Captains

Alumni Relations

The Alumni Relations Committee works closely with the Penn State Alumni Association to ensure that alumni have a great experience when they return for Homecoming events, as well as to highlight the successes and achievements of Penn State alumni throughout the year. We coordinate all logistics involving Homecoming’s Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal, two individuals who exemplify the mission and ideals of this university. We also strive to build and maintain a strong relationship between the Homecoming Executive Committee, Penn State alumni, and the Penn State community through various events and initiatives, such as the Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social and the Tailgate Competition. Our committee color is Royal Blue.

Competition

The Competition Committee is responsible for coordinating the registration of student organizations and the scoring/judging for all competition events – Float, Madhatter, and Banner. We continue to develop the point system for all Homecoming events as well as manage the Homecoming Guide. All aspects of Homecoming pertaining to competition fall within this committee. We are also in charge of all communication between Homecoming and the competing organizations. We work to recruit new organizations and remain as an available resource for all Homecoming information. Our committee color is Black.

Court Relations

The Court Relations Committee is responsible for coordinating the selection of the Homecoming Student, University, and Graduate Courts, as well as planning various related events throughout the year. We review court applications and nominations, as well as coordinate a student leader panel for the University and Graduate Court selection, and a faculty panel for selection of the Student Court. These individuals will develop creative ways to advertise voting for the Guide State Forward Award and increase the involvement of the Courts throughout the year in Homecoming. Court Relations captains also strive to meet, connect, and select members of the Penn State community to participate in our court who represent the values of Penn State and do everything For The Glory. Our committee color is Purple.

Financial Management

The Financial Management Committee works to prepare Homecoming’s operating budget for submission to the Student Fee Board and manages all transactions related to Homecoming’s Associated Student Activities account. The Financial Management Committee is also responsible for securing all donations, both in-kind, food and beverage, and monetary, per request of the Executive Committee. The committee also plans and coordinates all fundraising events including sporting event/concert concession and fundraisers at businesses located in State College. Lastly, they will work to develop positive relationships with all sponsors and ensure that they receive the appropriate entitled benefits. Our committee color is Kelly Green.

Internal Development

The Internal Development Committee works throughout the year to promote professional and personal growth of directors, captains and committee members. This committee is responsible for coordinating a variety of professional development workshops and team-building events leading up to Homecoming week. Internal Development also plans the End of the Year Banquet to celebrate the successes of the year! Our Committee color is Pink.

Merchandise

The Merchandise Committee is responsible for the ordering and sales of all merchandise for Homecoming. We work to find innovative ways to create, market, and sell Homecoming merchandise, and to emphasize brand pervasiveness, consistency, and customer service. We are responsible for maintaining the inventory of all merchandise and for documenting merchandise purchases throughout the year. We also coordinate all online store orders and ensure the online store is operating correctly. The Merchandise Committee strives to celebrate Homecoming through the sale of quality products and cutting-edge designs. Our committee color is Sapphire.

OPPerations

The OPPerations Committee is responsible for all of the logistical aspects behind every Homecoming Event. We plan and prepare to know how each event will work and ensure that it will run smoothly and safely. To do this, we acquire, setup, manage, and teardown all equipment used for each event before, during, and after Homecoming Week. We also promote proper waste management at all of our events as a part of our zero waste initiatives. The OPPerations Commitee focuses on the inventory that Homecoming currently owns, and what they may need to buy throughout the year for various events. We also allocate all resources to other committees or organizations. While we often work behind the scenes, OPP plays a pivotal role in the success of Penn State Homecoming. Our committee color is Orange.

Parade

The Parade Committee is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing the largest student-run parade in the nation. This entails coordinating the participation of student, alumni, and community organizations in the parade, communicating parade policy and procedures to all participants, creating the Parade Order, and managing the set up and tear down of the Parade Grounds. The Parade Committee will also perform float safety inspections prior to Parade Day and organize the Recycle Your Float event. Our committee color is Safety Green.

Pride Events

The Pride Events Committee is responsible for planning major events such as Legacy, Allen Street Jam, Past to Present, the Best of Penn State Carnival, and the Friends & Family Tent on Parade Day. These events help unite the Penn State community throughout the year by engaging all aspects of the university and teaching them about historical traditions that makes Penn State what it is today. We want to bring all Nittany Lions together through celebrating Penn State! Our committee color is Light Blue.

Public Relations

The Public Relations Committee is responsible for documenting and promoting all events for Homecoming as well as showcasing the traditions and stories of Penn State. The Committee consists of videographers, photographers, and graphic designers that will be at the Pride Events and other essential Homecoming dates. Our mission is to keep the Penn State community such as students, alumni, faculty, and staff involved in the tradition by capturing the memories and ensuring our information is clear to the public. Applicants should be creative, have some photography or video experience, and have basic editing software knowledge. Applicants should submit 5 pictures or videos that demonstrate their skillset. Our committee color is Lavender.

Talent Relations

The Talent Relations Committee is responsible for showcasing students and local community members’ unique talents and creative endeavors as well as captivating audiences with commentary and music curation. This committee maintains relationships with all performing groups and works to produce the annual Homecoming Dance Competition, For the Glory Talent Show, and Drag Show in collaboration with Opulence, a student group of drag ambassadors. Additionally, the Talent Relations committee recruits and develops the skills of the two Homecoming Emcees, in addition to writing the scripts the Emcees will use to perform throughout the year. This committee also works to finalize the performance timeline for all Homecoming events. Our committee color is Red.

