghana and Trinidad.
           Kadari said the Indian Association is not a very big community, numbering around 100 students.
           This contributes to a very tight knit community, however. Though the group does not meet very often, Mehta said everyone is quick to help each other.
           He said they keep a mailing list, and everyone is contacted whether somebody wishes to sell a car or celebrate a happy moment in their life.
           Chaganti said they also have potluck dinners and get-togethers. Seniors leaving the University also address the community with advice to the students staying behind.
           Though he soon graduates, Kadari said he has bright hopes for the association.
           “I hope in the future it keeps continuing,” he said, “and that it will really contribute on our behalf to the University.”
           This article was taken from the University of Alabama school newspaper, the Crimson White.

First Student Organization of the Month: Rip Tide Dancers

As twenty-seven students dressed in sweatpants and T-shirts file into the Miles studio of the Recreation center, they make an about-face after their president instructs them to sign in and run laps for warm up.

They are the Rip Tide Dancers and you’ll get to see them perform soon at the University of Alabama’s Homecoming step show.

The group is primarily a hip-hop dance team, but also incorporates contemporary and lyrical dance.

The president, Matthew Hutchins, said the dancers also perform per request. Last year, they performed at an event with Hawaiian themed dances and costumes.

Christina Webber, whom you may have seen on BET’s Born to Dance competition, started Rip Tide in 2005, Hutchins said.

He said Webber looked around UA and noticed a lack of hip-hop dance teams. She decided to create one to enable dancers to continue the art post-high school.

However, not just anyone can be apart of this team. Rip Tide will host yearly auditions each fall to determine admittance of new members.

Syleah Allen, the group’s public relations manager, said that candidates are not judged solely on their ability to replicate a one-minute dance but also on the interview that is held afterwards.

Allen and Hutchins agree that even if a participant isn’t the best dancer, personality and passion will take them pretty far in the audition.

Asserting this, Hutchins pointed out that very few of the members are majoring in dance―a select three members. Even as the president, Hutchins is majoring in fashion.

 The team is bigger than ever this year, but that has not created a hierarchy of member influence.

Allen said that the team does everything together, from performances to choreography. They also practice three times a week for at least three hours.

“Sometimes we’re here till midnight,” she said.

Allen said the dancers show the fruits of all their practice at various competitions and perform as opening acts and features for other performers. This year, the team hopes to host their own competition at UA, inviting other university teams to join them for the event.

Membership dues are $30 and the team also organizes fundraisers to raise money.

Uniforms vary based on the event and performance type, and the leaders said it is a lot of fun getting prepared.

Most recently, the team performed in a flash mob at UA’s Get on Board Day. You may have passed their table on your way to the Ferguson Center.

If you didn’t get a chance to see them at Get on Board Day, you can also see their artful pictures on display in the Ferg window boxes.

They also got students situated on campus by helping with student move-in days.

If you want to find out more about the team, you can find them on Facebook under “Rip Tide” or on Twitter at “Rip Tide Dancers”.

Meet more SOURCE Directors

Alex Karagas, Coordinator of Student Involvement and Leadership

            Depending on how much time you spend in the Ferguson Center, you may have heard the name Alex Karagas once or twice. A slightly frantic and perhaps frazzled student might have mentioned needing to show something to her on their way up to the third floor in the weeks before Get on Board Day. But who is she?

            Other than someone who loves gyros and Fight Club, officially, Ms. Karagas is the Coordinator of the Office of the Student Involvement and Leadership, and the Advisor to the SOURCE Board of Governors. Essentially, Karagas deals with student organization management (the SOURCE) here on campus. Under those official titles, Ms. Karagas is a woman who does so much more. On a larger, group level, she helps student organizations with daily management, which can include anything from fundraising and programming to collaboration and other general daily needs. As the advisor to the SOURCE Board of Governors, Karagas advises on projects like the ReSOURCE Fair and Profiles in Service and Leadership. But, on a more personal level, Karagas works one-on-one with individual students to create four-year leadership plans and get involved on campus.

            As an advisor to the SOURCE, Karagas hopes to create more resources for student organizations on campus, and make the SOURCE more visible to students and student organizations. She hopes to promote the virtual SOURCE space, and ensure student leaders and students know where leadership opportunities exist on campus. Karagas has been involved with student organization management since 2005, when she was a sophomore at UA and the SOURCE was called CCSO. She still chooses to do this job now because, according to Karagas, “I have seen the growth of student organizations and the importance of involvement for students across all academic majors and classifications. I am very lucky to have a passion for what I do because I see the benefit not only from my personal experience at the University of Alabama but students I have worked with over the past several years,” she said.

            While the SOURCE is her home base, students might also run into Karagas in class, where she teaches New 222, or working in various leadership programming on campus, like leadership UA.

            The moral of her story? The SOURCE and the SOURCE Board of Governors are always there to help any student. 

