Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Dance Marathon
Dance Marathon 2011-2012 Executive Board Application Packet
Name:____________________________________________________________
Email:____________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________________________________________
Major(s):__________________________________________________________
Minor(s):_________________________ Academic Classification:________________
The following is a list of available positions. Please list in order top five areas of interest.
(Committee Descriptions are listed on page 3 of this packet.)
__ Overall Director
__ External Director
__ Family Relations Chair
__ Public Relations Chair
__ Publicity and Special Events Chair
__ Merchandise Chair
__ Volunteer Chair
__ Finance Director
__ Corporate Relations
__ Finance Chair
__ Fundraising Chair
__ Catering Chair
__ Internal Director
__ Dancer Relations and University
Outreach Chair
__ Director of Morale
__ Greek Relations and Residential Life
Chair
__ Planning Director
__ Media Chair
__ Operations Chair
__ Graphic Design and Photo
Chair
__ Entertainment Chair
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Please type your answers to the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
Also attach a resume to your application.
1. Why are you applying for a Dance Marathon Executive Committee?
2. Have you had any past experience with Dance Marathon?
If yes, please describe activities, positions held, etc.
If no, what leadership qualities do you possess that would benefit Dance Marathon?
3. As a Committee Chair, you will lead a Core Committee. What are some specific
things that you would do to maintain morale within this group and keep its focus on
the kids?
4. What are your time commitments for the 2011-2012 academic year? Being a
Committee Chair requires a considerable amount of time. How will you balance all
of your responsibilities?
5. What other responsibilities or leadership roles will you hold in the 2011-2012
academic year?
6. Is there any additional information you would like to provide?
Email your completed application to lubbockdancemarathon@gmail.com
before 5pm, April 1st, 2011.
If you have any questions you can contact:
Elise Manley at elise.manley@ttu.edu for TTU Students or
Kiona Coleman at kiona.coleman@ttuhsc.edu for TTUHSC Students.
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COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS
Catering:
DUTIES: Secure donations from local and corporate businesses for all meals/snacks at Dance
Marathon; Opportunity to work with TTU dining services; Opportunity to work with restaurants in the
Lubbock Community; Organize the pickup/drop off of all donations; Management of volunteers during
event; Work closely with Overall Director, Morale and Entertainment to schedule meal/snack times
throughout event.
QUALIFICATIONS: Good communication and networking skills; Ability to work in a fast-paced
environment; Great at problem solving under pressure; Professional mannerisms; Prior experience
planning large catering events and working with corporations and restaurants is very helpful, but not
required; Nutritional knowledge is a plus; Enthusiasm and persistence is essential.
Corporate Relations
DUTIES: Request monetary/product donations and sponsorships from national and local companies;
Update and send corporate relations packet to all potential donors; Research and persistently (yet
courteously) pursue both previous donors and potential donors; Maintain database of all
potential/contributing sponsors; Maintain professional relationship with all contacts before, during,
and following the event; Organize and collect items for dancer gift bags, drawings, and silent auction;
Secure T-shirt vendor as a donation or at a discounted rate; Work closely with Catering Committee to
request food donations for event.
QUALIFICATIONS: Professional writing and communication skills; Willingness to aggressively solicit
sponsors and create community partnerships; Ability to develop/maintain effective rapport and follow
through with all contacts; Phone experience with contacting large corporations is helpful; Persistence
and responsibility are crucial.
Dancer Relations and University Outreach
DUTIES: Lead dancers as "Dancer Captain" by organizing and interfacing with dancers/teams; Act as
dancers' liaison to all DM information via emails, website updates, info meetings, and face-to-face
contact; Encourage dancer retention by working closely with Greek and Residential Life Chair and
Special Events to put on community-building and awareness-raising events; Organize and promote
fundraising activities to ensure that each dancer meets their sponsorship goal; Recognize dancers who
go above and beyond with incentives/rewards; Mail sponsorship solicitation letters on behalf of
dancers; Assist committee members in fundraising efforts; Ensure the health and well-being of all
dancers throughout the event; Communicate with student groups, alumni, and faculty to encourage
team participation with Dance Marathon and general awareness about University Medical Center
Children’s Miracle Network; Establish relationships with team representatives to work on team
fundraising and recruitment; Assist with planning general outreach, including classroom
announcements; Create new ways to assist student groups and reach out to other areas of campus life
that have yet to become involved with Dance Marathon.
