From tabletops to desktops: Club Fair goes online

From+tabletops+to+desktops%3A+Club+Fair+goes+online

For the first time in 22 years, Krop’s annual club fair was hosted virtually on Microsoft Teams on Sept. 16.  

A team of club presidents and Activities Director Michelle Russell worked together to provide a virtual alternative for all Krop students to experience a club fair despite the effects of COVID-19 on in-school activities.

Usually occurring in-person, with students visiting club tables set up in the patios during both lunches, club fair yields a way for students to dip their toes into a variety of school activities.  

With over 35 different clubs to choose from and 650 attendees, the fair granted the opportunity for students of all classes to come together and become a part of something communal. Whether it is a community service based club, an honors society or a science, language or arts-oriented club, all students were welcomed and highly encouraged to join. 

About a week prior to the fair, flyers and posters were advertised on Krop’s website and social media platforms. Additionally, teachers, club sponsors and club presidents took part in making the student population aware of the event.

In preparation, Russell created a singular access code on Teams, enabling students to join any club channel that interested them. She assigned each club an individual channel within the team, where the club presidents were able to take full creative control to display their club incentives.  

“The student leaders did an amazing job populating their club’s channels with content about their club – videos, pictures, powerpoints, flyers and other information,” Russell said. “The club leaders were the superstars for this event.” 

On the day of the event, students were able to log into their Microsoft Teams accounts, join the “Club Fair” teams using a passcode, and click on any club that intrigued them. Once they clicked on the channel, they were able to view information about the specific club and join a live Zoom session with the club’s board members.

President of the Student Investment Club and vice president of the Student Government Association, junior Pablo Manzo played a crucial role in assisting with the technicalities of the fair.

“My main responsibility was being the person who answered everyone’s worries at the last minute,” Manzo said. “But I completely enjoyed it, and I think everyone did.” 

Vice president of Health Information Project (HIP) and co-president of Best Buddies, senior Noa Rimon felt a slight impact, but was able to overcome it and persevere for a successful outcome.

“The fair went well considering the virtual part of it. It was harder to join more clubs online compared to in school when you can walk around and sign up for a lot more, but overall it went well,” Rimon said. 

As with every transition to online platforms, the virtual aspect brought its challenges, but despite the circumstances, it was still successful in its intentions of drawing new members to the clubs, continuing the tradition.