Social & Community
Building Committee

Sponsoring activities designed to build a sense of community among SPSU employees

Social	of or having to do with human beings living together as a group in a situation in which their dealings with one another affect their common welfare
and	to join elements of equal value
Community	a group of people living or working together as a smaller unit within a larger one and having interest, work, etc, in common (a university community)
Building	causing to grow or be; creating or developing
Committee	a group of people organized to support and/or sponsor some cause

Calendar of Events for 2008-2009
The Social and Community Building Committee is planning several activities for FY08-09 that we know you do not want to miss. Mark your calendar to attend the following. (Details about each activity will be distributed as the event approaches.)

Door Decorating Contest – December 2008
Holiday Luncheon – December 3, 2008
Chili Cook-Off – February 4,2009
Administrative Professional Day – April 22, 2009
Employees' Picnic – April 30, 2009
Bach’s Lunch – June 10, 2009

About the Social and Community Building Committee
The Social and Community Building Committee began in 1994 as a subcommittee of the Professional Development Committee. Dr. Emerelle McNair was asked to be the chair. She served in this capacity until her retirement in June 2001. The purpose of this committee was to establish an ongoing set of activities which will assist employees in getting to know each other better, thus helping build a sense of community. First meeting of the SCBC was held January 18, 1994. Charter members of the Social and Community Building Committee were: Barry Birckhead, Alberta Cook, Kelly Hewitt, Ann Hough, Em McNair, Lydia Ten-Rosa, Tony Tilmans, and Kelly Vizzini.

SPSU Holiday Luncheon
Each year the SPSU Community celebrates the winter holidays with a pot luck luncheon. This event was turned over to the SCBC in 1999 to sponsor. The Student Center Ballroom is transformed into a holiday party scene and more than 150 employees and their guests gather for good food and an entertaining program. The Park Street Elementary Chorus, who was our educational partner, provided the program from 1999 to 2004. In 2005, the newly formed SPSU Band performed. In 2006 and 2007, the Tritt Elementary School Chorus entertained us with festive music, and as has become a tradition at this luncheon, led us in singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. (Pictures from 2003 Holiday Luncheon) (Pictures from 2004 Holiday Luncheon)

Holiday Door Decorating Contest
In 1998 the SCBC began sponsoring a door decorating contest for the holiday season. Campus offices are encouraged to participate. They compete for prizes and brighten the campus for the season. Winners are announced at the Holiday Luncheon. (Pictures from 2003 Door Decorating Contest) (Pictures from 2004 Door Decorating Contest)

Annual Campus-wide Employee Picnic
The first campus-wide employee annual picnic was held in June of 1994. Each subsequent year, with the exception of 1998, our 50th anniversary, the President, Vice Presidents and Deans have cooked for all other SPSU employees. Turnout has been great--there's FREE Food! In 2001, the SPSU Employee Band entertained for the picnic bringing out record numbers. They have become a regular part of this annual event. (Pictures from 2003 Picnic) (Pictures from 2004 Picnic)

Tony Tilmans Chili Cookoff
First held in January of 1997, the Tony Tilmans Chili Cookoff has become an annual event. Individuals on campus were encouraged to cook their own original chili recipes for competition. A panel of judges representing faculty, staff, administration, the Foundation, and students taste all entries and select the top three. Held again in 1998 as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, the Chili Cookoff has become an annual event. The First place winner is presented with a cactus neon freestanding light which is displayed in his/her office throughout the year and is passed on to the next year's winner. In 2006, soups were added to the event although they were not judged. Then it was decided to add a bake sale.

Administrative Professional Day
A new undertaking by the committee began in April of 2008. The SCBC wanted to show their appreciation to SPSU's Administrative support professionals for all the hard work and dedication performed on a daily basis. We thought it fitting to present a flower in a glass bud vase with a poem. It is the committee's hope that this will be an annual event and bring a little bit of sunshine into their day.

Previous SCBC Sponsored Events

• A Day at the Spa (formerly Beautification Day and “I Feel Pretty” Day) – Faculty and staff had the opportunity to sample the latest beauty products in cooperation with local department stores and independent stores.
• Fun Day - Entire campus dismissed in the afternoon to participate in various recreational activities. Light refreshments.
• Library, lab, NASA/GYSTC and campus tours - Organized and scheduled to accommodate all employees (including overnight staff) to acquaint staff with all aspects of SPSU
• Library Art Swap - A day set aside to exchange art pieces which are available for checkout by the library.
• Goodwill Tours - Organized through INCONTRA Travel Agency, these annual tours usually take place around the Christmas Season.
• Valentine Candy to Cobb Women's Shelter - In 1998, candy was donated by SPSU employees and taken to the Cobb Shelter, where women and children are temporarily housed for protection from having been in an abusive situation.
• Coat and blanket drive - In 1998, items were donated to MUST Ministries
• Food Collections - Donated by SPSU employees and given to Storehouse Ministries for distribution to the needy. This has become an annual activity in association with the Holiday Luncheon.
• A Genealogy Club - Formed following a "how to begin, and continue to pursue the search for ancestors" lecture.
• 5K Run and Relay (co-sponsor) SPSU campus.
• Habitat for Humanity Project - Collection of kitchen items donated to Habitat homes in 1998.
• Travelogues - Lunch sampling of ethnic foods to accompany faculty/staff travel lectures.
• Cobb Family Resources - The SCBC provided small personal gifts for the children of Cobb Family Resources to give to their mothers for birthdays and special occasions. The committee also supplied the wrapping paper and ribbon for the children to complete their gifts .  

2008-2009 Social and Community Building Committee Members:

Alberta Cook , Co-Chair	x7246	acook
Sharon Hodge, Co-Chair	x5481	shodge
Melissa Akins	x7469	makins
Dorianne Ayala	x7253	dayala
Cressia Callahan	x7391	ccallaha
Quint Hill	x5557	qhill
Bill Ketchum	x7479	wketchum
Ron Koger	x3721	rkoger
Scott Larisch	x3186	slarisch
Ann Lay	x7261	alay
Darlene Martin	x7440	dmartin
Julie Newell	x7481	jnewell
Mary Phillips	x7230	mphilli0
Leigh Ann Soublis	x4100	lholton
Amanda Traylor	x7248	atraylor

All revenue generated assists in funding other SCBC events.