Art of Education

Good Afternoon all,

The weather is a bit dreary here this afternoon, which does not even begin to reflect the wonderful week we have had here at TxCC!

First and foremost, TxCC is very proud to announce that we will be partnering with HBMG Inc. and hopefully Mexi-Arte Museum to host "The Art of Education!" Last April, Patricia attended "The Art of Business" fundraiser coordinated between HBMG, AMOA, and Laguna Gloria, and was absolutely delighted and called it a "true experience." Because she was so impressed by the "Art of Business," the Compact has decided to replicate the event, but with a little twist.

On Wednesday, TxCC sat down with two wonderful representatives from HGMG Inc., Sloan and Ariele, and discussed the details of the event. With little professional experience in planning events, I was amazed at the amount of detail that goes into the planning. We discussed how to appropriately invite attendees (through social networking sites or personal invites), the venue to host the event, times, day (would it conflict with a UT footall game?), advertising during "Art of Business," and the design of the logo. All of this was a lot to take in! I think the most important thing I learned from the meeting is to 1) define target audience for the event and 2) plan the event like it will be annual. Who attends the fundraiser is extremely important because it determines the whole dynamic of the event. It will answer when and where the event will be held, whether or not it is appropriate to charge at the door, and what kind of invitations will be sent.

So far, the purpose of the "Art of Education" will be to showcase the art of the members of the Compact, who may not be publicly recognized as artists. This event is a symbol to the mission of the Compact because it demonstrates "another side of education outside of the classroom." While the Compact promotes service learning and community involvement in addition to classroom learning, it paints a nice comparison with this event because it shows professionals in education revealing another passion, art.

Overall, this event will be an absolute delight and I can't wait to get started with the planning! I believe one of my first tasks is to start brainstorming some ideas with the logo for the event. We threw out a few ideas using a graduation hat, a book, paintbrush...I was even thinking of making the Texas Campus Compact logo like a color wheel or a painting palette...still thinking though!

You can visit the website of the "Art of Business" to get a feel for it!
This year the event will be taking place at Laguna Gloria on April 29th.
www.theartofbusinessaustin.com

Welcome!

I am currently on-board with a great team here at Texas Campus Compact. I first became acquainted with Executive Director, Patricia Spencer Potyka, last November at a Career Panel hosted by St. Edward's University's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the Community Society (COSO). After listening to several panelists, I was impressed with Patricia's smooth and eloquent public speaking skills, and I knew I wanted to learn more. I was a little apprehensive to hand her my resume, but I managed to formulate a few words and her my resume, despite my nerves. I was greeted with kind eyes and a smile that eased my worries and I would hope I would be able to work with her in the future.

..And I was right! After meeting the rest of the team, Lynn Price (Director of Operations) and Katie Hardgrove (State VISTA Leader) I was certain TxCC was the right place for me in the new year. I started within the first few weeks of January and became a part of the family instantly! My first few days I got the 411 on the VISTA program led by Katie. I was introduced to the whats, whys, and hows of the purpose of the Campus Compact. The VISTA program is a sector of the AmeriCorps program to end poverty. The Compact promotes campuses around the nation to get involved to keep students in school, ultimately giving them a better opportunity and a brighter future. Specifically, the TxCC VISTA program works with 18 campuses around the state to implement civic engagement programs to make a student more likely to stay in school because they would be exposed to meaningful experiences that would be limited by the classroom setting. TxCC is a wonderful organization that illuminates the pathway for faculty, students, and community leaders by showing them "the how" in establishing effective programs that help students look beyond their own needs and focus on the needs of society.


Whew, what a lot to take in.. TxCC has certainly opened my eyes to a new passion. Even only being a part of this team for a short time, I can see the responsibility we have to provide more than classroom course 101 to make a difference. I am thankful to be apart of a wonderful organization and look forward to many new experiences.

--miss txcc