Technology

The Technology committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of the official Homecoming website and technological advancement of Homecoming initiatives. This includes regular updates to the website, operating the merchandise store, handling applications, registrations, and other content that needs to be on the website. Our responsibilities also include taking on projects to enhance the Homecoming experience through technological immersion. The Technology Committee is always looking for ways to improve Homecoming through the use of technology by increasing efficiency. Our committee color is Gold.

University Relations

The University Relations Committee works to increase involvement in Homecoming and serves as the liaison between Homecoming, Penn State administrators, student organizations, Penn State Athletics, and faculty. University Relations is responsible for planning and coordingating the logistics behind events such as the Homecoming Day of Service, Homecoming Golf Tournament, Homecoming Blood Drives, Homecoming Food Drives, and more. The University Relations Committee also works to organize various athletics events throughout the year, like the Homecoming Basketball Game. They also work with SPA for the concert to kick off Homecoming Week. The University Relations Committee is always looking for creative ways to interact with the University and the Penn State Community. We dedicate time throughout the entire year, including after Homecoming Week, in order to promote a year-round celebration of Penn State Homecoming. Our committee color is Pink.

Alumni Relations

Inter Committee Liaison/Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social (1)

This captain will act as the Administrative Assistant and plan the Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social. As the Administrative Assistant they will work closely with the Alumni Relations Director in organizing team building events and acting as the main connection between Alumni Relations and other committees. Their responsiblities will include taking meeting minutes, checking and collaborating with other captains, sending out reminders, and designing/ordering all Alumni Relations Committee merchandise. The ICS role requires they work closely with the Alumni Association to formulate the event layout, entertainment and activities, and the timeline. This captain will be responsible for reaching out to performing organizations, student organizations, and the student population in order to increase attendance and help advertise the event. This captain will also act as the liaison between Alumni Relations and Financial Management , working with the Financial Managmenet Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year. This individual must demonstrate creativity and an ability to work through event planning logistics while being organized and have strong communication skills.

Alumni Court (1)

This captain is in charge of all logistics pertaining to the Penn State Homecoming Alumni Court. This individual will oversee the publicizing of the court, as well as the application and interview process. This individual will be responsible for maintaining and promoting good relationships between any Alumni chapters and groups involved in the process. Once the Alumni Court is selected, this individual is tasked with acting as the liaison between Homecoming and the Alumni Court. During Homecoming Week, this captain will go to Court Reception (along with your GM/HGM Liaison) to introduce the court to the audience. They will also escort the court to Vehicle Grounds and meet them at the end of the route to escort them to F&FT on Parade Day.

Alumni Engagement: Social Media (1)

This captain will be in charge of working with the Alumni Association to promote alumni recognition beyond just Homecoming Week. They will be responsible for utilizing our social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, to connect with accomplished alumni and reach out to interview them for the Alumni Spotlight Initiative. They will work closely with PR for the Spotlights and with use of Homecoming Social Media. This captain should be ambitious in their efforts to stay engaged with and highlight the successes of alumni through online platforms and be comfortable demonstrating professionalism while interviewing these alumni. This captain should be enthusiastic in their interactions and creative in finding new ways to highlight Penn State alumni. This captain will work closely with the other Alumni Engagement: Events Captain to highlight additional events.

Alumni Engagement: Events (1)

This captain will be in charge of working with the Alumni Association to promote student engagement with alumni beyond just Homecoming Week, including guest speakers, luncheons and networking events. They will work closely with the Administrative Assistant, as well as the Alumni Association, to create new events and initiatives that will further engage students and alumni. They will also work with their director to continue to grow AlumniTalks. They should be ambitious in their efforts to stay engaged with and highlight the successes of alumni, and will be in charge of creating new ways to showcase our alumni throughout the year Homecoming season. This captain should demonstrate professionalism and have strong communication skills to other Homecoming volunteers and incoming Alumni.

Grand Marshal/Honorary Grand Marshal Captain (1)

This captain will be in charge of maintaining contact with Homecoming’s Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal prior to and throughout Homecoming Week, ensuring that they are aware of the timeline and other important information. They are in charge of promoting the Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal to the Penn State population, including planning how they will be revealed and sharing how these individuals have contributed to the Penn State community. This individual must be organized, demonstrate professionalism, and have strong communication skills. During Homecoming Week, this captain will go to Court Reception (along with your Alumni Court Captain) to introduce the GM and HGM. Additionally, this captain will escort the GM and HGM to Vehicle Grounds and F&FT on Parade Day.

Competition

Events & Registration (1)
The Event Captain should be outgoing, organized, have good communication skills, and be willing to reach out to distinguished Penn State students, faculty,and alumni. The Events/Registration Captain is responsible for the organization of the Madhatter Competition, Banner Competition, and Competitor Registration. This captain is also responsible for being present to greet the judges and explain the scoring process of Banner Competition. This Captain will also oversee the execution of all areas of the Madhatter Competition. This Captain will also be working with the financial Management Director on Competitor Registration.

Organization Liasons (3)
The Organization Liaisons serve as the main point of communication for all Penn State Homecoming Competitors. The Liaisons will be working to further outreach to more organizations on campus. These Captains must have a vast knowledge of everything involved with Competition and Homecoming, including, events, rules, dates, and scoring and will need to be prepared to answer Competitor questions at any time. They will be responsible for the planning and execution of the Spring and Fall Homecoming Information Meetings. The Competing pairs will be split, and each Organization Liaison will be given a group of Competitors for which they will provide information and send reminders to. These Captains must be responsible, organized, have strong communication skills, and be prepared to work with many individuals.

