POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

The Chair of Student Leadership understands that leadership is part of discipleship. Christ called his disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). It is the mission of the Newman Center to Call, Form, and Send. The Chair is therefore called to recall the mission of evangelization, to inspire discipleship in his/her fellow student leaders, to unite the student Leadership team, and to give practical help to student leaders in carrying out their roles. 

The Chair recognizes that an essential part of their role is prayer for each member of the Leadership Team and for the mission of evangelization on campus.

The Chair is responsible for working conjointly with Newman Center Staff, the Special Projects Team (SPT), and the Volunteer Missionaries. They lead the organization and coordination of the Leadership Team’s efforts to carry out the mission and vision of the Newman Center.

To carry out these responsibilities, the Chair plans the Leadership Team event and meeting schedule, attends NC staff meetings monthly, fosters a sense of teamwork amongst the student leadership team, leads student Leadership Team meetings, and serves as the secondary liaison between OSU Newman and OSU Campus (ASOSU, Pro-Life, etc.).

“God spoke further to Moses: This is what you will say to the Israelites: The LORD, the God of your ancestors… has sent me to you.” (Ex 3:15)

Servants of the Lord must interact with the world and deal with it well in order to be effective in evangelization. For the Newman Center, a major connection to the world is through Oregon State University. The Vice Chair is primarily responsible for OSU Newman’s connection to OSU Campus and is tasked with making all Catholic Student Association (CSA) reservations on campus. Through their work, they allow for the CSA members to be ‘Sent’ onto campus to share the Gospel. They are also responsible for encouraging student leadership to carry out their ministries for the evangelization of campus by inspiring them, recalling our vision, and giving practical help in carrying out student leadership roles.

The Vice Chair assists the Chair in the organization and coordination of the Leadership Team’s efforts to carry out the mission and vision of the Newman Center. They also recognize that an essential part of their role is prayer for each member of the Leadership Team and for the mission of evangelization on campus.

Practical responsibilities include serving as the primary liaison between OSU Newman and OSU Campus (ASOSU, Pro-Life, and buildings on campus for CSA reservations), and fostering a sense of teamwork amongst the student leadership team. They also help the Chair fulfill their responsibilities when required and are a part of the executive team.

"Your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs..." (2 Cor 8:14)

The Newman Center’s evangelization efforts rely upon the grace of God through the donations of various benefactors. In order to use them well, the Leadership Team must continue to be good stewards of these gifts. Well-managed resources allow the team to maximize the fruits of its labors and show the care that is put into every aspect of the mission of evangelization.

The Treasurer of student leadership serves as the primary financial liaison between OSU Newman and OSU Campus. They manage and apply for OSU funding opportunities on behalf of the Catholic Student Association. Through their diligent work, they help “supply” the CSA, in partnership with OSU Newman, with the funds to operate programs and events that are integral to the ‘Call’ stage of OSU Newman’s mission. In addition, the work of the Treasurer allows for CSA students to be ‘Sent’ onto campus to proclaim the gospel through Newman Center hosted programs and events.

Stewardship of existing resources is another critical role of the Treasurer. By working with the Newman Center bookkeeper, they establish budgets for Leadership Team events and the needs of the other ministries within the Leadership Team

As part of the executive team, the Treasurer also recognizes that prayer for the leadership team and for the mission of evangelization on campus is essential to this position.

"What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us..." (1 John 1:3)

The Communications Team creates promotional material for marketing Newman Center events and programs, and shares the day-to-day life at the Newman Center through the use of social media. Through this work, they help bring new students to join in the OSU Newman community and help to “proclaim” what we have witnessed. The work of the Communications Team is essential to the ‘Call’ stage of the Newman Center vision, capturing the eye of new students, awakening the desires for what Christ has to offer, and helping the whole community to recognize God’s work in our midst.

Communications Director

The Communications Director is responsible for leading the Communications Team which includes the flocknote manager, social media manager, photography liaison, and graphic designer. The Communications Director is responsible for directing the creation of the term-by-term communications schedule with the assistance of all comm team members. 

The Communications Director is the point-of-contact on the comm team for Newman Center Staff. In this role, they assist in communicating to the comm team all promotional needs for non-leadership team led events. These include GoFish, Newman Lectures, Pilgrimage to the Grotto (P2G), Annual Retreats, etc.

As part of the executive team, they also provide input on the efforts of the Leadership team.

