Working Group Resources

Working Group Resources

This resource page is for current Working Group directors and members. If you have questions about the application process—or about any of the information below—please reach out to us at obermann-center@uiowa.edu.

Email us

Meetings

Icon of human figures meeting around a table with lightbulb in the middle
  • How often should we meet?
    Our only requirement for Working Groups is that they meet for 90 minutes at least three times each semester (so, at least once per month, but some find biweekly meetings useful). We want to help you make a commitment to each other that your Working Group is a priority. It's best to set a time that works for your members and stick with it throughout the semester.
  • Can we meet online?
    Certainly. Many groups meet via Zoom; however, we encourage you to meet in-person when you can, as this often gives rise to unexpected connections and insights. (Also, meeting at the Obermann Center ensures a ready supply of coffee and tea!) 
  • Can we use Obermann's Zoom account for our meetings?
    No. Please use your own University of Iowa Zoom account. Make sure the group member who schedules the Zoom meeting will be present at the meeting (and preferably a few minutes early in order to launch the meeting).
  • How do we reserve a room at the Obermann Center for our Working Group meetings?
    Email obermann-center@uiowa.edu to reserve the Obermann Center's library (1st floor) or attic conference space (3rd floor). Both can accommodate about 15 people. Please try to give us as much advance notice as possible. If you will be meeting at the Obermann Center on weekends or after 5:00 p.m., your group's director(s) will need to meet with Erin Hackthorn to get a key to the Obermann Center's front door.
  • Can we park at the Obermann Center?
    During weekdays, the few parking places we have are reserved for staff and quick visitors. However, there is free parking just across Dubuque St., and the meters on Clinton St. are usually available. A campus bus stops at the corner of Church and Dubuque and leaves/arrives approximately every 5 minutes. We also have a bike rack. If your group chooses to meet after 5:00 pm or on weekends, you may use our parking spaces (though be advised, there are only a few).
  • Can we meet elsewhere on campus?
    Absolutely! We can't help you reserve those rooms, but you're welcome to do it yourself.

Funding

Icon of orange coins
  • How much money do we have, and what's the deadline for using it?
    Each Working Group is allotted $1,000 at the beginning of the fall semester. This funding is for the entire academic year. Unused funds cannot carry over into the next academic year. Every Working Group must email our Operations Director Erin Hackathorn (erin-hackathorn@uiowa.edu) their plans for spending the funds before March 1. The funds must be spent by April 15 of each year. 
  • What can and can't we spend money on?
    Your funds may be used to bring in a guest expert or speaker or for other expenses that directly support your group’s work (e.g., books for discussion). The funds cannot be used for food or alcohol. At the beginning of the fall semester, Obermann Operations Director Erin Hackathorn provides each Working Group with a helpful sheet with rules and reminders regarding the use of their funds. Feel free to reach out to her at any time to request another copy of that document.
  • Do we need to spend all/any our funding?
    No. Some groups choose not to spend any of their funding. Some use it all.
  • Can we request additional funding from the Obermann Center?
    If you have already spent your $1,000 (see below), you may ask the Obermann Center for up to $300 in co-sponsorship funding to support a specific activity or event, provided that the activity/event is open to the campus community and/or the public. You may not request additional funding for Working Group materials or for events limited to Working Group members.
  • How do we access our funds?
    Your group's faculty director (or one of the faculty co-directors) should email Obermann Operations Director Erin Hackathorn (erin-hackathorn@uiowa.edu). She will coordinate the transfer of funds. Erin also handles reimbursement requests.

Events & Publicity

  • Icon of blowhorn

    Can Working Groups host events?
    Yes, but please observe the following protocol. When your group hosts an event that is open to the campus community and/or the general public, you must 1) complete our online Working Group Event Notification Form at least one month in advance of the event, even if you are not requesting additional Obermann funding (that is, beyond your Working Group funds). This is how we 1) find out about your events, 2) ensure that you are using your group's name and Obermann's name/logo correctly, and 3) help you publicize the event (if desired). If your group hasn't hosted an event before, you may be asked to meet with Obermann's communication specialists Lauren Cox and Jenna Hammerich. Once you've submitted the form—and if the event is open to the public—you must list your event on the UI Events Calendar and tag the Obermann Center. Be sure to include the sentence "Hosted by the [your group's name] Obermann Working Group" on the UI Events Calendar and all publicity materials. The UI accessibility statement must also appear on all publicity materials. (It is automatically added to all UI Event Calendar listings.)

  • How else can we publicize our event? Can Obermann help?
    First, consult our "Publicize Your Event" checklist. You're welcome to schedule a meeting online or in-person with Obermann's communication specialists Lauren Cox and Jenna Hammerich to walk through the checklist and ask questions. (If your group hasn't hosted an event before, this is strongly recommended!) We'll also gladly feature your group's public events in our monthly newsletter, bimonthly email digest, and on our website.
  • Can we use the Obermann Center logo?
    We’re proud that your Working Group is part of the Obermann Center and hope you are, too. That’s why any publicity for public events hosted by your group should use the same logo we use for Obermann Center events. As long as we've approved your event, you can use one of Obermann's UI-approved logos (called "lockups"), available for download at https://brand.uiowa.edu/lockup/2551. If another organization has also agreed to co-sponsor your event, you'll want to use their logo as well. However, if you have many co-sponsors, it's best to simply list them in text, rather than clutter your publicity materials with a bunch of similar-looking logos.