October 12, 2010
The NWA EWB decided on the Illinois Watershed project for their service in the Make a Difference Day, October 16.
This project lasts from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., so if you would like to carpool with other members, meet in the Bell parking lot at 8:50 a.m., so all can leave at 9 a.m. and arrive a little early, about 9:30.
The NWA EWB started organizing the first official fundraiser of the year: a bake sale with two stands, one in front of the union and one in front of Bell Engineering Center, simultaneously.
So far, members are planning to market breakfast items and baked goods in the morning, then cookies, brownies, other sweets in the afternoon.
To do so, the group will meet at a few different apartments on October 21 to have a bake off, while other members contribute by making granola.
The times of the bake sale are not solidified because of conflicting student schedules and opinions on good marketing.
“Early morning would be good because so many students don’t eat breakfast,” said EWB Vice President, Cody LaBarber.
Another EWB member suggested October 22 as the target date for the bake sale, because it’s during Family Week and “parents spend money.”
EWB members are corresponding with local businesses, such as Chik-fil-A and Qdoba for possible donations, but plan to make the majority of the products themselves.
EWB members expressed concern for putting specific spending amounts on the upcoming Belize trips, so International Project Chair, Ben Marts continued his work with the long string of contacts to confirm the price structure.
“I’m emailing a third party that’s emailing the other (person) who’s talking to Randy,” Marts said. “I should know by next week.”
The general cost is $30 per day plus the $600-650 flight and an exit fee between $35-40, so approximately $1000 should cover most expenses. The trip requires a minimum of four people to attend and has an unclear maximum of 35 people.
Connections made during previous trips to Belize by Dr. Soerens and Ben Marts will help keep the costs relatively low, especially in comparison to class-connected trips.
If you are planning to join EWB on the Belize trip in January, officers suggested securing your passport as soon as possible, since there is an average of a month, month and a half for the process to be completed.
One EWB member brought new fundraising information to the table after actively searching contacts for advice in requesting donations from professional organizations and other businesses.
One person suggested (since you’re students) go to your discipline to search for money.
“For example, civil engineering students should go to civil engineering firms to ask for money because they are the future of the company. Basically you can ask them for funding by essentially saying, ‘We are your future. Do you want us educated?’”
More local service outreaches are being considered, such as helping other schools by engaging students with engineering projects, having more creek cleanups or possibly a weekly bike trail-cleanup.
Once EWB t-shirts are decided upon, they’ll be sold within the department to professors and students before other groups.
The October 6 meeting was brightened by surprise gifts from Jenny Doyle, flash drives, bracelets and water bottles with the EWB logo proudly printed on front.
A total of six or seven people can attend the Dallas conference (November 12-14) for free as a result of ASG RSO funding.
This week, officers worked on conference details, finding out which students want to attend the conference the most-who will go based on the initial funding--who will attend, despite a cost and settling on the overall cost of the trip.
The October 13 meeting will be preceded by a half hour session with information about the EWB Regional Conference, starting at 5:30 p.m.
(Please join the group “Engineers Without Borders-University of Arkansas” on Facebook for more updates and timely information.)
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