The Student Government Association launched the Community Service Committee to work with student organizations this week.

The committee’s two co-chairs invite students to bring their ideas to meetings, which take place every first, second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Student Learning Center.

“Whatever ideas you have, we are open to listen and give everyone an equal opportunity to have their voice be heard,” Nicole Foo, a sophomore from Marietta and committee co-chair, said.

“We want to help make a difference on campus.”

The new committee will focus on advocacy and publicity its first semester, Foo said.

For advocacy, the committee plans to help large campus organizations, such as UGA HEROs, Relay for Life and ugaMIRACLE, and bring recognition to small organizations that could benefit from SGA promotion.

For publicity, the committee will hold events during the year, such as Screen on the Green and a benefit concert.

The Community Service Committee’s first project of the semester will be to help with Special Olympics, Foo said.

By supporting other campus organizations, Foo said she hopes the new committee will receive support that will allow it to implement its own activities.

“Our first challenge is to get the word out that we’re here and that we want to help out other campus outreach programs,” she said.

Students who have ideas for a community service project but need help putting it to action are invited to use the committee as a resource, Mary Catherine McLean, a senior from Moultrie and committee co-chair, said. McLean coordinated the Virginia Tech vigil held on campus last spring.

“Our assistance doesn’t stop at the Arch,” she said.

“It can extend to the Athens community, but our focus is on students and the University community.”