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QUALIFICATIONS: Strong leadership skills and organization; Ability to speak before large audiences
comfortably; Effective oral and written communication skills; Must have enthusiasm and energy and be
able to provide motivation and inspiration to other dancer captains and dancers throughout the year,
especially during the event. General fundraising knowledge and abilities; Creative thinking and
willingness to be assertive; Persistence is necessary. Strong public speaking skills, as well as an ability to
build personal relationships; General knowledge of Dance Marathon, UMC Children’s Miracle Network,
and areas of campus life (i.e. Greek Life, faculty, student groups, athletes, etc.); Creativity in organizing
team fundraising plans and recruiting dancers; Knowledge of Tech student group rules and regulations
a plus. Previous Dance Marathon attendance is required.
Entertainment
DUTIES: Responsible for creating event line-up; Book all DJs and performance groups, including
contacting student performers and agents of entertainers/bands; Maintain efficient communication
with all entertainers; Work with facilities audio/visual staff and Operations committee to ensure that
performers have the necessary equipment and performance space; Work closely with Morale committee
to execute stage management; Manage performers upon arrival and during the event.
QUALIFICATIONS: Creativity; Quick thinking; Ability to handle high stress situations; Strong
communication and people skills; stage managing and scheduling abilities essential; good knowledge of
popular culture and entertainment; ability to navigate sound and audio equipment; Negotiation and
compromising skills.
Finance
DUTIES: Responsible for all financial aspects of DM; Request and compile all committee budgets;
Complete funding proposals and attend all associated funding hearings; Manage funding processes and
how to best use allocated funds; Track all financial records (deposits, registration fees, donations, etc.);
Maintain effective relationship with Student Government Accounting and understand all associated
rules and regulations; Collect and calculate funds at all Dance Marathon events; Prepare and deliver
final check for the foundation; Research and compile grant applications from a variety of Corporations.
QUALIFICATIONS: Solid budgeting, accounting, and overall fiscal experience; Ability to research,
request and manage funding opportunities; Familiarity with campus funding sources and regulations is
preferred, interest in continuing the position next year is recommended.
Fundraising
DUTIES: Plan all fundraising events for Dance Marathon, including large campus wide events and
multiple smaller events for individual dancer teams; Work with Dancer Relations to make sure that
dancers are meeting their fundraising minimum; Work with local companies to “brand” Dance
marathon; Send out all solicitation letters for dancers, as well as compile a Fundraising Tips info sheet
for them.
QUALIFICATIONS: Energy and enthusiasm are key; Must be persistent, drive, and committed to
raising money for the cause; Creativity is key for helping plan new, exciting, and interesting events and
opportunities; Willingness to work with others and brainstorm endlessly.
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Greek Relations and Residential Life Chair
DUTIES: Actively promote Dance Marathon within the Greek and Residential Life community; Work to
raise the number of Greek and Housing Dancers and increase retention rates; Expected to actively plan
events and fundraisers targeting the Greek and Residential Life audiences; Establish and maintain good
communication with Panhellenic, IFC, cultural fraternities and sororities, and RHA; Recognize the
sororities, fraternities, and dorms with the most participation and fundraising; Encourage Greek and
Residential Life retention by working closely with Special Events, Dancer Relations and University
Outreach, as well as Special Events to put on community-building and awareness-raising events;
Overall expected to get the Greeks and Residential Life more excited and involved with Dance
Marathon.
QUALIFICATIONS: Strong leadership skills and organization; Ability to speak before large audiences
comfortably; Effective oral and written communication skills; Must have enthusiasm, energy, and
innovative ideas; General fundraising knowledge and abilities; Creative thinking and willingness to be
assertive; Persistence is necessary. Involvement in the Greek system is a must.
