As one of the largest student-run organizations on campus, Texas VSA strives to uphold the four pillars of community, culture, sports and family throughout our community. One of the most pivotal factors, however, is our networking opportunities and connections with our members. Our 2017 - 2018 social integration presence aims to strengthen the relations with not only between the officers and members, but also with external VSAs in the Southern region. Our awarded recognition of third place at the Annual Unity Talent Show can be attributed to our growing usage of social media and multimedia productions, as well as to our partnership with various organizations on campus, such as KDC (Korean Dance Crew) and FSA. Not only does our involvement in multiple campus events promote our organization, but also connect us to potential members.
Aside from our video productions, Texas VSA has also begun to incorporate ways for our members to participate in monthly giveaways. During each GM (General Meeting), a member who has recently followed us on any social media platform is randomly chosen to receive a free VSA shirt or designated item, such as a free Date Auction or Benefit Luncheon ticket. While this is an incredible opportunity to promote our organization, it also encourages inclusivity within our members and creates a sense of community. As one of our goals this year, we sought creative ways for our members to get to know the officers better. By producing more interactive content, such as our "Reality TVSA" series on YouTube, hosting Snapchat takeovers, Instagram live stories, and recap videos of our events, we continue to incorporate new ideas to further Texas VSA's development, while carrying on our traditions. Our up-to-date media coverage with events and volunteering opportunities have also encouraged potential members to become more active in not only their community, but also in their family. While maintaining a strong web presence is an important role, we also attribute our success to not only our partnering external VSAs in the Southern region, but also to our officers and members for becoming a part of something greater than ourselves.
Amy Nguyen, University of Texas at Austin