The first Intra Club Council meeting of the semester took place at 11 a.m. on Aug. 27.

Representatives and presidents of campus clubs were in attendance as the coordinator of Student Activities, Dean Ackland, and commissioner of ICC, Brian Kochems, greeted everybody and went over important guidelines for clubs.

The meeting was called to order as soon as everybody settled down after signing in and collecting various flyers, with the pledge of allegiance being next on the agenda.

Ackland stressed the importance of turning in activity requests for all clubs so that the ASCC remains well informed.

He also advised the club members to plan their events ahead of time so that a margin of a couple of months can be used to publicize the event.

He also encouraged the clubs to use the campus radio station and the student newspaper for the widespread publicity of their events.

He also mentioned that a notification board has been put up in the club room that will announce approved events of a club to all the other clubs and advisors so that everybody keeps up with all the happenings.

He also reminded that club accounts are essential for all clubs, as individuals are not allowed to keep club money with them.

Further, he emphasized that the students’ first priority should be their education and that is the most important thing they are here for.

“Stay up with assignments. Don’t put things off for later and you’ll feel ready and confident by the end of the semester,” he said.

Kochems then went over the guidelines for the upcoming senate elections and the club information day scheduled for Sept. 2 and 3.

“Good luck for running,” he said, expressing his enthusiasm for all the election applicants.

American Red Cross ambassador, Rob Torrez, who refers to himself as the “local vampire,” distributed bloodmobile sign-up sheets to club representatives and also had some announcements to make.

He informed that the Red Cross comes to Cerritos College five times every year to collect blood, and the upcoming blood drive for September has always been the largest.

This time around the event have been set on Sept. 14 through 16, starting at 8 a.m. and going all the way to 8 p.m. to facilitate students who take evening classes.

He also reminded club representatives of the contest for the top club with the most donors at the blood drive. He also mentioned the club that wins the title gets presented with a trophy at the spring banquet and a pizza party thrown out for all its members.

“Have fun with it. It is your blood drive and I am here to support you,” he said while asking as many people to sign up.

He also mentioned that he would hand out parent consent forms for 16-year olds who wish to donate blood, as according to the state of California the minimum age for a blood donor is 17.

Other requirements need the donor to be 110 pounds or more, be in good health and should have lived in the United States for the last three years. Cerritos College students will also need their ID cards to sign up.

Sign-ups are taking place now in front of the library, in front of the student center, and at the Student Health Services office.

Torrez also suggested club representatives to put out the blood drive sign up sheet at their club table at club information day to encourage students to sign up.

Afterwards, club representatives made some announcements about their upcoming projects and other details.

Fundraiser coordinator and president of Child Development Club, La Shawn Woolfolk, announced a fundraising opportunity that will send out decorative candles and other packages directly to the clients. This offer is available to all clubs and more details can be obtained by contacting her.

Next announcement came from Tito Benavides who made an offer to all the clubs on behalf of the campus radio station, WPMD.

“Broadcasting club wants to offer eq
ual airtime to any club for whatever their issue is. We can make a spot for you and will run it continually at WPMD. It is everyone’s radio station and we want to utilize it for all of you in every way possible, for whatever reason,” he said

Further on he said that all the clubs are more than welcome to come in and create a commercial for their upcoming events, “Just come in with the facts and we will have fun with it.”

Announcement regarding a new club, tentatively called the “Future Leaders of Tomorrow,” was also made.

It plans on allowing students to seek guidance from professionals regarding their field of interest. Room and meeting details have not been decided yet.

A representative from the Music Club announced a campaign to get active on campus by arranging regular performances from the community. The club is also welcoming various forms of talent from across the campus.

The Cosmetology Club announced to offer its services on club information day and night.

The Model UN Club and Speech/Debate club also announced their club’s meeting times and welcomed students to visit their table at the club information day.

At the end, Ackland reminded everyone about the new mobile alert notification system introduced at Cerritos College to inform students about any kind of emergency on campus or news alert.

This free of charge service can be subscribed to by texting CERRITOS to 253788, and replying Y as a confirmation. Students can also sign up at www.alertu.org/cerritos.

“This facility has been provided by the campus at large and the campus police,” Ackland said.