Programming: The Nitty-Gritty

Programming takes weeks of prep to do.

It all starts off with an idea. Any idea. Sometimes the simplest and greatest program comes from a random idea.

Then we have to somehow tie it to an area of like job hunting or community building. And an incentive for residents to come to your program. The incentive can be free food or giveaways. Food generally works well since anyone would come for free food. The type of food can be an issue. Pizza gets old quick but it's the easiest to get. We aren't allowed to cook food for residents but we can show them how to cook food like pancakes or any culture-associated food. We can get candy but it's not too healthy and people to have diet restrictions. Food selection can be a little tricky but once you have your idea and food selection, it's time for the paperwork.

CAs have a budget. A small budget and we have to stay within that budget. We have to write up and ERF, Expenditure Request Form. We ask the university for money for our program. We have to be detailed in requesting food items and anything else that we need. We have to know what it costs, how much, what type, what brand, etc. We put all info in the ERF and underneath, we have justify the program and why we need the materials. We have to be professional in our writing. We usually get the money that we need but the ProStaff do send back ERFs if they are not properly filled out and worded in the right manner.

If you program doesn't need food, then your paperwork is done. However, if there is food involved, then you get more paperwork to fill out. The two forms are only for food and they are the Business Meals form and the Food Waiver form. Both forms accomplish the same thing. They are stating that food will be served at an event, no alcoholic beverages will be served and it states who will be serving the food.

All forms have to be submitted together about 10 business days before the program. Once the paperwork is submitted, ProStaff will inform us once it's been approved.

After approval, we can begin to advertise the program. It can be posters, flyers, one-one time with residents and even facebook. More word, more chance that someone will come to the program.