Interfaith StudentCouncil

U TA H VA L L E Y U N I V E R S I T Y

H A N D B O O K2 0 2 0 - 2 1

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

2

This handbook has been compiled as a tool to help facilitate your service. It should help you become acquainted with UVU student leadership, involvement along with the policies and procedures of the Interfaith Student Council.

Mission & VisionThe Interfaith Student Council (IFSC) supports and facilitates activities for students from a variety of faith traditions and ethical perspectives. The council is comprised of select students from across campus with the aim of collaboration and campus leadership on projects related to interreligious education, understanding, and cooperation.

The council aims to strengthen both academic achievement and student engagement that 1. widens exposure to religious and cultural diversity;2. deepens knowledge of individual and other worldviews perspectives; 3. strengthens leadership, diplomacy, and inclusion skills; and4. encourages interpersonal engagement and interfaith action.

The university provides resources and facilitates interaction with scholars and religious leaders to provide IFSC members opportunities to enhance their educational experience at UVU.

Structure

Brian BirchDirector

Religious Studies Program

Laura GuerreroAssistant Professor of Philosophy

Faculty Advisor to IFSC

Ellie ThompsonReflection Center Program Coodinator

Staff Advisor to the IFSC

Co-ChairInterfaith Student Council

Co-ChairInterfaith Student Council

InterfaithForumChair

ExcursionsChair

MarketingChair

RecruitmentChair

Service &Better Together

Days Chair

Courtney BurnsAssistant Director

Ethics Center

2020- 21

3

Membership & BenefitsThe IFSC will consist of ten members who can 1) effectively engage with diverse religious and ethical voices across campus and 2) demonstrate effective interfaith leadership skills and hab-its. Each member will help coordinate select IFSC committees and recruit other UVU students for volunteer service on these committees. Any UVU student is welcome to volunteer for an IFSC committee. IFSC members, however, apply for the IFSC through a competitive process. In order to serve on the council each member must:

• be currently enrolled as a UVU student; • be able to demonstrate organizational, coordination, and diplomacy skills;• be able to serve 6 hours per week in activities related to the IFSC; and• be available to meet weekly on Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 pm (Reflection Center)

Any UVU student who can meet the above criteria may apply for the council. Benefits of ser-vice include:

1. eligibility to participate in the annual IFSC Excursion,2. close interaction with religious leaders and scholars of religion, 3. free registration to related conferences and workshops4. other activities related to the Interreligious Engagement Initiative.

Council Position Descriptions Co-Presidents Appointed every year to provide direction, leadership, and continuity.

Their responsibilities include:• Planning the annual calendar of events supporting IFSC coordinators in their roles • Publicizing and promoting council activities• Recruiting students to apply for the council• Scheduling and holding regular meetings• Planning the annual Interfaith Excursions • Encouraging students to form clubs based on religious self-identification or ethical

commitments • Engage religious leaders in the community to help connect their students to UVU

activities• Attend Interfaith Community Advisory Board meetings and report on IFSC activities.

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

4

Interfaith Forum Coordinator

• Plan at least three IFSC Forums to be held in the Reflection Center each semester.• Identify event type, theme, and title with input from IFSC• Reach out to potential speakers or service providers and confirm their participation in

Forum • Plan and conduct interfaith reflection activities prior to and after the Forum• In conjunction with the council, prepare appropriate questions and goals and objec-

tives of Forum• Attempt to connect with and invite college age members of the community as focus of

Forum• Recruit volunteers for committee to help organize forums

Excursions Coordinator

• Plan at least two IFSC excursions to different houses of worship or worldview commu-nities. This involves contacting the relevant groups to organize a visit, as well as coor-dinate all the logistics of the event (reserving cars, etc.).

• Plan and conduct interfaith reflection activities prior to and after the excursion.• In conjunction with the council, prepare appropriate questions and goals for excursion

visit• Attempt to connect with and invite college age members of the community being visit-

ed.• Recruit Volunteers for committee to help organize these excursions.• Coordinate UVU driver certification for campus vehicles.

