Story and photos by Max Guerrera
Sixty three clubs sent members to represent their organizations at California State University Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) Otter Showcase club fair on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The Otter Showcase occurs the second Wednesday of every semester and this time, it saw a change of scenery. Instead of setting up in the Main Quad, tables lined up the hill of 5th Avenue, next to the Otter Student Union, with club representatives ready to greet and connect with students.
From Greek life to Black Students United, there is a club for every Otter. Recreational sports such as soccer, volleyball, sailing, water polo, cheer, women’s rugby and Otter dance chatted with students, eager to recruit more players for their teams.
For students who are interested in a more relaxed activity, the roleplaying game club, chess club and music clubs are recruiting members.
Fourth-year music major Nathan Barret worked his way up to vice president of the music club and encouraged students of any skill level to join.
“Our typical meetings are jam sessions and we have instruments available for everyone to play,”
Watson said that the purpose of the club is to “Provide a community for all students on campus he said.
Third-year Black Students United member Amaya Watson was excited to share the events they have planned for Black History Month (February).
like minorities and those who want to talk about situations that have to do with the black community. We come together and we provide comfort and support, anyone can join.”
Third-year Black Students United President Jamie Booth said students should get involved with Black Students United because “We’re fun. We’re just a vibe overall and we have great events coming up for Black History Month.”
Another one of the many ways to get involved on campus is by joining the Associated Students (AS), who are responsible for funding the clubs on campus, planning events, engaging in activism, awarding scholarships and more. Their most recent projects were planning the Winter Formal and choosing vendors for the AS Farmers Market. Ana Munoz, the AS Sustainability Senator joined after attending last semester’s Otter Showcase.
“I wanted to become more involved with my major and make a difference environmentally,” Munoz said. “Senators meet and discuss the needs of the public.”
The Otter Showcase also had job opportunities. First Year Experience members were recruiting leaders for first year experience to support students who are new to the CSUMB community.
“This is my first year of college and [First Year Experience is] a really good transition in,” said first-year Katherine Caballero. “It’s a supportive organization to learn leadership and communication skills.” Joining the club gave her the opportunity to connect with and learn from older students, “I’ve met fourth-years of my own major who have supported me.”
Several Greek life organizations also attended the Otter Showcase. Roy Sanchez, an alumnus who graduated in 2018 proudly represented Gamma Zeta Alpha, a fraternity that emphasizes community service and Latino culture and issues.
“My first semester here was really hard because I transferred in with no connections. I wish that I would have joined sooner because the sense of community and brotherhood kept me here.”
The Gammas said that their organization focuses on academic excellence, brotherhood and community service both within and outside the university.
Students collected gifts and prizes such as stickers, candy and even temporary tattoos as they learned more about the clubs on campus.
Third-year Lollie Harvey explored her options at the Otter Showcase and said, “I enjoy the idea of the hospitality club because I’ve never heard of something like that.”
It’s exciting to find organizations for familiar hobbies and students are also encouraged to pick up a new skill because most clubs are eagerly accepting new members of any experience level. Contact information and club websites can be found on MyRaft.
