“Serving up Volunteers in Campus Recreation”

Laura Spivey-University of North Carolina-WilmingtonDavid Gaskins-East Carolina University

Historical Background

• Conceptualization of Idea

• How we got started• Campus Contacts• Fit with Campus

Recreation & University

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

Why Implement a Volunteer Program?

• Identify Potential Employees– Extended Interviews– Try-outs

• Build Collaborative Relationships• Reduce Operating Costs

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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

Logistics

• Management of Program– Assignment decision– Confirmation email

• Assignments• Reconfirm

– Spreadsheet for organization

– Web schedule– Track hours– Email distribution list

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

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)

Contact Information

• Laura Spivey– spiveyl@uncw.edu

• David Gaskins– gaskinsd@ecu.edu