Points (1)
The Point Master Captain is required to attend all events at which Spirit and/or Competition Points are available and will oversee signing in organization members to receive points. They are required to create detailed spreadsheets that will be used by themselves as well as Competition Captains to keep track of all Competition and Spirit Points for each specific event. These captains should be organized, prompt, and have some experience in creating spreadsheets (Excel).

Rules & Regulations (1)
The Rules & Regulations Captain will be responsible for administering deductions according to the rules set forth in the Rulebook and will be required to create Rulebook quizzes that will be given to Competition Captains as well as Homecoming Chairs of each organization. This captain is also responsible for overseeing the making of rubrics for the events as well as competitor inspections. This captain should be organized and will work with Parade on all requirements for the Float Competition.

Court Relations

Events Captains, ICL/Head of DEI (2)

The Events Captains are responsible for planning events in celebration of the selection of the 2023 Homecoming Court. This includes the Court Reception, Court Workshop, and Court Crash. They also communicate with the Alumni Association and Staff at the Hintz Center to prepare for these events. One of theses captains will also act as the Court Relations Committee’s Head of DEI/Events Captain. This Captain will lead initiatives and conversations throughout the year to bring up common Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues. The other Events captain will double as the Court Relations Inter-Committee Liaison. The ICL/Events Captain is responsible for taking meeting minutes and fostering morale and bonding within the committee. Both of these captains, while having separate specializations, will collaborate during the planning of Court Relation’s events!

Student Court Captains (1-2)

These captains will work together to coordinate all efforts involving the Student Court. This includes communicating with the past court and involving them in Spring events for Homecoming. It also entails the nomination, application, voting, and selection of the Student Court for Homecoming 2022. This also involves assisting in the coordination of the Faculty Panel and ensuring the appearance of the Homecoming court at events throughout Homecoming Week.

University Court Captain (1)

The University Court Captain is involved in the coordination of all things surrounding the University Court. This includes the nomination and selection of Court as well as the appearance of the court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This captain will also work with the Graduate Court Captain to select a Student Panel.

Graduate and Professional School Court Captain (1)

The Graduate Court captain is in charge of the coordination of all things surrounding the Graduate Court. This includes the nomination and selection of Court as well as the appearance of the court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This will include outreach efforts to different graduate organizations to make them aware of nominations. This captain will also work with the University Court Captain to select a Student Panel.

Financial Management

Fiscal Tracking (2)

These captains are responsible for tracking all internal expenses and profits of Homecoming. They will also work closely with the Financial Management Director to manage various committee budgets and fiscal reports for the year. Responsibilities include merchandise profit analysis, profit/expense report tracking, and committee budget management. This position will entail educating all Inter-Committee Liaisons and Financial Management Liaisons on proper financial recording methods and fiscal tracking. These Captains will be responsible for tracking the budgets for fiscal focused committees which includes the Internal Development, OPPerations, Parade, Pride Events, Public Relations, Talent Relations, and University Relations committees. These captains will help the Financial Management Director lead the Fiscal Tracking Group in meetings. Detail orientation and Excel experience are preferred skills.

Corporate Fundraising (1)

This captain will be responsible for establishing and developing fundraising events with businesses in State College for Homecoming. They will be required to organize and manage fundraisers, contact various businesses and corporations, and make trips to businesses to strengthen Homecoming’s relationship with them. This Captain will also act as a liaison between Homecoming and the Bryce Jordan Center in coordinating concession stand fundraising events. This Captain will work closely with the Internal Development Director in communicating all of Homecoming’s fundraising efforts to all committees. Strong creativity, communication, and organizational skills are preferred.

Donation Development (1)

The Donation Development Captain is responsible for spreading awareness of Homecoming sponsorship opportunities. This includes keeping track of all donations to Homecoming by improving and maintaining the donation tracker. They are in charge of planning and implementing new strategies to better suit both our current donors and potential future donors. This captain will also work closely with Public Relations committee and the Benefitting Captain in order to develop a new benefitting packet. Communication skills, creativity, and the ability to express the importance of Homecoming are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Donation Development Captain.

Benefitting (1)

The Benefitting Captain will develop a new Benefitting Packet for Homecoming 2023. This project will be the vast majority of this Captain’s role in the Spring semester. This captain will work closely with Public Relations. The Benefitting Captain is responsible for thanking donors and sponsors of Homecoming which mainly takes place in the Spring. They will need to be conscious of donation follow-up protocol. They will put together sponsor packets and work with other committees to coordinate corporate sponsorships and other necessary donations. This captain will also be responsible for coordinating parade day donations and managing the Donor Tent with the Donation Development Captain. Some aspects of this may include supervising tent set up, ordering catering, decorating the tent, developing the invitation list, inviting donors, networking during the parade, and supervising tent tear-down. They will work closely with Pride Event’s Friends and Family Tent Captain(s) and OPPerations captains to ensure that the parade day tent is run smoothly. Professionalism, promptness and good communication skills are needed in order to be successful in this position.

Alternative Fundraising (1)

This Captain will be responsible for creating and coordinating alternative fundraisers for Homecoming. The Alternative Fundraising Captains should be creative and driven to pursue projects of their own creation throughout the year. These captains will also be in charge of implementing the Gift Card Initiative across Homecoming. They will be in charge of drafting an email and sending it out to different stores in State College and across the state of Pennsylvania. They will try to get gift cards from stores such as Walmart, Target, grocery stores, Home Depot, and more! These Captains should have innovative ideas and strong communication skills.

