A great program idea is a food drive for the needy in your community. The program begins with an informational session about the program that will include refreshments and last about 15 minutes. Basically, the program is to have residents compete with other wings in the building (we have 17 wings) to collect the most canned foods. Minimal levels will be set as to what each suite will need to collect; probably 15-20 cans. After a suite has collected 15-20 cans they will be competing with other suites to collect the most. A deadline for collections is set (this is a great program for right before the holidays), and the food is turned over to a food bank for the homeless/needy.
The incentive for residents to participate in this food drive is that the suite who collects the most food will be able to give ME (yes, ME, their RA) a complete makeover that I will have to go around with for a day.
Submitted by Kiki Holl, Resident Assistant, James Madison University