Top 10 Showcase: For Baylor, Support and Planning Were Key

April 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

We’ve asked the campus leaders from the Top 10 schools to write up some behind-the-scenes info about their projects. This is the second we’ve gotten, from Justin Kralemann of Baylor. You can vote for your favorite project here. -Emily Stivers

Several individuals from other schools have asked me, “How was your chapter able to do so much in such a short amount of time for your final project?”

This can be answered by two words: Planning and Support.

As we continued to climb the rankings of the OCC and the end of the challenge grew nearer, we began brainstorming events for our final project. We knew there was a high probability Baylor would be competing in the Top 10 and we did not want to risk being hindered by Spring Break or forms that had to be turned in two weeks before we could hold an event. So, we made calls, wrote emails, and started the process of creating our event with the best planning our chapter has seen to date.

Also, rather than micromanaging all of the individual projects, I asked each member to take on a project and turn it into something they felt would best represent our goals. As a result, a week before our events, everything was in place. We had locations reserved, food ordered, and speakers booked. This advanced planning made our events a success since we did not have to worry about details, but rather could perform our duties and represent ONE to the best of our ability during the events.

Secondly, support played a major role in the success and magnitude of our final project. Our Interim President, Dr. Garland, sent an email to all of Baylor’s faculty and staff informing them about our work and encouraged them to support ONE-Baylor as we did our final project. Directors of important departments on our campus were contacted early and we gained their support as a result. This made projects like getting into our residence halls simple as a result of friendships that were formed between ONE and several departments on our campus.

Even though we had advanced planning and support on our side, hundreds of hours of prep work went into our final project. Without the support of each of the ONE-Baylor members, none of what happened would have been possible. Due to the advanced planning and early support by key individuals on our campus as well as ONE-Baylor members, we were able to expand every project we did rather than having to scale them back due to administrative red tape or poor planning.

Sic ‘Em ONE!

-Justin Kralemann, Baylor University

Vote for your favorite project here.