More Than Conferences


Ideas for improving the networks of NACURH
by George Proakis, Noel "Tex" Texeira, Christopher Pontani, and Anna Cenatiempo



Here's the program that rethinks the opportunities from NACURH. Highlighting the potential that many NACURH members never realize, this program shows the key to successful use of information from the regional and national organizations. NCCs and delegates say that "more people should learn these principles", and that "the presenters have SO much experience". NACURH is  More than Conferences, and this program shows the reasons why. 

Find out why a Bow-Tie is the best way to show the flow of communication across NACURH.


One long-time NCC and Regional Board Member noted that this is the best way to describe simple concepts about NACURH that are often forgotten when focusing on the daily details. Take a look
at the big picture.

This presentation provided information about the untapped potential on NACURH. Although the NACURH charter identifies the conferences and the National Information Center as two major opportunities for national communications, further opportunities exist for schools to share information. The participants in the session suggested that more members of NACURH should see the suggestions that were brought up in this session. These suggestions include:

Exchange trips between schools located nearby. There is nothing more valuable than seeing another RHA in action, through a meeting and through their programming process.

  • Use of e-mail lists and the World Wide Web to share conference information.

  • Roundtable discussions at conferences which allow for leaders in similar positions to meet and discuss issues.

  • Executive Board retreats planned together with other nearby schools. These events allow schools to share information.

  • Use of conference free time to socialize and discuss issues from different campuses.

The network that brings NACURH information together is shown in the presentation, in the graphic that is called the RHA Bow-Tie of Communication and Information. The knot in the middle of the Bow-Tie is the Residence Hall Association. The internal and external networks provide information to the RHA which holds the whole system together. It is important that we all realize that without the RHAs, there would be no NACURH, and there would be no effective Residence Hall Council system. This is why the center of the bow-tie is the RHA. Each NCC serves as a communication link - seeking out information from the national network, and bringing it back to the local network while simultaneously taking the best ideas from the local network and passing them onto the national network. <P>NACURH has amazing untapped potential. The participants in this program left with many ideas about that potential. 

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All information and overhead slides are copyright 1996, 1998 by George Proakis, Chris Pontani, or Noel Texeira. Slides, information, and presentation data may be used for NACURH and its affiliates with no charge, as long as the authors are given proper credit. No individual or organization may use any of the information, and/or presentations for profit without expressed written permission from Fenmore Consulting Services



For further information, please contact us at rhaprograms@studentleadership.com.