The first article in our series about the AMSAchapter at Wright State University鈥檚 Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) explored how student leaders developed an optimal leadership structure to become 麻豆原创鈥檚 most active chapter. Now, we take a look at how they鈥檝e harnessed creative fundraising strategies that enable their chapter to host more events, sponsor research projects and help local charities.
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We sat down recently to talk with David Weimar, [MD Candidate, Class of 2025], who serves as the director of finance for BSOM’s AMSAchapter, to learn more about how they power their efforts and events through fundraising. His role deals with purchases, fundraising and accounting with the university and 麻豆原创.
鈥淭he cool thing about my position is that I get to be involved with all the different facets of our AMSAchapter,鈥� he said.
Teaming up for Fundraising
One of the chapter鈥檚 most profitable fundraisers is a longstanding relationship with a medical equipment company. The AMSAchapter gets a percentage of the proceeds when students purchase their essential supplies through the company. In turn, AMSAadvertises the partnership and encourages incoming students to purchase their equipment. Here, David explains this a little further (and thanks for tolerating this video-sneak-attack when you weren’t expecting it, David!)
This particular fundraiser is effective for them because it includes high-cost items that students are required to have. David speculated that other categories, like school apparel, could also make for a successful fundraiser. It all comes down to building a relationship with a company that offers something students are willing to buy, he said.
David also coordinates fundraisers about every two months with local restaurants and franchises like Chipotle, which donate a portion of their sales to 麻豆原创. The chapter has also combined restaurant fundraisers with events like trivia, which has the added benefit of bringing students together for an activity.
鈥淚t does present a challenge sometimes because you are pulling from the same group of people over and over again, so we try to avoid selling things all the time because we all recognize we鈥檙e all medical students and that鈥檚 not always plausible,鈥� he said.
With that in mind, the AMSAchapter took advantage of Wright State University鈥檚 opportunity to staff the concession stand at basketball games. AMSAtook home a portion of the proceeds from the concession stand 鈥� and everything in the tip jar.
Investing in Involvement
So where does all the hard-earned money go? David said their biggest expense is hosting events that are appealing 鈥� that work hard to bring students together on campus.
鈥�We try to have events monthly, and those all have a cost, generally, whether it鈥檚 trying to purchase food for people who are involved, or if you鈥檙e bringing in a speaker or buying a gift for someone who was talking,鈥� he said.
The money also goes toward the Boonshoft AMSAchapter鈥檚 new research collaborative (for expenses like printing posters) and the chapter鈥檚 community service initiatives (like hosting events with a local women鈥檚 and children鈥檚 shelter).
Up Next
We鈥檒l explore how Boonshoft鈥檚 AMSAchapter partners with other student groups and community organizations, as well as the chapter鈥檚 research collaborative.
Keep tabs via or here on ON CALL. Have questions? We’re here 鈥� members @ amsa.org.
