130 likes | 143 Views
Learn how to write successful Of-The-Month (OTM) award nominations to recognize outstanding achievements in residence life. Win at the Campus, Regional, and National level with these tips and examples.
E N D
What is an OTM? • An OTM is an “Of The Month” award • OTMs are used to acknowledge the hard work and dedication to the Housing community that individuals, groups, and programs have accomplished during the month you are writing • You can win on the Campus, Regional, and National level
The OTM Website www.otms.nrhh.org
General Category • The general category is for people, a place or a group of people that are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in residence life • You could write about: RAs, RLCs, GHDs, an Advisor, a Residential Community, an Organization, bulletin board or an Executive Board Member.
Program Category • The program category is to recognize the extraordinary programs that take place on your campus • You could write about: a community service program, a diversity program, an educational program, a passive program (i.e. hall decorations, bulletin boards, etc.) and social programs.
Tips for Success!!! Writing successful OTMs that can win on campus as well as win regionally and nationally.
OTM tips • Use spell check! (Best to write in a Word document and then copy+paste into the OTM). Think about readability and clarity. • Don’t simply RETELL the program or event but DESCRIBE the program or event. • It is easier to write AFTER a program, rather than writing about it days or weeks later. It becomes harder to remember the smaller details. • Maximize the word count! Put your OTM in paragraph form • Write about the CURRENT month, not about what happened LAST month or what is going to happen NEXT month. • Don’t forget to write the 3-4 sentence summary about the OTM at the end of the page (it gives the regional and national readers a glimpse into your OTM) • Remember to have fun!!!
OTM Timeline • OTMs are due the 3rd of every month @ 11:59 PM • Members vote on OTMs from the 4th-7th • Campus winning OTMS are due to the Region the 10th of every month • Regionally winning OTMs announced on/around the 17th of every month • Nationally winning OTMs announced on/around 25th of every month
OTM Examples General Category Spotlight: “Ms. Janice Monroe” – Regionally Winning http://otms.nrhh.org/otm_general.php3?otmid=166622&uid=30369&vid=krn68pf3eehamy0m First Year Student: “Chloe Hale” – Nationally Winning http://otms.nrhh.org/otm_general.php3?otmid=166820&uid=30369&vid=sc3ck9h86hv5h2e7 Program Category Passive Program: “IRHA Alumni Newsletter” – Regionally Winning http://otms.nrhh.org/otm_program.php3?otmid=166852&uid=30369&vid=mqxan32mt4wup74v Educational Program: “NRHH Study Café” – Nationally Winning http://otms.nrhh.org/otm_program.php3?otmid=162837&uid=30369&vid=zvjbv4jnzejtc064
Questions? Comments? Valerie Gilbert NRHH President brooke20@vt.edu