Alumni & University Liaison (1)

This Captain will work with the Alumni Relations Committee to spread awareness to alumni of sponsorship opportunities for Homecoming 2022. This captain will work closely with the Financial Management Director to develop more prevalent donation funds. They will work with the Benefitting Captain to improve on the Benefitting structure for Alumni donors. The Alumni & University Liaison will also work with the university to determine how they can help Homecoming. This Captain should be creative, have good communication skills, and have knowledge of the Alumni Association.

Purchasing Captain

Purchasing Captains will be responsible for acquiring all supplies for Homecoming. The Purchasing Captain will be responsible for ordering all materials needed to create Homecoming floats and meet other requested supplies such as rental agreements. They will also research quotes from various vendors and will work to find sustainable alternatives to common supplies. They will also be expected to attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. This Captain will work alongside the Inventory Development and Special Projects/Inventory Liaison Captains. This Captain should be organized and have good communication skills. Overall this captain will focus on purchasing items to allocate and fuel all of Homecoming!

Internal Development

Head of Engagement (2)

The Engagement Captains will be in charge of organizing bonding activities throughout the year with the goal being to increase the involvement between all Captains and Committee Members. They will be responsible for planning social events and activities for all members that take place outside of the pre-determined Homecoming events. These Captains will also be in charge of the Captain/Committee Cup, a year long event where Internal Homecoming compete to earn points for holding bonding events with their team. These Captains will also oversee the planning of the All Homecoming Retreat, an event in which all of Homecoming can come together and bond through our shared goals and mission before Homecoming Week. They will also assist in planning the End of Year Homecoming Banquet.

Head of Captain Development (1)

This Captain will be in charge of both Captain Workshops. The first is an event meant to introduce all captains to Homecoming, while the second is a professional development event. The main goal of professional development is to give Captains skills that will translate past Homecoming and into their professional life as well. This Captain will be in charge of creating event agendas, finding guest speakers, and orchestrating their events workshops.

Head of Committee Member Development (1)

This Captain will be in charge of both Committee Member Orientation and Committee Member Workshop. The first is a welcoming event for all new CMs to introduce themselves and meet their new committees, while the second is a professional development event. The main goal of professional development is to give Committee Members skills that will translate past Homecoming and into their professional life as well. This Captain will be in charge of creating event agendas, finding guest speakers, and orchestrating their events.

Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (1)

This Captain will help develop lead the DEI initiatives set forth by Homecoming, and work to implement different DEI conversations and activities throughout the year. They will also be responsible for conducting roundtables throughout the year in order to better serve the Penn State Community as a whole.

Merchandise

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrate Assistant will be responsible for the organizational and financial aspects of the Merchandise Committee throughout the year. This Captain will understand the inner workings of their Committee and work closely with their Director to be knowledgeable about all operational aspects of their Committee. The Administrative Assistant will oversee recording meeting minutes, sending recap and reminder emails, and designing committee merchandise. This Captain will also be responsible for planning all committee gatherings such as retreat, and committee bonding events. Additionally, this Captain will serve as a liaison between the Merchandise and the Financial Management Committees. The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for maintaining a financial tracking database and creating reports using that information for the Director. They must be able to create income statements, expense reports, and invoices in Excel to analyze merchandise sales. Keeping track of finances is crucial to ensuring our success as a committee, so this Captain will also assist in keeping track of Committee-specific merchandise ordered throughout the year. They will work to assist in cost analysis for inventory and for promotions. This Captain will also work with the Merchandise Director and Financial Management Committee to create a standard system for tracking merchandise financials from year to year. Additionally, they will be expected to work with Financial Management’s Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year and to attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. A background in finance and accounting, or proficiency in Excel or other spreadsheet programs is preferred for this position. The Administrative Assistant should be very organized, prompt with emails, adaptable and eager to learn.

Graphic Design (1)

The Graphic Design Captain will be in charge of all the graphic design needs that the Merchandise committee may have. They will work to share ideas and develop new items and logos for Homecoming gear. This Captain may also be assigned to individual tasks such as designing specific-committee merchandise, or graphics. The Graphic Design Captain will act as a liaison to the Public Relations Committee to ensure Homecoming’s brand pervasiveness and consistency across the Penn State community. This Captain will also be asked to design the posters for merch sales as well as promotional materials to be posted on Homecoming’s social media platforms. Lastly, the Graphic Designer will also be aiding the Director with reviewing all Homecoming competitors’ merchandise before participating in Homecoming events to make sure all attire is Homecoming appropriate. The ideal candidate should be extremely creative and dedicated and have an interest in fashion and design. This Captain must be proficient in using Photoshop or other graphic design programs and must provide a portfolio with at least three pieces of work with the application.

Inventory Logistics (1)

The major responsibility of the Logistical Inventory Captain is to ensure all sales locations are supplied with merchandise. Merchandise needs to be inventoried after every sale; therefore, they will be asked to keep accurate records of inventory, spot any trends in selling to communicate with the Ordering Captain, and work together with the Financial Management Liaison Captain to produce reports on all items sold. This includes working with the Ordering Captain to establish a logical system to determine how much inventory to order. This Captain must also have a way to record the quantity of each item sold at each sale. The Inventory Captains will also assist in the organization and maintenance of the merchandise storage room. Additionally, the Inventory Captains will work with the Head of Sales Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. This Captain must be very organized, proficient with Excel (or other spreadsheet software), strong communication skills, and flexible.

