By Steve Sabin

MSCSA President

Students all around the state conduct business on their campus during meetings in many ways. Almost all of these meetings are run by a system commonly called parliamentary procedure or Roberts Rules of Order. This system has become the widely accepted method for most governing bodies and organizations to hold meetings. With this method, discussion and debate is encouraged and majority rules. If you think your meetings are not running smoothly or you are wanting to understand what is happening when motions are made or terminology is used, then this article will hopefully give you the basics to be more educated.

While using parliamentary procedure, you should understand the rules enough to where you are comfortable with them. Because the full set of Roberts Rules of Order are extremely detailed, you only need to know just enough of them based on how strict your meetings are conducted. An example would be that you might not need to know about a motion to call for a division of the assembly as this may discourage those participating in smaller meetings. 

While everyone has a very important role in meetings, the chair is the individual that makes sure everyone stays on task and that the proceedings are fair. As the chair, your tasks include things like mediating debate, recognizing speakers, and making judgment calls as to how to run meetings. The chair also is responsible for putting together an agenda that maps out the meetings. A common agenda may include the following:

1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda/Minutes
3. Old Business
4. New Business
5. Announcements
6. Adjournment

When important decisions must be made in a meeting the formal process is to make motions. A motion is a formal and organized way to discuss a decision and reach a majority decision. Any motion can be changed in virtually any way. If someone would like to alter a motion, they can call for an amendment, which is seconded by another individual. The discussion that will then be held must pertain to just the amendment and not the main motion. Lastly, if a change to the amendment (not the main motion) is desired by someone, they can ask for an amendment to the amendment, which is also seconded. Once the discussion has reached this level, no further amendments can be made until at least the amendment to the amendment has been resolved. 

These are just the very basics of parliamentary procedure. In order to become more comfortable with them there are many resources available including websites and books that outline all the details. Another resource you can utilize is one of the new webinars that MSCSA is hosting this year. You can watch a recording of the “Running an Effective Meeting” webinar as well as “Hot Topics in Higher Education” by going to www.mscsa.org/webinars. Also, please check out the dates for webinars we will be hosting in the coming months. Information for how to connect to those webinars will be posted to the facebook.com/mscsa. Lastly, if you have any questions about parliamentary procedure or the webinars, you may contact President Sabin at (651) 203-4960 or pres@mscsa.org

Webinar Topics & Dates are at www.mscsa.org/webinars

Running an Effective Meeting

Hot Topics in Higher Education

Using Student Life Funds

Tuition Consultation- Jan. 24th @ 3pm

By Travis Johnson

eFolio Program Coordinator

Did you know that 90% of employers today are using the Internet to learn more about job candidates? On the flip side, did you know that less than 10% of job candidates believe their online reputations will affect their job searches? That’s quite a staggering disconnect between how employers look for the best candidates and how potential employees perceive the importance of their lives on the Internet.

So, what can you do to get ahead of the curve and ensure that employers see an online reputation that is positive and impactful? Create an electronic portfolio-that’s what! Electronic portfolios are easy to use, provide comprehensive information about you as a job candidate, and they are easily shareable. Most importantly, they’re more than just a resume. You can keep an online, digital copy of your resume, your education, your work experience, and so much more, all compiled into one site. 

“I already have Facebook, so I don’t need another site about me out there…” Wrong! The difference between an electronic portfolio and maintaining profiles on social networking sites like Facebook lies in the content. Social networking sites provide a means for informally sharing yourself with the world. Electronic portfolios, on the other hand, let you show employers that you know how to use the web in a professional way. They let you market yourself exactly how you want to be portrayed. You do not have to be a web guru, though, to create a great electronic portfolio. If you aren’t as comfortable with creating your own site, many electronic portfolio sites offer templates for you to get started, and they are easily customizable. 

One great electronic portfolio platform is the eFolio Minnesota Program. eFolio was developed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system and is free to all Minnesota residents. It’s the first of its kind and is constantly being innovated to respond to user needs. Using eFolio in conjunction with your college education is a really great way to get ahead when you hit the ground running in your job hunt. You can use eFolio to keep track of college projects, display relevant work experience you’ve had while attending school, and also let professors and employers provide feedback to you personally about how your eFolio is perceived by them. To learn more and start your own eFolio, check out:
www.efoliomn.com.

The features listed above provide only a brief snapshot at what electronic portfolios can do for you once you begin your job hunt. Additionally, you can continue using electronic portfolios to track your career. Remember, promoting your professional image doesn’t end once you land that dream job; it is an evolving process that is important to your continued success in the job world. Take some time today and get started on your electronic portfolio!

Ryan Penneau engages students at the Minnesota Student Leadership Summit

By Ryan Penneau

Take Back College

Here’s a question for you: What if it never comes? What if it doesn’t come through? What if it does not change? What if the deadline passes and it extends into next week, month, year? What if the deadline just passes and that’s it?

I suppose that’s the moment we enter that place that was popularized by the late great Dr. Seuss.

You’ll start in to race

headed, I fear, toward a most useless place

The Waiting Place, 

for people just waiting

Here’s another question for you: Why don’t you just do something about it? 

