“Serving up Volunteers in Campus Recreation”

1. “Serving up Volunteers in Campus Recreation” Laura Spivey-University of North Carolina-Wilmington David Gaskins-East Carolina University

2. Historical Background • Conceptualization of Idea • How we got started • Campus Contacts • Fit with Campus Recreation & University

3. Why Implement a Volunteer Program? • Age of Accountability in Student Affairs and Campus Recreation • Relate to Mission of Higher Education • Prepare Students • Practical experience • Work Ethic • Responsibility/Accountability • Marketing • Students see program from another angle • Become ambassadors for program

4. Why Implement a Volunteer Program? • Identify Potential Employees • Extended Interviews • Try-outs • Build Collaborative Relationships • Reduce Operating Costs

5. Commitment • Leadership • Must have commitment from the director • Must have a full-time staff member in active role • Staff • Staff must have buy-in • Must provide guidance • Make students understand value of their work and how it relates to big picture

6. Commitment • Academic • Accountability to instructor • Grades depend on experience • Identify specific number of required hours of volunteer work • What type of experience is desired? • Written summary

7. Commitment • Students • Commitment to Students • Provide a Meaningful Experience • Value Students • Recognize Students • Students Commitment • Someone with a sincere interest and availability to complete the entire program • Take initiative when necessary • Be responsible/ accountable

8. How to Establish a Volunteer Program • Define scope • Difference between service-learning vs. volunteer • Options regarding “campus service” • Fair Standards Labor Act • Does NOT apply because students are not employees • Designed to protect employees from forced “volunteerism”

9. How to Establish a Volunteer Program • Program Knowledge • How do they know about us • Class presentations • Brochure • Web Page • Collaboration • RCLS, Health, CDFR Instructors/faculty • Volunteer Office

10. Opportunities and Benefits of being a CRW Volunteer • Fun and energetic place to do volunteering • Convenient location on campus • Invitation to end of the semester celebrations (food, prizes, etc.) • Referrals for potential student position vacancies • Opportunity for future volunteer work if required by another class • Where It Can Lead – Possible job, exposure to a different field or important contacts

11. Logistics • Screening of Volunteers • Initial contact with administrator • Manage application process • University background checks • Automatically enrolled in university volunteer program • Provide insurance for volunteers • Attend interest session • Evaluate student interest and assign to events

12. Logistics • Management of Program • Assignment decision • Confirmation email • Assignments • Reconfirm • Spreadsheet for organization • Web schedule • Track hours • Email distribution list

13. Best Ways to Utilize Volunteers • Meaningful Experiences • Meeting Curricular Needs

14. Student Volunteers Participate In: • Youth & Family Activities (Parents Night Out, Family Fun Day, Sunday Slam Basketball) • Adapted Recreation (Adapted Sports Day, Exercise Partner) • Special Events (Gladiators, Midnight Madness, Polar Bear Plunge, Nutrition Events) • Fitness (Weight Room Closing Assistant, Fitness Trainer) • Intramural Sports (Basketball Shooting Challenge, Softball Hitting Challenge) • Adventure (Flatlander’s Fling Climbing, Kayak Roll Sessions)

15. Contact Information • Laura Spivey • spiveyl@uncw.edu • David Gaskins • gaskinsd@ecu.edu