Want to be an officer for Planet Longhorn? Its easy! We have officer elections every semester, in which every officer position is re-run for except for the president and vice-president positions. Once your application is reviewed, you will be expected to give a 2-3 minute speech outlining why you think you’d be a magnificent leader for Planet Longhorn.

Fall 2012 Officer Elections

You can fill out our online application form here: Online Application Form.

You can also download the form here: Planet Longhorn Officer Application and email the completed application to president@planetlonghorn.net.

The deadline is Sunday, April 29th. Elections are Tuesday, May 1st in our general meeting (7:30 p.m. in UTC 3.132).

The following positions are up for election:

• Vice President

The Vice President is responsible for the coordination and communication among all officer and chair positions. In the  event that the President is unavailable or impeached, the Vice President assumes all presidential responsibilities. A vice president must display a complete understanding of each respective officer’s duties and possess the confidence necessary to assist in the role of each position.

• Director of Events (2)
  • There are 2 Directors of Social Events who will work together to figure out the details of what is needed to put together our amazing events, both formal and informal. As events are the biggest thing we do, all officers and members will be available to help out with coming up with event ideas and running the events. The two Directors will carry out and schedule all of the necessary items for events.
  • Responsibilities
    • Creating FB event invites
    • Finding appropriate contact information needed for events
    • Brainstorming venues
    • Figuring out and scheduling the procurement of what supplies are needed
    • Figuring out and scheduling the procurement of the number of people needed to run event, set-up, clean-up, etc. (create sign-up sheets)
    • Estimate total cost of event (minus income from ticket sales)
    • Fill out Post-Event Info Sheet
• Director of Student Affairs
  • The Director of Student Affairs’ main responsibility is recruiting new members through such things as tabling events, study abroad fairs, Forty Acres Fest, and more! Director of Student Affairs must be outgoing, creative, and willing to talk to new people! The Director of Student Affairs will work with the Director of Community Affairs often, as their job roles often coincide.
  • Responsibilities
    • Tabling events
      • party on the plaza, forty acres fest, longhorn Halloween, study abroad fairs, etc
    • Coming up with at least 1 new idea for recruiting per semester
    • Advertising planet longhorn to UT student population (scholarship, cultural experience)
    • Fostering a presence among study abroad and exchange programs
    • Work with publicity chair in creating flyers and informational material
• Director of Community Affairs
  • Formerly Director of Public Affairs, the Director of Community Affairs is responsible for connecting Planet Longhorn with other organizations, causes, and activities at UT and within the Austin community. This includes activities such as IM sports, volunteer opportunities (i.e. Dance Marathon, Race for the Cure, etc), and creating Planet Longhorn teams to participate in charity fundraising events hosted by other organizations. The Director of Community Affairs will work with the Director of Student Affairs often, as their job roles often coincide.
  • Responsibilities
    • IM Sports
    • 2-3 Fundraising or volunteer Opportunities per semester
    • 2-3 Opportunities to participate with other organizations on campus
    • Managing official organization and charity accounts
• Director of Business Relations
  • The Director of Business Relations is responsible for securing advertising deals, sponsorship agreements, referral/commission programs with local businesses. This includes selling space on the housing page or housing document, setting up referral programs with local apartments and realty agencies, and coming up with new and creative ways for Planet Longhorn to raise funds from local businesses such as sponsoring T-shirts or events. This is a great, especially for advertising majors, to get experience in sales, marketing, and business for your resume! And it’s quantitative, you can tell employers how much you raised!
  • Responsibilities
    • At least 1 advertising deal per semester
    • 2-3 sponsorship plans
• Treasurer
  • The Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of expenses and revenue and writing reimbursements. The treasurer is also responsible for documenting these numbers to see how much we lost/made on any particular event so that we know where our finances stand. You are also here to encourage fiscal responsibility among all members and come up with new and creative ways for PL to cut costs!
  • Responsibilities
    • Discussing costs and appropriate ticket pricing of events with Directors of Social Events
    • Being at all collection times
    • Writing receipts for ticket sales/accounting for PayPal ticket sales and keeping track of ticket sales #s
    • Collecting all receipts for expenses from events
    • Updating Event excel sheet with expenses/revenue #s
    • Collecting reimbursement forms
• Historian
  • The Historian documents the Planet Longhorn semester through photographic evidence and text. You are encouraged to get creative and find new, fun ways to provide American and Exchange students with ways to remember their semester in Austin with PL whether that be DVD video/slideshows, group photos, etc.
  • Responsibilities
    • Taking pictures at all events and activities (or finding someone to do so if you cannot make it)
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Taking and distributing notes at general and officer meetings
    • Updating trifold at the end of the semester
    • Creating end of the year slideshow
    • Maintaining the official membership database
    • Recording and managing membership attendance and activity
• Webmaster
  • Webmaster keeps the Planet Longhorn website up to date for anyone that views it. They are available to make appropriate changes throughout the semester when needed. The webmaster should also come up with new ways to improve the website.
  • Responsibilities
    • Adding newsletters as soon as they come out
    • Exploring website for areas that are underused or insignificant and can be removed
    • Keeping information up to date
    • Adding questionnaire form and officer application forms to website
    • Finding ways make the website more user-friendly and efficient

**Near the start of every semester, Planet Longhorn also gives both local and exchange members an opportunity to apply for a variety of chair positions within the organization. Elected by the officers of the given semester, active chair positions include, but are not limited to: Sports, Design, Publicity, and Alumni Relations. Those potentially interested in being a chair are encouraged to approach any officer with questions, or simply to express their interest.