The Leadership Council

The Commonplace Society is a forum designed to foster academic growth and a deeper sense of community among Berkeley seniors. An integral part to this fellowship is the role of the Student Leadership Council in planning, preparing for, and facilitating Commonplace Society meetings. Members nominate themselves and their peers to serve, and nominees form teas to share the responsibilities listed below.

The following is a brief overview of Leadership Council positions. Select the header for any given position for a more detailed description.

Overview of Positions

ADVERTISING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATORS

  • contact presenters for titles, abstracts and the names of their introducers two weeks before each meeting
  • initiate and facilitate discussion of theme, catering, wine and decorations amongst Leadership Council two weeks before each meeting
  • send out event e-vites to membership ten days prior to each meeting
  • are the keepers of the guest book and ensures it is put out for members to sign at each meeting
  • send e-mail to the catering coordinators to advise them on head count five days prior to each meeting

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

  • design a logo for the society
  • print up a program for each meeting with logo, date, names of presenters, titles of their presentations, and a list of the evening’s wines
  • assist with set-up prior to each meeting
  • work with the photographer to design a year-end slideshow for the final event

CATERING & DESSERT COORDINATORS

  • order, purchase, and have delivered (or pick up) food for the group from a variety of New Haven restaurants—get total number of attendants from Advertising & Communications Coordinator prior to event
  • assist with set-up prior to meeting
  • deliver itemized receipts to Naomi in HoC Office within 24 hours of making food purchase.

HISTORIANS

  • are the keepers of the Society’s memories and memorabilia
  • produce a 1-page synopsis of each meeting’s events (titles, abstracts/descriptions, and presenter names)
  • receive an abstract from each presenter and includes that in the synopsis
  • assist with set-up prior to meeting

MASTERS OF CEREMONIES

  • keep an eye on the time during the meeting, so we start and end on time and transition from one event to another seamlessly (brings a clock with him/her to each meeting)kicks off the evening by greeting members and introducing the wine stewards
  • encourage others to make toasts
  • announce catering and dessert stewards so they can introduce dessert
  • recognize the introducers
  • raise 3-minute and 1-minute warning cards for the presenter
  • offer the concluding toast

MINISTERS OF CULTURE

  • are in charge of creating enthusiasm, camaraderie, and fun
  • select a theme for each meeting, communicates theme to the Leadership Council two weeks in advance (and can order corresponding decorations!)
  • facilitate group events (Kudos Kup)
  • are in charge of providing music at the start of each meeting
  • notify MC of member birthdays
  • responsible for working with the Artistic Coordinator to design some form of apparel that will distinguish presenters from other members, and for bestowing these articles on the presenters each meeting
  • direct set-up and decorations prior to each meeting

PHOTOGRAPHERS

  • are in charge of taking photographs at each meeting to include: Formal shot of presenters, informal shots of members throughout the evening, and shots of food and wine
  • upload photographs from each meeting to the Google Drive
  • are in charge of taking a photograph of the Leadership Council with the Coordinator at some point in the year
  • work with the artistic coordinator to create an end-of-the-year slideshow
  • create a slideshow for the Commonplace archives and the senior slideshow in the spring

Sustainability Guru

  • ensure that all dinners are executed with an eye out for sustainability
  • including decor, dishware, use of Berkeley shareware
  • composting remains in compost buckets
  • assist with set-up prior to meeting

TECHNOLOGY CZARS

  • are charged with the Commonplace Society's digital presence and facilitating the use of technology both in and out of meetings
  • implement new technologies that enhance and extend the sense of community and camaraderie so central to the Society
  • work with the Communications and Advertising Coordinator to distribute invitations and solicit RSVPs via this website for each meeting
  • work with the Communications and Advertising Coordinator to collect any digital materials presenters will use
  • work with the Photographer(s) and Historian(s) to ensure the Historian's notes and Photographs are properly formatted and uploaded the website in as timely a fashion as possible

WINE STEWARDS

  • choose wines, and order appropriate number of bottles for expected attendance, with a budget of about $20/bottle, no tax charged
  • bring a wine opener to each event (or take it out of the North Court kitchen)
  • deliver a short five minute talk at each meeting about why they chose the wine, a few fun facts the group might like to know about the grape, the vintage, and the region
  • assist with set-up prior to meeting
  • are in charge of removing wine bottles at the end of the night
  • deliver itemized receipts to Naomi in HoC Office within 24 hours of making wine purchase
-A A +A