Recruitment Coordinator

• Recruit Volunteers for council ongoing IFSC events and activities• Scheduling and organizing tabling prior to each IFSC event • Leads the IFSC efforts in recruitment and retention of future council members, par-

ticpants in programs and events, and other volunteers. • Coordinate JumpStart orientations for recruitment efforts • Present to appropriate classes and organizations about upcoming interfaith engage-

ment opportunities and on-going programs • Implement a formal thank you program for participants, Community Partners and oth-

er volunteers after events and programs

2020- 21

5

Marketing & Publicity Coordinator• Works to brand the Interfaith Student Council and facilitate marketing campaigns for

events and activities • Responsible for producing press releases, publicity materials (digital signage, posters,

fliers), social media content, and website content.• Create posters for Interfaith Forums and Excursions and any other events as required. • Take photos during IFSC events• Acts as the historian for IFSC through video, blogs, and photos.• Recruits and retains a marketing committee to assist in the execution of social media,

marketing strategies, etc.

Fall Service Project & Better Together Day Coordinator • Responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating at least one service project in

the Fall and Better Together Days activities in the spring• Plan and conduct interfaith reflection activities prior to and after the service project and

Better Together Days• Coordinate with university clubs and organizations to collaborate on service opportuni-

ties and ongoing interfaith programs• In conjunction with the council, prepare appropriate questions, goals, and outcomes

for events• Recruit committee members and other key volunteers as needed • On a regular basis, participate in coordination meetings with your volunteers

Required Activities and DescriptionsThe Interfaith Student Council will organize and participate in the following activities during the 2020-21 school-year: Interfaith Forums: The IFSC will organize 3 forums each semester, generally one per month. The Interfaith Forum is monthly event series designed to provide opportunities for presentations and dialogue between religious and worldview perspectives. These events may consist of guest lectures, panel discussions, workshops, or other activities that deepen interreligious under-standing and promote student engagement. Fall Retreat: IFSC members will participate in a three-day retreat prior to the start of the fall semester to explore the religious diversity of Salt Lake City. The retreat will also provide oppor-tunities for team-building and planning activities.Excursions: The IFSC will organize and participate in two site excursions each semester. These excursions provide IFSC members the opportunity to visit and get to know a variety of faith and worldview traditions in the region. Excursions are open to any interested UVU student. IFSC members are required to attend at least three excursions during the school-year.

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

6

Better Together Days: IFSC will organize an event for this national day celebrating interfaith cooperation. Better Together Days is a national week of action headed by Interfaith Youth Core, a national nonprofit working towards an America where people of different faiths, world-views, and traditions can bridge divides and find common values to build a shared life together. UVU’s Interfaith Leaders will host programs to engage their campus and communities to create a society where interfaith cooperation is the norm. Spring Break Interfaith Excursion to NYC: Members of the IFSC will earn the opportunity to travel with their fellow council members to New York City over Spring Break. Members are required to fully participate in council activities throughout the school-year to be eligible for the trip. UVU will cover travel expenses. Specific requirements will be provided by the IFSC advi-sors. Interfaith Breakfast with the President: UVU hosts an annual interfaith breakfast for local community leaders with the university president. All members of the council are required to attend.Recruiting: Members are expected to actively recruit UVU students to attend council spon-sored activities and to volunteer to serve on IFSC committees.

Reflection Center Events: • Cocoa Coffee Convo: Every Thursday @ 3pm • Faith and Film Series: Sept. 4th, Oct. 2nd, Nov. 6th @ 5pm RC• Taste of Faith Series- Dates for spring TBD• Reflection Center Hours: Spend free time on campus in the Reflection Center greeting

the guests and orienting students to the Center and the events and opportunities for them to get involved with Interfaith Engagement at UVU.

Other Activities to accrue hours • Attend a Religious Studies event

https://www.uvu.edu/philhum/affiliated-programs/religious-studies/• Attend Religious Clubs Events

https://connect.uvu.edu/organizations?branches=235260&categories=12902• Attend National Day of Prayer and/or National Day of Reason• Attend any of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable events • Visit with a worldview community other than your own

Reporting your Hours – CONNECT• In an effort to account for the time you spend on council activities we are going to use

the campus software CONNECT. • You will need to report all the hours you spend on Interfaith Student Council activities.

2020- 21

7

Those hours will need to be approved by one of the advisors. • We will do a short training at the retreat to explain how to use Connect.

Communication – TeamsTo communicate with the council we will utilize a Microsoft App called “Teams”. All members of the council will be expected to have access to the app, check the app on a regular basis, and respond to any and all communication through the app.

• All Utah Valley University Interfaith Student Council business should be communicated through the app.

• The Team will be set up with channels for each committee for which the chair will be responsible, but all council members should check all channels regularly.

• Teams can be utilized to chat individually, make video and audio calls, and post for the entire council.

• Communicate with the advisors by chatting with them on the Teams app.

