Volunteer opportunities still available for May 21 service day
Opportunities are still available for members of the University of Wisconsin–Madison to be part of a campuswide service day later this month, organizers say.
A group of academic and classified staff have organized the day of service on the university’s May 21 mandatory furlough day.
All faculty, academic staff, classified staff and employees-in-training (with employment titles) are invited to participate in the event, which involves signing up for a two- or three-hour shift at an activity of the participant’s choosing. Students and postdoctoral fellows who may not be on furlough that day, as well as former UW–Madison employees and others in the university community, are also welcome if schedules permit their participation.
Heather Daniels, chair of the Academic Staff Executive Committee, said more than 200 individuals have registered.
Those interested in taking part may sign up through the Office of Human Resource Development and then access a database of open volunteer opportunities for the day through the United Way of Dane County, where people can register for projects. Those who arrange their own volunteer work may also take part.
“New projects continue to be added to the United Way website so I encourage people to go back and check the website if they didn’t find something that suited their interests,” Daniels says.
To sign up to volunteer, please visit UW–Madison Service Day Registration and register by May 19.
The idea for using a furlough day for community service developed from a resolution passed by the Academic Staff Assembly last year. It encouraged academic staff to consider volunteering on the 16 furlough days all state employees were required to during state budget that started July 1, 2009.
Participants in the May 21 service day are invited to two kickoff events: Monday, May 17, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Tripp Commons at the Memorial Union; and Tuesday, May 18, 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. in the atrium of the Health Sciences Learning Center. Damon Williams, vice provost for diversity and climate, will speak at the Tripp Commons event; Provost Paul DeLuca will appear at the Health Sciences Learning Center.
Those doing volunteer work are also encouraged to join a Facebook event page for the day’s activities, where they can post updates about their plans, as well as offer reports and post pictures from their volunteer projects.