built upon a foundation of
VOLUNTEERS
We are dedicated to providing opportunities for growth and development to students and young professionals of all ages.
OPPORTUNITY
By joining our volunteer staff, you’ll be able to develop real-world skill sets which will help propel you in your career. Below are some skills which we leverage in all our programs.
Event Planning
Be a small retreat or a large-scale festival, we plan a multitude of private and public events each year.
Finance
We maintain the books of over $500k in revenue and budget for projects as large as $300k in expenses.
Culture
We incorporate Vietnamese culture in all our programs in order to educate our members and the community.
Project Management
We incorporate management training to ensure you’re prepared to plan and execute projects on-time.
Technology
We leverage technology from collaboration software to Community Relations Management software.
Photography
We have a media team that hones their photography, cinematography, and production skills.
join our team
Our volunteers come from all across Southern California.
Year-Round Staff
Project Staff
Day-of volunteers
we’re here to serve you
Our corporate motto is “Developing the Next Generation of Leaders.” That means you.
GENERAL STAFF
The General Staff work with the Executive Board in administration and event planning and coordination. Most positions require an annual commitment we only ask that you be able to volunteer at least 2 hours per week. For event coordinators, we ask that you be able to commit additional hours leading up to and throughout the event.
ALUMNI RELATIONS
Oversees the building and maintaining relationships with alumni through social events, newsletters, and support campaigns using donor relationship management software
CAMP STAFF
Assists the Camp Chair in planning and executing UVSA’s two annual leadership camps: one for youth ages 15 through 18, and a second for collegiate VSA leaders. Scroll down for more information
COMMUNICATIONS
Sets the tone for all external messaging while ensuring the organization’s values are always upheld. Oversees relationships with media outlets, manages social media platforms, and reviews all outgoing messaging
DEVELOPMENT
Assists officers in the leadership development of the general staff by coordinating professional workshops, retreats, training sessions, and other opportunities from other organizations or events
PUBLIC RELATIONS / CORR
Assists the External VP in maintaining relationships within the community, including representing UVSA at other community organization functions. Also serves as the SoCal Representative within UNAVSA
HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH
Maintains and develops relationships with high school campus clubs in order to provide opportunities to participate in UVSA projects (summer camp) or daily volunteer opportunities (Tet Festival)
HUMAN RESOURCES
Assists the Secretary and Internal VP in screening, recruiting, and training department volunteer staff. Reviews and updates existing training protocols to meet industry standards
INTERNAL RELATIONS
Assists the Internal VP in managing event administration of Inter-Collegiate Council events. Ensures that ICC meetings and minutes are properly recorded and provides training to ICC in UVSA procedures
IT / WEB
Systems administrator for backend platforms, such as Google Workspace for Nonprofits, Workplace by Meta, Webhosting by DigitalOcean, Customer Relationship Management by Salesforce, and more
MEDIA
Coordinates photographers and videographers to cover UVSA events. May provide coverage to local VSA events. Produces creatives for publishing on the website and social media
PROJECT U DANCE
Choreographs dances for the community. Performs traditional and modern dances to at community events, including exhibition performances at other VSA events and Tet Festival
TET FESTIVAL CHAIR
Lead event coordinator the annual Tet Festival event, overseeing all aspects of planning and execution. Recruits committee directors to oversee event programming and logistics.
PROJECT LEAD: CAMP EVENT COORDINATOR
UVSA is seeking volunteers for two summer leadership camps: the first event for high school students and the second event for college students. All available team openings are listed below
[CLOSED] CAMP - Chair
The Project LEAD Camp Staff’s mission is to bring together Vietnamese American youth including students from different colleges and high schools throughout Southern California to build unity, to serve our community, and to advocate for social justice issues that affect our community domestically and in Vietnam. We represent the diverse and dynamic Vietnamese youth population by encouraging interaction, participation, and activism in the community. We promote awareness of Vietnamese culture, language, and history. Through leadership and service, we strive to advance the Vietnamese community in areas of social, educational, cultural, and civic participation.
