Most Outstanding VSA
This award recognizes the organization that demonstrated an overwhelming success in its operations, development, and contribution to their local community in accomplishing the mission and goals of their organization within the last academic year.
University of Florida
Please list any fundraising event(s) the organization has hosted this year below
Pho Fundraiser: One day pop up restaurant serving Vietnamese dishes such as Pho, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Bao, and Cha Gio Thit Kho Fundraiser: Served Thit Kho over a bed of white rice Summer Car Wash: Washed cars to help fund member’s trips to UNAVSA Spring Roll and Green Waffle Fundraiser: Served spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce and freshly made pandan waffles Jar Wars: Fundraiser where people donated towards a jar of officers. The winning jar has to do dares at our holiday party.
Please list any social event(s) the organization has hosted this year below.
Very Sexy ‘Oliday Party: Fun potluck where members get to play holiday themed games and to celebrate the end of the semester. VSO x PDP Pool Party: A fun day out in the sun with brothers of Pi Delta Psi FLP x CASA x VSO Pyjama Party: Collaboration with the Freshmen Leadership Program and the Chinese American Student Association. A potluck where members dressed up in pyjamas and played fun interactive games. Tubing at Ichetucknee Springs: An outdoor event during the summer that gives our members the chance to cool off at the springs. VSO x FSA Dessert Workshop: Interactive workshop with the Filipino Student Association. Gave members the chance to learn about Vietnamese desserts like Che Thai while also sampling these delicious foods.
What were your organization’s goals for this year and how were you successful in achieving these goals?
Our main goal this year was to increase the amount of money raised from our fundraisers, to increase member/freshmen retention, and to better our connections to outer VSAs. I believe we were very successful in those fields. We raised more money in our main fundraising event, Pho Fundraiser, than the previous semesters (Raised $3500 compared to $3000). Our freshmen rate skyrocketed this year, as we tripled the number of Freshmen. Our NewGen academy program, mainly for Freshmen, increased from 10 members to 30 members. As a result of this Freshmen rate, we had no trouble filling out our upcoming board for the next year. As for external communications with outer VSAs, we have definitely become more involved. Our school’s turnout to events such as Element, UNAVSA, and SELC has reached numbers unseen of in the previous years. Our members and officers have become more inclined to attend other VSA events such as UCF/USF/FSU’s cultural shows.
What obstacle(s) did your organization encounter this past year and how did your organization overcome them?
Finding a replacement for Pho Fundraiser, which led to the Thit Kho Fundraiser
What makes your organization considered “Most Outstanding”?
I believe what makes VSO most outstanding was making our presence within UVSASE and the UF community more known this year. We were able to get our name out there through attending more external events and making our social media presence more available. Our increased member rates this year have guaranteed our organization’s future. Our events, mainly our cultural shows and fundraisers ran smoothly, indicating our organization’s professionalism and success.
University of Georgia
Please list any fundraising event(s) the organization has hosted this year below
Bubble Cafe Percentage Night Chipotle Percentage Night Ca Phe Sua Da Fundraiser x 3 Phone Banking x 3 Night in Saigon 15
Please list any social event(s) the organization has hosted this year below.
Summer Cabin Retreat Super VSA Week (Game Night, Bubble Cafe Percentage Night, Cooking for Coffee Hour) International Coffee Hour Wake Up, Atlanta Tour ACE Reveal Halloween Potluck Field Day Chipotle Percentage Night UGA v USC Tailgate Spring Roll Night ACE Month Night in Saigon 15 NIS 15 Viewing Party VSA x FSA Ice Skating Date Night UGA Goes to USC Culture Collision Game Show Night
What were your organization’s goals for this year and how were you successful in achieving these goals?
Our goals focused around growth of new leaders and sustainability of the organization as there would be a major shift in leadership following the 2018/2019 board. By hosting events that would foster passion for VSA amongst members, we motivated them to learn more about our organization’s planning structure and step up to leadership roles. We focused on revamping our ACE system to make it more impactful in developing meaningful relationships among members. We hosted events prior to sorting allowing them to get to know their potential family members and sort them based on our observations and their feedback for who they liked. A catalyst for leadership was Night in Saigon 15, where members were impacted by the directors’ leadership and wanted to be the next generation resulting in a large number of applicants for NIS 16 directorships. Our elections were filled with many interested candidates that shared insightful ideas on how to improve the club and where they wanted it to go next.
What obstacle(s) did your organization encounter this past year and how did your organization overcome them?
One of the biggest obstacles this year is the turnover in membership with many of our core members having graduated or become less active and a new wave of potential members coming in. We overcame this by making sure we were approachable and accessible. Our freshman were enthusiastic about getting involved. We gave them the right opportunities to sustain their membership and activity throughout the year. Some issues arose with communication, coordination, and transparency with our NIS directors. These difficulties hindered our progress in the beginning but allowed our EBoard and directors to realize their divergent working and communication styles, overcome these differences, and grow as leaders. VSA and FSA organized a social to go ice skating together. It was planned well but due to weather, the ice skating rink was closed and we had to switch to roller skating at the last minute. It was met with subpar VSA attendance, and we learned that we needed to plan for everyone.
What makes your organization considered “Most Outstanding”?
UGA VSA should be considered for “Most Outstanding VSA” due to our consistency, passion, and drive in the VSA community. Over the past year, we’ve showcased innovation and creativity through our media productions, programming events, culture show, and leadership rates at the school level, regionally, and continentally. We foster an environment that creates a passion for the Vietnamese American college community and like to provide events that are attractive to VSAs outside of UGA as well. We increased our involvement in community service by providing opportunities for our members to volunteer within the campus and Vietnamese community in Georgia. Through health fairs, voter registration drives, and voter phone banking, we were able to leave a positive impact on our community. We maintain a high functioning standard amongst leaders in our organization that allows them to learn concrete skills they’ll be able to use in their futures.