Plan Your Committee Meetings Send your committee meeting dates and times to Ellie to reserve the Reflection Center

• Prepare a written agenda: date, starting/ending time, topics to be addressed• Start with a leadership thought by a committee member (the first meeting’s thought

should set the standard for future meetings)• Play a game/do an Icebreaker to promote team building• Have someone take minutes for the meeting• Prevent committee members from digressing, try to involve all attendees• Follow-up on last week’s assignments• Summarize what the group accomplished and what the next steps will be• Review delegated assignments and determine their due date• Plan the date and location for the next meeting.

Brian Birch Office: CB411hEmail: brian.birch@uvu.eduPhone: 801-863-6363

Ellie ThompsonOffice: SL116aEmail: EllieT@uvu.eduPhone: 801-863-5776

Laura GuerreroOffice: CB 507p Email:laura.guerrero@uvu.eduPhone: 801-863-7315

Courtney BurnsOffice: CB 511b Email:courtney.burns@uvu.eduPhone: 801-863-5455

Contact Information

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

8

ExpectationsCommunication: It is very important that lines of transparent and timely communication remain open between members of the council, co-presidents, and advisers. Failure to respond to correspondence impacts the council’s ability to function well and could result in suspension or removal from the council. The IFSC will utilize the Microsoft Application “Teams” to communicate with the full council, advisors, and the subcommittee. You must access this application using your student email address.

Attendance at meetings: Face-to-face interaction with fellow council members is critical to our mission and success. Each member of the council brings strengths and perspectives not held by others. Hence, your voice is essential in our planning meetings and other activities. Absenteeism affects the role you play in the organization and burdens others. If you will be absent, you will need to communicate in advance with the co-presidents and/or advisers.

Attendance at events: Over the course of the academic year the council will plan and carry out high profile events open to UVU students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. These include Interfaith Forums, excursions, guest lecturers, and service opportunities, to name a few. The semester’s events are calendared in advance and you are expected to attend. Please arrive early to complete last minute preparations, and to greet guests and stu-dents. Also budget time to stay after and do whatever work is needed to bring the venue back to pre-event order.

Promotion & Recruiting: Members of the council work across campus to widen exposure to diversity, deepen knowledge of religious and ethical perspectives, and strengthen diplomacy and inclusion skills. Therefore, planning and implementing alone is insufficient. Each member of the council should promote and recruit people to events and encourage participation in subcommittees and working groups. You should plan to bring at least three people to each event sponsored by the council. Please make this an immediate priority.

Interreligious Understanding: As part of council participation, students will be assigned readings, videos, etc. de-signed to strengthen religious literacy and provide the tools necessary for interfaith leadership. Please complete all the assignments and be prepared to engage the content during council meetings, excursions, and other relevant discussions.

Wear your Council Polo: Interfaith Student Council Polos will be provided to you as a part of your year on the council. You are expected to wear your Polo to all Interfaith Student Council events.

2020- 21

9

Appendix I.

Essential Elements for Planning Excellent Events Before you throw any kind of event - speaker, activity, forum, campaign, etc. you need to be able to answer three questions:

• Why are you doing it?• Who is your audience?• How does it fulfill the purpose and goals of the Interfaith Student Council?

12-8 WEEKS OUT

• Have your initial meetings where you will solidify the ideas, strategy, and the structure for you event:• Identify event type, theme and title• Reach out to potential speakers or service providers• Consult the Reflection Center and Religious Calendar to confirm or determine available dates• Confirm or pick time and location• Set a target for attendance/participation• Make a list of possible co-sponsors or collaborators• Make a list of all possible expenses• Review previous budgets for similar events

10-6 WEEKS OUT

Start making things happen!• Assign specific duties to members/volunteers/team• Submit a Poster Design to EllieT@uvu.edu• Settle on your list of potential entertainment, service providers, speakers, etc• Create the Event Evaluation Form• Requesting Event Set Up Needs meeting with Ellie

What You Need to Know Before You Go• Event Date, Time & Location• Approx. # of attendees you expect • Any specifications as to how you want the Reflection Center set up • Set-up items you need • Tables Round or Long? Skirted? Linens? • Chairs• Microphones• A/V Needs • Sound• Projector• Using a laptop, DVD, Blu-ray?• Any other special items needed?