- Provides an opportunity for students to network and establish skills that reinforce collaboration, build leadership, and develop identity
- Oversees the camp staff to ensure the success of the event
- Strive to instill an appreciation for the Vietnamese American identity, cultural heritage, and sense of belonging
- Must have been active in UVSA for at least one year
- Must have been a Camp Director, Vice Chair, or Chair of a previous UVSA camp
[OPEN] CAMP - Family Director
Family committee is responsible for organizing a family system that will allow attendees to engage with one another and build relationships throughout the weekend. The family experience is a piece of Camp that sets the tone and mood for the weekend and can make an impact on an attendee’s experience during the three-day weekend. This committee will be in charge of creating families and training family heads. The committee will also coordinate various activities throughout the camp weekend. Their goal is to make the attendee experience one to never forget with their programming for the weekend!
- Create vision for the family experience that’s unique to camp
- Train and pair family heads/leaders
- Organize and facilitate a family head retreat
- Work with Registration to create dynamic families
- Formulate family theme and structure
- Facilitate icebreakers/group activities
- Organize and facilitate camp bonfire and UVSA By Night
- Lead camp jingles/songs
- Create fun activities to promote an active atmosphere, inclusivity, and safety.
- Conduct judging/scoring system and distribute prizes/awards
- Assist in incorporating the team’s vision into all aspects of camp
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[CLOSED] CAMP - Hospitality Director
The Hospitality Committee is in charge of improving the working and living conditions of staff & campers during the three-day weekend. The individuals in this committee will be your lifesavers, literally! They will be in charge of safety protocols and will oversee the general needs and well-being of camp attendees. They are responsible for acquiring the food for camp breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including snacks & drinks for staff and campers. They will be coordinating wake-up calls, night sweeps, and assisting Logistics with noise control.
- Create meal plans that accommodates to a variety of diverse needs
- Come up with plans to adapt to the various weather changes
- With the logistic members of PROLOG, prepare emergency and safety protocols for team members and attendees
- Educate team members and attendees on these protocols
- Shall ensure that the entire team has completed a minimum 1.5 hour CA food handlers training and have a valid CA Food Handler Card accredited by ANSI
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[CLOSED] CAMP - Marketing & Media Director
The Marketing & Media committee oversees all public relations (PR), marketing, and media creation leading up to and during camp. This includes advertising and communicating all relevant information to the Vietnamese and other communities, as well as overseeing photography and videography for the three-day weekend. They are responsible for creating a “buzz” to build up excitement for the camp through various modes of communication and recording the camp experience, so you can take it home and show your family and friends what a great time you had! These individuals are pretty much single-handedly responsible for how people hear about camp!
- Develop and execute marketing campaigns to target camp audiences
- Prepare press releases for all major announcements
- Delegate event planning tasks to team members where necessary
- Attentive to the value of staying under budget while planning event specifications
- Oversee photography & videography during the 3 days of the camp
- Recruits official camp photographers & cinematographers
- Communicates with all other committees for media request or coverage
- Collects and and manage of all presentations and media files throughout all weekend
- Design and print camp staff badges
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Programming & Logistics Director
The Programming & Logistics committee determines the programming of the entire camp, allocating the necessary time for all events and activities, and ensuring that the content is in harmony with the camp theme and mission. The committee will also oversee the setup of the entire camp, making sure the location is adequately prepared for all the camping activities and events. They also ensure the safety of the campers and help enforce the rules and regulations.
- General Logistics
- Coordinate setup and disassembly of all meeting spaces
- What we need to do when we get to the campsite, what we need to set up, what we need to get ready, which equipment will go where, etc.
- Create the Camp Master Playbook
- Work with Camp Chairs and Family Programing to create a Camp Program that incorporates the theme and vision
- Oversee the planning of:
- Friday Night Activity
- Tro Choi Lon (with FPC)
- Saturday Night Activities
- Invite keynote/workshop speakers
- Conduct camp and workshop evaluations
- Oversee camp inventory
- Works with Hospitality to create a Security & Emergency Response:
- Update the emergency response plan and evacuation plans for camp
- Update the escalation guide for camp
- Cross-reference the current campsite emergency response information and disseminate to staff
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Registration Director
The Registration committee is in charge of the camp registration process, making sure things are organized and that all campers have the necessary materials. The Registration Committee is responsible for ensuring a simple and easy-to-understand process by which attendees register for the conference, sign-up for workshops, pay. The committee also manages attendee check-in at Camp. This committee will work together with The Marketing & Media Committee to design the camp badge. They will also work with the Programming & Logistics Committee to coordinate the registration and check-in of attendees for all the sessions. Registration committee members have the option of opting out of attending camp per the approval of the Camp Chair(s) and Committee Director(s).
