The BIG Event:

1
The BIG Event A Roundtable Discussion Tyler
Conroy - Texas AM Zac Cummings Syracuse
University Darya Rotblat Syracuse
University Sarah Wischnewsky - Texas AM Jolyn Wu
Syracuse University June 19, 2008
2
DISCUSSION PURPOSE

• To introduce everyone to the concept of the Big
  Event
• To discuss how to make it effective on different
  campuses

3
What is The Big Event?

• A day of community service projects
• Seeks to provide civic engagement
  opportunities between students and the
  community around them
• Volunteers work and serve at individual
  community organizations
• Started here at Texas AM in 1982

4
History of The Big Event at SU

• Run by OrangeSeeds, a first year leadership
  program
• Started in 2005
• Was a way for students to start engaging the
  community and give back to the area
• Was also a leadership opportunity for freshmen

5
Syracuse University

• 17 500 students
• 12 000 undergraduate
• 5 000 graduate
• Located in the city of Syracuse
• Population 147, 306
• 4th year doing The Big Event
• 2008 400 students and 18 sites

6
Structure of TBE in SU

• Logistics
• Marketing
• Community Outreach
• Campus Relations

7
Logistics
I. Facility Reservations and Set-Up II.
Documentation III. Transportation IV. Volunteer
Sign-Up and Distribution
8
Marketing

• I. Concept
• II. Target audience
• III. Design
• IV. Implementation

9
Community Outreach
I. Participating Agencies II. Establishing
Projects III. Volunteer Sign-Up
10
Campus Relations
Volunteer Sign-Up I. identify prospective
volunteers II. educate prospective volunteers
about The Big Event III. direct volunteers to
sign-up sheets/website IV. contact volunteers
with project assignments V. meet with
administration regarding faculty/administration
commitments support
11
Questions to Answer

• 1. Which marketing strategies are most
  effective in given situations?
• What are the different ways to organize, plan and
  execute
• The Big Event? How many people? Executive Board
  structure?
• 3. What does a good volunteer sign-up sheet
  look like?
• What commitments do university administrations
  have regarding
• The Big Event?
• How does an ever-changing student body maintain
  good relations with
• community members/agencies?
• 6. What is the most effective mode of
  transportation for volunteers?
• 7. What service projects are most/least
  popular? Most/least edifying?
• 8. What does the day of the Big Event look like
  at different universities?
• 9. What does a typical timeline look like for
  the planning process?
• 10. How do you keep team morale positive during
  planning process?

12
Questions?
13
For more information
Zac Cummings zacummin_at_syr.edu Darya Rotblat
darotbla_at_syr.edu Jolyn Wu jcwu_at_syr.edu
Presented Thursday, June 19, 2008