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

10

8-4 WEEKS OUT

Make food orders with Catering

Dining Services Reservation ProcessCatering@uvu.edu is your contact for any catering you do on campus. Catering and Dining Services must be used for groups of 101 people or more. Email at least four weeks prior to the event to provide adequate time for the cater-ing staff to organize and schedule everything they will need for your event. Dining services are great at creative ideas so if you are doing a fancy event or just want something different set up a time to meet with them to discuss various options.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

• Event Date, Time & Location• Approx. # of attendees you expect • How many tables you will have that need linens• If you are doing a meal, will it be buffet or served? • Budget• Any ideas regarding food selection • Follow up with designer and get publicity materials printed• Develop creative marketing campaign with council • Make sure speakers have confirmed their participation

5-4 WEEKS OUT• Put event information on calendars (Reflection Center Website, community calendars, UV Announce)• Use social media to start boosting your publicity• Create a timeline for your entire event - marketing days, set up, execution, and take down• Create volunteer sign-up list if needed• Let Ellie know of any car reservations needed to pick things up or transport people

3 WEEKS OUT• Print and prepare all publicity (take appropriate pieces to Campus Connection for 24-hour approval)• Post and distribute publicity and begin executing any publicity projects (flyer nights, tabling, hall roving) • Distribute volunteer sign-up lists and get spots filled• Meet with Ellie to lock down the details for set up and any technical support you will need

2 WEEKS OUT

Create and prepare event signage that is visible and professional (where to park, directions to the venue, signs for bathroom facilities, posted schedule of events)

• Confirm time, dates, and places with speakers and service providers• Confirm food orders• Confirm set up needs• Confirm that your volunteer sheets are filled

2020- 21

11

• Make sure all printed publicity is up and that social media posts are under way• Purchase any decorations, supplies, or prizes you will need

WEEK OF EVENT• Confirm assignments and when and where to meet with your core team• Send necessary details to volunteers to confirm what they’re doing, when they’re signed up, where to

meet, and who to report to If at all possible, arrange a meeting to prepare your volunteers so they are trained and ready to be assets at your event.

• Prepare music playlists and test the sound system you’ll be utilizing (the portable speakers and reflec-tion center sound or the Bluetooth speakers)

• Arrange to pick up IN ADVANCE the card swipe iPads and any other equipment or supplies you may need from Ellie

Clean UpAt the completion of your event, program, meeting or activity there will be many details to wrap up including re-turning and cleaning up supplies used.

• You will have the support of the council and advisors for your event, but it is your responsibility to over-see all aspects of the event and delegate the details. Therefore, you should plan on being the first to arrive at your event and the last to leave.

• Put away all supplies after event, program, activity or meeting • Return any borrowed items within 48 hours • Return furniture how you found it in the Reflection Center

Evaluate Evaluations are a crucial part of all events. Event evaluations give students the opportunity to reflect on the event, think about successes and challenges, and suggestions for improvement for the following year’s Interfaith Student Council.

• Write thank you’s to those who helped you with the event including community partners, student volun-teers, and speakers

• Complete event evaluations within two weeks of the event, or once a month for ongoing programs.• Conduct a debrief with committee members and full Council.

AFTER EVENT ACTION ITEMS

These should be completed no later than two weeks after your event, campaign, or initiative is finished:

• Remove all printed advertising • Designate time for evaluation with your advisers and the rest of the council. Take detailed and orga-

nized notes at the meeting• Complete the Event Evaluation Form• Compile a folder on the OneDrive with all necessary paperwork, budget, contract copies, copies of

receipts, publicity materials, and the minutes from the evaluation meeting• Send thank you notes • Upload photos of the event

INTERFAITH STUDENT COUNCIL

12

Appendix II. Publicity Checklist

There may be times that you choose to create your own publicity for your events. When creating publicity materi-als, please make sure that the following is included:

IDEASPostersCampus newspaperUV Link/Website/Blog/FacebookBannersFliersTable in the StudentCenterCenter websiteStudent Success classesClubsInstituteAll publicity must receive approval from Advisor before going to print. Templates available BalloonsBookmarksCountdown board

Doorknob hangersApartment blitzDress upLawn signsPopcorn/cotton candyTable tri-foldsYouTube VideoPress Release (big events)Booth/Table on campusWolverine WednesdayClassroom presentationsInstagram ImageDigital SignageFacebook/TwitterBlitz

• Where to go to get more information• If needed, explanation of the event• Identify sponsors• Interfaith Student Council Logo• Reflection Center Logo

• Time• Date• Place of Event• Who is invited to participate?• Names correctly spelled• Photos/graphics clear and understandable