New Student Organization of the Year
This award is presented to a new student organization that has been registered less than two academic years and has increased its membership, involvement with campus life, and its activities from the previous year. Organizations registered for more than two years are not eligible for this award and should apply to Most Improved Student Organization instead.
In order to apply for this award, please review all information below. Applications open Friday, January 10th and must be submitted by 11:59PM on Sunday, February 2nd. You may showcase anything in your application that occurred between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Application
For the award application, you will need to complete the following:
- Please review the Recognition and Awards page to ensure your organization type (department-sponsored versus student organization) is eligible to apply for this particular award.
- This award entails an audio-recorded PowerPoint. You may apply to a maximum of three awards that require an audio-recorded PowerPoint, as categorized on the Recognition and Awards page. Applying for more than three of these awards will disqualify your application.
- You are not limited to the number of essay-based awards you can apply for.
- Your audio-recorded PowerPoint should follow the layout below:
- 2 minutes for the introduction of your organization
- 3 minutes to address the criteria for this award
- If you are applying to additional awards that require an audio-recorded PowerPoint, you will only present the two-minute introduction once and you will have three additional minutes to discuss each subsequent award.
- Example: If applying to two audio-recorded PowerPoint-based awards, your video would be eight minutes long as follows:
- 2 minutes Introduction
- 3 minutes Award #1
- 3 minutes Award #2
- Throughout the presentation, each time you move onto a different award, please make sure you have a transition slide that names the title of the new award. Then begin to provide your evidence for that award.
- If your organization is also applying for any of the following audio-recorded awards, you will address these in the same presentation:
- Submit the Application Form (link below) where you will include the link to your recorded presentation, as well as a PDF of your slide deck.
Submission Requirements & Instructions
In addition to the requirements listed below, organizations are encouraged to follow best practices with regard to slide design and visual aids to best showcase their impact.
Presentations must include voice-only narration (cameras must be turned off) utilizing PowerPoint’s Recording Feature. Total presentation time should be within the limits stated above.
- Opening slide must include the names of each of the presentation-based awards (including this award) that you are applying for, and you should verbally announce these in your audio recording.
- Organizational fact slide that highlights program relevant statistics including size, list of events, and their type such as socials, professional, service, and other information.
- Informational slides answering the following questions regarding events and initiatives from January 2024 to December 2024:
- What are your organization’s objectives, goals, and plans for improvement?
- What is the value proposition of your organization and how is it unique from other organizations?
- How has your organization increased in number of programs, significant improvement in quality, or innovative change to programs between last year and this year?
- How did these activities impact the competency development of your members?
- How did the meetings, activities, and events held by your organization have a positive impact on the greater college community?
- What efforts has your organization made this year to sustain itself in the future?
- How does the executive board effectively function as a team? Provide evidence, if possible.
- How have this year’s meetings, activities, and events gone above and beyond your organization’s mission/vision/values?
- How has your organization adopted Gator Ready and encouraged participants to use it?
- What was your overall budget for the year? How much money did your organization spend this calendar year? Please provide a breakdown of the costs.
- Appendix slides at the end of your presentation detailing the following:
- A list of all past activities from January 2024 to December 2024. In the description for each event, please include the following:
- Date of the event
- Number of attendees
- Purpose of each event
- Description of each event
- Evidence of impact for each event
- Overall budget for the year, amount spent this calendar year, and a breakdown of costs.
- Membership numbers and roster with names and email addresses (both spring and fall semesters).
- Please insert link to PDF displaying all appendix information.
- A list of all past activities from January 2024 to December 2024. In the description for each event, please include the following:
Submission Instructions for Audio-Recorded PowerPoint
Once you have finalized your audio-recorded PowerPoint, please follow the instructions below to make it shareable using Microsoft Stream.
- Title your video as your organization’s name, underscore, year. For example, “Business College Council_2024.”
- Upload your original PowerPoint video using the below computer relevant instructions:
- Windows OS: Please follow the Windows audio-recorded PowerPoint upload instructions.
- Mac OS: First, Export Video – Click “File” at the top of the screen > Export > Select “MOV” in the File Format dropdown list > Make sure the check box next to “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations” is clicked > Click Export Button. Then follow the Mac audio-recorded PowerPoint upload instructions.
- Remember to share you PowerPoint slides using the PowerPoint slides upload instructions.
Selection Process & Criteria
In order to be considered, applications must be submitted by the deadline and adhere to the proper formatting requirements listed above. A selection committee of Heavener staff members will choose a winner who best exemplifies the award based on the qualitative and quantitative evidence provided in the application.
By submitting an application, applicants agree to release their academic records and discipline records to the selection committee. This year’s selection committee members are: Dalon Coleman, Danica Mandarano, Meghan Dwyer, Naomi Harrell, Satcha Sanon, and the BCC President.
Previous Award Recipients
Product Space
Florida Cryptocurrency and Alternative Asset Club
Warrington Goes Green
Latin American Women in Business
Business Careers in Entertainment Club
Business Careers in Entertainment Club has developed a solid membership base in their first year, and offers unique opportunities for members to get involved. Some activities include providing tours of local television stations and partnering with the TV-210 to make the CW a more brand aware station.
Gator Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants
The Gator Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants has made a significant improvement from the previous year. Established Fall 2008 the organization has been able to increase its membership, programs, and recognition here on campus. The organization was able to accomplish these things and more with the support of their corporate sponsor KPMG, Business College Council (BACC), and using the resources here on campus.
Association of Latino Professionals in Accounting and Finance (ALPFA)
This past fall the UF ALPFA chapter was started on campus with the purpose of providing opportunities for members to find competitive internships and jobs. ALPFA worked on fundraisers and secured sponsorships so they can attract more members and have funding for events. ALPFA has 25 members and worked to develop their members by providing professional events where representatives from large companies attend meetings to speak about different topics and members are able to network with different professionals. Members also competed in case competitions and attended the ALPFA national convention, where this year, out of the 10 members who attended, 5 members received job offers. ALPFA has made strong partnerships in a relatively short period of time and has opened the door to student success.
Student Finance Group
Since their founding in the Spring of 2006, the Student Finance Group has engaged business students in leadership, professional development, and community service opportunities. Currently they have 180 members and a 23 student executive board that gives students a valuable opportunity to learn leadership skills.