This bi-weekly bulletin lists information about one-time and on-going service opportunities, special events, and nonprofit agencies that we hope will help you get involved in the community! If you’re interested in volunteering, but aren’t sure which agency might be a good fit, please contact the Volunteer Connection staff—drop by Atwood 139, call 308-5693 or email volunteer@stcloudstate.edu.
SCSU Volunteer Connection Service Bulletin
Published twice per month
Sept. – April
Fall 2005 – November 17th Edition
SCSU Gift Drive November 28th - December 12th
St. Cloud State University is once again teaming up with the local Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization. Help make kids holidays brighter by donating a new unwrapped gift! Gifts are needed for kids between the ages of 4-14. Examples of gifts needed for this age are; games, dolls, books, sports equipment, cars/trucks, non-violent educational toys and equipment. Drop off your new unwrapped gift at any of the resident halls (there will be large gift boxes to drop the gifts into) or drop it off at the Volunteer Connection office in Atwood 139.
Alternative Spring Break
Participant Applications Due: Monday January 30, 2006
(Early Submission is encouraged)
2006 ASB Destinations are: Lame Deer, MT Cumberland,
TN, and El Paso, TX
For more information please contact Erin Van Bruggen
@ vaer0501@stcloudstate.edu or
call her at 320-308-3058.
Volunteer to Welcome New SCSU International Students!
DEADLINE: Please let the Center for International Studies know by Dec. 9th, 2005
There are three options for you to participate in welcoming students from all over the world to St. Cloud State University!
- Join the International Hospitality Committee in organizing potluck dinners provided to new international students at Mitchell Hall from 5-8:30 pm beginning Wednesday, January 11th and continuing through Monday, January 16th. Choose a night that works well with your organization!
- Welcome students as they arrive at the St. Cloud Airport, Holiday Inn, or Bus Depot (this includes stopping at Wal-Mart and helping them to pick out sheets for bedding if they are staying at the dorms, hats and mittens for the cold weather, and perhaps stopping at a nearby grocery store to grab some food…could also stop at the Great Dragon to grab something to go…they may be very hungry after a long journey). When you bring the students to campus, you will help them get their keys and find their rooms for them.
- Peer Advisors for Orientation: This begins Thursday, January 12 with an all day orientation where you will learn about and plan for orientation. Then the actual orientation is on M-W January 16th -18th. If you also want to be a part of the dinners over the weekend that is also possible.
* Contact Kim Koffi at the Center for International Studies, Lawrence Hall 104 for applications and information: 320-308-4287 or kjkoffi@stcloudstate.edu.
Habitat for Humanity
They need help for a Bulk Mailing!
Mon-Fri Nov. 14-18th
Mon &Tues Nov. 21st and 22nd
The mailing is taking place at the Central MN Habitat for Humanity
Service Center. The center is located right across the street
from Cathedral High School and Matthew Hall Lumber.
For additional Information
contact Jeff Carmack at 320-656-8890 ext. 3 or volunteer@cmnfh.org
Good Shepherd Community
The Good Shepherd Community is looking for volunteers to assist with their Home Delivered Meals program in their apartment community. They are looking for volunteers that like to walk and visit! Times are 11:15-12:15 Monday through Friday. This is a great opportunity for individuals, groups, or organizations.
For additional information please contact Beth Chapin at 320-252-6525 or bethchapin@ecumen.org
INSTITUTE ON PHILANTHROPY AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE
Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the 2006 Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service, a dynamic summer program for undergraduate students interested in volunteerism and careers in the nonprofit sector. Faculty members and nonprofit professionals can nominate outstanding students for priority scholarship consideration at www.dcinternships.org/nominate
This summer: June 10 – August 5, 2006
Georgetown University,
Washington, DC
This face-paced Institute offers a rigorous combination of professional experience, academic learning and service projects that will provide students with an unparalleled experience in the nation’s capital.