Daniel Connors, Director of Communications

            Who is Daniel Connors? A junior from Enterprise, Alabama, Connors is double majoring in Global Business Management and Marketing, with a minor in Chinese. You might catch him in the Ferguson Center one day eating mousakka (his favorite food), and reading his favorite book Tuesdays With Morrie or maybe watching one of the Back to the Future trilogy, or High Society, his favorite movies. His favorite part about High Society? Frank Sinatra, who is coincidentally, one of his favorite musicians. After putting in his time here at UA, Connors intends to move to Australia, where he hopes to work in either the banking or the mining industry, two industries, which, according to Connors, have close relationships with China, explaining his interest in the Chinese language.

            Connors’ dedication to learning the language shows when you find out that thus far, Connors states that his most difficult class has in fact been his Chinese 102 class. Showing some diversity, he says that while it was difficult to choose, he has most enjoyed both his Accounting 210 class and a Cultural and Human Experience class he took for the International Honors program.

            Lending new meaning to the clichéd phrase, “a man of many hats,” you might also run into Connors at a HearUA meeting, a student organization of which Connors is the president and founder. Connors is also an active volunteer for READ Alabama and the SGA Director of Graphic Design.

            Between learning to speak Chinese and preparing for his future life down under, Connors works on the Board of Governors for the SOURCE, as the Director of Communications. As Director of Communications, he is responsible for all of the publicity, marketing, and promotion for the SOURCE, which includes graphic design, advertising, and social media, among others. If it’s from the SOURCE and on Facebook, Twitter, or the blogosphere, chances are, Connors is probably behind it. With such a broad reach, one must have a focus. Overall, Connors’ goal for the SOURCE this year is to create a new image of the SOUCE, and make sure the SOURCE brand truly represents the student body. According to Connors, “I want the SOURCE to be more visible to students and be more student oriented,” he said. “I want students to know that the SOURCE is a voice for student organizations.”

Sigma Lambda Gamma

Sigma Lambda Gamma seeks members, partnerships   

     

Sigma Lambda Gamma is UA's largest multicultural sorority and is currently seeking interested women and organizations that may wish to partner with our sorority for events in the future. SLG promotes their five principles of academics, community service, cultural awareness, social interaction and morals and ethics. Given these principles, we seek women who value those principles and organizations that promote similar programming. 

     The women in the Tau Gamma Chapter at UA alone represent over 13 different ethnicities and the organization nationwide represents over a hundred. After only being founded nationally in 1990, Sigma Lambda Gamma has been deemed the fastest growing fraternal organization to date. 

     To find out more about the Tau Gamma chapter here at the Capstone please visit www.bamagammas.com and fill out the interested page or contact bamaslg.recruitment@gmail.com. 


Service Learning Pro

SERVICE LEARNING PRO

If your student organization participates in community service, please create an SL Pro profile for your organization. SL Pro is the online volunteer database at UA, and all service completed by student organizations needs to be logged through this system. You can use the site to find volunteer opportunities for your organization, post your organization's projects, communicate easily with  volunteers, and track your members' service hours.

Setting up a student org profile is easy!

1.      Go to http://slpro.ua.edu.

2.      Click on "Information" in the "Student Organization 
         Representative" box.

3.      Select "If you are registering a student organization, 
         "Click here to Register"

4.      Complete a brief profile form for your organization and 
         click "Submit"

5.      You can now exit the system. You will receive an email 
         from an SL Pro administrator when your organization is 
         approved.

6.      Once your organization is approved, you can log into 
         SL Pro using the username and password you created 
         to access your organization's profile and begin posting   

         community service projects.

*If you need assistance with SL Pro, please contact 
 Amy Buchanan at aabuchanan@aalan.ua.edu or (205) 348-1691. 
 You can also access SL Pro by going to slpro.ua.edu.

                Meet SOURCE Directors

Michael Forst, Director of Organization Outreach

            Michael Forst’s favorite color is orange, but don’t be quick to assume he supports Auburn or the University of Tennessee.

            He’s actually a Tide-cheering junior at the University of Alabama majoring in Economics and English.

Forst is also the Director of Organization Outreach at the SOURCE.

In his spare time, he enjoys hobbies such as playing tennis, watching sports, and going to plays. He’s seen several on Broadway, including Spamalot and Beauty and the Beast.

When he gets the opportunity, Forst likes to delve into books like “A Separate Peace,” “The Alchemist”, and “Same Kind of Different as Me”.

Forst isn’t very familiar with the concept of free time, however.

            He’s part of the University Fellows Experience, a community aimed at change through leadership and service. Last year, he was a director for the Honors College Assembly and continues to be active in the organization this year.

            He is also a member of the University Honors Program.

            Before deciding on UA, Forst visited several colleges, including Auburn, one of UA’s biggest rivals. As he paid more visits to UA, he developed a love for the whole atmosphere and people on campus.

            He said the school really goes beyond the classroom to teach students valuable lessons.

Some of these lessons have come from various speakers that have attended campus. Last year he was able to see former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speak at the Ferguson Theater.

            Forst said he had to rush to class before the book signing that followed, and would love to meet Rice someday.

            As a true Tide fan, some of the best experiences he has had on campus have been the opportunities he’s had to see head basketball coach Anthony Grant receive standing ovations at the games.

