SAYVA Is Back - And this Launch is Going to Hit Different

New school year, new SAYVA season, and this launch is looking like it’s going to be electric. I’m not kidding when I say that the SAYVA launches are inspiring. Stepping into this environment can be a little intimidating, but once you step over that hurdle, you will see just how fun our community is.

If you have never been to a SAVYA launch before, here’s the deal: Part reunion, part “meet the new ambassadors,” and part massive hangout. Every year I walk into these thinking that this is going to be a sort of a meeting, and every year I am proven wrong.

This is something to be excited about; meeting new people, signing up for new things, and embracing the community of people who are there to help just as you are.

This year’s launch will fall on Sunday, September 13th, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest ones yet.

What’s actually happening at the launch

SAYVA T-Shirts - First thing you should do: check in and grab your shirt. This free merch will make you feel part of the community already

Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase - This is a new idea, and I love it. Teen and youth ambassadors will set up and showcase their own businesses, products, books, and creative projects. This is a great opportunity to get out there and support people: buy something, ask questions, and hype them up.

Meet our Committees - You will have a chance to meet our leaders and talk to them about their committees. This is a great way to get into a leadership role (trust me, I did this last year) here at SAYVA in the near future and get involved in a committee this year.

● Service Project - Kick off the year by making snack bags for those in need.

● Service Recognition - Recognize SAYVA Ambassadors’ strong commitment to

community service. Also be sure to log volunteer hours after participating in SAYVA events.

● SAYVA Olympics - Enjoy friendly games for students of all ages! This is a great way to start connecting and making friends in SAYVA.

If you are thinking about SAYVA Leadership down the line, attend at least two SAYVA events and get active in a committee. It will definitely be hard to pick one, but make sure to meet these requirements as this is a real step towards a leadership role. Launch day will be an excellent place to start that clock and try to get involved.

SevaTruck Snack Packs - Any and all ambassadors can help assemble snacks packs for SevaTruck during the launch. This is a great hands-on way to start giving back to our local community.

Nepal Flood Relief Fundraiser - I’m sure most of you know what’s happening in Nepal right now, and it is devastating. As a SAYVA community, we will come together and raise funds to support relief and support efforts in Nepal. We don’t have all the details locked down yet, but stay tuned as we will share more information later about how families can contribute.

Food, Music, Friends - The day will be over faster than you think, I promise. We will close the event out with good food, great music, and a bunch of pictures. This is a time to hang out with new friends and reconnect with people.

Parents are welcome too - Parents, come meet other SAYVA families. You, too, can get involved and find your own ways to plug in. Great way to get a feel of the year ahead and see what your kids are actually doing.

One quick thing: bring a reusable water bottle. This is a small thing, but it keeps SAYVA green and it’s another way to live out the “community” part of what we do here.

Why I’m Hyped:

I’ve been to a few of our launches now, and the first time I went I was nervous. I didn’t know many people, didn’t know what SAYVA really was, and didn’t know what I was

doing here.

By the end of the day I did not want to leave.

Now, my favorite part is watching new ambassadors show up not really knowing anyone, and by the end of the day, they are exchanging numbers and planning to sit together at the next event.

That is what SAYVA is really all about: connecting with new people and creating a safer and stronger environment. SAYVA isn’t a burden, it’s a community, and everyone should be part of one. That is what SAYVA is, and that’s why people keep coming back.

If you’re new, don’t stress. Show up, grab a cool shirt, walk around, and talk to new people. You’ll see just how welcoming we are. That’s genuinely all it takes.

See you all on the 13th!

Blog written by Sahil Dorawala