On Saturday, April 16th, the largest day of service on Mizzou’s campus took place. Caring for Columbia (C4C) is a student-run organization that helps give back to the community of Columbia on so many levels. Garrett Romines, the executive director, is the man behind it all and helped it reach new heights this year. Read ahead to find more about Garrett!
Her Campus: How were you chosen as a Caring for Columbia executive director?
Garrett Romines: I was chosen through the executive application process. This process involved being selected from the advisor of C4C and from the outgoing exec board.
HC: What all do you have to do with this position?
GR: Wow. There was so much more to the position that I didn’t even know of. Being the Executive Director of C4C, I thought the responsibilities would be more delegation and distribution of tasks to my fellow executive board. However, the role changed greatly over time. I fostered relationships with Greek Week Steering Committee as well as RHA, NPHC, and several other presidents of various organizations across campus. I oversaw all the tasks and duties on our Day of Service while also planning Stereo meetings and working with MU administrators.
HC: What’s your favorite part about this position?
GR: Definitely the relationships I’ve made with the Steering Committee, but also with my Executive Board. I constantly reflect on the past year and everything that we did together and none of what happened on the 16th for our Day of Service could have been possible without the effort of my Exec Board. We bonded throughout the year and we finally got to a point where we started to joke about inviting each other to our weddings. Eventually, those jokes turned to serious conversations about life surrounded by Pizza Tree and Sonic Slushes.
HC: How long have you been involved with Caring for Columbia?
GR: I was involved with Caring for Columbia for 3 years. I was a participant my freshman year. Then, my sophomore year, I was selected to be on SteerCo with the Sponsorship Committee. After that, I applied to be Executive Director and I have served this role for the past year.
HC: What’s the most rewarding thing about this position or Caring for Columbia in general?
GR: The most rewarding aspect to the Day of Service has to be the bond that the MU students foster with the community. Whether that be serving at the Food Bank, playing with animals at the humane society, or putting on our first annual C4C Field Day with kids all across the city, the moments and memories that are created during our service time cannot be forgotten.
HC: What can other students do to get involved with Caring for Columbia for next year?
GR: Getting involved with C4C is super easy. It’s like the family that you never want to leave. Also, applications for Steering Committee will open in the fall (around the middle of September) and students can apply to be on Logistics, Projects, Sponsorship, or Outreach. Another way to get involved is to sign up to become a Project Coordinator (which leads the groups through their service at the sites on the Day of Service) when applications open next March, or just sign up with your orgs/friends and participate in Mizzou’s Largest Day of Service when sign ups occur next March! Our event next year is on April 15th.
HC: What other organizations are you involved in on campus?
GR: I am now the Director of Tiger’s Lair and the Director of International Service with Mizzou Alternative Breaks.