Volunteering
Volunteers make a difference.
Get the chance to dedicate your services and skills to benefit others and your community. Not only are you helping organizations, but you’re touching the lives of individuals who need you. At the same time you’re making a difference in your own life!
How Volunteering Works
STEP 1: Contact an Organization
- Review the agency list and contact the Civic Engagement Center to connect with the organization of your choice.
STEP 2: Onboarding Process
- Due to government regulations some organizations may require you to complete training or go through a background check (fingerprinting) before you can start volunteering. This is a painless process and something you should clarify with the organization supervisor on your first day/meeting with them.
STEP 3: Start Volunteering!
- Get to know your clients to learn more about them! Here are some ideas:
- Introduce yourself. Tell your client about yourself.
- Encourage your client to tell you about little bit about them (favorite hobbies, music, sports, etc.)
- Ask creative and open-ended questions (ex.– If you could do anything with your free time, what would you do? If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?)
- Regular attendance is critical when developing a trusting relationship and ensures a rewarding experience for both you and the client.
If you are in the community, summon help and call 911. You can also call Campus Safety at 315-498-2311.
If you have any doubts about safety, or need to report any suspicions of abuse, neglect, or criminal activity, immediately consult with your site supervisor, professor, Service Learning Coordinator, or the Civic Engagement Center.
Use these helpful steps to ensure your safety when completing your service:
- Know your services site supervisor and who to contact should a problem arise.
- Avoid the responsibility of opening or closing the agency for the day.
- Bring identification and maybe a little money (for snack purchases, etc.) but leave credit card, lots of money and personal items at home.
- Notify the agency immediately if you are injured while participating in service activities.
- Avoid any language or communications that may be perceived as inappropriate or harassing.
- Do not offer your home as a shelter for clients.
- Do not transport clients.
- Leave the phone number of your service site and your schedule with a friend.
- Avoid the responsibility of being in charge of money.
- Only give personal contact information (phone number, address, email address, etc.) to your supervisor; avoid sharing this information with clients, other volunteers, or staff members.
- Dress appropriately (no bare midriffs, short shorts, sandals, t-shirts with inappropriate logos or language) and leave expensive or excessive jewelry at home.
- Avoid one-on-one situations that isolate you from areas of supervised activity.
- Restrict service activities to the service site.
- Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood and environment of your service site.
- Walk with confidence.
- Avoid planning off-site activities.
- If you are driving yourself, make sure you have directions, and your car has been serviced.
What is the appropriate dress while completing my volunteer hours?
All students are expected to dress in neat and professional attire. Personal cleanliness and a neat appearance are a part of the professional image. Please take into consideration that as you enter various sites in the community, you are representing Onondaga Community College.
What if I don’t have my own transportation?
OCC cannot provide transportation at this time. However, there are several agency sites that are easily accessible via the South Ave. Centro bus that runs to and from the OCC campus. Please make an appointment with the Civic Engagement Center if you need assistance in identifying an agency that is accessible via Centro.
If I already do community service as a part of student groups and/or organizations on campus, does that service count?
Depending on the length of commitment, type of service, and if you are working with an agency that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your professor will be able to advise you on whether or not you can use this experience as part of your service-learning course.