East Carolina University.
A P i rat e ’s Guide to
Service
Tomorrow starts here.
A publication of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center
A New Decade of Service On January 18th, the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center (VSLC) hosted East Carolina University’s eighth annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. More than 100 students celebrated a “day on, not a day off,” by walking dogs at the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina, building a fence at C.M. Eppes Middle School, and painting a mural at Building Hope Community Life Center. Students’ hard work helped these community partners start the new year off right, with renewed energy, and in some cases, a new look. But these partners and more than 100 other nonprofit organizations in Greenville like them, have needs beyond those that could be met during a one day service project. The American Red Cross needs thousands of units of blood. The Real Crisis Center needs crisis counselors to operate a 24 hour-a-day hot line. The Special Olympics needs coaches, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina at Greenville needs reliable warehouse volunteers to help them distribute food to those in need. It’s a new decade and a new opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to make an ongoing commitment to service. You can bring your passion, experience, and expertise to a worthy cause. Others will benefit from your time, and you’ll enjoy the satisfaction that comes with making a difference. To find out how you can get involved, contact the VSLC today!
Service after Graduation Armed with a new degree, most ECU graduates will go directly into the job market. Some Pirates walk a different plank however, choosing VISTA—a national service program—to help them live the ECU motto Servire for a year after commencement. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. The 170,000 VISTAs who have served since 1965 have played a key role in establishing many of the best-known anti-poverty programs, including Head Start, Upward Bound, and the credit union system. VISTA members—who commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency—work to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. During service, VISTA members receive a modest living allowance, health care, and other benefits. Upon completion of service, VISTA members can choose to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or a post-service stipend. Applications are being accepted now, so visit www.americorps.gov to learn more.
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Volunteer Spotlight Katy Ross
The Maritime Conservation Lab Travel with T.R.I.P.S. over Spring Break
Calendar of VSLC Upcoming Events
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East Carolina University
Volunteer Spotlight
Spotlight on Katy Ross Katy Ross is a sophomore public relations major. She is an active volunteer, and currently serves on the leadership team for Pirate Playtime, a roving after school recreation program organized entirely by student volunteers. The VSLC asked Katy about her experience as a volunteer—here’s what she had to say. When did you “become” a volunteer, and how did that experience influence you? I have been a volunteer ever since I can remember. My mother embedded something in me from the get-go that taught me to always appreciate everything I have and receive, although it may not be much, and to give back to others that are less fortunate. Every time a teacher in grade school would ask for a volunteer, I would raise my hand. I have always had a niche for helping people. My life has been significantly influenced by being a life-long volunteer, it has more or less set the track for my life.
My major is public relations so I will be working with all kinds of people every day. Volunteering has helped me adapt to be more diverse in my ways of talking with certain kinds of people. I plan to travel, work in PR, and volunteer. Did anyone inspire you to volunteer? Do you have a volunteer role model? My mother has been the biggest inspiration for how I live my life today. She has always told me, “Always do more than what is expected,” and to this day, I still [try to] live up to that statement. My mother always made sure I appreciated what I had growing up and even now.
If I were to choose one volunteer role model, I would have to say Rick Kearney from Stop Hunger Now, [the] organization that sponsors University Million Meals every year. He is so motivated to feed as many children overseas [as possible] and strives every day to make it happen. College is a busy time, how do you balance service, work, family, classes and social activities? Everything has its place and time in my life. Service will always be an important part of my life. Not many people realize that just one small action can affect so many. You can change someone’s life with a meal from the homeless shelter, a ball game at Building Hope or a game of backgammon at an assisted living institute. Have you ever heard any myths about volunteerism that you’d like to “bust”? I think a lot of people tend to think that volunteering has to be a big commitment when in reality, it does not have to be a big commitment if you do not want it to be. There are plenty of one-time volunteering opportunities in any area. You choose your schedule when volunteering. Describe your most memorable service experience. Oh my, the best experience I have had was working with Million Meals, by far; I look forward to it every year. The energy in that room with each group of volunteers is simply amazing; there is nothing like it. Knowing that so many people, from all different backgrounds, come together to package meals for children they do not know anything about, other than they do not have anything to eat, is great. It really makes you feel good inside to know that you are doing your part to impact the world in one of the best ways possible. I recommend everyone volunteer for Million Meals, then you will know what I am talking about. To learn more about the University Million Meal Event, Building Hope Community Life Center, Stop Hunger Now, or Pirate Playtime, stop by the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Old Ccafeteria Complex.
