On March 5th, leaders from the AYLUS Scholar Network, Greater Princeton Branch, and Pearland Branch, hosted the first AYLUS Development Summit.
In February, AYLUS Scholar and National Honorary President Cassie Tammy Wang, initiated this Development Summit idea with Scholars Christina Lu and National Fundraising Committee Chair Andy Gu, to help AYLUS branches across the country to learn how to do fundraising, recruiting new members, and hosting events.
First, Cassie introduced the recently created platform AYLUS Scholar Network to the audience.
- In order to commend the high school graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the community with excellent academic performance, to continue to support the high school graduates cultivated by AYLUS, and to create a community for mutual support and information exchange, the American Youth Leadership Foundation (AYLF) established AYLUS Scholar Network.
- The AYLUS Scholar Network is a platform that encourages college students to carry out public welfare activities on campus and in society to stimulate ideas, inspiration, mutual support, and information exchange. This platform consists of AYLUS Scholars and the advisory group. Fresh high school graduates, college students, and social activists are welcome to participate.
- The advisory group is formed of AYLF directors and AYLUS branch advisors. Experts from all fields are welcome to join. The advisory group provides consultation and guidance for the AYLUS Scholar Network.
- The AYLUS Scholar Network encourages participants to develop academic and public welfare projects. The initiator of the project is automatically the host of the project.
Next, Cassie explained why it is necessary to create this Development Summit. The activities and continuing growth of every branch require financial support from the communities. How to raise funds and become more capable of hosting events, besides recruiting new memberships, are questions that are often being asked. The summit is to create a chance so leaders could share their experiences and answer such questions.
Following Cassie’s introductions, Scholar Andy Gu shared his fundraising experiences in Pearland, TX. Funds raised through seeding and planting sales went to local schools, etc.
The Chief Philanthropy Officer Kevin Chen, Development Ministers Andrew Yao, Judy Zhang, and Olivia Ruofei Mao, besides Vice President Sarah Yan from the Greater Princeton Branch, gave their presentations on hosting the 3rd Youth Benefit Concert, donating meals to hospitals, rescue squads, and other first-responder heroes. They also spent some time recruiting many new members.
After some Q&A, Cassie summarized this summit and welcomed more students to the AYLUS Scholar Network.
Panel Speakers: Cassie Tammy Wang (3/5, 3 hrs), Christina Lu (3/5, 3 hrs), Andy Gu (3/5, 5 hrs), Kevin Chen (3/5, 5 hrs; video editing, 3/8, 3 hrs), Andrew Yao (3/5, 5 hrs), Sarah Yan (3/5, 3 hrs), Judy Zhang (3/5, 3 hrs), Olivia Ruofei Mao (3/5, 3 hrs), and Jerry Chen (video processing, 3/8, 3 hrs).
Event Volunteers (3/5, 1 hr): Amber Yu, Sarah Liu, Shannon Liu, Cosner Yang, Kathie Wang, Erick Yan, Steven Li, Gina Shen, Catherine Feng, Lan Cheng, Alissa Wu, Fiona Fan, Ethan Xu, Kevin Zhao, Xing Liao, Tian Liao, Ryan Tian, Sophia Feng, Maggie Yan, Pennie Lu, Harrison Lu, Julia Zhang, Audrey Wang. and more.
