"To foster growth and understanding through reflective service learning, creating life long volunteers."

Volunteer! GVSU is student-run community service project coordinated in conjunction with the Student Life Office at Grand Valley State University. The program provides students with opportunities to become involved in the community, learn about themselves and others, and experience first hand the important issues affecting society. Students may volunteer for ongoing or onetime service projects dealing with a variety of issues.

Volunteer! GVSU is coordinated by a steering committee comprised of thirteen issues, each focusing on a different aspect of service to the community. Each issue is chaired by one or more student coordinators who work with community agencies and other GVSU students to develop and implement service projects.

1998-99 Sterring Committee

Co-Coorindators: Jessica Smith & Michele Lukens

PR: Brooke Jevicks

Financial:

Secretary: Carrie McBride

Historian: Melanie Haas

ASB: Jacob Downing & Jolene Ryan

Best Buddies: Amy Scherer & Jeff Ubert

Disabilities: Amanda Berden & Sharieff Massey

Environment: Dawn Hertel & Kyanne Gieger

Habitat: Zach Brevis & Rich Givens

Health & AIDS: Aimee Lefebvre & Tracy Spellan

Hunger and Homeless: Melissa Kendall & Matt Matson

Literacy: Christina Mokienko & Megan Cyrulewski

PALS: Christi Champion

Seniors:

Substance Abuse:

Volunteer Corps: Courtney Vollmar

Youth: Kerith Ackley & Shannon Scott

History of Volunteer! GVSU

Prior to the creation of volunteer GVSU, community service projects on GVSU's campus were limited to three annual blood drives and a few service projects sponsored by a student group, the GVSU Student Foundation. In the summer of 1988, the Student Life Office began contacting agencies and other campuses to explore ways in which to get students actively involved in the community. One staff member attended the 5th annual Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) Conference in the Bronx, NY. During the fall of 1988, a brochure was developed and a small number of volunteer opportunities were developed. Student organizations and residence halls floors contributed to most of the service performed that first year.

Staff for the volunteer program during the first year was limited to the Assistant Director of Student Life (Jay Cooper) and one undergraduate staff assistant (Linda Powell). During the fall of 1989, a campaign was developed to encourage students to report their volunteer hours to the Student Life Office. Volunteer programs were still limited to the three blood drives and occasional student-sponsored projects. During this year the first Fasting Program was held and over $4,000 was raised for God's Kitchen. The first volunteer fair was also held. The staff assistant during the program's second year was Kris Ricks.

By January, 1991 a small group of interested students met to discuss the formation of the first Volunteer! GVSU Steering Committee. This group included: Jay Cooper, Student Life, Kris Ricks, Staff Assistant, Tom Manvidas, Ylondia Nelson, Dana Roseman, and Joe Kies. By the year's end, over 5,000 community service hours were generated.

1991-92

The fourth year of the volunteer program witnessed tremendous growth in the number of students involved and the types of projects that were being offered. A Steering Committee was formed consisting of the following individuals: Lisa Howe - Staff Assistant, Kathy Sly - Literacy, Amy Lohman- Homeless, Dana Roseman - Disabilities, Ylondia Nelson - Youth, and Amy Bremer - Health & AIDS.

Other significant events during this year included:

*$34,000 community work study grant

*Graduate intern, Mary Schat

*The first ASB trip to Chicago

*The first Into the Streets program, co-sponsored with Calvin and Aquinas College

*COOL Conference in Florida (five students attended)

*Johnathan Kozol Lecture on campus

*First training held

*Generated 52,000 hours and GVSU administrative staff spent the night on the roof

*Joined the Michigan Campus Compact

*Received Golden Rule Award from the Heart of West Michigan United Way

1992-93

The fifth year of the volunteer program was the first year of organized, on-going service projects. The steering Committee expanded to twelve members including: Nikki Smith, Graduate Assistant; SLO Wendy Wyse, Graduate Assistant, Housing; Lisa Howe, Staff Assistant; Kathy Sly, Literacy; Amy Lohman, Staff Assistant and Hunger & Homeless; Sheri Peaks & Gary Bonn, Disabilities; Ylondia Nelson/Tina Johnson/Patti Lycynski, Youth; Diana Garza/Lisa Belt, Health & AIDS; Steve Nicolete/Becky Chomos, Seniors; Mark Carter, Substance Abuse; Tammy Newsom/Scot Sroka, Public Relations; Julie Fisher, Alternative Spring Break; Maleah Blakey, Environment

Other highlights during the year included:

*expanded ASB to four sites (Chicago, NY, Florida & Appalachia)

*$30,000 community work study grant

*$35,000 Grand Rapids City Year planning grant

*Creation of the Center on Philanthropy & Non-Profit Leadership

*COOL Conference at the University of Illinois (Eight Attended)

*First Hunger Theatre, Senior Prom, Empathy Training, Stride for Pride,

*Campus-wide reflection activities

*Volunteer Center created (housed in 110 KC)

