Although the 2006 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is still months away, overall chairs are now looking for more than 200 leaders to help fight pediatric cancer.
Captain applications for all Thon committees become available today on the Thon Web site, www.thon.org, and the Thon office, 216 HUB-Robeson Center. All applications are due at the Thon office by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9.
Captain interviews will take place
the following week, from Sept. 12 to 16.
Thon Overall Chair Evan Jacobs said since Thon is a student-run event, the overall committee is looking for applicants in all majors.
"We are looking for applicants with a wide range of skills," Jacobs said.
Each Thon committee is made up of an overall chair, captains and committee members. Jacobs said the overall committee is looking to fill more than 200 captain positions.
Thon committees include operations (OPP), communications, corporate relations, entertainment, public relations, finance, hospitality, marketing, morale, public relations, rules and regulations, special events and technology. A complete list of Thon captain and committee descriptions can also be found on the Thon Web site.
Committee member applications, which can also be found on the Thon Web site and in the office, will be available Sept. 19 and are due Oct. 3.
Operations Chair Allen Goldate and Finance Chair Mike Werstuik both said Thon experience is not required, but they are looking for captain applicants with leadership qualities who are also hardworking and motivated.
Throughout Thon weekend, Goldate said the operations committee helps out other committees and builds whatever is needed for the event. The committee also assists with events prior to Thon such as the Thon 5K, Family Carnival and Four Diamonds Recycling Effort.
The finance committee develops various fund-raising methods such as pledging, canning, holding car washes and letter writing. Werstuik said the committee's goal this year is to encourage families to write more letters.
Goldate said one challenge operations captains may face is motivating committee members to clean mats during early mornings in the fall to prepare for Thon weekend. The operations committee is also in charge of the Big Move, where Goldate said volunteers "take over Rec Hall and transform it into Thon."
Werstuik said the finance committee is in charge of keeping track of the donations Thon receives and crediting donations to the proper organizations. He said confidentiality is important because it allows those involved to "keep the focus off the money and put the focus on the kids."
Public Relations Overall Chair Jaci Christopher said the public relations committee will be working to make Thon nationally known through press releases, videos and media kits, which include Thon T-shirts and bracelets.
Christopher said when choosing her captains, she will look for applicants who are outgoing and motivated.
"The drive has to be there -- like the love for Thon and for the kids," she said.
