| RSO Spotlight: Advocates for Choice |
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| Written by Melissa Castor, Daily Vidette Staff Writer |
| Tuesday, 13 October 2009 20:58 |
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Recently, ISU has welcomed with open doors the Advocates for Choice, a new RSO on campus. The organization’s goal is to build a better campus community through reproductive health information, increasing contraception access and mobilizing students during legislative periods. Members work as part of a team to accomplish these goals while utilizing their personal skills and improving their own experience on campus. According to Tom Alte, a junior political science major and president of AFC, the organization is like an extension of Planned Parenthood to the ISU campus. They provide education, access and opportunities for involvement in all areas of reproductive health. The organization has already hosted some events on-campus. According to Alte, the group has just finished with some condom drives and events aimed to help the group find its footing on campus. AFC is now planning a bar crawl to give out free condoms and spread the word about reproductive health and their organization. According to Jessica Anderson, a senior sociology major and co-president of AFC, the group will be having a candy and condom pass out on the Quad to add to Halloween festivities. “I’ve always thought reproductive health issues were important, but now I have a much deeper appreciation for how important it is to the campus community. I’m more open about talking with my friends and strangers about being safe and standing up for what they believe in, in addition to doing those things myself,” Alte said. “Being a part of Advocates for Choice has changed my college experience. Even though I am a senior, it gave me an opportunity to meet many people that I normally wouldn’t have had the chance to. I have met many people from different majors and fields of study,” Anderson said. “It really is a good experience…We do work with the campus and the community, as well as partake in social activities. Besides all of the information you receive and learn, you learn secondary skills about communicating with people and being an active part of a student organization,” she said. For those interested in AFC, the only requirement is to be an ISU student. AFC is also looking for other qualities in its members including willingness to educate peers. The group also requires members to attend their bi-weekly meetings. “Personally I’ve gotten some great experience working as an executive member. Since we’re new there are a ton of opportunities to be a leader. I get to work with the campus and other organizations and I think that experience will help me in my career,” Alte said. “We’re brand new, so there are opportunities for everyone. If you come by and decide it’s not for you, that’s fine too, we just appreciate any help we can get spreading the word about these issues, especially since they’re so important for our classmates and our communities,” he said. |
