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Leadership Journey: UCLAPublic Health Nutrition Club
Sakura Takahashi, Candidate for MPH, University of California, Los Angeles
Background Planning Process
Colloquium Series
Rescheduled Event
Lessons Learned
Supported by the UCLA Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition, the Public Health Nutrition Club (PHNC) at UCLA believes that good nutrition is the basis for a healthy life.
Our purpose is to provide nutrition education to the public and volunteer opportunities for our members to network and develop leadership skills.
I became involved with the PHNC as a way to become a public health nutrition advocate, participate in numerous volunteer opportunities, and enhance my leadership skills. As the co-‐President of the graduate student group, one of my major tasks is organizing and coordinating the PHNC’s Colloquium events.
The PHNC hosts a Colloquium series on a quarterly basis where guest speakers from local health-‐promoting and innovative organizations present on the incredible work they do to raise awareness on important issues and educate UCLA undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.
For the December Colloquium, Imperfect Produce was chosen because of its potential in educating the UCLA community on building a more sustainable and effective food system by raising awareness on food access and food waste.
Imperfect Produce is an organization striving to reduce the food waste of nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables by delivering produce directly to customers’ homes.
• Corresponding with Imperfect Produce to confirm details of event
• Applying for on-‐campus funding for catering order• Reserving parking for speakers and a room for the
Colloquia• Creating the Eventbrite page to track potential
attendees• Revamping the event flyer, posting throughout
campus to raise awareness, interest and participation• Sharing the event via email list-‐servs and TV monitors
On the day of the event, classes were cancelled due to the proximity of the Skirball fire in Los Angeles.• The Skirball fire was a 400-‐acre wildfire, about three
miles from the northwest side of campus, which lasted for four days before being fully-‐contained
Honing in on my leadership skills, I was able to prioritize the safety of the UCLA community and utilize effective communication skills to contact the guest speaker, RSVPed guests, catering company, funding director, and the Student Affairs Officer to successfully reschedule the event for January.
Some lessons learned that will be helpful in moving forward in my life and career: how to efficiently use my resources and support network, think on my feet, and effectively communicate with others under pressure
Despite the rescheduling of the Colloquia, the event was a success – 32 members of the UCLA community were educated on the philosophy of the organization, how to build a more sustainable and effective food system, and how to help fight food waste.
The success of the event was especially highlighted when more than a quarter of attending students signed up for the subscription services of Imperfect Produce, spreading the message that eating uglier can make a huge impact!
Unexpected Challenges LeadershipFor the planning, cancellation, rescheduling, and final implementation of the Colloquia, I utilized a number of leadership competencies. I was able to effectively communicate what was being said and how the message was being presented (Competency #5). Using my critical thinking skills, I was able to identify a solution to the problem at hand (Competency #4). And throughout the entire process, I maintained my composure and fulfilled my responsibilities as co-‐President of the club (Competency #3).
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