Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News

Senior English and sociology major Mike Hilty talks to Interim Director Rachel Fisher at the Union Student Life office in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union on Monday. Hilty and Fisher are planning a BASEketball charity tournament event Jan. 31 to go toward the Mattoon and Charleston food pantries and soup kitchens. (Alycia Rockey | Daily Eastern News)

Enhancing and increasing the volunteer service hours has been the ultimate goal of the Student Community Service Office.

Rachel Fisher, interim director of the Student Community Service Office, feels with having this office open for four months, they have enhanced what service has been taking place so far.

"I think we are getting people who haven't volunteered in the past coming in because we are making an exceptional option of its one stop place," Fisher said. "You just walk in and we will help find something that matches your interest."

The transition has gone well thus far for the office. Fisher believes, because this is the pilot year of the office, they are making great success.

"I am thrilled with the reception we have received from both community partners and campus partners," Fisher said. "It has been wonderful to see we can engage those pieces."

President Bill Perry said many students are involved with community service locally, nationally and internationally.

"The office will help by making more opportunities available and facilitating service opportunities," Perry said. "In this way we can connect more of our students with service opportunities."

Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, said Fisher has done a great job of gathering information through interaction with the campus and the community.

"Part of the reward is being able to react with other people," Nadler said.

He said, when he asks students why they do not volunteer, they usually respond with they do not know where to go or who to speak with. That is why he is excited for this office. Nadler wants students to have the desire to volunteer and to continue volunteering after graduating.

"My hope is that they have that desire and actively participate in volunteer programs so that they give back to the community," Nadler said.

Part of what the office does is keep track of how many service hours are taking place by students. In order to do this, the office has launched a Web site where a student can search for volunteer opportunities that they can engage in today and log hours individually or as a group.

"I think it's beneficial because it offers easy access to what and where service is needed," Fisher said. "We are on the right track and now that the Web site is up, students can share their experiences with the service that will be a nice step and to track the hours to find out these details."

Every month, the office has special projects they work on, but they update a mailing list every week that tells people special service events taking place that week.

"A volunteer knows no season," Fisher said. "Yes, it's fun to be in the summer and spring and fall, out working and building things, but there are so many needs we have when months get colder."

Monthly events include Make a Difference Day in October, MLK Day of Service in January, Trash Bash in February and Panther Service Day in April.

Throughout December, the Student Community Service Office will work with the Salvation Army.

From Dec. 9-12 students can box up toys for local children.

The Construction Club is among many organizations that have been in contact with Fisher to continue working with Habitat for Humanity, but to also work with some events taking place next semester.

Doris Guevara-Nordin, director of the Student Volunteer Center, also works with Fisher.

"It has been great with the projects we have done together," she said. "The SVC programs are always open to everybody to participate."

Fisher helped Guevara-Nordin bring more students to help volunteer on their weekly nursing home visits. Students that come into Fisher's office sometimes tell her they don't have time. To help with that problem, Fisher has found a way students can help from their room through the Web.

"Sometimes schedules get busy and they need volunteers at times you can't go to," Fisher said. "There (are) virtual opportunities where you can offer service to people in other countries on the web."

This is something new for the university and the center-students can go to the Student Volunteer Center Web site and click on Virtual Volunteer Opportunities.

Fisher said this is not philanthropy, but is it is service.

"We hope to expand this opportunity, and keep expanding it," Fisher said. "With the power to the Web and since all the residence halls have it, why not?"

Fisher looks forward to continue working with the student body and increasing the numbers of volunteer hours throughout next semester. Fisher and Perry also believe it is great to unite both the campus community and the Charleston community.

"The office will positively affect our community relations and our impact on society through service," Perry said. "In the long term, this office will provide opportunities for our students to develop their sense of volunteerism."

Both Guevara-Norin and Fisher agree volunteers are the heart of the community.


Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.

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