UTSA Non-Profit Fair

This week I have been hosting a table at the Volunteer Opportunities Fair on the

campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) campus. The purpose of this

event is to recruit volunteer participants. My objective is to attract students, faculty and

staff to the SAYL table so that I can provide information on our programs and

encourage participation. I was successful in obtaining the contact information for a

good number of individuals interested in the mission of SAYL and will be reaching out to

them via mail blast or phone calls. My “neighbor” organizations at the fair included one

which offers equine therapy to those with disabilities, and another that provides

nationwide opportunities for disabled veterans to participate in sports activities such as

table tennis.

I was quite surprised at the number of non-profit organizations (over 100) that

participated at the fair. I came away from this experience with a strong sense of

community, which was echoed in conversations with the participants of some of the

other organizations. The non-profit community is remarkably diverse, with a committed

workforce and volunteer force. There are those who participate based on their own

personal experiences, and others who simply want to give back to their community.

Communication materials were developed with an understanding as to the diversity of

potential participants.