Internships – Competitive placements with leading nonprofit organization
Classes – Up to 9 credit hours from Georgetown University
Housing – Furnished on-campus apartments
Service – Variety of hands-on community projects
Guest Lectures – With Washington’s top nonprofit executives and scholars
Leadership Development – Leadership, mentoring and career building activities
Scholarships – Over half of all students receive full or partial funding
For more information or to request a brochure, please visit the website at www.dcinternships.org/ipvs
For more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact Ms. Shane Goldsmith, Program Director, by phone at 1-800-741-6964 or via email at sgoldsmith@tfas.org.
ST CLOUD HOSPITAL
The following volunteer positions are currently available:
Volunteer Ambassador
Looking for a way to gain experience
in the medical field? Try
volunteering as a transport/discharge volunteer at the St. Cloud Hospital. This
volunteer must be an independent, caring individual who can assist with
transporting and escorting patients. For more information on this
volunteer position contact the Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638 or e-mail
volunteer@centracare.com.
Gift Gallery Volunteer
Gift gallery volunteer needed
at the St. Cloud Hospital to help customers in a friendly positive manner
while assisting in the Gift Gallery. The
Gift Shop is open M-F 9-5:30 p.m., Saturday 9-12 p.m. For more
information contact Volunteer Services by calling (320)-255-5638 or by
e-mail at volunteer@centracare.com.
Admitting Escort Volunteer
Looking for a fun, rewarding
way to spend your time? The St. Cloud
Hospital is looking for volunteers with warm and friendly personalities
to escort patients as they are admitted to the St. Cloud Hospital. For
more information on this volunteer position contact the Volunteer Office
at 320-255-5638 or e-mail volunteer@centracare.com.
For additional information please contact:
Alison Dahlin
Volunteer Program Specialist
St. Cloud Hospital
251-2700 ext 54577
Fax: 320-255-5817
International Volunteer Organization
Want to travel overseas and explore a new and exciting
country this summer?
Ever wanted to travel to New Zealand, Australia,
Costa Rica or Dominican Republic? Want to volunteer and make a contribution
to the global community?
Want to possibly earn academic credit for having
this awesome adventure of a lifetime?
Who are ISV: A non-profit international volunteer organization who send thousands of students overseas each summer to explore the world and give something back by volunteering. Students spend two weeks participating in volunteer programs and then two weeks taking part in adrenalin packed adventure activities while exploring their host country!
For more info check out ISV's website www.isvonline.com
UNITED WAY
Volunteer Central MN is a service of United Way that connects people with local volunteer opportunities. To help you promote volunteerism, United Way of Central Minnesota highlights a few area opportunities each week. If you would like to receive this column or would like information on additional opportunities contact United Way 2-1-1 or visit the easy to use website at www.unitedwayhelps.org
Escort Patients at the VA
VA Medical Center of St. Cloud offers a way to maintain and improve the lives of veterans. They are looking for volunteers to transport patients, items and medical records throughout the medical center on Monday-Friday between 8 am - 4 pm. Volunteers must be able to walk distances and push carts, wheelchairs, etc. Sunday Chapel escorts also needed from 8 am- 12 pm.
For more information, contact Patricia Aljets at (320) 255-6365.
Spanish Translator
Friends of the Orphans is a non-profit organization committed to providing support for orphaned children in Latin America and the Caribbean. They are looking for volunteers to translate letters written in Spanish between godparents and godchildren. Volunteers can translate from home and send materials through email or regular mail. This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to improve or retain their Spanish skills while providing support for orphaned children.
For more information, contact Erin Dirksen at (651) 482-1703.
Information Desk Assistance
St. Cloud Hospital provides services to improve the health and quality of life for the community. Volunteers are utilized to improve various services of the hospital by providing a warm welcome, smile, and reassurance during difficult times for patients and their families. They are currently looking for volunteers to provide information, directions, and friendly assistance for patients and guests at the front desk.
If interested, contact Volunteer Services at (320) 255-5638.
Youth Guidance
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota provide opportunities for local youth to realize and reach their full potential. One way the clubs achieve their goal of improving the lives of youth is through providing positive role models. They are seeking volunteers to assist youth in individual and group activities. Volunteers must possess a caring attitude and an understanding of the needs of youth. All volunteers must go through an application and interview process.
If interested in this opportunity, contact Vicki McKnight at (320) 252-7616.
