The Challenge to Serve

Hello South Hall!

I hope the first two weeks of classes have gone well.

On Friday, September 11, First Lady Michelle Obama issued a challenge to GW students: if we perform 100,000 hours of service this academic year, she will speak at our Commencement ceremony in May. As most of us living in this building represent GW's Class of 2010 (including Maura and I), this challenge is especially relevant to South Hall.

What better way to accept Mrs. Obama's challenge than to attend the White House Volunteer Informational Session this Monday evening (September 14) at 7 pm in South Hall's Community Room (Room 128)? The White House Office of Presidential Correspondence is looking for new volunteers to maintain a vital link between the President and the American people. The Office of Presidential Correspondence handles most of the public mail, faxes, phone calls, and online communication for the President, and is actively recruiting volunteers to help the President by reading mail, answering phones, addressing envelopes, and entering data. Email me if you plan on attending. (If you are unable to attend the session but are still interested in learning more, please email me as well.)

Maura and I are also working on setting up other opportunities for community service. Possibilities include partnerships with GW's Office of Community Service and our neighbors, the School Without Walls.

What do you think about the First Lady's challenge to GW? Do you have any ideas of other ways we can serve our community? Leave a comment and let us know!

Just a couple of additional updates:

• Facilities has been aware of the building-wide hot water issues. They completed repairs last week, and while they will continue maintenance, it seems as if the issue has been fixed. If you continue to have problems in your room, please put in a FixIt request.
• H2Opening- All of the Brita filtration systems have been distributed. If you have not yet received your Nalgene bottle, email Maura or myself and we'll set up a pick-up time.
  
• On Tuesday, September 15, from 7-9 pm, GW Housing Programs and ISO will be hosting a dessert reception in City Hall's Lobby Court for international and exchange students.
  
• In celebration of the return of NBC's "The Office" I will be hosting an Office Party in my room on Thursday, September 17 from 8:45-9:30 pm. I'll have cookies and hot chocolate, and maybe even some brownies....

~Melissa