- Create scholarships to provide accessibility to attendees
- Create accurate and efficient documents for team use
- Set up registration form for attendees
- Create accurate and efficient documents for team use
- Create and update the event registration form
- Ensures that liability and medical waivers are included in the registration form and that such forms are available on-site in case of emergencies
- Works with the IT team to ensure that all forms, including collection of payments, are fully tested on the UVSA website
- Works with the finance team to reconcile registration income, implement discount codes, and issue refunds
- Oversees on-site check-in
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[CLOSED] CAMP - Sponsorship Director
The Sponsorship committee is responsible for generating business sponsors to ensure additional funding and involvement for the camp, making sure they are accommodated and to maintain a mutually beneficial business partnership. By doing so, they increase the visibility of the camp within the community/local businesses and oversee all fundraising efforts. Sponsorship funds will also be used to make available scholarships for campers to apply. ALL staff members will be encouraged to help drive revenue through achieving personal sponsorship goals and helping the sponsorship committee. Sponsorship committee members have the option of opting out of attending camp per the approval of the Camp Chair(s) and Committee Director(s).
- Collaborate with the UVSA Treasurer and Finance Coordinator to set up strategies to reach out to potential Sponsors
- Prepare sponsorship packet to distribute to potential sponsors
- Develop and implement sponsorship sales plan for increasing revenues in a cost-effective manner
- Develop and implement sponsorship budget to achieve sales plans
- Create or update sponsorship proposals
- Manage all sponsorship activities, including sponsor prospecting, proposal customization and presentation, contract revision and servicing, sponsor follow-up and support, and representing UVSA at industry functions
- Delegate event planning tasks to team members where necessary
- Anticipating and planning for possible different scenarios
- Oversee fundraising activities
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Have attended a prior Project Lead Camp or relevalant expericence
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Family Committee
Family committee is responsible for organizing a family system that will allow attendees to engage with one another and build relationships throughout the weekend. The family experience is a piece of Camp that sets the tone and mood for the weekend and can make an impact on an attendee’s experience during the three-day weekend. This committee will be in charge of creating families and training family heads. The committee will also coordinate various activities throughout the camp weekend. Their goal is to make the attendee experience one to never forget with their programming for the weekend!
Family Heads are essential to the success of our camp. They are the mentors, older siblings, who interact most directly with the campers, ensuring that all have a positive experience. Family Heads may have the option to be Family Leaders for UVSA Camp (limit one leader per family for UVSA Camp).
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- Work with Energizers to develop family theme/structure
- Aid in deciding the outcome of the family experience
- Motivate and inspire family morale
- Provide a safe environment for campers
- Keep campers on schedule
- Provide guidance for campers throughout the weekend
- Work with Sponsorship to do sponsorship runs throughout the planning phase
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee is in charge of improving the working and living conditions of staff & campers during the three-day weekend. The individuals in this committee will be your lifesavers, literally! They will be in charge of safety protocols and will oversee the general needs and well-being of camp attendees. They are responsible for acquiring the food for camp breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including snacks & drinks for staff and campers. They will be coordinating wake-up calls, night sweeps, and assisting Logistics with noise control.
- Finding food sponsors
- Preparing food & snacks for staff
- Delivering food and water to on-site staff at scheduled times and rotations
- Making sure staff is eating, staying hydrated, & sleeping
- Create and promote an inclusive atmosphere where every attendee feels at ease
- Work with the director to create meal plans that accommodates to a variety of diverse needs
- Maintain an accurate database of attendee needs and special accommodations
- Prepare meals throughout the weekend
- Purchases, prepares, and distributes all non-catered food for staff and attendees
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Marketing & Media Committee
The Marketing & Media committee oversees all public relations (PR), marketing, and media creation leading up to and during camp. This includes advertising and communicating all relevant information to the Vietnamese and other communities, as well as overseeing photography and videography for the three-day weekend. They are responsible for creating a “buzz” to build up excitement for the camp through various modes of communication and recording the camp experience, so you can take it home and show your family and friends what a great time you had! These individuals are pretty much single-handedly responsible for how people hear about camp!
- Strategize marketing ideas and techniques to target camp audiences
- Research additional advertising outlets and opportunities for outreach
- Create graphics needed by other committees
- Assist other committees with marketing needs
- Maintain website and social media
- Recruit old/new attendees
- Publish camp brochure/pamphlet/flyers.