It amazes me how many people expect for the right things to happen and for things to go off without a hitch. We are all 17, 18, 25, 45, 62. All of us have experienced life. And with all of that experience, we all have had plans and intentions and expectations not work out; yet here we are, another day, another year, another five years with our expectations that things will come through. We’re waiting for things to work out as we intend, completely neglecting Murphy’s Law.

For those of you that have attended one of my many leadership or student success trainings or keynote presentations, you know that I do not subscribe to a formula for success. I have yet to discover a universal path that can be applied to anyone in any situation that will guarantee success. What I do believe, however, is that there are elements in life that will dramatically improve your chances for success. One of which is implementing your plan B now! Let’s explore that.

What do I mean by implement plan B now? 

Picture one. If it got to be mid to late semester and one of your classes isn’t ‘clicking’ for you. Plan A would be to keep working at it in the hopes that it will eventually make sense or your professor will explain things in a way that clicks for you. Plan B more often than not would suggest that you will find the time to meet with your professor, a tutor or a peer if things continue to be confusing for you. 

The Implement Plan B rule would suggest that you don’t wait to see if the class will eventually click for you, but that you take the initiative as soon as possible instead of waiting.

Picture two. You need some field experience. You want that perfect internship. Either you find it, apply and don’t get hired, or you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for at all. Two options. Plan A would be to keep looking and hope that eventually something works out or the right connection comes along. Plan B would be that you get “desperate” enough that you start reaching out to anyone and everyone you know asking for an “in,” or you take the initiative and introduce yourself to anyone and everyone.

The Plan B rule suggests that you turn the pressure on yourself now instead of approaching it nonchalantly from the beginning. My recommendation would be to go as far as to create your own internship altogether and present it to prospective companies. Truly take the responsibility for it and own it. The formula for that can be found in my book, DEGREE IN NINJA. If you don’t have a copy, email me and I will send you the formula (Ryan@TakeBackCollege.com).

Picture three. Your annual review is scheduled. You’ve worked hard and put in the hours that deserve you a promotion or a raise. You are ready for a new opportunity. The day of the review, it’s rescheduled for next week. The next week comes and it’s postponed again for the next week. A month goes by and your review finally happens. You get a great review as expected but the budget isn’t allowing for any raises this year. Sorry. Here’s another circumstance where Plan A depends on the company, the employer or the manager to give you something. Plan B, you start a small business that can create an additional $500 a month for you.

We like to wait. It’s comfortable. It’s also extremely relaxing to trust that “things will work out” and that life will “take care of itself.” That approach to life is extremely passive and very dependent on the X factors making things work. But more often than not, they don’t. Let’s ask the doctor to see what he thinks.

I’m sorry to say so

but, sadly, it’s true

that Bang-ups

and Hang-ups

can happen to you.

Dr. Seuss, you know your stuff! 

There is a theory in adult education that talks about a human’s margin for error, how much unexpected chaos can an individual handle before their education, family or work life are adversely impacted. For many students, over-commitment keeps us barely within reach of time to breathe. We leave things to the last minute consistently because we’re confident we will have 2 hours Sunday night to get that paper done before 9:00am Monday. Sunday night comes, unexpected events occur, “How am I ever going to get that paper done?!” And then when it’s not done by 9:00am, it’s not our fault because life happened.

Want a big hint towards success? Start implementing plan B with the same audacity and expectations as you do when waiting on plan A. Start Plan B at the same time you start Plan A. Your life changes dramatically the minute you take responsibility instead of waiting on things to work out in your favor.

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

Ryan Penneau is the founder of Take Back College and the author of Degree in Ninja - Guide to Study, Strike, Succeed in College. You can contact Ryan at Ryan@TakeBackCollege.com.

By Michael Flannery

MSCSA Public Relations Coordinator

During my first semester at Hennepin Technical College, while working on my Associate Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology, an MSU-Moorhead recruiter stopped by my class to discuss the Bachelors of Science 2+2 degree in Operations Management (OM). After her visit I knew I would be enrolling in the program after completing my two-year degree. 

Currently, I am a year from finishing the OM program. What sold me on the program? I could transfer to Moorhead and attend face to face classes, stay in the Twin Cities and attend face to face classes at North Hennepin Community College, or attend classes online from anywhere in the world! The program is also highly accredited through ATMAE (The Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering). There are different models to complete the degree. The 2 + 2 model has a student taking classes from Moorhead and any transfer college at the same time. The 3 + 1 model has a student finish their transfer classes first and then transfer to Moorhead for the program core classes. I could also take my time and create a part-time schedule if I have a family, full-time job, or other obstacles that may take longer than four years. 

Another great thing about this program is its presence in the Twin Cities. There are faculty in the Twin Cities, Online and Moorhead. They teach classes, advise students and manage industry relationships. Students with an AA, AAS, or a Diploma in a technical degree qualify for the program, and Moorhead accepts on average 50-70 transfer credits including the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. One of the best things about the program is their eight week classes, only half the semester, making it easier to complete the program sooner. With eight week classes you can take six credits the first half semester and take an additional six for the second half of the semester making it a little easier on your course load. There is also an internship included in the program so students get real life experience on the job. 

Faculty, advisors, and recruiters are available for assistance and are extremely friendly and helpful. I am very excited about all of the job opportunities available once I complete the program. I am already receiving job opportunities. After I graduate I should be able to start on a great career. I encourage you to apply for the program now-you won’t be disappointed!