Aquatics Assistant
St. Cloud Area Family YMCA provides programming to improve the health of mind, body, and spirit for community members. They are looking for volunteers to assist with aquatics classes. Volunteers would help with programs that include children’s swimming lessons, Multiple Sclerosis Exercise, and Senior Water Fitness. Volunteers also have the opportunity to aid with instruction of classes.
For more information, contact Laurie Determan at (320) 253-2664.
Mentor Team Member
Faith in Families is a non-denominational, faith based family mentoring program. They provide support for families that are experiencing challenges to become self-sufficient. Volunteers are needed to build a caring and supportive relationship with a family in need. Mentoring teams consist of 4-6 adults who are matched with a family. Volunteers are asked to commit to a family for at least one year. A three- hour training and orientation session is provided.
If interested, contact Cathy Peterson at (320) 251-0207.
RSVP
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program connects people 55 years and better to volunteer opportunities in the community. People interested in volunteering through RSVP meet one on one with a member of their staff to talk about personal interests. They are then matched with one-time special events or ongoing volunteer opportunities. RSVP offers connections with over 160 agencies in the area. They provide mileage reimbursement for their volunteers.
If interested in this opportunity, contact Jennifer Wucherer (320) 255-7295.
Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Program
The Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Program encourages residents of the Upper Midwest – including students, teachers, lawyers, health professionals, community leaders, and others – to undertake practical experiences/internships in human rights organizations, locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Fellowship Program is designed to promote social justice by providing practical training in the varied aspects of human rights work worldwide. The fellowship placement provides both training for the individual and assistance to the host organization, as well as fosters links between communities in the Upper Midwest and human rights/social justice organizations around the world. Participants return with a stronger commitment to a lifetime of work in human rights/social justice and contribute to bringing human rights concerns home to communities in the Upper Midwest.
Over the past 16 years, the Human Rights Center has sponsored 300 interns and fellows to work with human rights/social justice organizations in more than 70 countries and awards approximately 25 fellowship grants each year. In 2005, the Human Right’s Center’s Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Program awarded grants to 26 individuals committed to the promotion of human rights and social justice.
Grant details:
- Awards are competitive; approximately twenty grants will be awarded for the 2006 program.
- Fellowships should be a minimum of 10 weeks in duration.
- Grants will ordinarily range from $1,000 to $4,500, averaging about $3,200 and are intended to cover food, lodging, and transportation during the fellowship experience.
- Applications must be received by Monday, February 27, 2006, at 4:00 p.m.
- Decisions will be made by April 1, 2006.
For more information and an application, please check out our website at: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/center/uppermidwest/
If you have more questions after reviewing our website, feel free to contact us at (612) 626-2226 or via email at hrfellow@umn.edu.
The Service Bulletin is brought to you by Volunteer Connection
located in
139 Atwood Memorial Center on the St. Cloud State University campus
2005-2006 Volunteer Connection Staff
- Beth Knutson-Kolodzne, Coordinator, 308-5693,
beknutsonkolodzne@stcloudstate.edu - Erin Van Bruggen, Graduate Assistant, 308-3058,
vaer0501@stcloudstate.edu - Christopher Bineham, AmeriCorps member and Service-Learning Coordinator, 308-3898, crbineham@stcloudstate.edu
Additional volunteer information is available from:
- Volunteer Central MN is a service of the United Way of Central Minnesota that instantly links you to volunteer opportunities that match your interest, skills, and schedule. Visit www.unitedwayhelps.org.
- Z-Club, a SCSU student club that promotes service opportunities, has weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 4:00 PM in the Atwood Lady’s Slipper or Voyageurs North Room. For more information, go to their website: http://studentorg.stcloudstate.edu/z_club/ or email z_club@stcloudstate.edu.
- The Volunteer Connection website has info. about special events, non-profit agencies, & archives of all past Service Bulletins: www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer.
Volunteer Connection ~ St. Cloud State University ~ Atwood 139 ~ 320-308-5693
Bulletin Information
Please note that recipients of this newsletter may not post messages to the entire group. If you have comments or an item you'd like included in future newsletters, please email the information to the moderator at volunteer@stcloudstate.edu.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to others at St. Cloud State University and encourage them to sign up to receive the newsletter directly.
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