- Create and print camp program booklets
- Create design for camp and staffer t-shirts
- Create promotional material such as:
- Profile portraits
- Banners
- Videos
- Edit and print pictures for campers
- Create a post-camp recap video
- Assist other committees with A/V, photography and videography needs
- Prepare camp trailers and slideshows
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Programming & Logistics Committee
The Programming & Logistics committee determines the programming of the entire camp, allocating the necessary time for all events and activities, and ensuring that the content is in harmony with the camp theme and mission. The committee will also oversee the setup of the entire camp, making sure the location is adequately prepared for all the camping activities and events. They also ensure the safety of the campers and help enforce the rules and regulations.
- All committee members will:
- Oversee families during FNA and SNA
- Create and facilitate games and activities for FNA and TCL
- Create TCL script
- Work with Marketing & Media to create TCL trailer
- Programming Subcommittee:
- Develop and facilitate workshop topics
- Decorate campsite in accordance to TCL theme
- Workshops & Group Discussions:
- Facilitates workshops/Find facilitators
- Collects workshop summaries
- Creates, distributes, collects, and compiles workshop evaluations
- Communicates with M&M for A/V needs for workshop rooms
- Logistics Subcommittee:
- Assist in camp setup and maintenance
- Inventory:
- Communicates with all other committees with inventory needs to create inventory list
- Create inventory checklist per room before camp weekend
- Manages inventory check-in and check-out (projectors, easels, walkie talkies, etc)
- Assist other committees with other inventory needs, such as A/V with their rental equipment
- Serve as first responders to security & emergency situations
- Continually patrol the campsite for safety hazards
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Registration Committee
The Registration committee is in charge of the camp registration process, making sure things are organized and that all campers have the necessary materials. The Registration Committee is responsible for ensuring a simple and easy-to-understand process by which attendees register for the conference, sign-up for workshops, pay. The committee also manages attendee check-in at Camp. This committee will work together with The Marketing & Media Committee to design the camp badge. They will also work with the Programming & Logistics Committee to coordinate the registration and check-in of attendees for all the sessions. Registration committee members have the option of opting out of attending camp per the approval of the Camp Chair(s) and Committee Director(s).
- Awards giveaway
- Works with Sponsorship to obtain scholarship funds
- Create and review scholarship applications
- Event tickets sales
- Actively work with Family and Programming to create a way to effectively form families
- Works with Marketing & Media to ensure that each camper receives a matching attendee badge
- Set up registration form for attendees
- Find and establish creative methods to control budget
- Proactively work with Family and Programming to ease transitions between activities.
- Proactively work with Hospitality to ease transportation of equipment and set-up
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
[OPEN] CAMP - Sponsorship Committee
The Sponsorship committee is responsible for generating business sponsors to ensure additional funding and involvement for the camp, making sure they are accommodated and to maintain a mutually beneficial business partnership. By doing so, they increase the visibility of the camp within the community/local businesses and oversee all fundraising efforts. Sponsorship funds will also be used to make available scholarships for campers to apply. ALL staff members will be encouraged to help drive revenue through achieving personal sponsorship goals and helping the sponsorship committee. Sponsorship committee members have the option of opting out of attending camp per the approval of the Camp Chair(s) and Committee Director(s).
- Research, develop, and update sponsorship valuation relative to the market value of assets
- Contact and meeting with possible sponsors
- Work with the marketing & media team to collect and collect audience data to enhance sponsorship activations
- Research & seek additional funding opportunities, including new sponsors and businesses to reach out to
- Active communication with potential and existing sponsors, including phone calls, emails, video calls, and in-person meetings.
- Brainstorm and implement additional fundraising plans
- Reaching out to the local community organizations and businesses to secure monetary and in-kind donations
- Advertising and securing ad purchases on program booklet from businesses
- Active communication with sponsors throughout the planning phase for updates & progress, including post-camp
- Coordinate with relevant committees to ensure benefits for sponsors are fulfilled
- Follow-up with sponsors post-camp with thank yous and initiate the conversation to convince them to become a year-round contributor
Qualifications & Expectations
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a method of transportation to and from meetings
- Be available and present on-site for both High School and UVSA Camp – Dates TBD
From Our alumni
“Being involved with UVSA opened doors to many opportunities including networking, project management, and leadership development, and I have also been influenced to pursue a dual MD/MBA degree as a result.”
“UVSA created a safe space for me to explore my passions”
“UVSA is awesome, 10/10 would recommend.”