Inventory Outreach (1)

The major responsibility of the Outreach Inventory Captain is to ensure all sales locations are supplied with merchandise. Merchandise needs to be inventoried after every sale; therefore, they will be asked to keep accurate records of inventory with the other Inventory Captain. This position will also involve managing the merchandise online store. Online store responsibilities include packing and shipping all online orders and responding to customer service questions via e-mail. The Inventory Captains will also assist in the organization and maintenance of the merchandise storage room. This Captain will be responsible for distributing all internal Homecoming merchandise (e.g., on-shift shirts and Forever shirts). Additionally, the Inventory Captains will work with the Head of Sales Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. This Captain must be very organized, be able to respond to e-mails adequately, proficient with Excel (or other spreadsheet software), strong communication skills, and adaptable.

Ordering (1)

The Ordering Captain will be responsible for placing all orders for Homecoming specific merchandise. This Captain will work closely with the Merchandise Director and our vendors to ensure that all merchandise orders are correct. This position will also involve preparing the order sheets to be sent out to the vendors in a neat Excel Spreadsheet. This Captain will work with the Inventory Outreach Captain to establish a logical system to determine how much inventory to order. Lastly, this Captain will work closely with the Merchandise Director to ensure the accurately of the orders and to ensure timely delivery/pickup. This Captain must be organized, be able to respond to e-mails promptly, have a strong attention to detail, and be very patient.

Head of Sales (2)

The Head of Sales Captains will be responsible for selecting the members of the Merchandise Committee, who will help work sales in the HUB and at Homecoming events. They will help build unity within the Merchandise Committee and work with the Inter-Committee Liaison to plan activities with the Captains and Committee Members. These Captains must be creative in finding ways to keep committee members involved in Homecoming throughout the year. The Head of Sales Captains will not only attend weekly meetings with the Merchandise Director and Captains, but they will also be expected to hold weekly meetings with their Merchandise Committee. They will also be responsible for creating a schedule for Committee Members and Captains to ensure that sales are manned at all times and lead set-up and tear-down procedures. These Captains will make sure all Captains and Committee Members are aware of the sale procedures by working with the Merchandise Director to teach the skills necessary to best sell our products. Additionally, these Captains will work with the Inventory Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. The Head of Sales Captains must be strong leaders and great role models for their Committee.

OPPerations

Parade Logistics (2)

The Parade Logistics Captains are responsible for roping and staking the Parade Route. These Captains will develop a Parade Security layout that displays the exact placement of all stakes and ropes on Parade Day. These Captains will also act as OPP Liaisons at the Parade Day Focus Group Meetings. In addition, these two will serve as the Captains for the OPP Committee Members. They will be required to hold committee meetings and organize committee bonding events. These Captains must be organized, detail-oriented, and strong leaders.

PDFG Liaison (2)

These Captains will lead the PDFG (Parade Day Focus Group) Meetings involving the Parade, and Distribution Management committees. They will be responsible for creating the master timeline for Parade Day. They will work closely with the Set Up/Teardown and Logistics Captains to plan the OPP timeline for Parade Day, specifically focusing on Set Up and Teardown of the Parade Route. These Captainz will be a leader throughout Parade Day and will be the point of contact for other Committees. They should be effective communicators in groups.

Police & Security Liaison (1)

This Captain serves as the liaison between Homecoming and various Police Departments. This Captain will attend meetings with the Police to ensure that Homecoming is following all protocols and fulfilling all security obligations necessary to run a successful Homecoming. This Captain will also act as an OPP Liaison at the Parade Day Focus Group Meetings. Additionally, they will also be in charge of handling all driving records required for vehicle usage. This Captain is also responsible for coordinating and communicating with all Parade Day Volunteers. This Captain should be an effective communicator.

Set Up/Teardown (1)

This Captain is responsible for creating the OPP timelines for every Homecoming event. They will work throughout the year to logistically prepare for OPP’s biggest responsibility, the Set Up and Teardown of each event, and will work closely with the Logistics and PDFG Captains to effectively coordinate Parade Day. This Captain should not only be an effective leader but possess good problem solving skills and have sufficient knowledge of all Homecoming events.

Waste Management (1)

This Captain’s focus will be on the environmental impact of Homecoming and will spread Homecoming’s sustainability efforts and mission. Throughout the year, this Captain will help lead Inter-Committee Liasons in their Sustainability efforts. This person will be responsible for ensuring proper waste management at all Homecoming Events as well as leading Homecoming’s effort to become a zero-waste organization. This Captain will be in charge of planning Recycle Your Float Event and Homecoming OPPerations Protecting the Environment (HOPE), a campus-wide Recycling Effort. This Captain should be creative, have good organization and communication skills, and have a desire to make an impact.

Training & Development (1)

The Training & Development Captain plays a crucial role in internal development within the OPP Committee. Responsible for fostering a cohesive and professional team, this captain leads professional development and team-building initiatives. Collaborating closely with all Captains, the role involves administrative duties, including note-taking during meetings and ensuring timely dissemination of essential information to each captain. The ideal candidate for this position is collaborative, self-assured, and committed to helping others present their most professional selves.

Inventory Development (1)

The Inventory Development Captain will be responsible for developing and optimizing an Inventory Management system for internal Homecoming and OPP use. This Captain will be expected to work with the Special Projects/Inventory Liaison and Purchasing Captains to understand current inventory and update the inventory management system throughout the year. Their main project will be Inventory Day in which they lead the organization of the off campus storage closet. This Captain needs to be organized and data-oriented and have a sound knowledge of Excel or other data management software.

Inventory Liaison/Special Projects (3)

The Special Projects/Inventory Liaison Captains will be responsible for any projects that fall outside the normal responsibilities of the OPP committee. They will design and construct all structures requested from other committees. These individuals should be creative and comfortable using basic tools necessary for construction. They will need to work with the rest of the OPP committee, and with all other committees throughout Homecoming. They will process requests from these individuals, and work directly with the Inventory Development Captain to understand what inventory we currently have, and what to allocate. These 3 captains will need to have an in-depth understanding of our inventory, be very organized, and can work well with others.

