Committees

Leadership Development Committee

The leadership development committee represents the true core of the Residential Leadership Association. This committee prompts leadership development in the residence halls throughout campus. Our largest program of the year is the Fall Leadership Retreat, in which up to 40 UMASS students participate in a weekend emersion experience to help jumpstart or restart their leadership careers on campus.

The amazing part of this committee is power of input from our general body members. The committee is set up so that the members can plan and help with the dynamics of as many leadership programs as they desire to put on throughout the year. The committee focuses on specific audiences, such as Community Leaders. It incorporates a variety of leadership styles and information, all the while having a fantastic time!

Community Development Committee

The Community Development Committee is the most interactive committee within the Residential Leadership Association. This committee is responsible for planning and successfully implementing programs that target all of the residential areas on campus. These programs are designed to help foster a greater sense of community and at such a large institution, this is no easy task. Planning such events/programs that achieve this goal requires a lot of creative critical thinking and collaboration among fellow committee members.

In order to get people at the programs, there must be advertising. Subsequently, this committee works closely with the Public Relations Committee to promote the events and programs that we plan throughout the year. If you consider yourself goal orientated, creative, and enjoy event planning, this is the committee for you.

Public Relations Committee

The public relations committee is in charge of promotion. This committee makes various decisions about the best strategies to get the RLA logo out into the hands of UMass Amherst students. Previous committees have purchased paraphernalia such as cups, pens, travel mugs all branding the logo. Other such promotional literature also includes updating the website and brochure. This committee also works with leadership development and community development committees to promote their upcoming events.

The best part about this committee is that the focus can change from year to year. There is no one perfect approach and it all depends upon which angle the committee wishes to take. If you’re creative and like to work with a team of individuals all working to publicize this amazing organization then this is the committee for you!