We interviewed a leader at Florida State University’s
Student Government Association about their volunteer program, the SGA Street Team.
Please tell us your name and current position in student government. If you’re willing, please also tell us anything else that you think is relevant about who you are: your year, major, past student government experience, etc.
My name is Amy Nicotra and I serve as a senator for the College of Criminology. I am in my second term as a senator and as the chair of the Student Affairs Committee within Senate. I am a second-year student and began my journey in Student Government during the Fall of my first year on campus.
What is the FSU Street Team? What does the team do? How does it function?
The Student Government Association Street Team is a program offered by the Student Affairs Committee of the Student Senate. Any student in good standing at Florida State University may register to become a Street Team member. There is no application or fee required to join. Responsibilities of the Street Team vary from surveying students, representing SGA at various campus events, and gathering data for the purposes of improving the campus.
Recently, we have partnered with the Office of Elections to promote awareness for the upcoming spring election for SGA. The senators who serve on the Student Affairs Committee serve as the team captains. We currently have over 100 students registered. The idea behind this program is to allow all students the opportunity to serve others in the capacity of SGA without having to be elected or selected. It brings transparency and personal relationships back into SGA by assuring all students that SGA works year-round, not just during campaign season.
Where did the idea for the Street Team come from?
The Student Affairs Committee did not have a defined set of responsibilities before I became chair and it struggled to find purpose. As I gathered information for my platform to run for the chair position, I searched the websites of SGA student affairs committees or programs at other universities in the state and saw something about a Street Team. There was very little information available on it but I saw huge potential in the idea and used the committee to come up with a concrete plan for what we wanted it to be and how we would go about making it happen.
At such a huge university, it is hard for all students to understand what SGA is and how they can get involved. According to the results of a survey the Street Team produced at the beginning of the year, sometimes people perceive SGA as an elite group of leaders and feel discouraged from participating because they do not know how or they are afraid. Some students also feel disconnected because they only see SGA leaders around campus during campaign season, asking for their vote. In reality, SGA leaders are working year-round and want to engage all students in their work. Also, SGA is the “voice” of the students, therefore it is necessary to constantly check in with students and make sure all SGA resolutions, bills, and decisions are in line with what the students want. The Street Team is an attempt to bridge this gap between all students and SGA by having Street Teamers out and about on campus at all times, wearing their bright green uniform shirts and informing students on SGA matters.
What are your goals for the team? What has it accomplished so far?
My goals for the team are:
- To allow every student the opportunity to participate in Student Government;
- To keep all students informed on SGA matters;
- To maintain the student voice in SGA and campus decisions by polling students;
- To create a “think tank” of ideas for campus improvement coming straight from students, to be displayed on the SGA website; and
- To hold regular “Word on the Street” events as part of awareness campaigns for SGA.
We have made progress on our goals but we are nowhere near being done. It is a constant learning experience and team effort. We have worked towards each of these goals. One of the biggest accomplishments so far has been engaging so many students and allowing them to take part in what we are passionate about.
What are the Street Team’s current priorities?
We are hosting a “Word on the Street” awareness campaign with the Office of Elections for the upcoming election where we are having the Street Team pass out fliers around campus in an effort to increase voter turnout and make sure students are aware of what the elections are for. We are also planning a “March Madness” Street Team event with a week full of polling and fun!
For other student governments that might want to create a similar program, what advice would you give them? What have been the biggest challenges? Biggest surprises? Lessons learned?
I would say, “Go for it!” It has been an incredible experience. The biggest lesson I have learned is that nothing of greatness comes easy or quickly and you can’t do it alone. It has been very challenging keeping track of so many students and ensuring a good experience for everyone. It is so important to remain positive with the people you work with and to always be encouraging. It is also okay to be strict and hold people accountable. It has not been my favorite part of the job but I have found that it is essential to keeping the group functioning. At the end of the day, I am able to say our hard work has been worth it because I am confident it has positively impacted at least one student who would not have otherwise known about SGA or gotten involved. That’s what it’s all about!
We interviewed a leader at Florida State University’s Student Government Association about their volunteer program, the SGA Street Team.
Please tell us your name and current position in student government. If you’re willing, please also tell us anything else that you think is relevant about who you are: your year, major, past student government experience, etc.
My name is Amy Nicotra and I serve as a senator for the College of Criminology. I am in my second term as a senator and as the chair of the Student Affairs Committee within Senate. I am a second-year student and began my journey in Student Government during the Fall of my first year on campus.
What is the FSU Street Team? What does the team do? How does it function?
The Student Government Association Street Team is a program offered by the Student Affairs Committee of the Student Senate. Any student in good standing at Florida State University may register to become a Street Team member. There is no application or fee required to join. Responsibilities of the Street Team vary from surveying students, representing SGA at various campus events, and gathering data for the purposes of improving the campus.
Recently, we have partnered with the Office of Elections to promote awareness for the upcoming spring election for SGA. The senators who serve on the Student Affairs Committee serve as the team captains. We currently have over 100 students registered. The idea behind this program is to allow all students the opportunity to serve others in the capacity of SGA without having to be elected or selected. It brings transparency and personal relationships back into SGA by assuring all students that SGA works year-round, not just during campaign season.
Where did the idea for the Street Team come from?
The Student Affairs Committee did not have a defined set of responsibilities before I became chair and it struggled to find purpose. As I gathered information for my platform to run for the chair position, I searched the websites of SGA student affairs committees or programs at other universities in the state and saw something about a Street Team. There was very little information available on it but I saw huge potential in the idea and used the committee to come up with a concrete plan for what we wanted it to be and how we would go about making it happen.
At such a huge university, it is hard for all students to understand what SGA is and how they can get involved. According to the results of a survey the Street Team produced at the beginning of the year, sometimes people perceive SGA as an elite group of leaders and feel discouraged from participating because they do not know how or they are afraid. Some students also feel disconnected because they only see SGA leaders around campus during campaign season, asking for their vote. In reality, SGA leaders are working year-round and want to engage all students in their work. Also, SGA is the “voice” of the students, therefore it is necessary to constantly check in with students and make sure all SGA resolutions, bills, and decisions are in line with what the students want. The Street Team is an attempt to bridge this gap between all students and SGA by having Street Teamers out and about on campus at all times, wearing their bright green uniform shirts and informing students on SGA matters.
What are your goals for the team? What has it accomplished so far?
My goals for the team are: