iting, all at once. To ensure that your programs include
more of the excitement and less of the frustration, follow these
programming "do's and don'ts."
Brainstorm all programming possibilities. If a resident suggests an idea, explore all the opportunities.
Be sure to include others in your programming efforts. Don't forget about community members, campus resources, and other members of your staff.
Remember that not everyone is going to be fired up about programing all of the time or interested in all of your programming topics. Provide a variety of topics to your residents and let them pick and choose.
Set goals for each program. By having particular goals, you will know if your program was effective and provided residents with all of the things that you felt were important.
Be open to help and positive criticism. Ask others for
programming help and technique suggestions. Read the evaluation
cards after each program and be open to ways to
improve!
Don't assume all of the equipment will work or that all of the supplies are readily available.
Don't attempt a program that bores you, no matter how much you think others might like it. The excitement for a program begins with the programmer.
Don't continually change a program date.
Don't judge a program by the number of people who come.
Don't become discouraged if a program "flops."
Don't put on an "extravaganza" for your residents. Small simple programs are just as effective as "big events!"
Don't program during the week of midterms or finals.