- Miriam Apter (Mapter)
- Margot Reinstein
M i r i a m A p t e r
Hi, I’m Miriam Apter, more formally known as Mapter. This past year I had the privilege of serving as treasurer of TAC. I served as special liaison to a number of clubs, helping them plan their events, manage their budget and implement their visions. I also had the opportunity to plan several larger scale events - in particular, the TAC club fair at the beginning of the year and the Purim Chagigah. As treasurer, I was able to gain a clear understanding of how our money is spent, with the added challenge of improvising in order to work with a lower budget while increasing the caliber of our programing. I have spent my winter and summer vacations digging holes for trees in a Maya Village in Mexico, lobbying for Darfur with the Quest Leadership mission to D.C. and demolishing houses damaged by tornadoes in Alabama. Working with others and helping people, I have found, are the most invigorating and refreshing ways to recharge and an ideal way to spend my vacations. Though I have been involved this year with a number of other on-campus and off-campus activities, I plan to focus my time and energy almost exclusively on TAC next year. SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
One of my main goals for TAC next year is to improve a central aspect of our religious life at Stern: Shabbat on campus. I have heard many people bring up the fact that the Shabbat atmosphere is lacking; those living outside the tri-state area to feel at home when the campus empties out from Thursday to Sunday while those who live locally say that they would prefer to be home for Shabbat. We need to give them a reason to stay in.
Shabbat is an integral part in unifying the Jewish communities on other college campuses, and we can look at how we can achieve what the Hillels in other universities have achieved. Shabbat is what unites Jewish communities across the globe, the key element in unifying our student body and making our campus our home.
The Shabbat Enhancement Committee has been working toward this goal, but I hope to raise this as a priority for TAC as well as the other councils and administration. The complaints of “in-towners” always running home will no longer be the case, if we create a Shabbat atmosphere that is cohesive, enjoyable and meaningful. The ‘fomo’ will be too much to bear, no one will want to leave.
Improving the “Shabbat atmosphere” may appear as some ambitious intangible ideal; however, I believe it can be achieved through implementing a number of tangible goals as part of a long term solution. We will start the year with focus groups, gathering small groups of people from varying towns, majors and circles to pinpoint what keeps them from staying in for Shabbat, and what they see as reasons to stay. The year will be divided into sections with each focused on improving one aspect of Shabbat on campus. For example, we will spend a couple of months focused on improving the physical comforts of Shabbat on campus either by improving the comfort of the lounges for Shabbat afternoon and creating new spaces to relax or by changing the set up in Koch to be easier to enter and exit. Another focus will be improving the food so that people will enjoy the meals as well. A section would be focused on improving the program, adding components that would attract new crowds. For example, varying professors, guest speakers and student- run chaburot would be added to run simultaneously to the regular club Shabbatonim, so that those uninterested in that week’s club would still have an array of sessions to attend.
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
In these situations, I have found a number of methods that will ensure the quality of an event. A key component to a well-planned event is good communication throughout the entire planning process. If I planned well, I would have kept everyone on my board in the loop as to the details of the event. Thus, it would be easy for any of my fellow council members to step up and take over as they will already have been familiar with the event from the process of planning. Additionally, the mark of a well-planned event is ensuring that the bulk of the work is done beforehand–eliminating much of the prep for the day of the event. For example, I would make sure that the check for the speaker was sent in advance, so I wouldn’t have to deal with it the day of. Getting back to the scenario, on the morning of the event, I would delegate the responsibility of the event to a fellow board member. I would write out clear instructions of what needs to happen at the event, as well as phone numbers for any relevant contacts such as food delivery or speaker. For major events, I generally make power packs- packets with a step by step schedule and anything and everything that someone could need to know about the event. With enough care for detail, anyone can take over easily. Also, I would make myself available via phone throughout the event in case there were any questions or anything went wrong.
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
I would speak with both club heads individually in order to assess the many different factors that my experience has taught me contributes to these situations. Often the problem is miscommunication between the club heads. People generally want to fulfill responsibilities they committed to, and when they are not, there is often a specific obstacle holding them back. For example, frequently the club head not doing the work would like to but does not feel trusted. Other times, as an outside perspective, you can help them grow into their new positions and manage their time and new responsibilities. It is also important to assess how each party perceives the situation and their fellow club head. The last factor I would assess is how each club head viewed their role and goals of their club.
Once I had determined these things, I would meet with both club heads together and talk out how they each wanted to divide up responsibility. For the first few events I would check in, possibly meet with them early in the planning process and help them divide things up the ‘to do’ list. I would follow up after a couple of events to make sure they each felt the work load was split evenly and that things were running smoothly between them.
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M a r g o t R e i n s t e i n
Here's an opportunity
To say a little about me,
In just a few words so I’ll limit it down
To a few things that are key:
I love coloring outside the lines,
Gazing at stars and playing with chalk,
Building sand castles, blowing bubbles
And in the park going for a walk!
Spontaneously having dance parties
And breaking out into song
With every person I meet
I strive to get along
I love hearing and teaching Torah,
I’m Moshe’s biggest fan,
I love going to others events,
And creating ones to plan!
Above all my favorite thing,
Is making others smile,
So others love Stern as much as I,
Ensuring your experience is worth-while!
As I began my college years,
I wanted to be involved in all:
NCSY, Bnei Akiva, Yachad, CJF
Nothing for me was too small!
Yet iGive’s chessed permeates Stern,
I can tell you that with conviction.
The most active club on campus,
Was under my jurisdiction.
Although I have so many passions
One thing has become clear
I dedicated myself solely
To TAC’s events this year!
I’m committing myself to Stern
On this I won’t look back,
It’s you I want to serve,
Vote me for President of TAC!
SCW: Describe one goal you want to accomplish for the student body and tell us how you would accomplish that goal.
SCW: You have planned a huge event, but you wake up the morning of the event with a migraine. How do you ensure a quality event even though you cannot personally attend?
One of the most important jobs as president
Is managing the TAC Board.
And delegating tasks appropriately,
To everyone’s accord/
Two capable and competent students
Will run every huge event planned
All the details of the huge event,
They both will understand.
This will ensure that
Even if I am sick or stressed,
No matter what happens to me,
Every event will be a success!
SCW: One of your clubs has two club heads. You know that one is doing all of the work and "doesn't mind," but the club really needs both heads to be on their "A-game" in order to succeed. How do you proceed?
Using this past year's model,
from Leora’s incredible board,
Each club will have a TAC liaison,
Whom they’ll focus their questions toward.
To ensure a scenario like this,
Will not often occur,
she’ll give guidance and hands on assistance
With her club she’ll always confer.
If despite such liaison support,
The club head won’t rise up to the task ,
That she steps down from her club head position,
TAC will justifiably ask.
But no fear! Applications will open!
The club will not be frozen.
We’ll find someone who is capable,
And a new club head will be chosen!