Equipment Logistics (1)

The Equipment Logistics Captain is responsible for sourcing all materials and equipment, including tables, chairs, and vehicles needed for Homecoming Week. They will work closely with Penn State OPP and will be in constant contact with outside vendors and with other Homecoming Committees fulfilling their needs for events. This Captain will be working constantly with the Setup/Teardown and PDFG Captains to plan each event. They will be a leader during event Set Up and Teardown to ensure all equipment is handled properly. This Captain must be organized and reliable since they need to have a holistic idea of everything happening with the larger inventory items.

Parade

Logistics and Merge Point (1)

This Captain will be responsible for the organizational aspect of the Parade Committee throughout the year. This Captain will be responsible for all communication with the other Committees in Homecoming. They will oversee recording meeting minutes, send reminder emails,and order merchandise. Additionally, this Captain will work with the Director and Financial Management’s Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year. They will also attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. This Captain will be responsible for the Student Walking Grounds. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time for Parade Day, secure staging ground reservations with the University. They will also be responsible for overseeing Merge Point. This Captain should be detailed oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Alumni/Community Liaison (2)

These Captains will communicate deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all alumni and community members participating in the parade. They will manage the intake of final registration. They will send confirmation, check-in, and reminder emails throughout the year. They will be responsible for answering alumni and community questions concerning their participation in the parade. They will also be responsible for the set up and tear down of the Alumni/Community Walking Grounds. This position requires professionalism, organization, and excellent communication skills.

Student Organization Liaison (2)

These Captains will communicate deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all student organizations participating in the parade. They will manage the intake of final registration. They will communicate confirmation, check-in, and reminders throughout the year. They will be responsible for answering student organizations’ questions concerning their participation in the parade. They will work closely with the Competition Committee to communicate information to all student organizations competing in Homecoming. This position requires organization, responsibility, excellent communication skills, experience working with excel, and the ability to work professionally in stressful situations.

VIP/ Vehicle Grounds Coordinator (1)

This Captain will be responsible for coordinating the participation of student, alumni, and government VIPs in the parade. They will develop the list of potential invitees, send invitations, and track RSVPs. They will work closely with the Community/Donor Relations Liaison to secure vehicles for VIPs in the parade. This Captain will also be responsible for the Vehicle Grounds. They will secure staging ground reservations with the university. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time on Parade Day, and manage a timely departure to the Parade Route. They will oversee the set up and tear down of the Vehicle Grounds. This Captain should be detail oriented, organized, and possess excellent professional communication skills.

Floats Grounds Coordinator (1)

This Captain will be responsible for the Float Grounds. They will secure staging ground reservations with the university. They will handle all grounds paperwork with the university. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time on Parade Day, and manage a timely departure of the Float Grounds to the Parade Route. They will oversee the set up and tear down of the Float Grounds. Also, they will be in charge of planning and overseeing Recycle Your Float. This Captain should be detail oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Student Safety Captain (1)

This Captain will serve as the primary liaison to the parade flatbed vendor. They will coordinate the delivery of all flatbeds and flatbed supplies to participants. They will communicate flatbed safety regulations to student organizations. They will plan and organize the Parade Float Safety Inspections. Also, they will be in charge of handling all security paperwork for the parade. This Captain will also attend police meetings. They will attend weekly meetings for the Parade Day Focus Group. On Parade day, they will work with the VIP/Vehicle Grounds Coordinator to oversee the Vehicle Grounds.This Captain should have excellent communication skills, be detailed oriented, organized, and able to act professionally.

Pride Events

Allen Street Jam Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Allen Street Jam, a street fair held on the Monday of Homecoming Week to kick-off the week-long celebration. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, coordinating an entertainment timeline, gathering and reaching out to potential vendors and organizations for booths, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will work with other committees (mainly Talent Relations) to coordinate performances and stage events. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Past to Present Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing Past to Present, an event held on the Tuesday of Homecoming Week. Past to Present encompasses the history of Penn State and how it has developed into the Penn State that we see today. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, creating a ‘living museum’ of Penn State History, reaching out to and collaborating with potential organizations to assist with the event, communicating and contracting with external vendors, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Best of Penn State Carnival Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the annual Best of Penn State Carnival (BOPS Carnival), held on the Wednesday of Homecoming Week. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, reaching out to and communicating with potential vendors to find large attractions, working on the timeline for the event, contacting student organziations and coordinating their involvement in the event, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Friends & Family Tent Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Friends & Family Tent (FFT) on parade day, which is where distinguished alumni, guests of the Homecoming Executive Committee, Student Court, and Faculty Court sit during the parade. This captain will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, arranging the guest list, sending out invitations and save the date reminders, creating and distributing VIP passes, coordinating food and refreshments, along with set up and tear down of the event. This captain is also encouraged to find a creative way to recognize the Homecoming Executive Committee at the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills. This captain also has to work well independently as the Pride Events director will be at Parade Grounds for most of the event.

