Serving on the executive board of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) at Roger Williams University allowed me to combine my passion for advocacy with my skills in leadership, event planning, and financial management. Over two years, I held multiple leadership positions, expanded my responsibilities, and helped organize award-winning programming that brought our community together and advanced our mission.
Building Connections as Outreach Chair
During my first semester on the board, I served as Outreach Chair. In this role, I handled all external communication, from organizing contracts with outside vendors to coordinating event staff. I also led recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring that SAGA not only attracted new members but also created a welcoming, engaging environment that encouraged them to stay involved.
Planning Large-Scale, Award-Winning Events
While serving as Treasurer, I also stepped up as an event planner, organizing programs that drew 250+ attendees. These included educational co-sponsored events, advocacy campaigns, Pride Week celebrations, and our signature Drag Bingo, which raised $2,000 for AIDS research in Rhode Island. Our creativity and community impact earned SAGA awards for programming excellence in both years of my board service.
Managing Finances as Treasurer
The following year, I was elected Treasurer, managing a $35,000 annual budget. I oversaw spending, budgeting, and the organization of our office resources while continuing my outreach responsibilities. This dual role allowed me to strengthen both my financial management and relationship-building skills, ensuring our events and operations ran smoothly and sustainably.
My time in SAGA taught me how to lead across multiple roles, manage complex responsibilities, and approach event planning with both strategic and creative thinking. It reinforced my belief that well-organized, inclusive events can create lasting impact. Not only by entertaining attendees, but by building community, advancing advocacy, and fostering meaningful connections.