“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” Henry David Thoreau
New Volunteer Projects
The Maritime Conservation Lab
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East Carolina University possesses a very unique resource in the conservation of archaeological objects, the Maritime Conservation Lab. The lab, affiliated with the maritime studies program, specializes in archaeological conservation, the process of stabilizing materials that are excavated from a terrestrial or underwater burial environment. Students and volunteers will encounter all facets of archaeological conservation including: • ponservation ethics and theory • artifact documentation and photography before, during and after treatment
East Carolina University
• proper transportation and storage of archaeological material • chemical and mechanical cleaning of objects • treatment and stabilization methods for organic and inorganic materials • preparation and analysis of data and lab reports The lab not only offers coursework to graduate students, but also performs contract work with local, regional, and international museums, and nonprofit organizations. Projects are integral to promoting community ties, cultural heritage, and awareness of appropriate preservation techniques for historical objects. The lab is currently seeking volunteers to aid in various lab duties, including a range of responsibilities related to archaeological conservation. Tasks include: videography, web design, identifying pottery and miscellaneous objects, filing, digitization, scanning, grant writing, and photography. Interested volunteers should contact Suzanne Grieves at grieves@ecu.edu or 252-328-4407.
Travel with T.R.I.P.S. over Spring Break March 7-14, 2010 T.R.I.P.S. (Turning Responsibility into Powerful Service) is a student-led volunteer program focused on disaster relief work during academic breaks, particularly spring break. For spring break 2010, T.R.I.P.S. leaders have organized two opportunities for student groups to serve communities in need. One opportunity is in Currituck County North Carolina, where students will work with a variety of agencies focused on coastal clean-up. The second opportunity is in Atlanta, Georgia, where students will work with Community Collaborations, a nonprofit that provides flood relief. In the words of one of last year’s participants, “I had fun, met nice people, and learned a lot. What more can anyone ask for?” For more information, or to get involved with T.R.I.P.S. contact Mike Loeffelman at 328-2802 or loeffelmanm@ecu.edu.
From left to right: 2009 T.R.I.P.S. participants in Americus, Georgia, Delaplane, Virginia and Greenville, North Carolina.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events
ECU~READS Ongoing: spring semester applications due January 29 Contact Kim Scott at ECUREADS@gmail.com. ECU~READS is a literacy program for young readers. ECU volunteers are trained as tutors and placed at a local elementary school. ECU~READS requires a committment of at least one hour per week. Pen Friends Ongoing: spring semester applications due January 29 Contact Jade Shields atECUPenfriends@gmail.com. Pen Friends is a pen pal program that partners ECU students with local elementary students to improve their reading and writing skills. Blood Drives Wednesday, January 27 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Mendenhall Student Center Tuesday, February 1st from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Mendenhall Student Center The Greenville MDA Lock-Up Wednesday, February 3, 8:00 a.m. - noon or noon - 4:00 p.m. shifts are available. City Hotel and Bistro Contact Christine Bender at 910-763-3114 or cbender@mdausa.org. Volunteers are needed to perform a variety of tasks. T.R.I.P.S. Register now for one of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center’s all-inclusive spring break service trips to Atlanta, GA and Currituck County, NC. Contact Mike Loeffelman at loeffelmanm@ecu.edu. Parents Night Out Saturday, February 13 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Student Recreation Center Contact David Gaskins at 252-328-6787 or gakinsd@ecu.edu. Volunteers will set up and break down activities and assist with registration. Girl Scouts Tenth Annual Favorite Guy Dance Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Contact Carolyn Reed at 252-717-6687 or johncaro2@embarqmail.com. Volunteers will greet guests, run games, help in the kitchen, assist photographers, and more!
Blood Donation Fact Only 5% of the eligible population gives blood. The rarest blood type is the one that isn’t there when it’s needed. Please donate at an upcoming ECU campus blood drive! Source: American Red Cross
Volunteer and Service-Learning Center Old Cafeteria Complex 252-328-2735 (phone) 252-328-0139 (fax) www.ecu.edu/vslc vslc@ecu.edu Shawn Moore, Community Partner Coordinator Jessica Gagne Cloutier, Service-Learning Coordinator Michael Loeffelman, Volunteer Coordinator Judy Baker, Institutional and Community Development Consultant Kimberly Caudle, AmeriCorps*Vista Members
January Edition 2010