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Event Planning, Upside Down
Performers at last year's event.
The biggest annual event of the FIUTS year, CulturalFest, is just a few days away. CulturalFest is a major undertaking - students join planning committees in the fall, led by members of The FIUTS Student Board. They work closely with staff to coordinate all aspects of the event - they recruit and train other students to plan Expo Booths, audition for performances, sell tickets, promote the event, and bring back auction items from across the globe.
“The best part of the CulturalFest planning process for me was finding other people with enthusiasm and dedication to representing their home countries. It made it feel like planning a social gathering.” says Matt Lai, chair of the 2011 CulturalFest Booth Committee.
As we race around, finalizing a million details, it's tempting to think about how we can make the process of planning this event easier. It can seem like a huge waste of time to include so many students in the planning process. Countless hours are spent with three separate planning committees, helping them come to a consensus, envision the outcome, and navigate the complexities of working as a team. Sometimes, as staff, we're tempted to just "do it ourselves" and "make the decision already."
But at FIUTS, CulturalFest really isn't about the event. It's about developing the capacity of young adults from around the world to collaborate, negotiate, and to be a part of something. It's about building community, diplomacy, and advocacy by meeting students where they are, and providing opportunities to try out leadership in all of its forms - both behind the scenes and in front of an audience.
"I'm learning it's important to work together with all of your team members, because you can't do it all by yourself," says Pratyusha Muthenini, Co-Chair of this year's performance committee. "I'm really looking forward to seeing everything come together after all the effort my committee has put into it. And I'm looking forward to fewer meetings."
For people who come to CulturalFest, it's just a day. But for hundreds of students, being a part of it means so much more. We hope you'll join us to encourage and support their efforts and ours, and to enjoy a unique community event with an international flavor.
Tickets to CulturalFest are available at the door or from Brown Paper Tickets. The Fundraiser/Silent Auction/Performances ($45) begins at 5:30 and the Performances start at 8:00. (Doors open at 7; $15)
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