Representatives from several minority organizations and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) received their first lessons of the Spring 2005 semester at the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference held at Texas A & M University.
Thirty-two African-American student leaders chosen by the NAACP, Empowered Men of Color, Black Students Association (BSA), Black Scholars Unlimited and the NPHC attended the four-day conference that began Thursday in College Station, Texas. Students listened to several speakers and attended workshops that provided tips on being an effective leader, working outside of race and keeping members excited about their organization.
From historically black colleges to predominantly white universities, about 900 black undergraduates shared ideas and techniques for becoming better organizations.
"It was extremely beneficial for those who want to help get people involved," said Nicole Taylor, Black Scholars Unlimited President. "It taught us skills, such as how to get people to stay in the organizations," she said.
Linda Hall, minority affairs coordinator, gave the students an assessment after the conference and was pleased with the results."Student leaders felt that they needed these ideas and needed to go," Hall said.
Hall said too many times students are active in organizations the first few weeks of a semester, and later the enthusiasm dies off.Nicole Brooks, NAACP Program and Research Chairperson, sees the same things throughout the organizations. Brooks said that usually the same faces end up carrying the weight of the minority organizations.
"There is always room for new ideas, new objectives, and improvement," Brooks said.
"But I learned to just strive to do my best and put my best foot forward and never use the word 'can't' because anything is possible," Brooks added.
Many minority organizations have taken and continue to take steps to increase student involvement on campus, Taylor said. She said the annual Black Scholar Lock-In last semester had a large number of member and non-member participants.
The NAACP will host an interest week and the Freedom Ball the first week in February that will be free and open to everyone. The BSA will kick off its month long celebration of Black History Feb. 1 at the Rose Theatre.
Joshua Perkins, BSA Special Events Chair, said minority groups have been doing a good job with the current number of active members this semester. He believes that the conference will only help him and other African-American student leaders run better organizations.
