Building An Organization ’ s Campus Presence Through Quality

Building An Organization’s Campus Presence Through Quality Andrew Garib Turn Left asg29@cornell.edu 607 339 7917 www.CUTURNLEFT.org

“PRESENCE” • “Building an organization’s campus presence …” • Name recognition (simple promotion) • Sensationalism • Respect

“PRESENCE” • “Building an organization …” • Recruitment • Creating an effective organization structure • Ambitious projects made attainable • Funding! Yay! • Quality perpetuates quality!

WHY QUALITY • “…’Cause [people] are bored!” • Why focus on quality rather than just name recognition and respect? www.definitivejux.net

WHY QUALITY • Quality is inherently good • Quality works better • Quality looks good • Quality is what others are attracted to • Quality is an eminently marketable asset • Examples: J. K. Rowling, Definitive Jux

QUALITY FOR WHOM • You are ultimately marketing to your group members past, present and future • You are secondarily marketing to your “customers”

KINDS OF QUALITY • QUALITY OF MESSAGE • QUALITY OF ACTION • QUALITY OF ORGANIZATION • QUALITY OF IMAGE

QUALITY OF MESSAGE • Is your message relevant? • Is your message meaningful? • Does your message tie-in to quality of action? • Is your message interesting?

QUALITY OF ACTION • Will what your group does do some real good? • Is what your group does respected by others? Have others seen results? • Will what your group does look good on my resume / law school application?

QUALITY OF ORGANIZATION • Is there a strong, logical leadership structure and function? Business culture? • Is your organization efficient and well run? Your meetings? • Is your organization well staffed? • Is there opportunity for more responsibility / future leadership?

QUALITY OF IMAGE • Are eloquent, passionate speakers representing your group? • Quick and professional responses to solicitations from students, community members, other groups • Does your project have professional ‘packaging’? • Your website is your public face

QUALITY RESULTS • Attract members • Retain members • Build stronger leadership structure • Build a membership base that believes in what it’s doing • Better quality work • Draw from alumni

SOME KEY IDEAS FOR LEADERS • BE AMBITIOUS • BE VIGILANT • BE AN EXAMPLE BUILD A BUSINESS CULTURE WITH ZERO TOLERANCE FOR LOW QUALITY!

SOME EXAMPLES ON CAMPUS • KyotoNOW!, CURES – creating ambitious but effective projects • Mock Elections 2004 – getting people to work together • The Cornell Review– effective web presence • Turn Left– getting people to read and respect • Your examples

A QUICK BUT PRACTICAL EXERCISE • For your organization (pick ONE!), brainstorm how to improve the quality of message, action, organization and image • Brainstorm how you, as a leader in your organization, can be more ambitious, be more vigilant, and be a better example of the quality you want for your organization

ANDREW GARIB • asg29@cornell.edu • 607 339 7917

TURN LEFT www.CUTURNLEFT.org • Wayne Huang, Editor-In-Chief • wyh2@cornell.edu • 408 621 0525 • ARTICLE DEADLINE: 2 February 2005

Building An Organization ’ s Campus Presence Through Quality