The annual Student Leadership Training Conference (SLTC) put on by Undergraduate Student Government (USG) this past Saturday aimed to more effectively provide organization presidents and their leadership teams with the skills to run their clubs efficiently, according to USG president Sam Estenson.

The event, which was for club presidents and treasurers, was restructured to a mandatory three-hour and three panel event.

The SLTC is held annually for every USG licensed student organization on campus.

According to Estenson, this year the mandatory training session was a “true resource” to all student organizations. More than 50 clubs were represented by 75 students.

Calling last year’s conference “painful,” because of its length and lack of productivity, Estenson said, “We’ve consolidated what had been a long conference into three quick hours where organization members learned about licensing, funding, marketing, promoting and running their student organizations competently.”

Estenson said the change was made to make the training  more productive, with useful tools and skills committee leaders can take back to their individual groups and use on a daily basis.

“This year more than ever, students have had an immense amount of enthusiasm,” said Estenson. “The presidential debate was great, because it spurred all of these great ideas. But now it’s time for us to get back to work, without losing the enthusiasm.”

For example, this year, USG partnered with DU’s Programming Board sub-committee, University Programming Service (UPS), to run the conference.

The afternoon was divided into three one-hour workshops: The first workshop centered around event planning and marketing, the second focused on how to manage finances and the third educated organization leaders about OrgSync, an online campus-wide network which helps manage club activities and connect organizations with students and other groups. The president and treasurer of each organization had to go to at least one session, and were provided a free networking lunch in between sessions.

“OrgSync is a fantastic tool,” said Estenson. “It really helps students understand how to run an organization.”

Estenson also mentioned that OrgSync is similar to USG’s Pioneer Calendar in that it keeps students up-to-date with the most recent campus activities and events. “Our main goal this year has been to bring the DU community together,” said Estenson.

“[Similarly] We hope that by bringing all of the organizations together, by educating them in the skills necessary to run a successful organization, that organizations and their members will passionately continue to serve each other and the community for the greater good,” said Estenson.

All presidents and treasurers were expected to attend, and those who did not will be required to complete make-up work. Clubs that did not attend the conference may have a hold placed on their accounts.

“If they cannot show that they have made up the work, their account may be frozen,” said Estenson. “Students are encouraged to reach out to us.”