Tips for Writing a Winning OTM
Advisor of the Month
- Did the individual impact the students they worked with during the month of nomination?
- Did the individual recognize the students they worked with during the month of nomination?
- What outstanding accomplishments merit recognition of the individual this month?
Advice: Nominations must be made based on what the individual has done in an advisory role rather than in a professional or supervisory role. The nomination should show how the advisor was instrumental in helping the leaders grow, learn, develop, and mature. Individuals that fall into this category are Greek advisors, RHA advisors, Program Board advisors, etc. Supervisors such as Resident Directors do not fall into this category (unless they hold advisory positions as well).
Community of the Month
- What is the community like on this floor? (Give examples.)
- What has the RA done to promote this community?
- How have others on the floor stepped up to build the community on the floor?
- How are residents on the floor involved in the community?
- What activities has the community done to become stronger?
Advice: The "community" for this award is defined as an RA's floor and thus not a combination of floors or an entire building. The judging committee is looking for specific examples over the month of the nomination of how and why this community is the strongest on campus. Specifically, how have the RA and residents of the floor stepped up to build a strong, positive community?
Executive Board Member of the Month
- Does the nominee use NACURH resources?
- What contributions did the nominee make to other campus organizations?
- What contributions did the nominee make to RHA during the month of nomination?
- What outstanding contributions were made by the individual during the month?
Advice: This award is to recognize a member of the RHA or NRHH executive board only. Program Board executive board members should be nominated as Students Of the Month. Special accomplishments, rather than simply fulfilling position requirements, are the deciding factor for giving this award.
Program of the Month
- Did the program have a lasting effect on residents?
- Did the program meet all goals that were set?
- What makes this program unique from other programs?
- What percent of the target group attended?
Advice: Make sure to specify the level of creativity, originality, financial feasibility, percentage of attendance, adaptability to other halls and campuses, and timeliness. Also, include if this is a creative way to deal with a situation that other campuses may also deal with.
Resident Assistant (RA) of the Month
- Does the RA motivate others?
- Does the RA support and advise student leaders?
- Has the RA fulfilled and gone above their job responsibilities during the month?
- How well does the nominee work with residents?
- What impact have they had during the month of nomination?
- What programs has the RA been involved with (including date and attendance), and what impact did the programs have?
Advice: Include any difficulties the RA had to face, crisis situations, or other problems that the RA has handled. Further, give examples of other dorm contributions the RA has been a part of (such as making bulletin boards, door tags, or programs).
Spotlight of the Month
- Does the individual motivate others?
- What activities is the individual involved with?
- Does the individual support other student leaders?
- What impact have they had during the month of nomination?
Advice: This award is intended to recognize those individuals that contribute to residence life, but are not RAs. This can include administrative aides, university security officers, staff in the housing office, students, food service workers, and so on. Make sure you only include comments for the month in which the person is being nominated.