Happy New Year!

Happy Belated New Year! And welcome back to Ann Arbor for the Winter 2010 semester!


The beginning of a new year and a new semester always seems invigorating. In honor of the new year, I’d like to offer a few M-PAW New Year’s resolutions. These are goals and ways of engaging with our work that will give renewed direction to our efforts!


This semester:


1) We will put ideas into action in all areas of conference planning
a)We will seek confirmation for all potential speakers and performers
b)We will finalize all major space reservations
c)We will launch 2011 conference outreach at the MBLGTACC 2010
d)We will launch our MBLGTACC 2011 development initiative



2) We will expand our impact on campus
a)We will double our membership
b)New leadership will lead on specific elements of the MBLGTACC 2011
c)We will engage new university units in collaboration



3) We will keep pushing the envelope 
a)We will pursue creative and fresh ideas and approaches  
b)Our work will be thorough and professional  
c)We will meet obstacles with determination and innovation




Please join me in these resolutions. This semester promises to be a critical phase in conference planning as our ideas begin to come to fruition. In addition to these broad resolutions, we each have our own resolutions. Here are what a few M-PAW members have said about their resolutions for the group.


Gabe   "My resolution is to make a solid to-do list for the entire conference."


Loren   "I am going to focus on getting smaller, local grants."


Colin   "Starting with this post, I want to announce my resolution of at least one post every two weeks. Sometimes there are more exciting things we want to post as we go, but there will be at least two a month!"


Mical   "This year, I want to get as many people as I can to be involved in all aspects of M-PAW ad the conference planning."


Comment below with your own resolutions!


Thanks for your continued efforts and best of luck with new classes!

Recap - Fall 2009

After our first semester, I am excited to look back at what the Michigan Proud Allied Wolverines Conference Planning Team (M-PAW CPT) has been working on in preparation for the 2011 MBLGTACC at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. M-PAW has made substantial progress in all four critical areas of conference planning: Programming, Logistics, Development and Finances, and Marketing and Communications.

Before describing progress in each of these areas of our effort, I would like to recognize and thank those who have contributed this semester:


Thank you to all of the student members of M-PAW. Thanks for already getting so much done; thanks for being funny, exciting friends; thanks for your continued dedication to the MBLGTACC and the social justice organizing it represents.


Thank you to Gabe and Lauren and all of the staff, interns, and volunteers of the University of Michigan Spectrum Center. Your advice as well as your hard work on projects has been invaluable. Thanks for challenging us to work harder and think more deeply about the structure and impacts of the 2011 conference.


Thank you to Vice President for Student Affairs Royster Harper and the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Michigan. You have been an absolutely fabulous institutional family to collaborate with. Thanks especially for you vision and inspiration.


Thank you to the students attending the 2010 MBLGTACC at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Thanks for contributing workshops to the 2010 conference program; thanks for invigorating the University of Michigan presence at the 2010 MBLGTACC.


Thank you to all of you who have supported the conference in less visible ways. House-mates, friends, and colleagues – you have offered support, a new perspective, and a source of innovation on many occasions.


Programming Update
The core programming committee is currently working on scheduling keynote speakers and professional entertainment for the 2011 MBLGTACC. The programming committee is on the verge of confirming parts of the speaking program for the 2011 conference!


Logistics Update
The core logistics committee has conducted a thorough overview of space requirements for the conference. Reservations for key spaces, including rooms in the Michigan Union and Michigan League have been booked. The committee has followed through on space reservations with walkthroughs and discussions with professionals on use of spaces for the 2011 MBLGTACC.


Development and Finances Update
The core development and finances committee is working closely with the Division of Student Affairs Development in efforts to build a strong foundation for the 2011 MBLGTACC. The committee is also drafting the first complete budget for the 2011 conference. The committee is in communication with the 2008 and 2009 conference planners in order to build on past experience and grow capacity for the 2011 MBLGTACC.


Marketing and Communications Update
The core marketing and communications committee is collaborating with the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and is working hard to build a multi-level marketing presence. The committee is finalizing plans for tabling and advertising at the 2010 MBLGTACC at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The committee is collaborating on logo development with the University of Michigan chapter of the American Institute for Graphic Artists (AIGA).


With the 2010 MBLGTACC coming up on February 19, 2010 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, there is just over a year left before the 2011 MBLGTACC! On January 6, 2010 at 5:00 PM in the Spectrum Center, M-PAW will be meeting to schedule meeting times during Winter term. All returning and potential members are welcome!


Keep up the hard work on ongoing projects. I look forward to moving ahead with renewed energy in the new year! Until then, Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! and try to get a little sleep.