Social Media Manager

The Social Media Manager is primarily responsible for managing OSU Newman’s Instagram account. It is vital that the Social Media Manager attend important Newman Center activities so as to capture and share the life of the Newman community.

The Social Media Manager focuses Instagram stories on capturing events in the moment and Instagram posts on recaps of events that should showcase the fruits of retreats, social gatherings, and other Newman Center events. Instagram secondarily serves as a vessel for promoting events and programs that are open to all students (i.e. Newman Lectures, Alpha, Welcome Week, etc.)

A “creative eye” for photography and a savviness for Instagram are important bonuses.

Flocknote Manager

The Flocknote Manager is responsible for running the weekly e-newsletter for Newman via Flocknote. This e-newsletter is sent out on Mondays and includes the promotion of larger events and programs such as Alpha, Newman Lectures, Welcome Week, Summit, Annual Retreats, GoFish, P2G, Walk for Life, etc. 

Occasionally, additional emails will need to be sent out during the week, depending on upcoming or unexpected event promotion.

The Flocknote Manager assists the Fragua team and Alpha 201 team with their respective Flocknote groups whenever necessary.

A “creative eye” and a familiarity with Flocknote and Canva are bonuses.

Graphic Design Manager

The Graphic Designer is responsible for creating compelling graphics for Flocknote, social media, the Newman Center events webpage, and occasionally, promotional materials (fliers, handouts, etc.). They develop the presentation slides for Mass Announcements on a weekly basis during the term. 

The Graphic Design Manager works in conjunction with Newman Center Staff on NC events/programs that are not primarily led by the Leadership Team when circumstances necessitate.

The graphic designer should be quick to reply to email or other forms of communication. Knowledge of graphic design concepts and familiarity with Canva (or a willingness to learn) is necessary. This position is best for someone who has talent with art and is interested in learning Newman Center branding.

Photography Liaison

New this year to the student Leadership Team is our photography liaison! This individual must have photography experience and be able to teach others basic photography skills.

They must be willing to learn Newman Center photography needs and criteria. Their team’s photography will assist the NC staff and Leadership Team with Instagram posting, website updates, the Newman Center Annual Report, and more.

The photography liaison will be responsible for training a photography team (2-3 others), creating a schedule of Newman events to photograph, making sure photographers are assigned to every event, and instructing and reviewing uploads to the photography shared drive.

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth..." (John 4:23)

The Eucharist lies at the heart of the Holy Mass and is the “source and summit” of our lives as Christians (CCC, 1324). Therefore, the Liturgy Director and team is tasked with working closely with VMs and fellow students to create an environment of reverence so that all who come may “worship the Father in spirit and truth.” The role of Liturgy Director and team is linked to the ‘Form’ stage of the Newman Center vision, allowing students to be formed through coming to know and experience the Holy Mass.

The Liturgy Director recognizes that prayer for students to have a powerful experience of Christ in the liturgy is essential to their role.

The Liturgy team works to prepare the student Masses, organize Thursday Cor ad Cor and Tabor, and set up for the First Friday Holy Hours. With the help of VMs and other staff, they train lectors, ushers, and greeters to help elevate the experience for those both inside and outside the Newman Center community. During liturgy meetings, the team will work with the VMs and the Society of Mary to care for the sacristies and Newman chapel. Responsibilities of the team also include controlling lighting at Masses and preparing the prayers of the faithful for Sunday masses. 

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’” (Mt 25:40)

We believe that to serve the “least” is to serve Christ himself. Partaking in works of mercy is an important step in the path of discipleship. The Works of Mercy Director and their team, by planning meaningful Works of Mercy for students to partake in, contributes to the ‘Form’ stage of the Newman Center mission. 

The WoM Director recognizes that prayer for an increase in compassion within our community and for God’s help for those we serve is an essential part of their role.

The WoM Director and WoM team are responsible for planning and executing Works of Mercy events, raising concern within the NC community for the poor, marginalized, and suffering, recruiting students to get involved, preparing prayer and reflection, finding ways to make Works of Mercy a bridge for new students, and inspiring act of care, service, and compassion within and beyond the Newman Center.

"They devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles and to the communal life..." (Acts 2:42)

The Socials Director is tasked with fostering fellowship within the Newman Center by hosting social events to experience the value of Christian community. The role of the Socials Director & Team not only ‘calls’ new students to the Newman Center through fun and attractive social events, but is also integral to the ‘Sent’ stage of the Newman Center vision so that when students graduate, they leave with life-long, Christ-centered friendships. 