Public Relations

Inter-Committee Liaison (1)

The ICL will be responsible for the organizational aspect of the Public Relations Committee throughout the year. As an ICL, this Captain will know the inner workings of their committee, work closely with their Director to be knowledgeable about all operational aspects of their committee, and be able to readily relay information regarding their committee to other ICLs and all Homecoming Captains. The ICL will oversee recording meeting minutes, sending reminder emails, acting as an intra-committee liaison, and ordering merchandise. They will attend weekly meetings lead by the Internal Development Director. The ICL will serve as the primary Sustainability Ambassador for their committee and will be responsible for educating their Committee on Homecoming’s Sustainability efforts and mission each week. This captain will also act as the liaison between Public Relations and Financial Management. They will be expected to work with Financial Management’s Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year. They will also be expected to attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. The ICL should be very organized, comfortable with appropriate technologies, and confident in their writing abilities. In addition, the Inter Committee Liaison is responsible for writing and managing the Penn State Homecoming Blog along with writing and sending out the monthly newsletter. Applicants should be organized, have strong writing and communication skills, and be team-oriented.

Social Media Captain (2)

The Social Media Captains will be in charge of maintaining the Homecoming Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. These captains should be interested in ways to broaden the Homecoming appearance in alternative media and should be prepared to work closely with other committees to promote events and share Homecoming news and updates. The Social Media Captains will also be in charge of maintaining the brand image and voice of Penn State Homecoming. Applicants should have a strong background in social media, possess creativity, excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong voice.

Media Relations Captains (2)

The Media Relations Captains’ responsibilities include writing press releases, media advisories, PSAs, and feature articles to be sent to local and state newspapers. These Captains will also work closely with Homecoming”s contacts and assist media and print networks during all Homecoming events. This position also encourages Captains to broaden Homecoming’s reach and welcoming new outlets. The Media Relations Captains will also be in charge of creating the 2022 Homecoming Press Kit, Press FAQ Sheet, and Crisis Communication Plan. Applicants should have excellent writing, communication, and time management skills. Applicants are encouraged to have a strong background in public relations.

Photography Captains (2)

The Photography Captains will be in charge of documenting all Homecoming events throughout the year by taking photos. In addition, they will be responsible for editing and uploading these pictures in a timely manner. These captains will also be responsible for overseeing a the photography and production committee with their fellow production captain. These captains will work closely with the Social Media Captains, Graphic Design Captains, and the Technology Committee. Applicants should have prior photography experience, possess creativity, have a strong understanding of Homecoming’s image, and have strong leadership skills. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Graphic Design Captains (2)

The Graphic Design Captains are responsible for designing and creating advertisements that will appear in various publications and places across campus using Homecoming’s brand guidelines. These captains will also create designs for balloons, flyers, and posters used to promote Homecoming. Applicants should have prior experience using Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and have knowledge of graphic design. Majors in graphic design and advertising are encouraged to apply. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Marketing Captain (2)

The Marketing Captains will be responsible for developing marketing campaigns for various Homecoming events and a larger campaign dedicated toward this year’s theme. These Captains will work closely with the Public Relations Director and many other positions to create big picture plans. The Marketing Captains will be the main point of contact between the Public Relations committee and the rest of the Homecoming committees to ensure everyone has the information needed to promote all Homecoming events. Applicants should be organized, dedicated, driven, and have marketing experience. Marketing majors are encouraged to apply.

Production Captains (2)

The Video Media Captains are responsible for filming, producing, and editing all Homecoming videos such as: the Emcee Announcement, Logo Reveal, Grand Marshal Reveal as well as many others. They will also develop various promotional materials or virtual video experiences. These Captains will also be responsible for overseeing a committee while working closely with Social Media to produce content. Applicants should be knowledgeable in or eager to learn about DSLR cameras, Adobe Premiere or other video editing software. Applicants should be creative, self-motivated, and collaborative. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Talent Relations

Talent Coordinator (1)

The Talent Coordinator is responsible for forming relationships with various performance groups for Homecoming events, including but not limited to bands, artists, dance teams, poetry, and comedy acts. This Captain will be in constant communication with performance groups and ensure that they are prepared to perform at events during Homecoming week but also throughout the year. This Captain should be organized, confident communicating with others, and be a good planner.

DJ Captain (1)

The DJ Captain is responsible for managing the music played at all Homecoming events. This includes internal Homecoming events throughout the year, as well as the music played at Homecoming events. Throughout the year, the DJ will become familiar with DJ software and equipment that will be used during Homecoming events. This Captain will collaborate with other members of internal Homecoming to secure music at each specific event, and work with the Talent Coordinators and Events Captains to acquire specific tracks for performers. In addition to music responsibities, the DJ will be expected to assist the Talent Relations committee with organizing Homecoming events. The DJ is expected to be an excellent communicator, bring a willingness to learn, and communicate and collaborate effectively with other Homecoming volunteers.

Events (2)

The Events Captains are responsible for the logistics and planning of the For the Glory Talent Show and the Homecoming Dance Competition in the fall. These Captains will work closely with the Emcee Coordinator Captain, in preparing scripts for the Emcees to deliver at these events. These Captains will be working throughout the year to find new and exciting talent, as well as create a timeline and schedule for both events. These captains will also work with the DJ captain to ensure that performer groups’ music files are received by the committee. These Captains must be organized, well spoken, and confident in their event planning skills.

Technology

Lead Developer (1)

The Lead Developer is responsible for leading two small teams of Developers to develop and maintain the Homecoming website and special projects, overseeing their functionalities, and ensuring technological innovation align with Homecoming’s goal. This role demands proactive thinking, technical proficiency, effective communication skills, and collaboration. While prior knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and WordPress is not required, a forward-thinking mindset and the ability to lead and innovate is useful for this position.

Web Developer (3-4)

Web Developers will be responsible for maintaining active development of the Homecoming website. These captains must be technologically innovative and must think outside of the box when it comes to Homecoming’s use of technology. These captains should be technically-minded, have strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn. While not required by any means, knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and WordPress is usefully for this position.

