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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SJSU SOTA

FEBRUARY 2019

WELCOME BACK- 1
SOTA ELECTIONS -2
SOTA EVENTS - 5
FAST FACTS - 6

by Sonja Kramer

Welcome back to school, everyone! I hope everyone was able to get some rest and occupational
balance while on their break. Spring semester can sometimes fly by so quickly, so remember to
enjoy your short time here. First years, best of luck with your research papers and planning for
any FLPs you might be taking in the summer! Both experiences will be exciting and rewarding.
And if you want even more excitement and rewarding things in your life, run for a spot on the
SOTA board--more info on the next page. ;) Second years, make the most of your last semester
of school and finish strong! I know we're all looking forward to convocation and Fieldwork II, and
it will be here before you know it!

SOTA now has an Instagram! Be sure to follow @sjsusota for news, updates, flyers, and fun
photos.

Cheers to a great semester, everyone!

SOTA meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month. Next one is Feb 6th!
 SOTA Elections
Being on the SOTA board has been one of the most rewarding and fun experiences of my OT
school career. It has really made me feel more involved and invested in this program and its
students and faculty. Each position has different time commitments, but it has not been difficult
to fit into an already busy school and life schedule. Sounds cliche, but you really get out of it
what you put into it. This section will be a short breakdown of each SOTA position that will be
open. If you have further questions, come to the February SOTA meeting, where we will have
time for you to ask the outgoing board members about their positions. Or go on the SOTA
website and email the board member with your questions!

CHAIRPERSON(S)
· Responsible for coordinating the activities of S.O.T.A.
· Presides at all meetings, using Robert’s Rule of Order.
· Establishes the agenda for all business meetings.
· Holds regular meetings of the S.O.T.A board.
· Oversees the activities of all committees. Assures distribution of information to all S.O.T.A.
members.
· Assures compliance of S.O.T.A. activities with University Police Chairs and election committees.
· Meets regularly with S.O.T.A. board faculty advisor.
· A liaison between Pre-OT Club and S.O.T.A members.
· Distributes all S.O.T.A. information to Pre-OT Club.
· Distributes all Pre-OT Club information to S.O.T.A.
· Chairperson or Vice Chairperson attends all Pre-OT Club meetings.

VICE CHAIRPERSON(S)
· Responsible to assist the Chairperson in coordinating S.O.T.A. activities.
· Will assume the position of Chairperson if vacancy occurs.
· Presides over meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
· Chairs the committee for fundraising.
· Assists in the coordination of S.O.T.A. committees.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.
· A liaison between Pre-OT Club and S.O.T.A members.
· Distributes all S.O.T.A. information to Pre-OT Club.
· Distributes all Pre-OT Club information to S.O.T.A.
· Chairperson or Vice Chairperson attends all Pre-OT Club meetings.

TREASURER(S)
· Responsible for the financial operation of S.O.T.A. activities.
· Maintains bank account and keeps accurate records of transactions.
· Collects, records, disperses, and accounts for all money of S.O.T.A.
· Pays all legal debts of S.O.T.A.
· Coordinates ticket sales and collects money from the sales.
· Submits a report to the S.O.T.A. board of all financial transactions.
· Records membership applications and distributes membership cards.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.
 SOTA Elections Continued
RECORDING/CORRESPONDING SECRETARY(S)
· Responsible for maintaining records of all business transactions of the S.O.T.A. board.
· Responsible for all communication of S.O.T.A. with individuals and organizations in regards
to S.O.T.A. activities.
· Refers all correspondence to appropriate committees or board members for action.
· Maintains copies of all correspondence for future reference.
· Records minutes of all S.O.T.A. board and membership meetings.
· Complies, types, and distributes minutes to all board members who ask.
· Records all other S.O.T.A. activities and maintains records for future reference.
· Monitors the maintenance and storage of S.O.T.A. records.
· Responsible for written correspondence like “thank you” letters, writing to speakers to request
services, and birthday cards on behalf of S.O.T.A.
· Coordinates with the OTAC and AOTA representatives about their correspondence with
these organizations.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

