Ball State University's Student Voluntary Services

RECRUITMENT FAIR

2012-01-11T21:19:00.002-05:00

See you in the Ballroom of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center, second floor, next Wednesday!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2012 - Student Voluntary Services' Recruitment Fair - 10am-8pm

Meet with agencies from around the area to see how YOU can do a little something more this semester!

THIS WEEKEND?!

2011-11-02T17:06:00.001-04:00

The weekend after Halloween usually shines dimly in comparison to Halloweekend.
THIS ONE WON'T THOUGH BECAUSEEEEEE...
You are cordially invited to bring your family and friends to (drum roll, please)..

SVS Presents: MAKE NOISE

Come one, come all as we take time to listen to some killer jams and enjoy a Friday evening.

We will have a BSU Dance Marathon rep and a table to collect clothing donations for the Boys and Girls Club!

Coach Candy
The Goodnight Fields
Happy Medusa
Vic Scotland

^^^^
all really cool

20th Annual Fall Leaf Raking

2011-10-28T14:29:00.003-04:00

Be a part of the tradition! Sign up for Leak Raking!
We will be hitting up as many yards as possible around the Muncie community.

Coordinated
1st shift: 7:45AM - 12:00PM
2nd shift: 12:45PM - 5:00PM

Independent
1st shift: 7:45AM - 12:00PM
2nd shift: 12:45PM - 5:00PM

Work morning and afternoon for free pizza!!!!

Sign up on the database then meet at SC136 for your yard assignments!

SVS presents: Make Noise

2011-10-28T14:21:00.001-04:00

LOVE MUSIC? LOVE VOLUNTEERING? LOVE TO HANGOUT ON FRIDAYS?
Come to the Student Center Ballroom on Friday November, 4th at 7pm!

Featuring: Coach Candy, The Goodnight Fields, Happy Medusa, and our very own Vic Scotland

HOW TO USE OUR DATABASE :D

2011-10-28T14:11:00.000-04:00

I have had many questions on how to find volunteer opportunities on our online database and I will be the first to admit that it is very difficult.
If you're interested in searching through our database, here are some simple instructions:

1. Visit www.bsu.edu/svs
2. Refer to the right side toolbar. Click 'SVS Database.'
3. Click 'register here' and sign in with your BSU login.
4. If you have never volunteered with SVS, complete the questionnaire. Once completed, you will find yourself at your personalized main menu. Here you can check your logged hours, view/edit your personal information, and search for volunteer opportunities.

5. SEARCHING FOR A VOLUNTEER POSITION: At your main menu, click 'Search for an Opportunity.'
6. When you're searching on our database, you have to be mostly NONSPECIFIC. The more specific you are, the less likely you'll get results (even if your search preferences directly match a program). My best suggestion is that you search by program type.

7. PROGRAM TYPES: We have coordinated, independent, and one time programs.
The coordinated programs are lead by the student leaders of the organization. These students will be the liaison between you, the volunteer, and the organization, take you to the service site, and log your hours. Independent programs go according to your schedule and transportation and SVS will log your hours. The one time events are events that the Program Coordinators help plan throughout the year, a chance to make a commitment without dedicating your entire busy schedule/semester to it.

FRIENDLY REMINDER, MY FRIENDS: If you are an SVS volunteer, you are a member of our organization. WELCOME!

-Angelina Zulas, SGA Representative

2011-10-20T18:21:00.000-04:00

While many students were relaxing over Fall Break 2011, 16 Ball State students chose to spend their break serving the community in Louisville, Kentucky with Alternative Fall Break. We spent much of our time there organizing a warehouse and sorting through items, such as clothes, toys and office supplies that can be given to those in need.

Around 9,000 children in Louisville are homeless. As we walked the streets and stayed in a hotel that also serves as transitional housing, we realized the amount of poverty in this city. We also realized that we were making a difference.

And that is what SVS is all about. But it wasn't all work and no play! Each night we had free time to goof off and reflections on what we learned. We also had a free day where we got to explore Louisville. Some of the places we visited were the Science Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, and the Muhammad Ali Center.

This was a very successful trip, in which we explored a new city, spent time with some amazing people and served others!

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." - Muhammad Ali

Upcoming One Time Events!!!

2011-10-20T12:02:00.001-04:00

Back to School Teachers Store
The Back to School Teachers Store needs volunteers to help unload a significant number of boxes of nuts that they will then sell. In addition, volunteers will also help set up a display. This event will occur on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 4:30pm until 6:00pm.

