One of the most heartwarming and meaningful events I had the privilege to organize as part of my CAS journey was Anand Ustav. This event was dedicated to showing appreciation for our school’s support staff—those individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the school functions smoothly. The goal of this event was to give back to them by providing a day filled with fun, relaxation, and recognition. I led the planning and execution of the event, collaborating with a small team of peers and recruiting additional volunteers as needed. Here, I’ll walk you through the entire process—from the conceptualization of the event to its successful conclusion.
The Concept and Planning:
The idea for Anand Ustav stemmed from a desire to create a day of relaxation and appreciation for the support staff. We wanted the staff to feel valued, celebrated, and rejuvenated. As this was a relatively large-scale event with many activities, I decided to gather a small team of classmates to help organize. This group worked together, sharing ideas and breaking down responsibilities.
We began by brainstorming a variety of activities that would cater to different preferences. The aim was to design an event that was light-hearted, engaging, and fun for everyone, regardless of age or role. After finalizing the event activities, we had several meetings to ensure everyone was on the same page.
Once we had a rough concept, I wrote a proposal outlining the event’s purpose, activities, permissions required, and the schedule. This was submitted to the school administration for approval.
Securing Permissions & Resources:
After receiving approval for the event, the next step was to secure all the necessary permissions and resources. This involved:
- Booking the venue: We divided the activities into two main locations on campus—Rendezvous and Hippo—to make the most of available space and facilitate smooth transitions between activities.
- Coordinating with the catering team: To provide snacks for the staff, we worked with the school’s catering team to prepare a bhel station in the Cucina area, where students would make and serve the snacks.
- Organizing equipment: I coordinated with the resources department to ensure that the required equipment, such as chairs, music systems, and game props, would be available on the day.
The Team Expansion and Roles:
With the core team set up, we needed additional volunteers to help manage specific tasks. I recruited students who would assist with:
- Setting up the games and activities.
- Managing transitions between different venues.
- Ensuring that everyone knew where to go at any given time.
- Prepare food for staff
- Prepare dances and skits
- Decor
LO 7: Recognize and Consider the Ethics of Choices and Actions
Throughout the planning of Anand Ustav, I had to make several ethical decisions. For example, when selecting the games and activities, I made sure to choose those that were inclusive and would allow everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, to participate. I also ensured that the event was respectful and appropriate for everyone involved. One ethical consideration was the nature of the appreciation we showed the support staff. We made sure that the activities were not only enjoyable but also meaningful, taking into account the preferences and personalities of the staff members. Rather than simply organizing a generic event, we aimed to create an experience that truly showed how much their hard work meant to the school community.
LO 4: Show Commitment to and Perseverance in CAS Experiences
The success of Anand Ustav was not just about the activities on the day itself but also about the commitment and perseverance required to get everything organized. There were moments when I faced setbacks, such as when I had to adjust the schedule or when unexpected challenges arose with organizing the games. However, I remained committed to the project’s goals and pushed through any difficulties that arose. For example, the planning process took longer than anticipated, and I had to coordinate with several departments to secure all the necessary resources. I also had to make sure that every team member knew their responsibilities on the event day. Despite these hurdles, I persevered because I knew how important it was to show appreciation for the staff. The event’s success was a direct result of my commitment to making it happen, and this perseverance paid off when the staff and students expressed their appreciation for the event.
LO 3: Demonstrate How to Initiate and Plan a CAS Experience
The planning process for Anand Ustav was a clear example of how I initiated and planned a CAS experience from scratch. It started with identifying the goal—to appreciate our support staff and provide them with a memorable and relaxing day. I took the initiative to create a vision for the event, set clear goals, and began developing a step-by-step plan to make it happen. I broke the event down into smaller tasks such as securing permissions, arranging the venue, and recruiting volunteers. I also made sure to gather feedback from peers and teachers throughout the planning stages, which helped me refine the event and make it even more successful. I actively sought out new ideas and ensured that all aspects of the event were thoughtfully planned. By initiating and leading this event, I learned a lot about how to turn an idea into reality through careful planning and execution. This helped me develop a deeper understanding of project management, leadership, and teamwork.
