As of Spring 2015:

The PR team this semester has focused its efforts on gaining larger campus recognition and raising inter-team communication within AguaClara.

The foremost project that the team undertook this semester was the creation of a promotional video, featuring various pictures and collages created and edited using iMovie, for entry into the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Engineering For You Video Competition. Of the various grand challenges identified by the NAE, "providing access to clean water" and "restoring and improving urban infrastructure" were notable areas for which AguaClara's efforts resounded deeply. The video was uploaded to YouTube and submitted, and as of Mid-April the team has been notified that the video is moving onto the next round of judging. The grand prize for the competition is $25,000, and there are also other opportunities to win $5,000 for videos in each competition category. The final results of the competition will be announced in the Fall of 2015. The PR team also encouraged other technical subteams to apply for the Odebrecht Award and Sustainability Challenge, which carries a large potential prize for the students, faculty, and university/institution involved.

In addition to participating in these competitions, the PR team also gave presentations to various groups across campus, including the Cornell campus tour guides (explaining/discussing the role of Engineering Project Teams on campus) and visiting pre-frosh during Tau Beta Pi's Science/Engineering Fair in Duffield Hall. Both groups were well-receptive to the information shared. The team also contacted the Civil and Environmental Engineering Office in Hollister to learn about the possibility of obtaining a display case/bulletin space in the building to highlight the project team. Once a design has been created, the following PR team can send the design to one of the receptionists in the CEE office for approval for placement in the building. 

In efforts to foster cross-team communication, the team has continued the tradition of Bagel events and has been very involved in the design and ordering process for new AguaClara merchandise. This semester PR organized a Bagel Wednesday during normal team time, with the aim of encouraging various sub-teams to feast on bagels and cream cheese together. Numerous surverys and emails were sent to the entire AguaClara team to determine what merchandise members were interested in ordering. After an effort was made to clear out older inventory, the team decided on ordering quarterzip sweatshirts, staying in line with the survey results. After much work in the design process, Skyler was successfully able to order 18 newly designed AguaClara sweatshirts.

PR then shifted its focus toward the finances of the team; after running into multiple difficulties with funding for the Bagel Wednesday event and ordering the sweatshirts, the PR team decided to look into a more consolidated approach to handling AguaClara money. Team advisor Annie Cashon suggested the use of a bank account, and the team looked into the possibility, sending information and options to Felice and Skyler to potentially put in place. 

Throughout the semester the Spring 2015 team has successfully organized opportunities to both bring the AguaClara team closer together to make the AguaClara initiative and name known across campus.

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The main purpose of the Public Relations Team is to be the public face of AguaClara and raise awareness about international water related issues--specifically, the quest to provide access to safe drinking water.  On this page, our public relations group outlines how AguaClara strives to meet these goals.

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