Executive Board 2009-2010
| BALSO President: | Amanda Adeleye |
| NBLHO Co-President: | Daniela Diaz |
| SNMA Co-President: | Daren McCalla |
| Vice President: | Grace Berry |
| Treasurer: | Francis Onyimba |
| Secretary: | Quinn Leslie |
| Community Service Chair: | Cierra Moss |
| Events Coordinator: | Michelle Jamison |
| MAPS Liaison: | Elizabeth Lord |
| Historian: | Renee Ingram |
| Webmaster: | Mutaz Musa |
Position Details
In Amanda's WordsBALSO President
The position of President involves chairing the Executive Board meetings and General Body Meetings. This involves making sure that there is a set agenda, that it is followed and that concerns of BALSO members are addressed within meetings or in a timely fashion. Generally, the President ensures that tasks of individual board members are followed so that activities related to BALSO run smoothly. The President is also in charge of making sure that BALSO meets the requirements of the P & S Club, SNMA and LMSA. Being President of BALSO is a significant responsibility since BALSO is such a large organization on campus but it is also extremely rewarding. It is a great way to gain leadership experience as well as use your talents to make BALSO an even more successful organization.
In Daren's WordsSNMA Co-President
The position of SNMA Co-President is important to BALSO's good standing on a regional and national level. This position is the liaison between our chapter and other similar minority medical school groups in SNMA Region IX (NY and NJ area) and across the country. At the very least, the SNMA Co-President is responsible for attending monthly regional conference calls to give and receive updates, collaborating with the BALSO treasurer on completing a Financial report and also completing a Chapter Activity Report every 3 months. Another major role for this position is to encourage participation in the Regional and National SNMA Conferences from our students, the Office of Diversity, and various departments in the hospital. Other responsibilities can include community service, mentoring (in combination with MAPS), political advocacy (like the Letter Writing campaign), and other protocols that will be brought to your attention once you are a member of the SNMA leadership. Depending on your interest and time constraints, this position could be demanding or just a minor obligation. It is a valuable opportunity to learn more about an esteemed organization and network with minorities in the medical profession.
In Grace's wordsVice President
Traditionally, the Vice President of BALSO oversees the academic component of BALSO, particularly the practice practicals. The Vice President also serves in all capacities as assigned by the President including in the areas of Administration, Recruitment, and Events. The Vice President helps to coordinate not only BALSO events, but SNMA and NBLHO events as well, and serves as dictated in the absence of the President. For more information, feel free to contact Grace (gb2221@columbia.edu).
In Frances' WordsTreasure
The Treasurer of BALSO is expected to:
- Collect and deposit dues
- Keep record of expenses and revenues from BALSO events
- Complete the end-of-year report and SNMA quarterly finance statement with the presidents
- Meet occasionally with Rosemarie to discuss the club budget and receive updated statements from the P&S account
- Discuss with other eboard members to determine event budgets/ allocations, grant applications, and possible fundraisers.
- Attend/participate in eboard and general body meetings
Events Coordinator
The Events Coordinator is responsible for making arrangements for BALSO, SNMA, and LBHO events including making room reservations, arranging food for the general body meetings and after the BALSO Anatomy practice practical, and coordinating with other groups that may be involved in the event. This position entails being available prior to and during these events and helping in any way to make sure that they run smoothly. The events coordinator is also in charge of planning social events monthly for the entire BALSO community.
In Renee's WordsHistorian
The BALSO Historian is responsible for keeping the BALSO constitution/by-laws up to date. The Historian is also responsible for keeping a visual and written record of BALSO events during the time they are in office. This includes working closely with the Webmaster and secretary to ensure proper documentation of events held.
In Mutaz's WordsWebmaster
The Webmaster, predictably enough, is responsible for maintaining BALSO's website. Essentially, s/he is responsible for adding features that the Board and community request as well as updating site content such as photos and documents. If you're considering this position a familiarity with MVC frameworks and PHP would be helpful but by no means necessary. This site was baked with Cake.
The following positions are based on descriptions from the Constitution as is and may be modified upon ratification. Please ask each of these members about specific responsibilities related to the position
LMSA Co- PresidentThe LMSA Co-President shall be responsible for maintaining the relationship between BALSO and the LMSA regional chapter and national organization. The LMSA Co-President shall represent the BALSO chapter at all required meetings and shall disseminate relevant information to the BALSO general body.
SecretaryThe Secretary shall be responsible for all BALSO correspondence; the dissemination of newsletters, agendas and other material related to the activities of BALSO and its meetings; the minutes of all BALSO meetings of the membership and the Executive Board; and the maintenance of the records of BALSO.
Community Service ChairThe Community and Education Projects Committee shall act to increase the involvement of BALSO in community services activities and to coordinate BALSO's cultural, academic and educational projects including workshops and discussions that promote health and education.
MAPS ChairThe MAPS coordinator shall function as the liaison between the Columbia University MAPS chapter, a group associated with SNMA. The MAPS coordinator shall ensure that members of MAPS have mentors from the BALSO community.