My Time With V.I.S.A.: Executive for Events, January 2008-December 2008, Part II

Part I: http://pumudu.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/exec-carrousel-iso/

As a non-funded organization, V.I.S.A. has always relied on fund raisers to subsidize the costs for events, and to reduce how much students have to pay for events. The main way V.I.S.A. raises funds have been through themed pub nights at the Thirsty Scholar Pub at the University of Windsor.

During my time as Executive for Events, I was involved with the planning of three pub nights. The first of these was the winter pub night for 2008. The V.I.S.A. team decided on a retro-themed pub night named “Shagadelic”. The tasks I did included the marketing and promotion of the event, creating promotional materials including posters, fliers and arrange for the painting of promotional banners, coordinating volunteers to promote the event and securing sponsorship for the event.

Winter pub nights are never as successful as ones in fall. Whether its the weather, or something else has never been quite determined. Even so, “Shagadelic” was about par in terms of fund raising for a winter pub night. The event was held on March 08th, 2008. “Shagadelic” was attended by approximately 125 people, and raised approximately $300.oo for V.I.S.A.

Painting banners for "Shagadelic"

Students at the Pub during "Shagadelic"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next pub night was held on September 20, 2008. It was called “Inferno”, and promoted as the “hottest” party of fall. The tasks for this pub night were also the same as for “Shagadelic.” “Inferno” attracted approximately 150 students, and V.I.S.A. raised $350.00. The reason for the low attendance was the teachers strike at the University of Windsor, which began on the 17th of that month. Most students took this opportunity to leave Windsor, thus depriving us of a large market.

"Inferno" banner

Students at "Inferno"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final pub night for 2008, was V.I.S.A.’s annual Halloween pub night: “Spooktacular”. “Spooktacular” was held on October 25, 2008. We managed to acquire Rogers Mobile as a sponsor for the event. This was the second year running when Rogers Mobile sponsored our Halloween pub night. Rogers Mobile sponsored the event through their fliers, banners and other promotional items.

For “Spooktacular”, I carried out the same tasks as the other pub nights. Though not as successful as the previous year, V.I.S.A. still managed to raise approximately $850.00 from the event. We also had over 300 students attending as well.

One of the banners for "Spooktacular"

Rogers Mobile sponsored V.I.S.A. for the event

Crowds at "Spooktacular", fall 2008

The Events team + Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part III: http://pumudu.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/trips-08/

My Time With V.I.S.A.: Executive for Events, January 2008-December 2008, Part I

At the beginning of 2008, I took over as Executive for Events following Devender Kainth’s departure from V.I.S.A. This was a new challenge for me because I would be working on events for V.I.S.A. without an Associate. But our Coordinator Mallika Padmanabhan, and Assistant Coordinator Anuja Thakar displayed great faith and support for me, as did the rest of the team.

Following the end of the 2007-2008 academic year, I was selected for Executive for Events under Mallika for the 2008-2009 year as well. For 2008-2009 I worked with my Associate for Events, Naitik Parekh. Naitik was very helpful, knowledgeable and eager to learn. He was very involved with V.I.S.A. prior as a volunteer as well.

The first set of achievements of my time as Executive for Events, relates to the Carrousel of the Nations (winter 2008) and the International Students Orientations (winter 2008 & fall 2008). For the 2008 Carrousel of the Nations, V.I.S.A. was asked to promote the event leading up to it. As such, Mallika and the Events team created several banners, provided volunteers for the event management, and created a display booth for V.I.S.A. which we called “The Diversity Hut”. The Diversity Hut displayed quotes on diversity by famous authors, politicians, and humanitarians.

The Carrousel was well attended, and V.I.S.A.’s volunteers did an excellent job in managing the event the whole day. The event took place on January 23rd, at the CAW Centre at the University.

One of the banners for the event

Diversity Hut being built

The completed Diversity Hut

Crowds at the Carrousel, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The International Students Orientation (I.S.O.) is always an important event in the V.I.S.A. calendar. Traditionally, the Coordinator of the I.S.O. has been a member of the V.I.S.A. Executive team selected by the International Student Centre. This year was no different, as Mallika was the I.S.O. Coordinator in addition to V.I.S.A. Coordinator.

The winter I.S.O. typically lasts for a few hours on the first or second Friday of the winter semester. The winter I.S.O. usually has between 50-70 new students attending, and around 10-20 volunteers assisting. The fall I.S.O. lasts two days during Windsor Welcome Week. The days usually fall on the weekend, or coincide with Labour day. Between 150-300 students attend the fall I.S.O., and at least 40-50 volunteers are required for assistance with the event. Planning for the I.S.O.’s take place months in advance.

I was glad to be a part of the volunteers who helped out with the winter 2008 as well as fall 2008 I.S.O.’s. It was as always a great experience. Meeting new students was always a fascinating for me, and I would meet students from all over the world at the I.S.O.’s. I was also glad I could be of assistance to Mallika with the planning and execution of the I.S.O.’s as well.

Volunteers at the Winter '08 I.S.O.

Volunteers at the fall '08 I.S.O.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my work at the fall 2008 I.S.O., I received a plaque for the “International Student Orientation Award” on September 12, 2008. The award is given annually at the Windsor Welcome Week banquet organized by the Educational Development Centre (E.D.C.). The award winner is chosen by the I.S.O. Coordinator for his or her outstanding contributions to the success of the fall I.S.O. of that year.

In addition, I also received the “V.I.S.A. Executive of the Year” award for 2007-2008 at the annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet on April 4, 2008. The banquet is organized for volunteers for V.I.S.A. and Students Orienting Students (S.O.S.). The V.I.S.A. Executive of the Year award is selected by the V.I.S.A. Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator and presented to the Executive who has performed the best, consistently for the group through the year.

With the I.S.O. Award

Receiving the Executive of the Year Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II; Click here http://pumudu.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/pub-nights/