*116,000 community service hours generated

*Coordinator received Service Learning Award from MCC

1993-94

Nikki Smith, Graduate Assistant, SLO; Jason Kalis, Staff Assistant; Amy Lohman, Staff Assistant; Molly Grant, Literacy; Gail Kendell, Hunger & Homeless; Gary Bonn, Disabilities; Tina Johnson, Youth; Diana Garza, Health & AIDS; Becky Chomos, Seniors; Mark Carter, Substance Abuse; Julie Fisher, Alternative Spring Break; Maleah Blakey, Environment; Ngina Dunklin, Into the Streets

Highlights of the year:

*Union High School Partnership

*Faculty institute in Rhode Island

*Adopt-a-highway program begins on M45

*First ASB Retreat

*Six ASB sites (Chicago, Louisiana, NYC, DC, FL, Appalachia)

*Glenda Taylor and Phil Pratt recieved the MCC Faculty Award)

*Began Freshman Seminar 100 service learning pilot

1994-95

Ann Perkins, Graduate Assistant; Nikki Lee, Staff Assistant; Becky Chomos, Staff Assistant; Kurt Hazelwood & Sarah Aebig, PALS; Sarah Tuebert & Chris Plaskewitzc, Literacy; Amy Piscopink, Volunteer Corps; Jenny Fata, Hunger & Homeless; John Rich & Edwin Darrell, ASB; Bill Childs, Substance Abuse; Angie Bueche, Youth; Krista Rye & Angie Gadzinski, Seniors; Maleah Quimbach & Valerie Friedhof, Habitat Maleah Blakey, Environment; Julia Reynaert, Annette Stehle & Brian Trembley, Disabilities; Abby Meadows, Health and AIDS

Highlights of the year included:

*Volunteer GVSU registered as a student organization and recieved allocation from student senate ($5,000)

*Piloted a for-credit service learning seminar with Steering Committee (Facilitated by Professors Don Williams, Thom Jeavons & Connie Jones)

*Began discussion about overseas service projects

*Recieved Americorps Learn and Serve grant ($18,000) for Freshman Compact and Company, a partnership program between GVSU, Aquinas, Calvin, GRCC and five inner city high schools

*Nine students attended Camp Miniwanca

*Don Williams (SOC) Recieved MCC faculty award

1995-96

Ann Perkins, Graduate Assistant; Cheri Bair, Staff Assistant; Becky Chomos, Staff Assistant; Kurt Hazelwood & Edwin Darrell, Co-Chairs; Dan Shindler, Financial Coordinator; Amy Piscopink, Public Relations; Eric Dunlop & Sarah Aebig, PALS; Sarah Tuebert & Chris Plaskewitzc, Literacy; Dena Marrison & Kerrie Shivlie, Volunteer Corps; Julie Strickland & Ryane Eno, Hunger & Homeless; Dan Moore & Heather Tritten, ASB; Bill Childs, Substance Abuse; Angie Gadzinski & Angie Bueche, Youth; Kelly Queenan & Jenny Piotter, Seniors; Amy Lindrup, Habitat; Ami Maglothin, Environment; Julia Reynaert, Annette Stehle & Brian Trembley, Disabilities; Jessia Pratt & Melanie, Health and AIDS

1996-97

Ann Perkins & Krista Jenson, Graduate Assistants; Krista Jensen, Graduate Assistant; Maribeth Perreault, Staff Assistant; Dan Shindler & Sarah Aebig, Co-Chairs; Kevin Schafer, Public Relations; Dan Tuell, Financial Coordinator; Sarah Vanderroest & Corey Hirdes, PALS; Stacy Bartuszerige, Literacy; Dena Marrison & Kerrie Shivlie, Volunteer Corps; Bethany Archbold & Michele Lathers, Hunger & Homeless; Dan Moore, ASB; Bill Childs & Terri Navarre, Substance Abuse; Corey Soumis & Angie Bueche, Youth; Kathleen Wing , Seniors Will Paddock & Adam Schmidt, Habitat; Amy Piscopink & Mary Brumwell, Environment; Sara Piraart, Pam Shelart & Jenny Caudill, Disabilities; Heather Brumwell & Abby Flynn, Health and AIDS; Lisa Mann, Best Buddies

1997-98

Rebecca Chomos, Graduate Assistant; Teri Navvare & Keri Shivlie, Co-Coordinators; Gina Feldspausch & Dean Marrison, Youth; Tracy Spellan, PR; Dan Tuell, Staff Assistant; Dan Shindler & Angela Gray, ASB; Amy Bliss & Rebecca Bair, Dissabilities; Matt Mansfield & Nate Bachelor, Environment; Kathleen Wing & Denise Krolczyk, Seniors; Heather Grubaugh & Amanda Kucich, Literacy; Andrew Robinson & Rose Barr, Hunger and Homeless; Michele Lukens and Maribeth Perreault, Volunteer Corps; Will Paddock & Kevin Shafer, Habitat; Corey Hirdes, PALS; Heather Hoetzle, Best Buddies; Adrian Wierczkowski, Health and AIDS; Jackie Oxford, Greek liaison; Kristi VanDyke, Financial; Carrie McBrdie; Secretary