Media
DUTIES: Work with Corporate and Publicity committees to create promotional video materials and
distribute them; Work with Morale committee to shoot and edit morale videos for event; Work with
Design and Webmaster to keep the website updated with new media; Acquire and work tech equipment
during event; Create multi-camera set-up to film and photograph the event, log footage, and create a
DVD; Create a visual (and sonic) aesthetic for the DM event.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to use a video camera; video editing experience highly recommended,
especially experience with FinalCut Pro, iMovie and iDVD; Access to equipment a strong plus;
Photography skills (advanced skills are a plus); Creativity and dedication; Must be a team player.
Morale
DUTIES: Energize and excite DM! The Morale Committee develops the Dance Marathon theme,
including specific theme shifts and Morale giveaways for all shifts; Actively execute all spirit and morale
activities throughout the event ( e.g. limbo, relays, cheers); Plan and perform in skits throughout Dance
Marathon; Work closely with Dancer Relations to ensure dancer happiness; Work closely with Media to
develop and star in all Dance Marathon related videos; Create and develop the ever-famous morale
dance; Improve and maintain the morale of everyone at Dance Marathon; Official hosts of the event.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to motivate/organize a large mass of people; Creative writing skills and
brainstorming are necessary; Strong public speaking skills; Good knowledge of popular culture and
entertainment (including music and activities); Ability to organize/lead spontaneous activities based on
crowd energy and mood; Willingness to take risks; Creativity, enthusiasm, and energy are absolutely
vital; Willingness to humiliate oneself in front of hundreds/thousands of people is required; Willing to
devote large time commitment.
Operations
DUTIES: Logistics: Arrange all room reservations for meetings and events; Secure facility and dance
floor for event; Establish working relationships with Parking Services, Tech PD, Office of Residential
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Life, etc.; Make arrangements for EMS and security presence; Work with Entertainment to ensure that
all equipment needs are met for DJs and performers; Work with Student Government Accounting and
the Finance Chair to complete paperwork for all service payments; Coordinate security and parking
volunteers; Work with the fire marshal to make sure that all decorations are within Tech fire code.
Volunteer: Recruit, organize, and direct volunteers for all DM events and activities; Maintain good
communication with all DM committee members to determine when volunteers are needed and for
what purposes; Establish efficient communication system between DM committee and all volunteers;
Ensure that all volunteers are properly recognized and given community service hours as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to learn Tech policies, rules and guidelines; Ability to work under pressure
and handle unexpected occurrences; Professional communication skills for interacting with Tech
administration and officials is necessary. Good leadership, organization, and ability to multi-task;
Interest in commitment to the Operations committee for future years recommended.
Public Relations
DUTIES: Responsible for all media coverage; Draft and submit press releases; Update and maintain
media kit; Notify local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations and persistently encourage coverage;
Work closely with Overall Chair to contact political and community officials; Solicit celebrities for guest
appearances; Work closely with Special Events and E-Team to determine publicity needs and target
audiences; Work with Design and Media committees to ensure updated press releases, as well as PR
info available on website.
QUALIFICATIONS: Good PR and inter-personal skills are a MUST; Public speaking and ability to
effectively convey mission and goals of DM to all audiences; Past experience with celebrity recruitment
and having celebrity contacts is strongly desired; Professional demeanor and strong writing skills
essential; Ability to convince an audience; Ability to communicate/relate well with others and to
multitask; Must also be flexible with last-minute details and be able to make changes very quickly.
Publicity and Special Events
DUTIES: Develop and execute creative publicity stunts on campus to increase DM visibility and student
involvement; Organize flyer schedules and distribution of flyers; Work with design committee to write
and develop flyers, table tents, posters and sign boards; Work with the University Outreach committee
to coordinate classroom announcements and Row Walks.
QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of who and what will grab students' attention; Experience with
advertising, general publicity, and making announcements; Good communication/writing skills and
positive demeanor; Creativity is a must.
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