International Development Student Association (IDPSA)
2015 – 2016 Position Descriptions – Roles and Responsibilities
President
 Lead by example, by participating in IDPSA activities, from Friday Forums to social activities.
 Help provide strategic guidance to the organization.
 Call and facilitate monthly meetings and additional meetings, as necessary.
 Help coordinate between the different members/chairs of the organization, and help guide
decisions with respect to activities IDPSA organizes during the semester.
 Assist the treasurer in making financial decisions and applying for funding from various sources
(AUCC, GSC).
 Liaise with Student Activities, AU Club Council (AUCC) and with other student organizations
on campus.
 Reach out to ID/DM students to get them involved with the activities that IDPSA organizes.
 Work together with communications coordinator to establish connections with external parties
and organizations.
 Facilitate communication between the Program Coordinator & Director of the ID Program and
the organization, including:
Voicing concerns of the student body.
Conveying comments received during IDPSA open meetings.
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Sharing any issues involving IDPSA.
Help resolve any issues and complications that may arise while executing IDPSA activities.
Organize together with the Vice President the process of election of the following year’s board.
Lead the planning and implementation of the transition of responsibilities to the new board.
Manage and support IDPSA functions by guiding and assisting other members with job roles
and responsibilities.
 Attend the Student Activity Office's course, Student Activities 101.
Currently Alana McGinty (alanamcginty@gmail.com)
Vice President
 Lead by example, participating in IDPSA activities, from Friday Forums to social activities.
 Attend the Student Activity Office's course, Student Activities 101.
 Serve as backup for president when president not available, including:
 Monitoring and evaluating the success of IDPSA with ID Program Director.
 Assist the President in the formulation and implementation of the strategic plan of IDPSA:
Revise, communicate and implement IDPSA’s vision, mission, and overall direction.
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Lead particular project/goal(s).
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 Manage and support IDPSA functions by guiding and assisting other members with job roles
and responsibilities.
 Coordinate the IDP Mentor Program, which either pairs students individually to a mentor, or
organizes common- interest groups at the start of the fall and spring semester.
 Maintain awareness of both the external and internal opportunities to continue to improve the
services for ID students.
 Work with the student body and faculty to help make improvements to ID program.
 Coordinate with GSC representative.
 Coordinate with President and other officers to facilitate elections and pass-over to the following
year’s board.
 Serve as backup for Faculty Liaison; attend and report on monthly faculty meetings when
necessary.
 Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the president.
Currently Elizabeth Moore (em7625a@american.edu)
Student-Alumni Liaison
 Facilitate opportunities for current ID students and alumni to make connections and engage with
the SIS network.
 Plan 2-3 events per semester (Alumni Career Panel Friday Forum, site visits, happy hours,
spring picnic, etc.).
 Coordinate with ID Faculty Alumni Liaison and SIS Office of Alumni Relations.
 Attend Alumni board meetings (usually once per semester) and relay content of Alumni board
meetings to fellow IDPSA board members.
 Encourage students to join the AU ID Alumni Members group on LinkedIn by inviting ID
students on LinkedIn and promoting its benefits on the ID program listserv and social media.
Currently Meredith Feenstra (meredithfeenstra@gmail.com) & Franchesca Melendez
(franchesca.melendez@gmail.com)
Communication Coordinator
 Facilitate effective internal IDPSA communications, including:
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Taking internal IDPSA board meeting notes and updating minutes in Google docs.
 Manage IDPSA social media pages, including:
Mange IDPSA Coordinator Account.
Monitor content and accepting requests to IDPSA Group.
Share IDPSA & IDP events on Facebook and Twitter.
Live tweeting Friday Forums.
 Create all flyers for events (Friday Forum & Social Events):
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Create flyers – follow templates on google doc.
Send to board member of in charge event, President, and Vice President for edits.
Send to Program Coordinator for final edits.
Create Power Point slide for SIS Events from flyer.
Follow communications plan to send flyers to all communication channels
Communication Channels (check Communications plan for due dates):
IDP Email – Sent by Program Coordinator.
SIS Events – submitted through portal.
SIS TVs – Submitted by email to Cara Fritz.
Email flyers to any co-sponsoring clubs/programs or related programs (send to Program
Coordinator).
Check IDPSAmail@gmail.com (at least weekly and forward to necessary person)
Share DC and development networking and informational events via social media and/or with
Program Coordinator.
Welcome non-board ideas regarding how to improve external (IDPSA - IDP) communications
and innovate (e.g. using social media) to meet these demands.
