Michaelmas Newsletter 2024
Chairperson’s Welcome
To start off our first newsletter from the new committee, we want to say that 2023 was a phenomenal year thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors. The committee is so grateful for your continued support, we couldn’t do any of the amazing work without you. 2024 is set to be even bigger and better as we finalise our transition to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a change that will allow us to continue our incredible ExVac legacy long into the future, and prep for our Easter vacations.
Hi all, and a warm ExVac welcome to this (academic) year’s first newsletter.
To begin, we want to say thank you for the amazing generosity of all of our donors! We are so grateful for your support, your dedication has made our work possible. With your help, we were able to successfully transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which will ensure that ExVac can continue its work long into the future.
With this exciting new position, we aim to maximise the good that ExVac is doing. One way we aim to do this is by expanding our network of feeder schools, to ensure our trips go to those who need it most. Other ideas which we will be working on is the possibility of an additional one-day trip in summer. We, as a committee believe that this will deepen the impact of our trips.
So much has already happened, from promise auctions to marathon runs - be sure to read on to find out more!
Best,
Nina
Chairperson 2024-2025
Welcome notes from the president and treasurer
Hey! I'm Jacob, ExVac president this year. It's my role to oversee the charity and make sure everything is running as it should. This year, I would love to make sure we hit the ground running as a CIO, as well as strengthening our community links (whether that be with social workers or through local events). I am very excited to see what this year has in store!
I'm Anuj, this year's treasurer, having been involved with ExVac for the last two years. My main priorities are broadening University-wide fundraising and streamlining our donation stream.
(Jacob - President, Anuj - Treasurer)
Our 2024/2025 Committee
In June we welcomed the new committee into their positions! We are so lucky to have such a dedicated team working towards making this years holidays the best ever.
President - Jacob Newman
Treasurer - Anuj Mishra
Chairperson - Nina Oldham
VP Leaders - Daniyal Vemuri
VP Social Services - Max Port
Secretary - Enya Dunne
Holiday Organisers - Amber Bebber and Subhan Aslam
Internal Fundraiser - Lucy Caulfield and Becky Devlin
External Fundraisers - Phoebe Lambard and Jasmine Ashworth
We also have our leaders for 2025 confirmed, as well as the accommodation, coaches, and catering all booked, so we’re really excited to meet the amazing kids we’ll take on the vacations!
(Phoebe, Anuj, Jasmine, Nina, Jacob, Lucy, Becky, Enya, Subhan, Max)
IT Updates
Along with our new status as a CIO has come a new website: exvac.org!
Please have a look around, it contains information on our mission as a charity, last year’s trips, past newsletters, and how to donate. There is also a ‘meet the team’ page if you want to meet the wonderful people running ExVac this year!
We have also gotten a lovely brand-new Just Giving link.
Hitting the ground running (literally)
Usually, people take the summer vacation as a time to switch off from Oxford and leave all thoughts of college life behind. However, this cannot be said for 3 of our wonderful committee members. Max, Subhan, and Phoebe all took the time out of their summers’ to run the 13 miles which compose a half marathon.
‘The ExVac holiday was the best week of my first year, so picking which charity to run the half marathon for was a no-brainer! I felt so proud running around Oxford with the ExVac badge on my shirt and smashing our fundraising target was just amazing. Thanks to everyone who donated!’ Subhan (Holiday Organiser)
‘ExVac was the highlight of my first year at university - an unforgettable experience and something I’m keen to be more involved in as this year’s VP Social Services. Running the half marathon for such an amazing cause felt like the least I could do in return, boosting awareness for the charity and raising a bit of money along the way!’ Max (VP Social Services)
(Subhan left, Max right)
Freshers fair
Why have one fresher’s event when you can have 3?
This year ExVac made sure to show the incoming cohort the special place it holds in college life. The week was kicked off with our pride of-place fresher’s fair stall (on the high table no less). It was a great way to introduce ExVac, answering questions and putting our name out there. From here we went on to a cosier event, ‘Crafts and Cocoa,’ a nice event to bring some calm amidst the chaos of fresher’s week. And finally, we echoed Exeter’s Croquet success, playing a bit of sport with an accompanying bake sale for spectators.
With such a full itinerary and strong turn outs, ExVac has once again placed it self in the heart of college life, setting itself up well for the year ahead.
Enya and Jacob hedding our fresher’s fair stall in hall!
Internal Fundraising:
Our wonderful internal fundraisers, Lucy and Rebecca, have been keeping the student body busy with a range of exciting activities!
ExVac cocktails and Karaoke
ExVac’s committee got behind the bar whilst Exeter College got behind the mic! It was a great night of laughter and (mostly in tune) singing.
ExVac Trick-or-Treat🎃
We brought back the magic of childhood Halloween with trick-or-treat packages to get everyone into the spooky spirit!
Promise Auction
Our most loved event of the term, our promise auction, was a raging success! With a full bar, ExVac cocktails on tap, a band and 3 dynamic presenters from our own committee (thanks to Phoebe, Subhan and Max), it was a wonderful night for the college as a whole to get together and have a laugh! From songs to brownies to private sailing trips, we had it all!
So overall this term, we were able to raise well over £1,200, we are so grateful for the support of the student body and the JCR!
Behind the bar with our blue lagoon and woowoo’s at the ready!
Meeting Rector Dr Andrew Roe CB
As you will all know, Exeter has a new Rector as of this year, so ExVac’s executive team went to go meet him. It was great to sit down and explain our work to someone so eager to hear! We are all greatly looking forward to continuing to work with Exeter College, and are thankful for the support they have continued to show us
(Anuj - Treasurer, Jacob - President, Rector Dr Andrew Roe Cb, Nina - Chairperson)
Meeting the holiday leaders!
With this term closing, and the holidays getting ever closer, we are delighted to introduce you to this year’s holiday leaders! Not only will they be helping out Vice Presidents and Holiday Organisers actually run the holidays, but they have also been giving our External Fundraisers a hand with our annual letter drive!
Donations:
As you all know, the work we do is entirely dependent on donations, so if you would like to give to our cause please use the link below!