Posts Tagged ‘Couple Times’

Planning A Weekend Trip For Your Student Group

May 18th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

If you’re the head of a student group or organization, there’s a good chance that you are occasionally called upon to plan a weekend trip. These trips, which may occur a couple times a semester or just once per year, usually involve travelling as a group to a campsite, ski resort, tourist attraction, or major city within driving distance of your school. The weekend is a time to grow and strengthen as a group while having fun in the process. It is also an opportunity for students to get away from the college routine – both mentally and literally – and to momentarily stop worrying about the stresses regarding work, classes, and loans for school that go with it.

Planning such a trip usually involves a good deal of logistical coordination, much of which is based upon circumstances unique to your group. But regardless of the nature of your organization or of the college which you attend, there are certain commonalities and goals that are shared by any weekend trip. The commonalities include a diversity of students and interests, while the goals probably have something to do with stimulating group cohesion and excitement.

Here are a few tips for dealing with and achieving, respectively, these common issues and objectives:

-Pick a moderate travel distance. If you choose a destination that is too far away, there’s a good chance that you will dissuade group members from making the trip. But if, on the other hand, you pick a location that is too close to school, you may secure a higher turnout but not achieve a sufficient sense of distance so as to promote greater cohesion. The solution, of course, is to find a destination somewhere in the middle – usually a place that is reached with 1-3 hours of driving.

-Explicitly emphasize the unity theme. Most student leaders realize that it’s impossible to satisfy everybody at all times. No matter how hard you try it’s likely that some members of your group will not be enthralled with the weekend plan. They may not like the people assigned to their car or tent, and they may think it preferable to skip the trip altogether. While you can’t force people to come, you can address such issues by emphasizing unity – by strongly stating that the weekend is all about molding group cohesion. Then, keep this theme going throughout.

-Don’t over-plan. Student leaders often have a set agenda for every and any event. They want to discuss, practice, fundraise, and plan.

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Can I afford an Airline Lounge Membership ?

May 7th, 2008 Tushar Mathur

If you’ve ever sat through a 6-hour weather delay, you know why you’d like an airline lounge membership.  Lounges shelter us from the lines, noise, and chaos of the airport.  Even the worst, most crowded lounge is usually more comfortable than the average airport waiting area.

I used to think airline lounges were only for the wealthy, or the lucky executives whose companies footed the bill.  Not so.  Here’s how the “in the know” travelers get their airline lounge memberships.

1.  Even new travelers know the first option:  buying loung membership at full price, straight from a single airline.  If you have several hundred dollars you could go this route.  I don’t personally recommend it.

2.  Instead of buying full access to an airline’s club, you can consider a day pass with that airline.  Prices run from $25 to $75 and are only good for the single day.  If you only travel a couple times a year this might be the right option.

3.  If you’re offered an American Express Platinum card take a few minutes to consider the services it brings.  The annual fee is pricy ($450 least I checked) but it does give access to many airline lounges.  I recommend this approach if you plan to make use ALL of the frequent flyer cards services.

4.  Similarly, if you have a Diners Club card you have access to their network of lounges.  This benefit isn’t particularly useful in the United States.  If you travel internationally it’s a good option with a relatively low annual fee.

5.  Frequent travelers loyal to a single airline have more options.  Those with frequent flyer status usually get a discount on the airline’s membership fee (possibly even free if your status is high enough).  You might also be able to use your mileage points to pay for the remaining cost.  This is a terrific option if you travel one airline (or airline partnership) regularly.

6.  If you’ve made it this far down the list without finding an answer, don’t despair.  You still have Priority Pass membership to look forward to, and it’s a great option.  My Priority Pass membership gives me access to over 500 lounges in more than 275 cities.  They have access in the U.S. airports I frequent, and a nice range of membership fees.  You can start as low as $99 plus $27 per visit.

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