UNICEF-OSU

At the beginning of the 2014-15 school year- my first year at OSU- I decided I wanted to join UNICEF-OSU. Knowing what UNICEF was already, and the great things its involved in from water accessibility to ending of child marriage, I wanted to be a part of this great organization in any way I could. I came to the first meeting that year – the scavenger hunt- and immediately found an additional benefit of this club- the amazing people. I made friends that day that I still talk to for academic, social, and personal issues and I have found this to be an unexpected blessing of being a part of UNICEF-OSU. Although I was unable to attend every meeting last year due to a demanding work schedule, when I decided that this was an organization I wanted to commit to, I then made my class and work schedule around our meetings and events. Last year and this year, I volunteered at and attended many of our events- Mile of Change, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF on campus (my personal favorite), Homecoming Parade, Campus Parc, Dine and Donate Fundraiser, and Bake Sale on the Oval.

This year, I had the amazing opportunity to hold a leadership position as elected Head of Committee for our first ever Masquerade Ball. From finding a DJ through a friend, making the playlist, making/editing the flyer, posting around campus/advertising to friends/dorms, recruiting many of the volunteers who helped make the event a success, and other tasks, I feel I’ve gained many important skills and seen a sliver of what goes in to event planning and what makes events successful – we raised over $4,800, which doubled was incredible to have helped contributed to. I feel many of my leadership skills that I could bring to UNICEF-OSU board come from this role and the experiences that came with it. I had to work not only with a committee of people to bring together their best ideas and what they could contribute, but also relay this information back to board to make the event run smoothly and efficiently. I also worked along other exec members this year to host a Hunger Banquet at Bowen dorm, which was fun and helped me see what leading an event for people unfamiliar with UNICEF was like, and how best to present for these events. I love working to bring everyone’s’ individual talents and capabilities together to make the best events and activities that we can make as a group. I’m super excited to be elected as the Director of Recruitment & Outreach for 2016-2017!!! 🙂helinaunicef