Coordinate with ID/DM’s GSC Representative to ensure that information regarding GSC
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elections goes not only to the SIS-listserv but also the ID Program (not the IDPSA) listserv.
 Coordinate with President to communicate with external parties and organizations.
Currently Ashley Holst (ah9085a@american.edu)
Student-Faculty Liaison
 Serve as the mouthpiece or "human suggestion box" for student complaints, concerns and issues.
 Attend monthly IDP faculty meetings to voice these issues.
 Relay content of meetings to fellow students at IDPSA meetings.
 Meet directly with the Program Director to address any matters of relevance.
 Work with the Program Coordinator to organize the Annual IDP Town Hall Meeting.
Currently Marla Karina Larrave (ml9330a@american.edu)
Friday Forum Coordinator(s)
 Organize 6-8 speaker sessions each semester (working with student organizers).
 Recruit organizers/volunteers from student community.
 Serve as a contact for organizers/speakers for questions regarding the Forum.
 Provide logistical support for the organizers and speakers, including:
Working with ID Program Coordinator to reserve rooms.
Contacting AV for microphones and any equipment necessary.
Renting laptops from faculty corner (or library) for AV support.
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Working with IDPSA treasurer and Student Activities to coordinate gift cards for food
purchase.
Working with the SIS Office of Alumni relations if speakers are AU/SIS alumni.
Purchasing of food, room set-up and clean-up.
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Creating speaker bios and name card tents for presenters.
Greeting speakers as they arrive.
Helping with facilitation of Q&A session after speaker presentation.
 Collaborate with communication coordinator to create advertising and advertise Forums,
including:
Provide information (for example speaker bio info) for flyers and draft emails.
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Send out electronic versions of the flyer to SIS-L listserv, IDP listserv, Today @ AU
(Tuesday and Friday).
Help to promote FB event page and sending out invites.
Sending copies of flyers to presenters for promotion the forum to colleagues.
 Work with ID Program Director or Program Coordinator regarding FF organization in:
Determining the overall format of the Forums.
Garnering faculty support and involvement.
 Represent Friday Forum team within IDPSA.
Currently Monica Ellebracht (me7765a@american.edu) & Salem Lemma (sl9074a@american.edu)
Community Service Coordinator
 Organize voluntary service events each semester to support the DC community.
 Create a data base of local organizations that require volunteers on a regular basis.
 Contact local organizations in search of volunteering opportunities for students.
 Coordinate with Communication Coordinator to announce IDPSA community service events on
the different communication platforms available.
 Help students who wish to volunteer connect with local organizations.
 Serve as mentor(s) for students who wish to volunteer.
Currently James Genovese (jg7948a@american.edu)
Treasurer
 Monitor IDPSA's spending and earnings through:
http://www.american.edu/ocl/activities/Online-Financial-Access-System.cfm
 Report to the team on IDPSA's budget status on a monthly basis.
 Maintain ongoing communications with the ID Program Director and ID Coordinator.
 Coordinate with Friday Forum Team and Social Chairs to support their financial needs.
 Maintain a good relationship with AU Club Council, including:
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Keeping track of important deadlines related to requesting funds allocation.
Making funding requests to AU Club Council reviewing and submitting forms, budgets, and
additional notes in coordination with event point persons.
Appeal funding denials in communication with graduate club consultant (currently, Kenneth
Leon) and request fundraising match dollars as necessary.
 Coordinate with IDPSA's advisor at AU Student Activities (currently, Annalise Setorie) to
ensure continuing services, guidance and assistance.
Assist with requesting and authorizing financial requests (withdrawals from student
organization account) in a timely manner.
 Work with IDPSA board to generate ideas and implement financial plan.
 Maintain a balanced account.
 Attend the Student Activity Office's courses, Student Activities 101 and Financial 101 (the latter
to access and withdraw funds).
Currently Betsy Nolan (elisabeth.nolan@american.edu)
Social Chair(s)
 Plan the Welcome BBQ for new and returning ID/DM students in late August:
Fill out and process funding requests and securing space.
 Organize periodic social events throughout the school year, including, but not limited to:
Happy hours (usually following the Friday Forums).
IDP Holiday Party.
Fun outings in DC or the surrounding area.
Trivia Night or other type of fundraiser, typically SIS-wide and co-sponsored by GSC.
 Attend AU Student Activities office's standard and financial training in order to sign off on
Funds Requests.
Currently Amanda Whatley (aw3297a@american.edu) & Leighton Clark (lc9316a@american.edu)
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