written by | Doria Drost
SMSU Students United Campus Committee Members (not pictured: Diversity Specialist, Samuel Wreh)
As the SMSU Campus Committee and Action Team members buckle down for the rest of fall semester, they’ve already made waves in the SMSU and Marshall community. The group has been spreading the word about Students United and volunteering to make a difference in the lives of others.
At the beginning of September, the SMSU Students United group began tabling on their campus twice a week to grow their number of Action Team members and gain support on social media. Campus Coordinator, Sandra Shimba, has also gone around to classes on campus for class raps; where she gains attention of current SMSU students and asks if they’re interested in joining Students United. So far, the efforts of this team have been paying off greatly as they already have six new Action Team members and almost 220 followers on Facebook! This already exceeds their goal to increase social media following by 10% a year with a 32% increase.
One of the largest tabling events the group has had this year thus far was for National Voter Registration Day, September 25th. The team managed three tables around campus, urging students to register to vote in their community, and asking those already registered why they vote. Students were able to use #WhyIVote to spread awareness on the importance of voting. Throughout the day, they engaged with over 50 students!
Diversity Specialist, Samuel Wreh with a newly registered voter
Legislative Specialist, Muna Mohamed showing students how to register to vote
The group has also been active in the Marshall community this semester. Action Team and Campus Committee members walked together in the SMSU Homecoming Parade along with other campus groups like SMSU Student Association, Black Student Union, African Student Association, and International Student Organization. While walking, they tossed over 300 pieces of candy with QR codes linking to their campus Facebook page, and they raised awareness of the SMSU Blood Drive the upcoming week. Following the parade, most of the team decompressed at Four Seas Buffet for some much-needed bonding time.
Students United parade group
Action Team member, Jackye Meba, walking in the SMSU Homecoming parade
Public Relations Specialist, Doria Drost, running the check-in table
On October 10th, SMSU Students United members volunteered on-campus for the Blood Drive, which was hosted by the SMSU Student Association. Campus Committee Public Relations Specialist, Doria Drost, who is also the Public Relations Coordinator for SMSU Student Association, coordinated the event. Students United members contributed a total of sixteen volunteer hours throughout the Blood Drive! The goal for this event was to collect 64 usable pints of blood out of a total of 75, but with the work of all volunteers and the American Red Cross, 102 usable pints out of 117 were collected. Volunteers helped check-in donors, sit with those donating blood, and monitor the canteen- where donors can get juice and snacks following donation.
Issues Specialist, Abidemi Folorunso, filling in the goal chart for the number of pints collected
Campus Coordinating Organizer, Sandra Shimba, and Doria Drost working check-in
The Campus Committee and Action Team members are very excited to continue their work this semester! They are working hard already to plan their first event. More Mustang Mini Blogs to come!