Kory, you asked....
> 1. What advice could you offer to help a Clearinghouse model work.
First of all don't try to reinvent the wheel. See if an agency in your
community is already serving as a clearinghouse (re: a Volunteer Center,
Voluntary Action Center, United Wasy office, etc.) If so you may be able to
work out a system where your office serves as a kind of branch office for
students.
If you lack a resource like this in your community you will need to solicit
information from agencies about their needs, volunteer job descriptions,
etc. and then develop a process for sharing that with students. (Something
like a bulletin board, newsletter, database, web-page, etc.) A big
challenge here though can be in making sure that agencies understand
clearly that you may *not* be able to fill all their needs. Students will
decide on activities based on their interest in the issues, the proximity
to the site, need for travel, and the hours volunteer help is needed.
Additionally, you will occasionally need to advise agencies on how to
develop their activities so that they mesh well with student experiential
and educational interests. (Example: you will have to make some agencies
realize students want to do more than prepare bulk mailings of
newsletters.)
> 2. Would any of you be willing to send me a copy of your job
>description to give me some direction.
I don't think my current job description would apply to well, however, I've
been the service administrator on two campuses before joining COOL staff.
I'd suggest that you include elements into your job description that
reflect the responsibilities your position has to your students, your
college, and your community.
Roles and Responsibilties:
1) to students - Advisor, facilitator, organizer, trainer, teacher,
2) to the college - administrator, fundraiser(?), acquisition officer,
community relations officer, liability avoidance officer, advocate,
3) to the community - university representative, ombudsman, problem solver,
team member,
I've probably forgotten some important aspects here but I'm sure other
contributors to the SL list will fill in the blanks.
In Service,
Lloyd Jacobson
National Programs Director
Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL)
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