Join the Team

As an executive board officer at UVSA, you get to be part of the leadership team that oversees so many programs for today’s generation of Vietnamese Americans. Our roots are in community service, cultural awareness, civic engagement, and leadership development. UVSA is a network of young adults and professionals, and we’re looking for prospective leaders like you who want to take it to the next level.

Nominations & Applications Open

The Executive Board

Management

Officers oversee the daily maintenance and operation of the organization, including appointing the general staff who manage specific departments or projects, such as finance, human resources, Tet Festival, and more

Budgeting

Officers prepare the annual operating budget to be approved by the Board of Directors. Officers also review and approve all project and program budgets and ensure that resources are made available for their success

COMMUNITY

Officers represent UVSA in the community, both locally within the Southern California region to across the nation and abroad, by participating in events which bring awareness to issues impacting our communities

Elections

UVSA is structured uniquely in that only officers are elected rather than the directors of a traditional nonprofit organization. To run for any officer position, each candidate must meet two minimum requirements:

Age

Candidates must be younger than 28 years of age by the time of the election

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Experience

Candidates must have served as a former or current VSA executive officer or be an active member of UVSA for at least 1 year

Open Positions

President

As President, you’ll be the representative for the Executive Board. The president maintains the active management of UVSA and ensures the effective action of the Executive Board in daily operations and support for the organization. The president will oversee project committees in UVSA and communicate with committee chairpersons to ensure that their work is carried out.

Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Preparation of meetings and agendas regularly and as needed for Executive Board, UVSA committees, and other operations
  • Establishing short and long-term goals along with the proper delegation and allocation of resources to further UVSA’s mission
  • Communication with UNAVSA and member regions to coordinate efforts and events for its members
  • Serving on the Board of Directors as ex-officio Director

Recommendations:

  • Thorough knowledge about and experience with UVSA operations, committees, and events is highly recommended
  • Ability to lead productive conversations and workspaces

Qualities we value:

  • Critical and strategic thinking to carry out proper management and development of UVSA
  • Schedule flexibility to tend to any urgent matters, and to effectively support and communicate with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and committee chairpersons
  • Effective communication and delegation within UVSA to foster the organization and minimize conflict
Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Preparation of meetings and agendas regularly and as needed for Executive Board, UVSA committees, and other operations
  • Establishing short and long-term goals along with the proper delegation and allocation of resources to further UVSA’s mission
  • Communication with UNAVSA and member regions to coordinate efforts and events for its members
  • Serving on the Board of Directors as ex-officio Director

Recommendations:

  • Thorough knowledge about and experience with UVSA operations, committees, and events is highly recommended
  • Ability to lead productive conversations and workspaces

Qualities we value:

  • Critical and strategic thinking to carry out proper management and development of UVSA
  • Schedule flexibility to tend to any urgent matters, and to effectively support and communicate with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and committee chairpersons
  • Effective communication and delegation within UVSA to foster the organization and minimize conflict

Internal Vice President

As Internal Vice President, you’ll be in charge of all inter-organizational issues, such as clarifying roles and responsibilities of officers, overseeing ICC activities, and assisting in the development of the General Staff.

Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Communication with and assistance for member organizations through Inter-Collegiate Council Representatives, Presidents, and Internal Relations Coordinator
  • Regular commutes within Southern California to support Inter-Collegiate events and activities
  • Create inviting space for current staff members and new staff members to participate in
  • Overseeing the Human Resources operations of UVSA, including approvals, onboarding, conflict resolution, etc.

Recommendations:

  • Previous experience as a VSA Inter-Collegiate Council Representative or President, OR UVSA Internal Relations Coordinator highly recommended 
  • Previous experience as VSA Board Member or UVSA Staff will also be beneficial for the role
  • Ability to commute to Inter-Collegiate events and activities

Qualities we value:

  • Responsibility and dependability to assist the President, other Executive Board members, and staff members on a regular basis to manage the organization
  • Empathetic, passionate, and emotionally driven individuals who are able to connect with the UVSA member schools and other internal aspects of UVSA
  • Authenticity and self-awareness to build genuine relationships and maintain interpersonal communication within the organization
Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Communication with and assistance for member organizations through Inter-Collegiate Council Representatives, Presidents, and Internal Relations Coordinator
  • Regular commutes within Southern California to support Inter-Collegiate events and activities
  • Create inviting space for current staff members and new staff members to participate in
  • Overseeing the Human Resources operations of UVSA, including approvals, onboarding, conflict resolution, etc.