Fall Leaf Raking 2011
Saturday, November 5th: We welcome you to join us for this BSU and SVS tradition! Sign up with a group of your friends, or by yourself, and have fun raking the leaves of the elderly and mentally/physically disabled residents of Muncie!

Go to our DATABASE and login to browse our available time slots, read more, and sign up!

Just keep tweeting!

2011-10-11T18:07:00.002-04:00

Have a twitter?
FOLLOW US @bsu_SVS

HOMECOMING!

2011-10-10T21:30:00.001-04:00

The first week of Coordinated Programs has finished! Bring on another.

2011-09-18T22:24:00.002-04:00

2011-09-10T17:47:00.002-04:00

Itching to get involved?

2011-09-10T17:39:00.000-04:00

Keep checking our Database for one time events or get involved with a weekly program!

BECOME A CITIZEN OF MUNCIE

Living Lightly Fair

2011-09-10T17:36:00.000-04:00

Volunteering at the Living Lightly fair today at Minnetrista was a most excellent way to spend my Saturday morning. The center was ablaze with smiling people, fresh foods, bluegrass and efforts in sustainability! An event for the whole family, the campus was packed with people of all ages. Kids were entertained with educational games on water treatment and the chance to build their very own terrariums! All sorts of organizations, businesses, and information tables were placed in the big tent which seemed to be packed throughout the day. Live music of the bluegrass genre was performed by various acts to keep the kids dancing and the feet tapping. While the fair went on, so did the weekly farmer's market. The day was alive with the themes of free trade and healthy living, both for us and the planet. Across the way at the fairgrounds, a flea market with tables upon tables of goodies was hosted. Let me just say that I'm glad I left my wallet at home. Thinking back, the best thing about the day was the energy. The community came together to work for a better tomorrow environmentally, economically, and socially.

- Angelina Zulas, Program Coordinator & SGA rep

9/11 Day of Service Events

2011-09-07T20:50:00.000-04:00

Legislation was signed in 2009 by President Barack Obama designating 9/11 as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. To support this legislation, SVS has planned service projects throughout the Muncie Community. The Day of Service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

Head to the database and search under "One Time Events" to sign up to serve at the Muncie Mission on September 10th. :D

2011-09-07T19:50:00.001-04:00

This week, the Program Coordinators (student leaders of SVS) are hosting program orientations for the semester. Everybody get stoked for next week!

Take The Walk, April 2011

2011-09-06T22:42:00.000-04:00

Check out some of the recent SVS headlines in the Daily News!

2011-09-06T22:36:00.002-04:00

Student Voluntary Services' Recruitment Fair
SVS: More interest than ever
Take the Walk hosted by SVS Citizen Scholars

Executive Board! From Left: Heather Watts - Secretary Danielle Kischuk - President Matt Cochran - Vice President Angelina Zulas - SGA Representative

2011-09-06T21:07:00.000-04:00

Program Coordinator Retreat - August 26, 2011

2011-09-06T20:42:00.001-04:00

2010-11-01T13:08:00.001-04:00

Ever since I began doing a Service project with SVS it has opened my eyes to all the different things that go on around the Muncie community without me knowing it. When I decided to sign up as a tutor at the Ross Community Center, I never imagined what went on there and how much of an impact I could make and they make on me. But after only four weeks of going there, I have learned so much, and hopefully I have helped the kids in return.

The Ross Community Center is a place where children can go after school, have fun, relax, get their homework done, and know it is a safe place to be. The place is a little run down, but the kids do not mind. This is their fun place for the day. There are usually four to ten kids at the center when we go, and oh how they love us when we arrive. They want attention so bad because they lack it at their home lives and probably school, so this is our opportunity to give it to them. Sometimes some of the older girls need attention way too much and start chanting profanity and start fights just so they can get our attentions. It works, but we have learned to just ignore those comments and actions, because we know they are just for show.

When I started tutoring, I told myself not to get too attached. I was there to help the kids with their homework and have a good time with them after their homework was completed, but I did get attached to one girl in particular. Her name is Casey. When I first saw Casey my heart went out to her, because she was so sweet and a little quieter than the rest. Her sister was the one who always make the obscene gestures, but Casey would just sit there and watch. From that moment on I decided I was going to invest my time into her whenever she was there. So whenever Casey is at the Ross Center, I make it my goal to play, talk, and help her. I know if I put my time and effort into her little by little she will definitely get something out of my visits.