However, if you attend football games with him, you might be giving Michael the ovations. Waiting for the game to begin, one is able to detect a few sweet strains emanating from his melodic voice.

He enjoys all varieties of music, but particularly likes acoustic songs. His favorite movies are “Lost in Translation” and anything by director Wes Anderson.

            Michael himself gets lost in the busy work that comes with his role of being a SOURCE director.

            In this position, he helps plan and organize Get on Board Day and several college-specific Get on Board Days, such as the one occurring next week at the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration.

            He also plans advisor appreciation activities, which normally occur during a week in the spring. Forst also coordinates the spring Awards Banquet.

Additionally, Michael works directly with clubs and organizations to help them facilitate whatever needs they have. He also contacts the clubs for projects that might suit their description.

The Special Topics meetings are one of his projects. These meetings invite student leaders and organizations to come and discuss their opinions and concerns. A recent topic centered on opinions of the new layout for student football seating.

Forst also works very closely with the rest of the directors at the SOURCE. The ability to joke around and spend long hours together lends to a relaxed atmosphere where the directors work to serve the UA community.

“I have an awesome team,” he said. “I look forward to having their help in the future.”

Selena "Shea" Mason, Director of Special Events 

            If home is where the heart is, Selena “Shea” Mason has chosen quite a place to call home.

            The Alabama senior has had scores of memorable experiences at the university, not least of which has been her role as Director of Special Events for the SOURCE.

            Her life reflects the true character of a Southern girl from her favorite book (“Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer”) to her favorite color (red, a convenience when living in Tide country).

The senior is majoring in business management with a minor in computer science.

            She will graduate in December and plans to return home to develop her management skills by working in Human Resources.

When it came to selecting a college, Mason had no doubt that she would call UA home. Growing up in Moulton, Ala. she developed a love for the university, further strengthened by her four years in attendance.

            True to Alabama form, “Forrest Gump” is one of her favorite movies, based on the book by university alumnus Winston Groom. She also loves watching “Cars” and “Finding Nemo”.

            If you ride with Mason to her internship at B. F. Goodrich, you can probably catch her singing along to favorite country songs.

            Mason has a particular affinity for the band Sugarland. She said she finds the lead singer Jennifer Nettles particularly inspiring and hopes to meet her some day.

Of the many places she’s been, the Bama girl said home is still her favorite place to be. If she’s back in Moulton, she relishes the opportunity to visit her favorite Italian restaurant Ricatoni’s for a dish of alfredo.

            When she’s not spending her hours at the SOURCE and Goodrich, Mason enjoys watching and playing sports. She especially enjoys basketball and football.

            In fact, one of her best moments at the university was during the 2009 football game against the Tennessee Vols when UA blocked a field goal in the final seconds of the game, earning a win for the history books.

            As SOURCE Director of Special Events, Mason plays a role in developing more great moments for students on campus.

            She collaborates with students organizations for events such as the new officers’ reception in mid April. She also serves as a guide to the organizations, directing them to the appropriate SOURCE director according to their problem.

            Mason additionally created the policies and procedures that govern university organizations and designed a handy resource guide telling clubs all they need to know.

            She’s exactly the person to design the book, too. This is her third year working for the SOURCE, where you can find her every day.

            If you need laptop or equipment rentals, contact Shea for help and guidance. The self-proclaimed mama bird is always ready to lend a hand.

Gear Up for Get on Board Day!

Each year thousands of students, old and new, seek to find their niche on campus by joining clubs and organizations that match their interests. Weeding through the various lists can be taxing and frustrating, which is why UA hosts a yearly event where students can interact with the clubs and sign up for involvement.

This year, the SOURCE at the University of Alabama will host its 2011 Fall Get on Board Day on Wednesday, August 31 from 10 to 4 p.m. The event will take place on the Crimson Promenade and Woods Quad.

Get on Board Day is a wonderful way to meet with members from over 200 student organizations and ask questions about what they do. Students will have access to free food, music, and the opportunity to sign up for clubs that suit their interests. Some local vendors will even be holding gift card giveaways!

Students unsure of where to begin should not be afraid to ask for help at the event. Workers in blue shirts will be present to answer involvement questions and help guide individuals through the tables.

This year, students can expect an appearance from several vendors including Mamma Goldbergs, Taco Casa, and McAlister’s Deli, who will be giving away free tea.

Clubs and organizations will not be the only booths present; students can expect to see presentations from departments such as study abroad, as well.

Live action medieval demonstrations will be among the many promotional tactics. Jousting and other activities will be presented by the SCA Shire of Okeborne Keep, an international organization that works to promote the ways of pre-17^th-century Europe.

Students are encouraged to take their time while browsing the various organizations. There will be a variety of academic and skill-oriented groups, as well as clubs that are “just for fun”. Same day sign-up is not imperative and students may wish to review the gathered information at home before making a decision to join. Booths will be open all day, and students may stop by during any of the event hours.

For further information, follow the SOURCE on Twitter at “theSOURCEua” and Facebook at TheSource UA. Also, check out their website at thesource.ua.edu.