Recommendations:

  • Previous experience as a VSA Inter-Collegiate Council Representative or President, OR UVSA Internal Relations Coordinator highly recommended 
  • Previous experience as VSA Board Member or UVSA Staff will also be beneficial for the role
  • Ability to commute to Inter-Collegiate events and activities

Qualities we value:

  • Responsibility and dependability to assist the President, other Executive Board members, and staff members on a regular basis to manage the organization
  • Empathetic, passionate, and emotionally driven individuals who are able to connect with the UVSA member schools and other internal aspects of UVSA
  • Authenticity and self-awareness to build genuine relationships and maintain interpersonal communication within the organization

External Vice President

As External Vice President, you’ll act as the official liaison of the organization to the community and media, oversee community service projects, and be in charge of all public relations.

Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Outreaching to UVSA Alumni, media, and community members and organizations for events, projects, and collaborations
  • Overlooking social media and media platforms for UVSA — which may include creating and releasing posts, letters, announcements, and news articles
  • Manage external communications of UVSA, including email, telephone, etc.
  • Represent UVSA at community events, as needed

Recommendations:

  • Connections to the Vietnamese community within Southern California and UVSA alumni are highly valued
  • Proficient understanding of marketing, public relations, and/or communication
  • Ability to think quickly on one’s feet to answer questions regarding the organization

Qualities we value:

  • Bilingual in English and Vietnamese to be able to communicate as the liaison between UVSA to the community and media 
  • Initiative to foster meaningful and strategic relationships with the community and media 
  • Personable to encourage involvement in all external affairs
Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Outreaching to UVSA Alumni, media, and community members and organizations for events, projects, and collaborations
  • Overlooking social media and media platforms for UVSA — which may include creating and releasing posts, letters, announcements, and news articles
  • Manage external communications of UVSA, including email, telephone, etc.
  • Represent UVSA at community events, as needed

Recommendations:

  • Connections to the Vietnamese community within Southern California and UVSA alumni are highly valued
  • Proficient understanding of marketing, public relations, and/or communication
  • Ability to think quickly on one’s feet to answer questions regarding the organization

Qualities we value:

  • Bilingual in English and Vietnamese to be able to communicate as the liaison between UVSA to the community and media 
  • Initiative to foster meaningful and strategic relationships with the community and media 
  • Personable to encourage involvement in all external affairs

Secretary

As Secretary, you’ll be the official record keeper. The secretary keeps the attendance and meeting records of all meetings and activities of the organization. The secretary also manages the UVSA Office and the organizations inventory.

Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Preparation of meetings and agendas regularly and as needed for Executive Board, UVSA committees, and other operations
  • Establishing short and long-term goals along with the proper delegation and allocation of resources to further UVSA’s mission
  • Communication with UNAVSA and member regions to coordinate efforts and events for its members
  • Serving on the Board of Directors as a liaison between the Board of Directors and Executive Board

Qualifications:

  • Thorough knowledge about and experience with UVSA operations, committees, and events is highly recommended
  • Ability to lead productive conversations and workspaces

Qualities we value:

  • Critical and strategic thinking to carry out proper management and development of UVSA
  • Schedule flexibility to tend to any urgent matters, and to effectively support and communicate with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and committee chairpersons
  • Effective communication and delegation within UVSA to foster the organization and minimize conflict
Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Tending to administrative affairs, which includes recording meeting attendance and minutes, maintaining the UVSA online accounts, tracking inventory from the UVSA Office
  • Assists the High School Outreach Coordinator in facilitating the Vietnamese American High School Alliance with their meetings, events, and fundraisers
  • Assists the managing the Human Resources department, including approvals, onboarding, conflict resolution, etc.
  • Serving on the Board of Directors as an ex-officio director
  • Co-signer on the UVSA bank accounts and sign checks when the Treasurer is not available
  • Manage logistical affairs of Executive Board including scheduling meetings with member schools and community members
  • Keeper of office keys and management of general office and staff security
  • Assist in formation of ad-hoc committees as necessary
  • Liaison between staff and UVSA alumni
  • Consider returning to monthly correspondence via electronic newsletters to staff and alumni

