A short presentation describing my efforts to build community within my wing while I was an RA at college. This was presented at the annual Illinois State Resident Assistant Association Conference, and was named the Top Presentation of the conference.

1. Got G.A.M.E.? – Building an All-Star
Community
Presented by Brad J. Ward
ISRAA President
UIS Resident Assistant (2nd year)

2. Who Am I?
• Junior at University of Illinois-Springfield
• 2nd year RA in Lincoln Residence Hall
• A guy that just wants to have a good time.
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3. Some Statistics from my wing
• Anonymous Survey: 29 respondents
– 12 sophomores, 17 freshmen
– Co-Ed
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4. Question 1
• As a result of living in Twosouth, I believe that my
time at UIS has been [better, the same, worse] than
colleagues living in other wings.
Better – 28 96.6%
Same – 1 3.4%
Worse – 0 0.0%
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5. Question 2
• I feel that the community atmosphere of Twosouth
has helped me gain valuable friends and
relationships.
Yes – 27 93.1%
No – 1 3.4%
Somewhat – 1 3.4%
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6. Question 3
• I am happy to say that I had the opportunity to live
in Twosouth.
Yes – 28 96.6%
No - 0 0.0%
Somewhat – 1 3.4%
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7. Question 4
• I think that my RA knows quite a bit about me.
Yes – 24 82.8%
No – 2 6.9%
Somewhat – 3 10.3%
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8. Question 5
• When I look back to my first two years of college, I will have
positive memories of my dorm life and the wing atmosphere.
Yes – 27 93.1%
No – 0 0.0%
Somewhat – 2 6.9%
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9. Question 6
• Compared to other residents of LRH, I
would rate my wing experience:
0----------------------------------3-----------------5--------------------7----------------------------10
Horrible Lower, but good Same Better Great
Sophomores: 9.25/10
Freshmen: 8.47/10
Total: 8.80/10
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10. What does this all mean?
• Prior history of Twosouth
– “Healthy Lifestyles”
• GOT GAME? I did.
– Game plan
– “Build” your All-Star Team.
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11. My Dream Team
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12. My Dream Team
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13. Let’s get started!!
UcommUnityU
Only 20 points in Scrabble...
BUT think of the benefits!!
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14. What is community Building?
• “The fostering and promoting of a healthy
environment in which people may grow, mature,
feel safe and secure, and learn to live with other
people.”
• According to the UIS RA Manual, developing a
sense of community among residents is one of
the most important tasks of Housing and the
RA’s.
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15. UcommUnityU
• Why UcommUnityU ????
!U must start the community.
!U must be in the community.
!U must stand behind and support the
community.
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16. Characteristics of a Strong
community?
• What do you think?
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17. Characteristics of a Strong
community?
• People know one another
• Doors are frequently left open, everyone feels
comfortable visiting other community members.
• Regular activities are planned and WELL-attended.
• Residents are very involved with planning court/floor
activities.
• The community is very involved in recreational sports.
• Residents contribute to the greater community through
floor-organized community programs
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18. Characteristics of a Strong
community?
• Residents feel comfortable confronting one another on
simple violations (i.e. NOISE!)
• Residents respect other viewpoints even if they are
different than their own.
• Residents actively seek out a diversity of people
regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, ability, or
sexual orientation.
• Community members take responsibility for their
actions.
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19. Ok.. This sounds great and
all...
But how the heck do you actually do it??
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Risk it all... Conquer the World!! Or your wing...
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* Last nowhere near comical board game joke, I swear.

20. Laying the Foundation
• Remember, U must initiate the
community!
– Start the year off right
• BE PREPARED AND ORGANIZED
• Nice Door Decs
• Bulletin Board(s) ready to go
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21. U Begin the community
• Encourage residents who are settled to help others move in.
• Use introduction exercises at first area meetings.
• Identify the “shy” or “loner” people and invite them to meals
or activities.
• Visit residents in their rooms or apartments
• Post photos of residents and events on bulletin boards.
• Recognize individual achievements at area meetings or
bulletin boards.
• Attend campus events.
• Publish a floor/court newsletter... Or website quot;
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22. U must be in the Community
• Be available
• Be visible
• Program, Program, Program
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23. U in the Community
• Be available: From the UIS RA Handbook
– “RA’s should know residents well enough to
cite particulars regarding their academic and
personal interests. RA’s are expected to be
able to do this within three weeks on the job.”
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24. U in the community
• Open Door Hours
• 8 hours a week (Mon-Fri)
• 2hr minimum segment, at least 2 different days
• 1 segment b/w 9a-5pm, 1 b/w 5pm-12a.
• May concur with duty evenings.
• Should be consistently scheduled and posted.
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25. U in the Community
• Program, Program, Program
• My Philosophy
• No events = No fun
• No fun = Residents sit in room and watch TV
• If they Sit in room and watch TV = No community
• No community = BOOOORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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26. U in the community
• Programs planned/organized
Twosouth.com * Pack the Field * Door Decs * He Said, She Said * War of
the Wings* Snow Cone Nights * IM Sand Volleyball, Softball, Basketball,
Soccer Teams * Credit Card Debt Bulletin Board * HRC Water Games *
Capture the Flag * Homecoming Decorating Contest * Halloween
Decorating Contest * HRC Farm Games * Rushville Trip * Monster Bash
* Alcohol Awareness *Operation Christmas Child *Holiday Decorating
Contest * Pie in Your RA’s Eye * HRC Ice Cream Social * Holiday Bulletin
Board * Pack the Place 2005 *Super Smash Bros Melee * Table Top
Tournament * Twosouth Mardi Gras Party * Madden 2005 Tournament *
Super Bowl Sunday * HRC Anti-Valentines Bash * We Went to ... * Bad
Info Bulletin Board * Mr. UIS Pageant * HRC Halftime Show * Blue Crew *
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27. U Behind the Community
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28. U behind The community
• You must always support every member
of your community in everything they do!
– If someone wants a program, do your best to
make it happen!
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29. Boyer’s Community
• Is your community....
– Purposeful?
– Open?
– Just?
– Disciplined?
– Caring?
– Celebrative?
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30. A Purposeful Community
• [...] Students share in academic goals and work
together to help strengthen teaching and
learning on the campus. This aspect of
community places the highest importance on
academics and would support each student's
pursuit of academic success. After having
established purpose to a community, residents
would then need to be able to express
themselves openly and constructively.
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31. An Open Community
• [...] freedom of expression is
uncompromisingly protected [and] civility
is powerfully affirmed. This type of living
environment seeks to make students feel
secure and protected in their right to
express themselves. Just as it is
important to have an open community, is
it to have a community where each
person's individuality and uniqueness is
protected. 31

32. A Just Community
• [...] living in an environment where the
sacredness of each person is honored
and where diversity is heavily pursued.
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33. A Disciplined Community
• [...] residents behave in a safe and mature
manner. A disciplined community is one where
individuals accept their responsibilities to the
group and where clearly defined policies guide
behavior for the common good. It is a common
human need to feel like each of us is part of
something bigger than ourselves. People want
to feel liked and cared for by others.
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34. A Caring Community
• [...] a place where the well being of each
member is sensitively supported and
where helping others is encouraged.
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35. A Celebrative Community
• A celebrative community is one in which the
history of the university [or wing!!!] is
remembered and where rituals affirming both
tradition and change are shared. It is important
to note here that each one of these elements
contain themes and ideas that are built out of
basic human rights/needs. It is when all of them
are combined does a person see just how much
they encompass and how they help to build
solid communities.
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