It is the responsibility of the Socials Director & Team to plan one excellent social event per term and to coordinate other smaller ones, such as house socials. This includes coordinating space, materials, and budget for the events they plan. The Socials Team coordinates with the Communications Team for event promotion.

Members of this team must be able to plan ahead, pay attention to the interests of the community, and look for students on the periphery so as to make sure that no one is left behind.

"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise." (Psalm 98:4)

The role of Music Associate is integral to leading students in worship through music in the Liturgy. They assist students in bringing glory to God by praising his Holy Name in song. Music is an important element of our praise of Christ and our spiritual lives. Therefore, the work of the Music Associate is important for encouraging the formation and growth of Newman Center students.

The Music Associate works with the Music Director in recruiting and training worship teams for the Sunday Student Mass, and for the Tuesday and Thursday’s weekday Masses, and for animation in the programs. They lead rehearsals and provide requisite musical training. An ability to lead a team and create a deep sense of teamwork is required for this position. They must also be able to lead their teams in prayer.

The Music Associate will work alongside Julie to plan music according to the liturgical season and for particular celebrations. Please note that the music leader is expected to learn and lead a specific style of music and worship, with the guidance of Sr. Belen.

"He said to them, 'Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.'" (Mk 16:15)

The Outreach Director and Team plans and executes events and activities to ‘Call’ new students to the Newman Center so that we may “proclaim the gospel” and provide an opportunity for them to encounter Christ. It is a role which demands real apostolic zeal, true joy in the Gospel, and a desire to make the message of the Gospel reach many more students. Not only does the team reach out to new students, but they also encourage the rest of the community to share their faith through outreach events.These can include, but are not limited to, tabling and flyering on campus.

The Outreach Director and Team recognize that prayer for the mission of evangelization on campus is essential to their roles on the student leadership team.

In conjunction with Volunteer Missionaries, the Outreach Director and the outreach team assist with tabling on campus for Welcome Week, Alpha, Venture, and specific events.

One of the main operations of the Outreach team is to inspire zeal in the Leadership Team, and the greater Newman community. They help ensure that the mission of evangelization stays central to the efforts of the Leadership Team and Newman Center community as a whole.

Be “...as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” (Eph. 6:6-8)

The role of the technology (tech) liaison is to serve the community by organizing logistics, set up, coordination/supervision, care, take down, and transportation of technology for the Newman Center events. The tech liaison works closely with the music ministry team and the heads of other ministries to organize tech needs for Newman events. Some events include:

• Mass Sunday night at St. Mary’s

• Alpha (Tuesday nights)

• Fragua (Wednesday nights)

• Other seasonal events: GoFish, Newman Lecture, etc.

The tech liaison should show up to events early. The ability to plan well and in advance is a necessary skill. Organizational skills and time management are key. The tech liaison should also have full knowledge of all technology that Newman uses/owns (training is required). Having knowledge of the Newman Center’s technology needs before applying is a bonus, but training will be provided. This will allow the tech liaison to be prepared for events, as well as train others. The tech liaison is not expected to do everything, but rather to form a small team who can help with technology needs. This team can be comprised of leadership team members who have the capacity to take on more responsibility or other students in the NC community. The tech liaison should also feel responsible for the care and order of the equipment that the Newman Center owns, and maybe suggest repairs or investments.

Tech is a role that often goes unnoticed, but it is crucial. One should not strive to be praised for their deeds, but to fulfill their obligations out of an abundance of charity and of love for the Lord. However, technology is HIGHLY critical to the success of the leadership team, Newman Center events, and the various ministries of the Newman Center. Without technology, music tech would not function properly, presentations would not be able to be seen, and other projects would have less of an impact. 

Personal influence, from the earliest days of Christianity, helped show the light of Christ to more people. Encountering Him through others is a powerful way to evangelize and share the joy of Christ. Additionally, without a community to be a part of, it can be difficult to persist in the faith in today’s world. Finding a community and being heartily welcomed into it is crucial to forming disciples, which is what the Hospitality Team works to facilitate.

By greeting people before and after student masses, staffing the Newman Center desk, and connecting students to others with similar interests, the Hospitality Team ensures that new students and visitors feel welcomed within the Newman Center community. This is a responsibility of all community members but the Hospitality Team focuses particularly on this mission of connection to ensure no one is left out. They connect students to help develop an environment that shows the love of Christ and is conducive to their spiritual growth.