Student ambassadors, service learning offer volunteer opportunities
By Kelley Deck
Phoenix Staff Writer
The holiday season is a time of giving. It is a time to appreciate the "little things" that are taken for granted: shelter, clothing, food, family and friends.
There are ways that we give back to the less fortunate: charities, donations and volunteering.
Volunteering is the most difficult and complex. Time is precious in the busy world of students, who need to get the most out of what time they have. Wouldn't it be great, though, if there was a way to give to the community while also benefiting the student's own degree or even pocket? Some people at Jackson Community College have found how to do this: Student Ambassadors.
"I like being involved because I like knowing what is going on," said Mark VanCamp, a student ambassador. Student ambassadors are paid for 10 hours of their time each week, up to 100 hours, and the hours are flexible.
Students may volunteer more hours of their own time. VanCamp helped organize an highway clean-up event as part of JCC's "Adopt a Highway" program. JCC adopted a section on I-94 by the M-60 exit. Fewer than 10 students volunteered for this project.
"A lot of the problem is advertising," VanCamp said. "It is hard to get more volunteers than the ones that are already involved." He said it's hard to get students' attention when they "are barely on campus."
But volunteering can mean a great deal to an individual.
"Honestly, I would not know what to do with all my time," said Roland Anderson, 24. Anderson is president of the Student Mentoring Initiative, a MICA representative for Spring Arbor and other four-year universities, forensic team, greeter for JCC, and is taking 10 credits this semester. The student mentoring initiative connects JCC mentors with students within the community for tutoring.
"It snow-balled from when I was involved in cross-age tutoring at Jackson High," Anderson said. "I became aware of student involvement at JCC when an education instructor, Mary Belknap, passed out a paper about the student ambassadors."
Anderson worked as a student ambassador last year.
"While I was attending a leadership camp, a guy was talking about how he plays football with a neighbor but he doesn't necessarily publish it or brag about it." Anderson said reflecting on volunteering.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, 64.5 million people volunteered their time from September 2003 to September 2004. Research by the Federation of Calgary Communities on volunteer opportunities shows that older and younger generations have different motivations. Older volunteers want to feel useful, avoid social isolation, and fulfill a religious obligation. Young volunteers are driven to improve job opportunities and to learn new skills.
"I find it's (volunteerism) important in order to explore their community and make connections. It can also make you feel good about yourself and if you ever need someone, they might be able to help you out," said Shannon Zoet, coordinator for service learning.
Service learning requires students to do a community service, reflect, then process what was learned. For example, students in the nursing program can do free blood pressure tests while gaining hands-on experience. Sometimes it requires class discussions, journals, a presentation or a paper, Zoet said.
Zoet said she decided to become a full-time volunteer so she could gain experience with a good organization. She also said this is a good time in her life to do service. She isn't paid but receives some benefits.
"Jackson Community College owes it to itself to become knowledgeable about our community and local service," said Steve Bloomfield, assistant dean of student life.