Student activities are essential to any chapter. Not only do student activities help to prepare members for a career, they also provide a friendly, active working relationship with the local community, fellow A&WMA Chapter members, and the University. The skills acquired by such experiences are irreplaceable and priceless. Chapters that have experienced successful projects find that the beneficial effects overflow to strengthen other activities such as speaker presentations. Opportunities for leadership experience and participation in a team effort are made available by these projects.

Getting Started

As used in the following discussion an "activity" is a constructive under-taking requiring planning and implementation which go beyond routine organizational activity and regular meetings. Most Student Chapters engage in these types of projects, but the magnitude and professional manner in which they are treated distinguish one Chapter from another. Examples of campus activities are limitless, varying from those of a technical nature to social events. Ideas are both conceived and borrowed. The A&WMA Student Activities Manual serves as a useful starting point to generate ideas.

The easiest way to get started is for the Board to brainstorm ideas for major projects. These ideas should be presented to the entire membership for discussion and a vote for action. One or more projects are selected and committees are formed to oversee their completion. If the number of volunteers to staff a committee are marginal in the view of the task, then the project should be abandoned.

In selecting a particular project, consider the following:

• Student participation should be professionally rewarding and involve the execution of creative processes from conception through implementation.
• The resulting project should be beneficial to the affected academic or non-academic community.
• The scope of the project should be considered feasible by the Student members.

Executing a Successful Activity

Here are some helpful hints:

• Always approach the project as mature representatives of the A&WMA Student Chapter and school.
• Set a schedule and stick to it.
• Obtain all required approvals early in the planning stage.
• Keep concerned students, staff and local contacts aware with written or oral reports.
• Utilize the special talents of Student Chapter members, especially imagination, technical expertise, moral responsiveness and social awareness.
• Encourage students to benefit from active participation rather than passive observance.
• Mix adequate socializing with each project.
• Keep detailed records in the Chapter file for future endeavors, and for publicity.

A&WMA Student Chapters are encouraged to undertake community services projects, for which they receive credit in their annual reports. Projects such as these are rewarding, while combining technical hands on experience with opportunities to make a difference with the local community.

Procedures for Conducting an Activity

Be sure to check with your University officials about registering your organization on campus. If the activity is revenue-producing or if the event requires University services or facilities for which there is a fee, organizations may have to open an University account. Visit the Student Life Center to initiate the activity planning process. When holding an on-campus activity be sure to check with campus officials for issues including but not limited to security, alcohol, and sales.

Chapters are cautioned not to provide professional engineering services without the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. To do so is unlawful.

A typical large scale project organizational structure may feature different committees such as finance, publicity, planning, and implementation. Students select the committee in which they wish to participate. Student Chapter officers should carefully prepare their appeal for volunteers, attracting them from a large group with a method designed to work. Members might complete a sign-up questionnaire after a proposed project has been discussed. Committee personnel and officers should be credited for a project success. Take advantage of opportunities to publicize the activity. The committee should file an "after action" report to explain the process and what went right and what could be improved. This document is to be placed in the permanent file by the Historian.