Volunteer work
The Gin at Hidalgo Falls
09/2020
Navasota, Texas
In September of 2020, I was given the opportunity to assist in setting up the reception area for a Wedding at the Gin at Hidalgo Falls in Navasota, Texas.
My duties included:
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Steaming table linens
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Placing tableware in designated spots on tables
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Setting up Welcome, Seating arrangement and Menu signage
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Assist in arrangement of decorations
This event was not only my first volunteer experience within the Event Management field, but specifically Wedding planning as well. Wedding Planning is my area of focus and something I have been passionate about since a little kid. There are many key takeaways I took from this event, but the most important being the importance of details. Small details aren't small when it comes to the implementation of an event. It is so important to understand exactly what the client wants in order to be successful in the event management field. When assisting this event, after each completed task, I would ask the bride if it was exactly to her liking. It is so important to have clear expectations in order to obtain the most satisfaction from your client.
Hours completed: 3
RPTS Annual Tailgate
10/2020
Virtual
In October of 2020, I volunteered for my first virtual event opportunity. The Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department at Texas A&M hosts an annual tailgate to serve as a place to connect current and former students as well as faculty and staff within this department. Due to COVID-19 and the restrictions set in place, the department decided to transform this event into a fun virtual experience by hosting trivia games, prizes, and chat room within an app called Discord.
My duties included:
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Moderating the chat room on Discord by creating and contributing to conversation
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Participating in trivia games
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Completing the post-event evaluation; suggesting ways to improve the event in the future
The RPTS Tailgate is usually one that is done in person, so I was hesitant on how they would pull it off with it being completely virtual. I was pleasantly surprised on how well the event went, and I think it is due to the planners' creative ways to still engage the community. So what I learned is that virtual events can be just as effective as in person ones if you, as the planner, take the time to truly think about ways that you, as a participant, would want to engage in and enjoy. Creativity is key!
Hours completed: 3
RPTS Cooking at Home Pilot Event
Virtual
10/ 2020
In October of 2021, I volunteered for a pilot event called "Cooking At Home", put on by students in the RPTS 321 class. The purpose of this event was to provide fresh and festive recipes to make at home enriched by the fellowship with others.
My duties included:
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Participate in the pre-event run through; suggest improvements & provide feedback
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Post a festive recipe to the website
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Complete the post-event evaluation
This was my second time to volunteer and participate in a virtual event and I thought it was such a fun and interactive way to host this type of event! What I learned from this event was how effective the application, 'Zoom' can be for hosting these type of interactive events! I have never hosted a Zoom event before, but now will consider it after how successful this event went with it.
Hours completed: 3.5
Basecamp Farms
Navasota, Texas
11/2020
In November of 2020, I volunteered at Basecamp Farms in Navasota, Texas to help set up and monitor a Client Appreciation Event put on for a local realtor in town.
My duties included:
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Unload and set up tables, chairs and tablecloths
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Set out flower arrangements
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welcome guests at the front entrance
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explain instructions for the "Build-your-own flower bouquet station
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Monitor vendors & assist when needed
The purpose of this event was to show appreciation towards the clients of a College Station Realtor by hosting a fun fall event with catering and outside vendors including: Beauty Counter Makeup, Noon Day Boutique and Wildflower Mead Co. This was the first event that I have assisted in that had outside vendors. All of the guests absolutely loved having the vendors and almost every single client purchased at least one thing from one of them. This not only supports small or even larger businesses gain customers, but creates a personal and engaging experience that customers appreciate and want to keep coming back for!
Hours completed: 3
Station 3 Event Venue
12/2020
Houston, Texas
In December of 2020, I was given the opportunity to serve as a day-of wedding assistant at Station 3 Event Venue in Houston, Texas. This experience was very different from others in that I had been planning & coordinating for it weeks prior, in addition to assisting in it the day of.
My duties included:
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Coordinated with vendors to schedule a day-of-timeline
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Facilitated wedding party run-through at rehearsal dinner
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Set up tables, chairs, flower arrangements at venue on wedding day
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Supervised catering staff, DJ, and bartenders throughout duration of wedding
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Ordered transportation for bride, groom & families
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Packed up all personal items left at venue at end of the night
This experience truly opened my eyes on what just a percentage of what it takes to be a successful wedding planner- and truly made me fall more in love with the industry as a whole. A key takeaway I had from this experience is that it is highly likely that not everything will go exactly according to plan. With this being said, it is so important to have back up plans for everything. In addition, being able to keep calm in these types of high stress situations is key, in order to be most effective.
Hours completed: 16.5
RPTS Diversity Pilot Event
Virtual
03/2021
In March of 2021, I volunteered for a virtual pilot event put on by students within the RPTS 321 class. This event was called "Lets talk Diversity" and goal was to raise awareness towards diversity & the importance of having these uncomfortable conversations.
My duties included:
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Participating in the breakout room discussions
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Monitoring the chat box to ensure there is no inappropriate comments or remarks
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Completing the Post-Event Evaluation
I really enjoyed this event and thought it was very informational and really gave me a new perspective on this topic. This event taught me that it is possible to have a successful event over a controversial topic as long as the goals, objectives and expectations are made clear by the staff and understood by the participants. In this event, everyones opinions were acknowledged, respected and appreciated since everyone was on the same page. It served as a safe space for everyone thus making it very comfortable and enjoyable!
Hours completed: 3
RPTS Bounce and Browse Event
04/2021
Virtual
In April of 2021, I volunteered for a virtual event put on by students in RPTS 321 class. This event was called "Bounce and Browse" and its goal was to raise awareness towards the local shops and restaurants located in Downtown Bryan.
My duties included:
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Completed the scavenger-hunt quiz
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Read the corresponding article on how to support small businesses
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Followed a few downtown bryan businesses on social media
I thought this event was such a unique and fun interactive way to raise awareness towards the local businesses in Bryan, even though it was virtual. As someone who has lived in Bryan-College Station for nearly 4 years, i can honestly say that i had not even known about half of the businesses until this event. This event taught me that it is possible to still achieve your goals as an event planner, even when your event can no longer be in person. Just because an event is virtual, does not mean it cant be interactive and fun as well!
