MOST OUTSTANDING Social Event NOMINEE
Vietnamese Student Association at Louisiana State University (VSA-LSU)
VSA Bowling Night
Provide a detailed description of the event and the population it served. Details MUST include: date of event, number of participants, program purpose (goals, objectives, etc.), use of resources (finances, community support, etc.), and marketing techniques.
Date: Wednesday, October 17 Time: 9:30 PM until close Location: All Star Lanes Participants: Around 80 members and affiliates showed up, and we had 12 lanes reserved. Eight of the lanes had 6 people each, and the other 4 had 5 people, so about 68 active bowlers. A few other members came to hang out and support too.
Program Purpose: The bowling night was a chill social hangout after our second General Body Meeting. The goal was to help members connect, especially new and returning students, and just have a good time in a low-pressure setting. It was also a way to promote VSA membership by showing off some of the perks and the community that comes with being part of the organization.
Use of Resources: Financial: We spent about $90 total, mostly on lane rentals and a few supplies like washable markers for the fun prize activity.
Community Support: The event was mainly put together by the e-board. They were the ones making sure everyone got their dues paid, had a spot to bowl, and that everything went smoothly with the bowling rules.
Marketing: The event was mostly spread through word-of-mouth and announcements during and after the GBM. E-board members were also on the lookout for new members who might need a little guidance and made sure everyone felt included. We also took a group photo around 11 PM to capture the moment and share it with people who couldn't make it.
What efforts were used to motivate and involve the organization's members?
The VSA e-board made sure to keep the vibes high and the night fun with a few creative moves:
We kicked things off with a friendly competition. The winners of the first game on each lane got to draw on one of the e-board members' faces with washable markers. It was a fun way to get everyone involved and there were lots of laughs.
E-board members didn't reserve lanes for themselves, so we rotated in to fill up the smaller groups. This way, everyone had a chance to bowl and get to know each other.
We also made sure to group people into lanes in a way that worked for everyone. If there were new members or people who seemed unsure, e-board members stepped in to help them feel included.
As we bowled, the treasurer and secretary went lane-to-lane, checking if people had signed up for membership and encouraging them to do so to get the discounts and benefits.
Did the organization overcome any challenges that arose while planning and implementing the event? How?
There were a few unexpected challenges, but the e-board handled them smoothly:
Lanes with gaps: There was a gap between our lanes because of some previous reservations, but we got there early (8:30 PM) to make sure we were first in line and secured enough space for everyone.
Delayed start time: We didn’t get to start bowling until 10 PM because of league play, but the group kept the energy up by socializing and just chilling until it was our turn.
Shoe logistics: To save a little money and avoid any trouble, we picked up bowling shoes slowly. We bought a few extra pairs to make sure there were enough shoes for everyone.
Membership confirmation: It was a bit tricky to gather membership info during the event, but the treasurer and secretary went lane-to-lane after the games started, so it was less disruptive and easier to get it done.
Crowd management: The event was super popular, and some people weren’t sure where to go. E-board members were on top of it, though, letting people know they could skip the line and join the VSA group without waiting.