PROJECT COORDINATOR(S)
· Responsible for integrating S.O.T.A. activities with those of the university and community.
· Plans and implements community services and volunteer opportunities.
· Chairs committee for coordinating, planning, and arranging general meetings and S.O.T.A.
sponsored activities.
· Survey members' ideas for projects.
· Maintains copies of all programs, names, and numbers of contact persons for future
references.
· Assists program coordinator with planning of general meetings.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR(S)
· Plans and implements activities aimed to please the special interests of the OT students (i.e.
potluck social, Halloween costume party, etc).
· Chairs committee for coordinating, planning and arranging social events.
· Survey members for information of needs and ideas for programs.
· Assist project coordinator with planning of general meetings.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

PUBLICITY COORDINATOR(S)
· Responsible for distributing and coordinating all information of S.O.T.A. events.
· Chairs publicity committee.
· Chairs newsletter committee.
· Plans and distributes publicity information.
· Maintains bulletin boards and display case.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.
 SOTA Elections Continued
AOTA REPRESENTATIVE (Not up for election--they serve for 2 years. Yours is Lexie Flores)
· Responsible for being the coordinator between the students and the national organization.
· Individual elected must be an AOTA member.
· Distributes all AOTA information to S.O.T.A. board and members.
· Educates the student population about functions and policies of AOTA and how to get involved.
· Assists those interested in AOTA information.
· Is aware of national issues pertaining to AOTA and inform S.O.T.A. members.
· Attends the student affair committee meetings/reports back to S.O.T.A. about the meetings.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

OTAC REPRESENTATIVE (Not up for election--they serve for 2 years. Yours is Elaine Lau)
· Responsible for being the coordinator between the students and the state organization.
· Individual elected must be an OTAC member.
· Attends and is a member of the OTAC student leadership committee.
· Distributes all OTAC information to S.O.T.A. members.
· Educates student population about function and policies of OTAC and how they can be involved.
· Assists those interested in OTAC information.
· Is aware of national issues pertaining to OTAC and inform S.O.T.A. members.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

STUDENT FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE(S)

· A liaison between faculty and S.O.T.A. members.
· Informs faculty about issues pertaining to S.O.T.A. and S.O.T.A. about issues pertaining to faculty
· Attends faculty meetings.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

PATTERN REPRESENTATIVE(S)
· Acts on behalf of their classmates on all S.O.T.A. activities.
· Distributes all S.O.T.A. information to classmates.
· Presents all issues of concern from classmates to S.O.T.A. board.
· Assists with the recruitment of students for S.O.T.A. activities.
· Serves on election committees.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.

WORKSHOP COORDINATOR(S)
· Organizes and implements important service and educational workshops relating to the OT
profession (i.e. split workshops, burn unit tour, etc.)
· Chairs committee to coordinate, plan, and arrange supplemental and educational workshops.
· Survey member’s interest for workshops.

WEBMASTER AND SOCIAL NETWORKING COORDINATOR(S)

· Maintains the S.O.T.A. website and social networking medias (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
· Distributes information from S.O.T.A. to members via networking medias.
· Ensures all information on website and social networking medias is up to date and accurate.
· Attends all S.O.T.A. board meetings.
 SOTA Events

For our first volunteer event of the year, SOTA members volunteered at
Bellerose Senior Living in San Jose. We walked around outside with
residents who could not push their own wheelchairs to enjoy the fresh air,
played games like bingo and bowling, and just chatted with residents. We
had a wonderful time!

Past Events
Jan 27 - Bellerose Senior Living Volunteering

Future Events
Feb 12 - BLS Provider Workshop
Feb 28 - Using Dance with your Clients
 Fast Facts: CFOT
The California Foundation
fro Occupational Therapy
is a nonprofit public benefit
organization whose goal is
to help students,
practitioners, and
researchers advance their
knowledge and skills in OT
Holds an annual awards
luncheon, usually at the
OTAC annual conference,
to recognize OTs for
outstanding service to
CFOT and to the practice
of OT
Awards scholarships,
traineeships, and grants
to advance the practice of
OT and educate the public
on the potential benefits of
occupational therapy
services
Works with OTAC
members to promote
research in the field of
occupational therapy