I believe my weekly visits to the Ross Community Center have made me realize that I need to be thankful for what I have. I see these kids trying to take all the extra erasers or pencils that we bring for them or how they get so excited whenever someone brings in something new that they do not have. I just appreciate life more. I am also more thankful for my parents’ good upbringing they gave me. I see these children and how they cuss and do things that I would never have thought to do in my elementary years or even middle school years; ok I still do not do them. I am just so thankful for having a good upbringing from my family. I always took that for granted and sometimes got mad at my parents for being too strict, but when I look back I am glad they were.
I believe that I am impacting Muncie little by little. I feel that if I can reach the kids and try to show them through my actions ways to behave. I am not saying they are bad kids, I feel like they just need some guidance. Therefore I believe I am impacting Muncie’s future generation little by little, which is all anyone person can really do.

-Michelle Ripley
Ross Community Center Volunteer

Welcome Back

2010-09-03T13:52:00.000-04:00

It is good to be back!!

Hello! My name is Leander Kauffman and I am the Vice President of Student Voluntary Services! I am so excited to get this year underway. We have big things planned for SVS and for Ball State!

Before school even started, the executive board and staff of SVS met together to create some goals for the organization. These goals include creating more recreational programs, creating an Arbor Day themed program and involving area high schools in a program or two. If you would like to learn more about the SVS goals and how you can be a part in those, please stop by our office (SC 118). We would all love to get to know you!

This past weekend, all of the staff and students that comprise Student Voluntary Services met together to review rules and regulations, to discuss where SVS is going this year, and, most importantly, to have fun! We all played games, worked on activities and listened to all of the important information that allows SVS to run smoothly. SVS would not be the same without each PC and this year we have the best students on campus, in my opinion, involved in SVS. This year is going to be exciting!!

Student Voluntary Services is a student organization focused on community service in and around Muncie. SVS has programs for all students on campus ranging from tutoring elementary school children, visiting with nursing home residents or helping out at ARF (Animal Rescue Fund). There are weekly coordinated programs, in which SVS provides transportation, independent programs, for which the volunteer provides transportation, and One Time Events which occur once throughout the academic year. All of these programs are open to all students on campus. I would love to invite each and every Ball State student personally, but that is not possible, so I hope that you will accept this blog post as a sincere invitation to come check us out.

Come join our family!

Hollywood to Host I Participate Week

2009-10-16T11:15:00.002-04:00

Beginning October 19th, several television channels will incorporate volunteerism into their scripts. The Entertainment Industry Foundation is working closely with several shows in Hollywood to highlight volunteerism in a variety of ways. Some of the ways volunteerism will be showcased include: story lines in scripts, highlighting real-life volunteers, some will air public-service announcements, and some will ask cast members to create a "tag" at the end of a show to encourage volunteerism.
One particular show, Parks and Recreation, will be host to a real-life charity organization, KaBoom. KaBoom, an organization in Washington that assists with building playgrounds and other forms of recreation spaces, began contacting executives as soon as information about the show was released.
Watch Monday as over 60 television programs highlight volunteerism. Some of the participating channels include: NBC, CBS, ABC, and the Disney Channel. For the full article, follow the link below:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2009-10-12-tv-shows-participate-volunteer_N.htm

21st Lend-A-Hand Day Lent a Very Large Hand!

2009-03-31T13:09:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, March 28th, was the 21st Annual Lend-A-Hand Day. During this event, we had 18 volunteers who logged almost 100 volunteer hours. The purpose of the event was to help those in need by collecting toiletries, cleaning supplies, baby items, and used clothes, and take them down to the YWCA to distribute. During this event, we had 106 Muncie/Delaware County residents come through our doors. Each one of them left saying thank you and smiling as they walked out the door.

If you wanted to donate to LAHD and did not get the chance to do so this year, you're in luck! SVS holds this event every year, so you will definitely have the chance to participate in next year's event.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to make this event a success! You're appreciated!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

2009-03-20T09:59:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for more opportunities for volunteer service or service learning hours, here are some events that we have coming up!

Lend-A-Hand Day: Saturday, March 28th, 8am-2pm

Yorktown Spring Carnival: Saturday, April 4th, 3pm-8pm

Spring Luau: Saturday, April 14th, 2pm-6pm

Second Saturday Service Project at Second Harvest Foodbank: Saturday, April 25th, 8:15am-1pm

You can sign up for any or all of these events on the SVS website. Search under "one-time/short-term events."

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 285-3476 or email svs@bsu.edu.

