GRADUATE NEWS

FALL 2007

—September 27—October 11—October 25—

September 27, 2007:

Members present:
Bryan, Lisa, Kyle, Garrett, Mary, Johnny, Tessie, David, Katya, Roberto, Mike

Lisa calls meeting to order at 12:02

OLD BUSINESS
Lisa list remaining items needed to be done before organization re-chartering can be done. Among those things are accepting changes in PGSO bylaws.

Lisa moves to accept changes in bylaws. Kyle seconds.Vote is unanimous. Motion carries. Changes to the bylaws accepted.

NEW BUSINESS
Lisa introduces new elected and appointed officers and explains duties/responsibilities.
Elected officers: Lisa-President, Kyle-Vice President, Mary-Treasurer and fund raising chair, Mike-Secretary
Appointed officers: David-GSC Representative, Jenn-Social Chair, Tessie-Webmaster
Lisa also expressed her appreciation for all those who have dedicated their time to serve.

Lisa asks for reports:
GSC Rep (David)
-GSC still seeking to split from ASNMSU
-talking with Regents about costs/benefits of tuition lock-in agreement
-a Halloween party is being planned for grad students of all colleges
-a new social chair has been named (stay tuned for developments)
Social Chair (Jenn)
-not present at meeting
Webmaster (Tessie)
-new bylaws have been posted on PGSO website
Fundraising Chair (Mary)
-nothing to report
Treasurer (Mary)
-bank balance is $778
-a finance meeting is needed soon
Secretary (Mike)
-nothing to report
Vice-President (Kyle)
-nothing to report
President (Lisa)
-How to handle volunteer opportunities?  Post on website?  Use Listserv?
-discussion was tabled for the time being
-2 new opportunities
-TWEF – probably too little notice to participate
-Halloween Howl at Corbett
-Lisa moves to participate
-Kyle seconds
-motion passes
-Johnny will coordinate PGSO participation, collect more info
-should PGSO also run a booth?
-consensus is no, just participate in haunted house
-Information Packets
-Is there interest in doing it?  How should it be done?
-Agreement that they should be distributed to all incoming and returning grad students at the beginning of the semester
-preliminary discussion over content
-Bryan volunteers to move forward on this project

OPEN FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION
None

Lisa adjourns meeting at 12:28pm

October 11, 2007:

Members present: Lisa, Tessie, Jenn, Garrett, David, Katya, Roberto, Mike, Kyle, Carlo

Meeting called to order at 12:04

OFFICER REPORTS:
Lisa (president):
-PGSO has completed the rechartering process

Kyle (vice-president):
-Emails have been sent out regarding the mentoring program. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Kyle. Also, a request was made for instructors to announce the mentoring program to students in their classes.

Mike (secretary):
-No unresolved issues from last meeting

Jenn (social chair):
-Organized student Latin dance lessons. Lessons are being held at Victor Johnson's house. Cost is $20 per month, per person and lessons are approximately 1.5 hours each.

David (GSC rep):
-Homecoming is coming up soon. The theme is "Aggie Country Though The Ages". Contact person at ASNMSU is Phillip Trujillo.
-Phillip Trujillo is also the contact person for a $500 diversity award given to grad student organizations. Mary will investigate this further.
-GRAS update: PGSO still has no obligations regarding the organization and running of GRAS
-GSC is still moving towards breaking from ASNMSU. At present, a constitution is being worked on.
-No news on GSC Halloween party
-On October 25th, MTV and the Real World cast will be visiting campus and giving away "free shit". Heckling opportunities abound.
-Anyone may drop off paperwork at the activities office. It is not necessary to go through the GSC rep.

Mary (treasurer):
-Finance meeting needed soon
-Tshirt fundraising idea. What are thoughts on this? What would be ideal price? The Tshirts would focus on psychology department and not PGSO specifically. Lisa directs Mary to move forward with this idea.

Tessie (webmistress):
-Volunteer opportunities are now on website
-Teaching resource links have also been added

OLD BUSINESS:
Lisa:
-Johnny was unable to attend meeting to report on Halloween Howl details. More details forthcoming.

OPEN FLOOR:
Lisa:
-Moves that PGSO participate in RenFaire. (Kyle seconds) (motion passes) Jenn will get more details and report back to group.

Jenn:
-Will be out of town and won't be able to throw Halloween party this year. Would like to throw a mixer party for grads, faculty, and possibly other departments. Had some success before with a wine tasting party. Email any suggestions to Jenn.

Mary:
-Meeting should be limited to 30 minutes. Some discussion on this as most we under impression that meetings were supposed to be limited to one hour. No action taken.

Lisa:
-Community service opportunity: cell phone and/or inkjet cartridge recyling drop boxes. Program approved of by consensus. Lisa will move forward on this.

Meeting is adjurned at 12:48pm.

October 25, 2007

Members Present:Lisa Jo Elliot, Kyle Wagner, Mike Berry, Tessie Abbott, Roberto Montalvo, Jen Davis, Juan Ramirez, Garrett Strosser

Meeting called to order at 12:02pm

Reports from officers:none

Reports from appointed committees:Johnny reported on Halloween Howl. Six people still needed for the 
haunted house. Please see Johnny for further details.

Old business:
-Lisa reported on Ren Faire. Still need volunteers in three areas. 
Please see Lisa to sign up.

-Jenn reported on grad student party. She's still seeking input as to the exact nature of the party (wine/beer/malt liquor tasting, etc.). 
Tenatively planned for Nov. 10th or 11th at around 6:30pm. She will send out an email with further details.

-Kyle has sent out emails regarding Mentoring program.

-Lisa reported that PGSO has received approval from department head about beginning the inkjet/cell phone recyling program. Still waiting 
on final approval from Student Activities.

New business:
-Lisa invited discussion about purchasing a poster printer for the department. During discussion, consensus was that this would be a great goodwill gesture from PGSO to department. Plans are to earmark 
money collected from inkjet/cell phone recyling program towards this end.

Open floor: nothing

Meeting adjourned at 12:32pm