d ream i t, d o i t ! i nnovative u tilization of v olunteers summer institute 2011 volunteer issues...
TRANSCRIPT
DREAM IT, DO IT! INNOVATIVE UTILIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS
Summer Institute 2011
Volunteer Issues Committee of Literacy Action Network
AGENDA
Warm-up activity: “I never…”
Panel discussion: 15 ways to creatively utilize volunteers
Moving from Innovative Ideas into Action
Wrap-up
“I NEVER…”
What are the things you don’t have time to do but would like to do?
What are the things your program doesn’t have the time or resources to do?
FROM THE FIELD….
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS……
GED WRITING ONE-ON-ONE TUTOR
Tutor an adult GED learners who is studying to pass the GED writing test
Help with grammar, spelling and vocabulary Help with writing mechanics, paragraph and
essay development
STAR READING TUTOR AND/OR ASSESSMENT AIDE
Lead a reading group during class, mainly focusing on fluency. The more the volunteers, the smaller each group!
Meet individually with reading learners to assess students in alphabetics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.
The results are used for dividing students into small work groups, in class, according to their skills.
SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER Provide support and outreach for US Citizenship
Training via Facebook and Twitter Maintain the Twitter Accounts and tweet Create and maintain a Facebook account with
information on the US Citizenship classes. Bi-weekly up-dates – possible video postings of class Stay in direct communication with US Citizenship
instructor, plus meet occasionally with US Citizenship instructor.
Special Projects Artist
Create poster, bulletin board, or display board to be used for appropriate event, such as: Annual Reading Campaign/Family Literacy Day Bulletin board for job postings or other Display board to be taken to resource fairs/events
PRONUNCIATION/RECORDING VOLUNTEER Volunteer records stories using
Audacity Stories are iTunes in computer lab Good for volunteers who like to
work independently We have recorded stories from Read
Naturally, Story by Story, and Project Read
NEXT LEVEL CLASSES VOLUNTEER TEACHER Volunteer-led afternoon classes in math, reading,
and writing 1-3 levels beyond SHAPE (paid teacher) classes Bridge or jumpstart to Diploma/GED Started with student petition
ORTON-GILLINGHAM 1-1 TUTOR Current volunteer took Orton-Gillingham training &
needed 100 hours of volunteer instruction Teachers identify students who are not keeping up or
not advancing Volunteer takes 8 students per term, works 1hr/week
with each student, 8 hours total Programs can contact Orton-Gillingham or other
reading training programs to request trained volunteers
ENGLISH FOR EMPLOYMENT
Help students 1-1 as they gain the English and computer skills they need to achieve their career goals
Create resumes, write emails, practice interview skills, search for jobs online
Use www.englishuneed.weebly.com and www.usefulenglish.weebly.com
DIGITAL EDUCATION LAB SUPPORT VOLUNTEER
Assist students in the use of Learner Web ‘Computer Skills You Can Use’, a computer-based learning plan.
Skill sets include: using a mouse, keyboarding, e-mail, windows, internet browsing, and Microsoft Office.
MUSIC INTERN
Jino shared his musical expertise by teaching songs accompanied by guitar
He led a folk singing group where students shared cultural stories and sang at an end of the year Open-mic Celebration
REGISTRATION, TESTING AND LEARNING PLANS INTERN
Having trouble getting to all the things you would like to get accomplished?
Intern Kathleen helped our very busy staff get learners retested and learning plans completed.
Kathleen was instrumental also in helping us on the day of our learner registration to keep things flowing and to assist staff during a very stressful period.
WRITING INTERN Chris spent over six months developing writing topics
and bringing learners together to write creative stories.
He spent many hours putting the publication together and doing his final project as the emcee for our open-mic celebration.
We had other volunteers complete part of this project in the past. The staff had to fill in to help out with the project. Handing it all over to Chris was a great relief to staff and he did our best student writing publication and open-mic celebration!
CITIZENSHIP AMBASSADOR
LIBRARY COORDINATOR
VOLUNTEER OUTREACH INTERN
MOVING FROM INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO ACTION…
Create a “game plan”
Placement, orientation and training
Risk Management
Recognition and Support
QUESTIONS?
Create a Volunteer Position Description
www.themlc.org/volunteerpositiondescriptions.html
www.oursharedresources.com
Questions to consider when developing a new volunteer position
Use a template/worksheet
RESOURCES
http://www.themlc.org/vcr.html http://www.literacyminnesota.org/Literacy_Ac
tion_Network.html
www.oursharedresources.com www.englishuneed.weebly.com www.usefulenglish.weebly.com http://www.literacyminnesota.org/Volunteer_P
osition_Descriptions_and_Training_Guide.html
WRAP-UP
What will you take back to your program?
What new volunteer role(s) will you start?
QUESTIONS
VOLUNTEER ISSUES COMMITTEE
Co-chairs
MaryJo Bayliss (SHAPE): [email protected]
Cathy Grady (MLC): [email protected]
Committee Members
Tammi Bernard (Burnsville): [email protected]
Glenice Jones (Metro North): [email protected]
Ruth Rodriguez (St.Paul): [email protected]
Allison Runchey (MLC): [email protected]
Nancy Thornbury [email protected]
(Franklin Learning Center, Minneapolis)
www.literacyactionnetwork.org