Variety is the spice of life, and rather necessary for one’s sanity.
It can be difficult for students to find variety in the midst of classes and jobs, but the upcoming Winter Club and Org Fair will offer an easy opportunity to find registered student organizations of all kinds Thursday, Jan. 25 in the Union Breezeway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just under 50 RSOs will have tables at the event, offering outlets for hobbies, activism, academics, religion, athletics and more. If you happen to be someone with a list of unfilled interests and things you wish you had a group for, the fair is a great chance to get connected and make those things happen in your life.
“The Club & Org Fair presents the unique and exciting opportunity for students to actually meet club members in person, engage in discussion and learn about to new clubs and interests that they might not otherwise be exposed to,” Campus Activities Center Office Assistant, Katie Burnworth said. “Aside from offering an excellent opportunity for leadership and professional development, RSOs help our student body pursue special interests and hobbies as well as meet new friends and make connections with UW faculty and staff.”
The CAC n Joseph Réohm and hypnotist Michael Anthony.
“If there is one thing we all need on a January morning back from winter break, it’s coffee,” Burnworth said. “Come grab a cup and say hi!”
Other organizations registered for tables include but are not limited to Engineers Without Borders, Wyoming Speech and Debate Union, Intramural Sports and UW Billiards Club.
A fine example in particular is Role For Initiative, an RSO that has brought students of all majors and even personalities together through their love of tabletop games, from Dungeons and Dragons to Settlers of Catan. Whether you enjoy the occasional game of Monopoly or want to immerse yourself in a full-on roleplaying campaign, that itch can be satisfied every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the lower level of the Union.
UW’s club fairs are one of the best ways to get connected to RFI and other clubs to fulfill your interests and enjoy events like RFI’s game nights.
“It’s always a lot of fun being out there, seeing all the different clubs and getting to talk to people,” President of RFI, Anna Rose said. “And there’s always someone handing out free candy.”
RFI and other clubs at the fair are welcoming of a broad range of individuals regardless of what kind of person might be interested. You don’t have to fit a certain mold to join a certain group.
“There’s a really heavy stereotype for gamers, that it’s all guys,” Rose said. “Three of our four officers are women, and most of our tables are fifty-fifty. We do have a really big turnout.”
Don’t have any experience in that new thing you’re interested in? No problem.
“We have a lot of first-time players that are like ‘oh, I heard about D&D in high school or saw it on Stranger Things, and I’m just so psyched to try it,’” Vice President of RFI, Anna Weibe said.
Even all these groups that are turning out on Thursday are but a fraction of the 270 clubs and organizations students can find if they care to look. Even after the fair is over and done with, students can tap into UW Connect online to browse all RSOs UW.
“It is essentially a virtual Club & Org Fair that is always open,” Burnworth said. “This makes finding an organization that fits a student’s specific interests very accessible.”
And if something you’re excited about is absent among those organizations? Carpe the diem and make it happen. Any student can be a founder.
“If students have an interest or hobby they do not see reflected in the current RSOs they are absolutely encouraged to form a new RSO with us,” Burnworth said.
