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Pa Yong Xiong
November 1, 2013
EdLd 647: Org & Systems Change
Description of Change Situation
The event that I will analyze occurred at Hamline University within a student
organization. This student organization was going through a transition period in which the new
board members were voted into office for the upcoming school year. For the past two years, the
leadership for this organization was unstable as they struggled to maintain a consistent board. In
a single year, there were multiple board member resignations and the organization transitioned
through three different presidents.
In April, the new board members was voted in by the general members. Five new board
members were voted in with a majority of them being sophomores and juniors. The new board
had a vision for the organization. First, they wanted to refurbish the house that was given to the
organization by the college. The house is a theme house, an on-campus option for students who
are active in the organization. Majority of the board members also lived at the house. By
refurbishing the house such as buying new sofas, trash cans, trash bags, toilet paper, and possibly
providing some food, they believed that they can create a more comfortable and safe atmosphere
for their members. However, the organization ran into conflict with funding as the funds for the
organization came from the Student Congress to advocate and educate the community about the
Hmong culture and issues. Using funds from the Student Congress to furnish the house would
violate the policies and so the new board members had to look for other options.
With the restriction that the funds be used for educational purposes only, the new board
decided that they would instead use the fundraising money that the organization had raised in the

past years. When the older board members heard of this, they were concerned about the use of
the funds and brought this forward. They requested a meeting to clarify and talk about the
purpose of this proposal. On the day of the meeting, the board members brought forth their
agenda and proposal. The older members listened but still did not agree with the disbursement of
the fundraising funds. They believe that the house should be treated like any other on campus
house. When the old members were living in the house, they donated majority of the furniture.
To take money out of the budget to buy materials for members personal usage is not within the
constitution of the organization. The purpose of fundraising the money was so that members can
participate in conferences and put on events without a constraint on how much they can spend to
promote their culture and educate the community at large.
After two weeks of tabling and discussion, the new board finally brought forth a solution.
They would not use the fundraising money to purchase equipment for the house. Instead, they
will create a wish list and members can donate money or items to the house.