Project Developer (2-3)

Project Developers will be responsible for maintaining active development of special projects for Homecoming. These captains must be technologically innovative and must think outside of the box when it comes to Homecoming’s use of technology. These captains should be technically-minded, have strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn. While not required by any means, knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and WordPress is usefully for this position.

UX/UI Developer (2)

UX/UI Developers will be responsible for all front-end development of either the Homecoming website or special projects. These captains will ensure that the website and/or special projects are user-friendly by utilizing feedback mechanisms, navigational components, and researching user-centered design patterns to further improve the website and/or special projects usability. This role requires having strong communication skills, and analyzing and incorporate user feedback effectively. Previous experience in UX/UI is encouraged, but not required by any means. Additional experience with WordPress, HTML and CSS will be useful for this position.

University Relations

Faculty Outreach and Administrative Assistant Captain: (1)

The Faculty Outreach and Administrative Assistant Captain captain will be responsible for the organizational aspect of the University Relations Committee throughout the year. This Captain will know the inner workings of their committee, work closely with their Director to be knowledgeable about all operational aspects of their committee, and be able to readily relay information regarding their committee to other Homecoming Captains. The Faculty Outreach and Administrative Assistant captain will oversee recording meeting minutes, sending reminder emails, and ordering merchandise. This Captain will work with the Involvement Captains to help to coordinate and promote the Involvement Committee. This Captain will also act as the liaison between University Relations and Financial Management. They will be expected to work with Financial Management’s Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year. They will also be expected to attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. The Faculty Outreach and Administrative Assistant captain should be very organized, comfortable with appropriate technologies, and confident in their writing abilities.

Involvement: (2)

These Captains will work towards increasing Homecoming involvement with the incoming freshmen. This will primarily be done by overseeing the First Year Involvement Committee (FYIC). These Captains will promote applications for the committee, review the applications, hold meetings and plan events for them. These Captains will work with other committees to engage FYIC in Homecoming week events and find new and innovative tasks that FYIC can undertake. These Captains should dedicate time after Homecoming week to encourage FYIC members to stay involved with Homecoming next season. In addition to the work done with FYIC, these Captains will work to produce new material to get organizations and students involved with Homecoming on campus and present this material at involvement fairs and recruiting activities. The Involvement Captains will also work with the ICL to help coordinate and promote the Involvement Committee. These Captains should be outgoing, creative and passionate about spreading the mission of Homecoming.

Athletic Engagement: (1)

This Captain will help to coordinate and plan Homecoming athletic events. This Captain will be expected to be in contact with the Penn State Athletics Marketing Department to help coordinate existing and future participation in athletic events, including but not limited to, the Homecoming Basketball, Field Hockey/Lacrosse, Soccer, Hockey, Wrestling, and Golf events. This Captain will also be responsible for coming up with new and innovative ways of getting student, faculty and alumni involved at athletic events. This Captain should also develop creative opportunities for all Penn State athletes to be involved in Homecoming Events. This Captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to Public Relations for promoting events and be innovative when producing programming and activities in limited space at athletic venues. This Captain should be prepared to work on multiple projects at once, have strong communication skills and be excited about Penn State Athletics.

Tailgate Competition and Athletics Liaison: (1)

This Captain will organize the Homecoming Tailgate Competitions held at the Blue and White Game and on Homecoming Gameday. They will be responsible for preparing the competition’s rules, categories, and scoring rubric, contacting potential alumni contestants and student organizations, and creating a timeline for the day of judging. In addition, this Captain will oversee coordinating the Blue and White Tailgate Competition by creating a series of small, interactive games to help increase Penn State Tailgate involvement in school pride. This Captain will also work with the Sustainability Institute to coordinate Homecoming’s involvement in the Tailgate Ambassadors program. In addition to their tailgate focused responsibilities, this Captain will work with the Athletic Engagement Captain and Penn State Sports Marketing to coordinate Homecoming Baseball and Women’s Volleyball. This Captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to Public Relations for promoting events and be innovative when producing programming and activities in limited space at athletic venues. This Captain should have great organizational skills and be capable of communicating with many contacts at once.

Student Outreach: (1)

This Captain will be communicating with various student organizations throughout the year to incorporate more students in our Homecoming celebration. This Captain will also oversee contacting academic colleges to encourage the promotion of Homecoming to their students. The Student Outreach Captain will be responsible for assisting in the planning and promotion of the Homecoming Office Competitions and the Homecoming Nittany Pursuit. This Captain will also have creative freedom to produce any new programs with the aim to increase Homecoming’s inclusivity planning. In addition, this Captain will organize newsletters and releases to inform students of Homecoming events and spotlight different student organizations. The Student Outreach Captain will work closely with the Faculty and Commonwealth Outreach Captain when creating and disseminating promotional material. This Captain should have superb communication skills, be creative and organized.

Special Events: (2)

These Captains will work with closely with the University Relations Director, Penn State officials, and student organizations to plan events that promote the values of Homecoming such as the Blue and White Game 5k, the annual Day of Service, and the Past to Present Tour. Their primary responsibilities will include planning locations, bus routes, and activities for Day of Service as well as creating timelines, registration plans, and entertainment for the 5k. These Captains will also be responsible for other events leading up to and throughout Homecoming Week such as working with SPA for the Homecoming Concert, and coordinating food and blood drives across campus. These Captains should be prepared to assume immediate responsibilities, and should be very passionate about the Penn State community, event planning, and logistics.

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