Your Guide to Meaningful Engagement
Whether you're new to Rochester or have been part of our community for years, PASOR offers numerous opportunities for meaningful involvement. From casual event attendance to dedicated volunteering, from behind-the-scenes support to leadership roles, there's a way for everyone to engage with our community.
This guide will help you find the right fit for your interests, skills, and available time.
Attend Our Events
The simplest way to get involved with PASOR is to attend our community events. Our calendar includes:
Cultural Celebrations: Join us for Eid gatherings, Independence Day celebrations, and seasonal festivals. These events are perfect for families and offer chances to meet other Pakistani Americans in a festive atmosphere.
Educational Seminars: Our health education programs, including cancer awareness seminars, provide valuable information while building community connections.
Fundraising Events: Support worthy causes like Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital while enjoying entertainment and fellowship.
Networking Gatherings: Professional networking events connect Pakistani American professionals across industries.
Family Activities: Picnics, game nights, and family-friendly outings provide opportunities for relaxed socializing.
Check our website and social media for upcoming events. Subscribe to our email list to receive announcements directly.
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteers are the lifeblood of PASOR. If you can spare even a few hours, your contribution makes a difference:
Event Volunteering: Help set up venues, manage registration, serve food, or clean up after events. This is a great entry point—you can commit to single events as your schedule allows.
Committee Participation: Join planning committees for specific events or ongoing initiatives. Committees typically meet monthly and take ownership of particular programs.
Professional Skills: Whatever your profession, your skills are valuable. Marketing professionals can help with promotions, accountants can assist with finances, medical professionals can volunteer at health events, and teachers can lead educational programs.
Mentorship: Share your experience with young Pakistani Americans navigating education and career decisions. Mentorship can be formal or informal, intensive or occasional.
Translation and Outreach: Help reach community members who are more comfortable in Urdu by assisting with translations and outreach to recent immigrants.
To volunteer, reach out through our website or speak with any PASOR board member at an event.
Join a Committee
For more sustained involvement, consider joining one of PASOR's committees:
Events Committee: Plans and executes our calendar of community gatherings, from intimate seminars to large celebrations.
Health and Wellness Committee: Works with medical professionals to organize health education and screening programs.
Youth Committee: Develops programming for children and teenagers, including educational activities and cultural programs.
Young Professionals Committee: Organizes networking and social events for early-career community members.
Outreach Committee: Welcomes newcomers to Rochester and ensures all Pakistani Americans know about PASOR.
Fundraising Committee: Coordinates charitable giving initiatives, including support for cancer patients in Pakistan.
Committee involvement requires regular commitment but offers opportunities to shape PASOR's direction and develop leadership skills.
Financial Support
If your schedule doesn't permit volunteering, financial support is equally valuable:
Membership Dues: Become a PASOR member to support ongoing operations and gain access to member benefits.
Event Sponsorship: Businesses can sponsor events, gaining visibility while supporting community programming.
Charitable Donations: Contribute to specific initiatives like our scholarship fund or charitable campaigns.
Corporate Matching: Many employers match charitable donations—check if your company offers this benefit.
Zakat and Sadaqah: Many community members direct their religious charitable giving through PASOR's verified programs.
Every financial contribution, regardless of size, helps sustain PASOR's mission. Learn why joining PASOR benefits both you and the community.
Leadership Opportunities
For those ready to take on significant responsibility, PASOR offers leadership paths:
Committee Chairs: Lead one of PASOR's committees, setting direction and coordinating volunteers.
Board Membership: The PASOR board governs the organization, making strategic decisions and ensuring mission alignment. Learn more about our board members.
Event Leadership: Take ownership of specific events, from conception through execution.
Initiative Founding: Propose and lead new initiatives that address unmet community needs.
Leadership positions require substantial time commitment but offer profound personal growth and the satisfaction of shaping our community's future.
Engage Online
Not all involvement requires physical presence. Digital engagement matters too:
Social Media: Follow PASOR on social platforms, like and share our posts, and help spread word about events and initiatives.
Website Content: Contribute articles, photos, or member stories to our website.
Communications: Help draft newsletters, announcements, and promotional materials.
Technical Support: Assist with website maintenance, email systems, or other technical needs.
Bring Your Ideas
PASOR welcomes fresh perspectives and new ideas. If you see an unmet need or have a vision for a new program, share it:
- A support group for specific challenges
- A cultural program highlighting a particular art form
- An educational workshop on a topic you know well
- A service project addressing a community need
The best ideas often come from members who see gaps and step forward to fill them.
Make It Family
Involving your whole family multiplies the benefits:
Bring Children: Age-appropriate activities are available at many events. Children who grow up attending PASOR events develop lasting connections and cultural pride.
Involve Spouses: Whether Pakistani-born or not, spouses are welcome. Some of PASOR's most dedicated volunteers are non-Pakistani spouses who value the community their families have found.
Engage Elders: Parents and grandparents bring wisdom and continuity. Their participation enriches events and provides role models for younger generations.
Start Today
Whatever your situation, there's a way to get involved with PASOR. Start with what feels comfortable—attend an event, introduce yourself, see what resonates.
As you become more familiar with the community and its needs, opportunities for deeper involvement will present themselves. Many of today's most active volunteers started as casual attendees who found their niche over time.
Read member stories to see how others found their place in PASOR. Discover the role of PASOR in community service and how your involvement contributes to the bigger picture.
The Pakistani American community of Rochester needs you. PASOR is the vehicle for building a stronger community together. Your involvement—however you choose to engage—makes a difference.
Welcome to PASOR. We're glad you're here.