Recommendations:

  • Thorough knowledge about and experience with UVSA operations, committees, and events is highly recommended
  • Proficient understanding of human resources, people management, and/or staffing
  • Proficient understanding of record keeping

Qualities we value:

  • Methodical and detail-oriented to upkeep all UVSA records and minutes in an accurate, organized manner
  • Prompt correspondence with fellow Executive Board members, UVSA staff, and Board of Directors
  • Communication and conflict resolution skills

Treasurer

As Treasurer, you’ll oversee the organization’s accounting and finances including reviewing and approving budgets, record transactions using QuickBooks, perform monthly bank reconciliations, and prepare quarterly financial statements.

Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Preparation of meetings and agendas regularly and as needed for Executive Board, UVSA committees, and other operations
  • Establishing short and long-term goals along with the proper delegation and allocation of resources to further UVSA’s mission
  • Communication with UNAVSA and member regions to coordinate efforts and events for its members
  • Serving on the Board of Directors as a liaison between the Board of Directors and Executive Board

Qualifications:

  • Thorough knowledge about and experience with UVSA operations, committees, and events is highly recommended
  • Ability to lead productive conversations and workspaces

Qualities we value:

  • Critical and strategic thinking to carry out proper management and development of UVSA
  • Schedule flexibility to tend to any urgent matters, and to effectively support and communicate with the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and committee chairpersons
  • Effective communication and delegation within UVSA to foster the organization and minimize conflict
Duties & Qualifications

What’s it look like day-to-day?

  • Oversight and approval of organizational funds and financial accounts relating to budget, expense authorization forms, taxes, etc.
  • Point of contact for UVSA financial affairs with a dedication to events such as UVSA Fireworks Sale and Tet Festival Administration Team
  • Exercise business acumen, including tax research, over possible actions decided by the Executive Board, Board of Directors, and project coordinators

Recommendations:

  • Proficient understanding of business, management, finance, and accounting
  • Proficient understanding of UVSA to better allocate budget 
  • Proficient understanding of cash handling and cash flow
  • Ability to negotiate finances with professional skepticism
  • Ability to communicate finances to other groups in the organization
  • Ability to maintain an open mind to the goals of individuals
  • Ability to dedicate time to complete day-to-day tasks

Qualities we value:

  • Methodical and detailed to upkeep all UVSA financial accounts and funds in an accurate, organized manner
  • Professional skepticism
  • Negotiation skills

Timeline

Voting

  • Voting will take place online after the Elections Forum on May 14 and will conclude on May 20, 2023. Results will be announced on  May 21, 2023.
  • The voting pool shall consist of the member organizations of the Inter-Collegiate Council (ie. VSAs) and the General Staff, each making up 50% of the the weighted vote total.
  • The voting roster shall be made available to all voters
  • Voter registration is automatic. Ballots shall be distributed to all voters proceeding the Elections Forum
  • Voters do not need to be physically or digitally present during the Elections Forum as it will be recorded and distributed to all voters.
  • For the election to be valid, at least 1/3 of all members must vote (quorum per CA State Law)
  • To be elected, candidates running
    • uncontested shall require 2/3 majority of the total votes
    • contested shall require an absolute majority (>50%) of the total votes

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ICC

  1. Each active member organization within the Inter-Collegiate Council (ICC) shall receive one (1) vote. ICC Representatives and Presidents who are part of General Staff shall vote collectively with their organization. The ICC Representative shall cast the vote on behalf of their organization
  2. The total weight of votes from the ICC shall be 50%
  3. There are currently 12 active member organizations, including VSAs from the following campuses: Chapman, CPP, CSUF, CSULB, CSUN, CSUSM, SDSU, UCI, UCSB, UCSD, UCR, and USC

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General Staff

  1. General Staff are individuals who have staffed at least one project or have been a coordinator within the past 2 years. Each staff member will receive one (1) vote
  2. The total weight of votes from the General Staff shall be 50%
  3. Included within General Staff are project coordinators (Tet Festival, Camp, Summit) and department coordinators (Admin, Development, HR, Media, Public Relations, Communications, IT, Finance, and more)

Questions?

Want to know more about the elections process, or learn more about being on Executive Board? Send all your questions to [email protected].