Alternative Breaks to Fundraise for Trip to St. Louis

2009-02-19T09:21:00.004-05:00

The SVS Alternative Breaks program is in the final blitz of fundraising for their trip to St. Louis, MO during the 2009 Spring Break, March 8-14th. During their time in St. Louis , they will be engaging in several community service projects, team-buliding exercises, and having lots of fun!

If you would like to help support the Alternative Breaks program and what they will do for the St. Louis community, please attend one of the following events:

T-Shirt Sale/Bake Sale: February 25th, 26th, 27th, Teachers College concourse 10am-5pm

Waffle Sale: 10pm-12am in Studebaker West residence hall 1st floor lobby

Lend A Hand Day to Collect for Needy Families

2009-02-12T15:46:00.003-05:00

On March 28, 2009, Student Voluntary Services will hold its 21st Annual Lend-A-Hand Day at the YWCA. This event is designed to benefit the needy families of the Muncie and Delware County communities by giving them the chance to shop for gently used clothes, cleaning supplies, and baby items. SVS has deposited collection barrels all over the BSU campus for students and faculty members to donate. Each Friday throughout the semester, SVS students and volunteers will collect the donated items. Collections will continue until March 20, 2009.

If you or your organization would like to donate to Lend-A-Hand Day, you may drop off your items in the Student Center room 118.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email svs@bsu.edu, or call 765-285-3476.

Upcoming Events in SVS

2008-10-31T09:37:00.002-04:00

The month of November brings great things for SVS! The Second Saturday program will have its 3rd installment on November 8th from 9:15am-1pm. This month, we're going to the A Better Way shelter in Muncie. The shelter houses abused and battered women and children in an undisclosed location until they can re-locate to get out of their dangerous situations. For A Better Way, we will be doing light office cleaning and reorganization that they do not have the time or resources to complete during the busy work week. Currently, all volunteer slots are full, however, keep checking the SVS website (www.bsu.edu/svs) as a slot may open.

On November 15th, SVS will host the 17th Annual Fall Leaf Raking event. This event, designed to assist Muncie residents who are elderly or disabled, is a time-honored campus tradition. Each year, around 140 Ball State students travel out into the community and rake leaves for those who cannot take care of their yards themselves. Leaf Raking is SVS's biggest and most popular event of the fall semester. As of today, all volunteer slots are full, however, be sure to check the SVS website (www.bsu.edu/svs) as volunteer slots may open up.

If you have any questions about Second Saturday or Fall Leaf Raking, call the SVS office at 285-3476.

Happy Halloween, from SVS!

Second Saturday on October 11th, 2008

2008-10-06T10:22:00.002-04:00

This coming Saturday, October 11th, 2008, marks the 2nd installment of the Second Saturday Service Project program. For our project this week, we will be taking 15 volunteers to Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Our list of tasks to complete include painting classrooms, organizing educational supplies, and minor landscaping (pulling weeds). We still have one or two spots available for this project, so if you're interested sign up TODAY!

If you would like to sign up for the Second Saturday project, or any other "One-time" event, go to www.bsu.edu/svs and log into the SVS database.

SVS October and November One-Time Events

2008-09-29T10:28:00.001-04:00

The school year is well underway, and SVS has big plans for the 08-09 school year!

Our brand new service project program called Second Saturday will hold it's second event on Saturday, October 11th at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts in downtown Muncie. The event is open to all BSU students! Registration for this event begins this Wednesday, October 1st, on the SVS website.

SVS is proud to present the 2nd Annual Fall Festival on October 24th, 2008. The Fall Festival is a carnival-type event for the foster children of the Muncie community. Activities include face painting, carnival games, prizes, and much more! This year's festival will take place at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in the Theatre Room. Registration for this event will also be on the SVS website. Students will be able to register for this event beginning October 10th.

The 17th Annual Fall Leaf Raking event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 1st, 2008. This is a time-honored SVS/BSU tradition. Each year, SVS contacts several agencies and churches in the area for the names and addresses of the elderly, physically and mentally disabled residents of Muncie who are unable to rake the leaves in their yards. Fall Leaf Raking is SVS' biggest event of the fall semester. Come join us for a day of fun with your friends, and maybe make some new friends in the process!

Students may sign up for all of our one-time events on the SVS website at www.bsu.edu/svs. Volunteer spots fill up quickly, so make sure you sign up early! Transportation will be provided.

We hope to see you soon!

The First SVS Blog

2008-05-08T09:49:00.000-04:00

The Student Voluntary Services Executive Board and staff are very excited to bring to you the first ever SVS blog.

Be on the lookout for announcements and other important information that you, as a volunteer, need to know!

Have a great summer!