To prepare for the upcoming year, 20 members of the Student Association took a look at the real thing.

A visits to the City Council Chambers and the Mayor’s Office were part of a Student Association retreat earlier this month. It also included lectures from various faculty members, teamwork-building on a Summit Challenge Course at Mount Vernon and required volunteer time to help on move-in day. D.C. Secretary of State Pat Elwood and Bernard Demczuk, vice president for Government, International and Corporate Affairs hosted the three-hour tour of the City Council Chambers and the Mayor’s Office.

SA Executive Vice President Josh Lasky organized the retreat to increase teamwork and cooperation within the SA. He said he wanted to show senators a functioning city government while also introducing Demczuk as a resource and mentor.

“When we work together not only do we achieve more … but we don’t look discombobulated and segmented,” Lasky said.