ShootING

On Friday, instead of class, our group decided to meet at UREC for a little basketball. Myself and Maddie arrived at the same time and were told that the others were upstairs on the second floor. When we got upstairs we saw Julie getting in a quick warm-up on the bike while Erick and Kim were already on the court shooting. The three of us walked in and started shooting around as well. To be honest none of us were really all that impressive on the court, although I would argue that Erick was probably the best out of all of us. Julie had a pretty good shot as well and we learned that was because she played basketball when she was younger. After everyone was warmed up we played a quick pick up game between the girls and the guys. It was a very lackluster game. Neither team played much defense and we didn't keep score. That was probably a good idea seeing as there wasn't much scoring going on. We grew tired eventually, especially Kim, and decided to call it a day. Before we left we talked briefly about plans for the ensuing week. Also, we were quite happy that we were now finished with our -ING project.

Pics From Studying at Carrier

Study-ING

Today out GCOM group went to THE Carrier library for a "study sesh" together.

When we first arrived, Eric was eating a delicious Market One burger in the Starbucks lounge. Oddly, he put his curly fries in the burger. Kim, Julie and I were weirded out by this behavior but Jake noted that he eats his own burgers in the same manner. We continued chatting about this and that. Kim and I were both excited about The Office and Jersey Shore episodes coming on later. Then we all got to work.

Jake studied U.S. history, Julie studied Spanish, Kim studied statistics, and Eric studied Facebook. Just kidding, he worked on a power point that features Kid Cudi. I did my music theory homework.

It was quite productive for the most part. The dim lighting, cozy chairs, and wood paneled walls of Carrier's Starbucks lounge provided the perfect "zen" atmosphere in which to study. Actually the chars were a little too cozy-- Jake dozed off mid-way through the revolutionary war.

When we woke Jake up, we all decided on the order of our GCOM presentation and set goals for our next meeting. Everyone felt more relieved about our quickly approaching speech date looming ahead. At least, I did. :)

Today after class our group went to TDU to play some pool. We weren't very good at it, especially Erick, which was surprising because he seemed to think he was a pro at pool. Julie actually turned out to be the best at it, to Erick's disappointment. Sorry Erick!

We talked a little about our grades on the test and about Valentine's Day. Some of us have plans and some of us are "going to be crying in our rooms".

After we played (or attempted to play) pool we talked about our meeting schedule. We have to change it a little because of conflicting schedules but I think we got it all figured out and we're going to start getting some more progress on our presentation.

So far our group has gotten closer and we all seem comfortable together. Hopefully it will help in having a good presentation!

Taking Care of Buisness

Group Business Meeting

Today our group met after class in the

Carrier Library Starbucks. We had a good time talking as well as brainstorming ideas for our upcoming speech. Kim, Erick, and I procrastinated doing work by getting frappachinos and food from Starbucks. During our meeting we laid out our group business contract, meeting schedule, and plan of action for our speech. I think we have decided t0 do our speech on tattoos.

Today's meeting went really well, our group is starting to bond. I think we will all feel better once we take the test on Monday and start working on our speech. Today was a success. We are having our regularly scheduled Wednesday Afternoon meeting this afternoon in Carrier. Our goals for that meeting include: begin research on tattoos, report findings to other group members, decide for sure that this is our topic based on research, and get individual reports on progress.

Group Business Contract

• What are the group’s expectations for meeting attendance? If a group member misses two or more meetings with an unexcused reason then they are kicked out of the group. An excused reason for missing a meeting includes being sick, and school related conflicts. If a group member is not coming, then they must notify group at least an hour prior to the meeting. If a member misses a meeting, they need to talk to someone in the group and find out what they missed. A member of the group is only allowed to be no more than fifteen minutes late to a meeting. If they are later than 15 minutes and do not have a valid reason then it counts as an unexcused absence.

• Who is going to be responsible for putting together a meeting agenda? Who will lead the meeting? Or will everyone take turns?Meetings will be a collaborative effort that involve all group members. If a member knows of something that they need to address during the meeting then they should write it down and remind themselves to bring it up at the meeting. Everyone will take turns and work together during the meetings.

• What are the expectations for each meeting? What should each group member have accomplished?What should each group member have accomplished? It is expected that at each meeting the group members will be prepared, bring the necessary materials, arrive at the meeting on time, let group members know if they have to leave early. At the beginning of each meeting the group will set a list of things that need to be accomplished during the meeting. At the end of the meeting the group will set a list of goals to be accomplished prior to the next meeting.

• What are the expectations for group member behavior during meetings? It is expected that group members will stay on topic and focus during meetings, so that meeting may be as productive as possible. It addition, members will be respectful towards other group members and get work done in a timely and orderly fashion.

• How will you manage conflict? What will you do with a group member who is not participating or pulling their own weight or who is taking over the group?If a member of the group is not pulling their on way then the group will be honest and direct and confront the problematic group member. If problem persists give them a warning. If it gets to point where the group’s progress is being harmed then group member’s membership will be revoked.

• How will you make decisions? Our group will strive for consensus among members, but if it cannot be achieved, then the majority rules.

• How will you deal with members who don’t meet the deadlines established by the group? If deadline is not met by said day then the member will have until the next meeting to complete. If this is not done then they receive an unexcused absence. This does not apply if an assignment is due that week and time is running short, in this case the group members will decide the best way to handle it so that the work gets accomplished.

• Look ahead at the projects coming up (see syllabus). You need to set up a regular meeting schedule through the end of the semester. Our group will meet every Wednesday 6:15pm in the Carrier Library Starbucks. In case an extra meeting is needed that week, the group will meet in the Carrier Library Starbucks on Fridays at 1:00.

• What will you accomplish at each of those meetings? At the beginning of each meeting the groupwill set a list of goals and things to accomplish during the meeting. Each member will share with the group the progress they made since the last time the group met. Issues and problems will be addressed.

• The schedule should be updated as needed (I expect things to change as you go, but goals are good.) See below. We will be meeting twice a week until we feel that we no longer need to.

Meeting Schedule

1/28 Meet in Carrier Library Starbucks 10am

1/31 Group Dinner: Market One 6pm

2/2 Group Business Meeting 10am

2/2 Weekly Meeting #1 6: 15pm

2/4 TDU Hangout

2/4 Weekly Meeting #2 1:00

2/9 Weekly Meeting #1 6:15pm

2/11 Weekly Meeting #2 1:00

2/16 Weekly Meeting #1 6:15pm

2/18 ING Project Due

Maddy Dizzle sizzling at Market One

Today, January 31, 2011, Kim Greenshields, Julie Sjostrom, Madeline Burkard, Jacob ___, and I (Erick Zaldivar) ate at Market One. I got a Pepperoni Stromboli, Kim got a slice of cheese pizza hot and ready just like Mama Sbarro used to make, Madeline got the soup [I do not know why anyone would go to Market One for  the soup] Jacob AKA Jake got a Dasani, and Julie got like a sandwhich or Panini or something like that.
We learned a lot about each other today.  All the ladies are taken, so poor Jake has to look elsewhere for a girlfriend.  Kim's bf goes to VCU, Julie's bf has Longwood.... I mean goes to Longwood, Madeline, well Madeline has a bf who plays football.  We found out eachothers majors as well. Kim's major is Psychology, Julie's is now Spanish and International Affairs, Madeline's is Music Industry or something like that, Jake wants to be a History Major and I am an International Business/Spanish Major with a Minor in European Marketing.