Community PowerPoint Presentation 2014

1. Building a Community

2. What is a Community
• Definition
• “A group of people living in the same place or having a particular
characteristic in common”
• “A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes,
interests and goals”
• Living in close proximity
• Characteristic in common
• Feeling of fellowship
• As an RSA you can create a feeling of fellowship!

3. Who makes up a Community?
• RSAs and the residents
• RSAs can create community with other residents by being involved in similar
clubs, sports or majors
• Floor/building
• Close proximity (you will see the same people everyday)
• Make the area you live in a place where people want to be
• Sacred Heart
• Take an active role in the Sacred Heart community by engaging in clubs and
other activities
• Encourage your residents to do the same (shepparding)

4. RSAs and Community
• RSAs are part of community
• Take an active role
• Take part in programs (do not just sit on the sidelines)
• Show residents that you care about them
• Be a role model
• RSAs are held to the same policies as residents
• Use positive language
• Communicate effectively
• You are a resource!

5. How to Build Community as an RSA
• Know your residents
• Take time to understand what your residents like to do (talk to them)
• Take note of their habits and how to help them with issues
• Make yourself visible in the halls
• Try to be in your area as much as you can
• Leave your door open (residents can see you and it shows you are available and open
to talk)
• Be accessible (community needs communication)
• Outside of the residence halls
• Say hello in hallways
• Walk to class with a resident (easy way to get to know them and you are going to
class anyway)
• You are always an RSA in their minds

6. First Floor Meeting
• Set the tone
• Be strong and confident
• Let residents know you are there for them
• Set expectations
• Outline the policies
• Respect others on the floor and building
• It will take everyone to build a community
• You are a resource
• Let your residents know where and how to find you
• Residents can come to you for help or just to talk
• Feedback from residents
• Ask residents what they want and how they feel about certain things
• Ask if they have questions

7. Programing
• Not just a requirement
• Programing is a way to get your residents involved (shepparding)
• Programing is a way to get your residents to talk to one another and share
qualities (Program)
• Know the model for your area
• Each area has a different programing model to target the different classes
• Understand why the model is set the way it is and how you can utilize it the
best
• Ask residents what they want to do
• If residents are part of the process the program will be more successful
• If RSAs put on a program or sheppard to an event that the residents do not
want to go to then building your community is harder

8. Get to know residents
• Some tips for getting to know residents
• Make an excuse to go into a room/suite
• It is difficult to go into suite or room
• Make a reason to go into a suite (need to borrow something, help with a certain
subject…)
• Just knock to say hello!
• Even if you have sugar already it is an excuse to know residents
• Emails (often deleted and ignored)
• Make emails fun!! (colors, video clips, pictures...)
• Send emails in addition to other modes of getting to know residents
• Talk to them!!
• Go to events you know they are in on campus!
• Dance Recitals, Sporting Events, Plays
• Go up to them after to congratulate them and show them you care!
• Gives you something to talk to them about

9. Mindset of Classes
• Freshmen
• Away from home
• They want to make friends and get out there (for the most part)
• Sophomores
• Think they know everything (confident)
• Oldest group living on main campus
• Close with suitemates
• Juniors/Seniors
• More involved in clubs, sports and other activities
• Looking at the future after college
• Living away from main campus

10. Set the Example
• You are part of the Community
• Others will lead by YOUR example
• Be a positive role model
• Respect others in your community
• Understand your role
• At times you may not be the leader during an event (know your role)
• Know your residents (their strengths and weaknesses)

11. Community of Residential Life
• Central Office Staff is here for you!
• Supplies
• Feedback
• Emotional support
• Monetary support
• Consult your fellow RSAs/SRSA/RHD
• Community building that worked for them can work for you
• Join forces to make your community grow
• Community building is easier together