Virtual Event Resources

In hosting events this quarter, we hope all RSOs will take into consideration the following tenets: 

• The event aligns with the organization’s mission and purpose
• The event helps facilitate the building of community 
• The event is as inclusive as possible. Please consider technology access, time zone differences, access to supplies, how you are promoting the event, etc.
  • See our step-by-step tutorial for Submitting Virtual Events on Blueprint here.

Zoom is free and available to all UChicago students. Zoom can also be used to screen-share with up to 300 people, allowing you to host lectures or webinars.

Google Hangouts is free, allows up to 250 people on a call, and can be recorded (until June 1st).

Use fun Zoom Backgrounds to liven up your meetings!

Review this infographic for virtual event planning recommendations.

• Host a virtual election using Blueprint.  
• Save your materials on Box or Google Drive.
• Blueprint Documents allows shared storage space for organizational files.
• Host a transition retreat online and work with your advisor to make sure new leaders have access to online resources.
• If you'd like your transition retreat to include a StrengthsQuest training, use our StrengthsQuest Training Request Form. A member of the UChicago Leads team will reach out to you with their availability. 

Track projects, tasks, and goals and communicate with fellow RSO members with sites like Trello, Slack, or Microsoft Teams.

Looking for a common time to meet? Use a resource like When2Meet, Doodle, or WhenIsGood to schedule RSO meetings or events. Remember to collect time zone information from your members. 

The University has compiled resources and tips for remote instruction that could also be used for RSO activities. Check out the Learning Remotely page for more info.

If working remotely means you don't have access to programs or software you need, check out the IT Services page of free and reduced-cost resources.

Collect feedback to plan programs/activities by polling your members:

• Use Survey Monkey to collect data and feedback remotely.
• Poll Everywhere lets you quickly survey your members.
• Set up a Google Form to gather ideas for spring or summer RSO engagement.

Virtual Activities & Events

• Marco Polo allows you to keep in touch while social distancing by sending short, private videos to your friends.
• Create a podcast using Anchor, an all-in-one platform, where you can create and distribute your podcast from any device, for free.
• Engaging Members Virtual Resource Tutorial.
• Interesting in facilitating a networking event? Check out SpatialChat.

Virtual Icebreakers 

• Funny Questions to Ask by Conversation Starters World
• This or That Questions by Conversation Starters World
• Virtual Icebreakers & Connection Activities by Training Wheels: a creative resource for building teams
• 53 Virtual Activities for Keeping College Students Engaged by Presence

Ideas & Resources for how to recruit members remotely:

• Attend the Student Activities Resource Fair (SARF)
• Check out SpatialChat, a virtual platform for networking
• Ask your advisor about campus partners you can contact to also help promote recruitment. 
• Contact Student Government to see how they can support your recruitment marketing.
• 25 Virtual Recruitment Ideas by Ripplematch
• 10 Ways to Market your Student Club On Campus by Canva
• Send Messages as an Organization Leader to your roster on Blueprint.

Ideas & Resources for how to engage members remotely without needing to spend more time on Zoom:

• Create a collaborative playlist, book list, “movies of the month”, podcasts to listen to, etc.
• Make a raffle or challenge for doing activities off zoom through social media.
  • Photo Challenge
  • Scavenger hunt
  • TikTok Challenges
• Make a scavenger hunt that could be played anywhere:
  • Support a local store
  • Find a new park
  • Search for a historical landmark in your neighborhood
• Share recipes – cooking, baking, snacks, etc.
• Start a Facebook group, slack channel, or GroupMe for more ways to connect off zoom.
• Use Wakelet to share websites and other online resources.
• Totally Zoomed Out by SongDivision 
  • Check out more suggestions on our Virtual Activities list for more resources and ideas.

Ideas and resources to add a gaming or competition element to your virtual events:

• Create a social media raffle through IG stories, Facebook polls, questions, or other posts.
• Create a bracket challenge (*search bracket challenges on Pinterest)
• Lookup a TikTok challenge to use as an icebreaker
• Create an online scavenger hunt
• Custom Trivia Games with Kahoot or another online platform
  • Article on How to Drive Virtual Event Engagement with Gamification by Accelevents