Outlined is a model based on a student organization audit conducted through my internship. It goes through key points and is based on examples of Latino organizations around the country. These include:
Learning
Community
Service
Advocacy
An organization should be educational. The mission of the group should not only establish standards but be progressive in it's approach. This learning should not only take place for it's members but also for the campus community. For example, at the University of Maryland, their Latino Student Union hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month that took place from September 15 through October 15. During this month, they held Salsa, Merengue and Bachata dancing lessons, a Latino style dinner, and movie nights. Florida State University introduced Hispanic literature, poetry, and conducted a seminar on examining oppression and racism in the Latino community. For in-group educational events, many organizations act as a miniature student affairs office. At the University of Virginia, they bring in a career workshop, while Purdue University provided its members with information about internships.
Creating community within the group and campus body is a vital part to the livelihood of the organization. Positive community creates better chances of satisfaction and retention. If this can be seen visually, it helps in the process of recruiting new members. Ways of creating group community can range from general meetings to social events. One example is at Western Washington University, where students gather for a heritage dinner on a monthly basis. This is not only educational by introducing individuals to foods from different countries but allows students a sociopetal event to make connections and network. Duke University hosts ice cream socials, opportunities to see performances, and introduction to ethnic foods. Texas State University at San Marcos has not only an unique educational component but one that provides community. They have created two kinds of workshops. One is the leadership workshop which provides discussion and a guest lecture, while the culture/traditions workshops introduces different Latino cultures and provides community, presentation, and information. A strong inner-group community creates an environment for a support base. For my voice, Maria, this group support will be especially important because it provides a chance for friendship and to interact with faculty, staff, and other parts of campus. In order for a complete community, the group must be self-promotive in nature and be a visible part of campus. Whether this is participating in homecoming or putting on a cultural fair, allowing the general campus body not only allows them to be educated but a chance to become part of the group.
Service, is by far one of the most overlooked components of a student organization. Anne Frank once said "How wonderful it is that a person doesn't have to wait one moment to change the world". Outreach and empathy are key values that can be beneficial to any one, rarely takes experience and many places in a community are looking for volunteers. Service, creates a visible part of the student organization and is reaching outside both the general membership and campus community. IUPUI Latino Student Association participates their Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, soup kitchens, and volunteers at local elementary schools.
The last aspect of a quality latino student organization is that of advocacy. An advocate is one who speaks on the behalf of another person, a cause, or group of people. Through education, community, and service, an individual in an organization gets the sense of being a representative of that group. This may be educating the general community about a Latino studies course or actively recruiting members to continue to educate about the cultures and traditions of Latinos. Successful advocacy has two main bodies. The first is the advisor. From the student organizations audit conducted, an advisor should be an individual who is supportive, knowledgeable, and challenges in the areas of inclusion and service. Though many groups have hands-off advisors, one of their main functions is to ensure the group of staying with the mission and purpose of the organization. The general student group is the second body of advocates. Through education and community, they can build a strong support for activities and services that create a visible precise of a group on campus.
In the end, through learning, service, community, and advocacy, an organization can be a strong, well-rounded group. The balance of all four, allows to create an organization that can appeal to all constituencies and allow for them to be progressive in nature for future endeavors.
Links to Latino Organizational Groups
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