STRIPES director names assistants
Shannon Smith and Victor Roberto will serve as STRIPES assistant directors.
Published Nov. 30, 2004
As STIPES prepares to offer its 30,000th ride later this week, new leaders are preparing to replace outgoing Director Melanie Lambert and Assistant Director Dale Thuet.
Recently appointed STRIPES Director Mike Ekey announced his new assistant directors last week. Victor Roberto will serve as the new director of operations and Shannon Smith will serve as director of volunteers.
Ekey, a former employee of The Maneater, said he chose Roberto and Smith because of their involvement and commitment to STRIPES.
"They both had outstanding qualifications," he said. "As STRIPES begins to grow, I wanted people who would be able to move the organization forward."
Roberto will be in charge of fund-raising projects and obtaining more donations and sponsors, Ekey said.
Smith will be in charge of volunteer recruitment and retention, Ekey said.
This past year, there was only one assistant director, however in previous years, there were co-directors, Ekey said.
"I had planned to wait until next semester to split the position, but with both of them wanting it and being so qualified, I felt it was the best decision," he said.
Smith said she's been involved with STRIPES since last year and has been a team leader this semester.
"I really love doing it" it's really important," she said. "STRIPES has done a lot for me and my friends."
Smith said she will be in charge of overseeing team leaders, and she also plans to increase publicity about the program. Team leaders are individuals who direct volunteers during nights that STRIPES operates.
"Basically, I'll be in charge of making sure (team leaders) know what's going on with STRIPES so they can tell the volunteers and keep them involved," she said.
Ekey said he'd like to see Smith increase retention and recruitment rates.
"With as many volunteers as we have, it's hard for them to recognize who's in charge," he said. "She has some great ideas to make it more personal even though we have more than 300 volunteers."
Members of the organization hand out business cards with the STRIPES phone number for students to call for a free ride home. Smith said one of her ideas to improve recruitment is to include information about how to get involved with the organization on the cards.
Smith said she hopes to increase participation in STRIPES so they can decrease the amount of time students wait for a ride home.
Ekey said Roberto's main tasks would include increasing sponsorships by local businesses.
"Support from organizations outside the university will be important as STRIPES continues to grow," he said.
Roberto said he's eager to begin his new role as director of operations.
"I'm looking forward to working with the board to make STRIPES a stronger organization," he said.
