St. Olaf College Volunteer Network (VN) Program Manual
2007-2008

Volunteer Network Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Volunteer Network (VN) to provide a variety of volunteer opportunities to St. Olaf students.  We strive to serve the campus community by empowering students to understand the impact they can have in the lives of others and promote self-fulfillment through lifelong service.  VN will accomplish its goals by establishing cooperative relationships with the local communities, providing a supportive network for volunteers, and advocating for those seeking service.

What is Volunteer Network (VN)?

The St. Olaf College Volunteer Network (VN) is committed to providing volunteer opportunities for students that benefit both St. Olaf and the larger community.  As a student organization, its goal is to make a variety of volunteer programs available to students; some will be one-time events and others will provide for lasting participation.  VN provides a wide range of services for children, the elderly, individuals with special needs, animals, and more.  If you are interested in becoming involved with any VN programs, or would like to start your own volunteer program, please contact Victor Wong <wongv> or call x3821.  We will connect you with the program that best suits your needs or perhaps help you discover some other interests.  Feel free to stop by the Volunteer Network desk in the Student Activities Office (Buntrock Commons 107, P.O. Hallway).
2007-2008 Program Directory

Working With Youth

Girl Scouts
Program Director: Molly Boes <boes>, Sarah Rossing <rossings>
Agency Contact: Cory Sendle (507-645-6603), Cannon Valley Girl Scouts, 1025 Highway 3 North, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: Volunteering for the Girl Scouts will give you the opportunity to work with girls ages five to eighteen in a slightly structured environment. Male and female volunteers are welcome, and the time commitment is up to you. You may choose to lead your own troop, help out with an existing troop, or just be available for large group programs and cookie sales. The big event for the year is the Girl Scout Earth Day celebration that is held on the St. Olaf campus each spring. Volunteers are needed to help plan and/or implement projects for this event. Leadership skills and a love for kids are all you need to volunteer with the Girl Scouts! 

Main Street Mentors
Program Director: Stephanie Andren <andren>, Sarah Lebens <lebenss>
Agency Contact: Josh Hinnenkamp <mainstreetmentors@gmail.com>
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: Main Street Mentors is a program offered through the Northfield Union of Youth specifically aimed at bringing a knowledgeable adult member of the community and a youth together in a positive learning relationship. Many topics have been covered in the mentoring program. With the help of the Northfield Alternative Learning Center (ALC), youth are able to gain academic credit for their work in a mentorship. The mission of the Northfield Union of Youth To provide POWER and VOICE to area youth and create a caring community.  The Northfield Union of Youth (NUY) is a Nonprofit organization for youth and by youth. All ideas for programs, projects and events are all generated by the youth.

M-TAG (More Than A Game) 
Program Director: contact keil@stolaf.edu if interested
Agency Contact: Ann Strawn, Community Service & Prevention Coordinator, <astrawn@co.rice.mn.us> (507-332-6288) Rice County Community Corrections, 128 NW 3rd Street Faribault, MN 55021
Time Commitment: Monday or Wednesday, 3:10-5:30pm
Program Description: M-Tag is a program targeting Somali and Latino youth (12-17 years old) who are either coming out of the juvenile justice system or at risk of being involved in it. Volunteers can perform one of two roles: you may mentor/tutor, which involves helping program participants with homework and life skills, or you may serve as an athletic coach, which involves participating in and guiding basketball and/or soccer games and drills. 

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) 
Program Director: contact keil@stolaf.edu if interested
Agency Contact: Chris Feldman <cmfeldman@citlink.net> (507-663-0133), Northfield Evangelical Free Church, 5600 E. 110th Street, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: Every other Friday morning, 8:20-11:30am
Program Description: MOPS is a great program in a semi-structured environment, where volunteers play with kids (ages 1-6) while allowing mothers a break. Activities include playtime, crafts, singing and a snack. The program is held at Northfield Evangelical Free Church and transportation is provided. 

Northfield Middle School Program 
Program Director: Nick Spanel <spanel>
Agency Contact: Susan Sanderson, Youth Development Coordinator,<susan.sanderson@nfld.k12.mn.us> (507-664-3654) NCRC Building, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: One day (M-Thurs.) from 3:00-5:30pm
Program Description: The Northfield Middle School Youth Center is an after-school program that provides a fun and safe environment to middle school youth.  Volunteers make connections with students through various activities; volunteers can help with homework, do crafts and other fun activities including foosball, ping pong, and board games, as well as play outdoor and indoor sports.

Project Friendship 
Program Director: Tiffany Bratten <bratten>
Agency Contact: Kathy Lansing <greencook1@msn.com> (507-645-6762)
Time Commitment: 1-2 hrs. /week
Program Description: In Project Friendship, students are paired with children from the Northfield community and they spend an hour per week together “hanging out” on campus- playing games, throwing a baseball, making cookies, etc. Students serve as role models to the children. They will also attend seasonal events for all of the Project Friendship programs at St. Olaf such as a Halloween party, a Christmas party, etc. 

Quest
Program Director: Tony Paterno <paterno>
Agency Contact: Dana Rees, Rice County Community Corrections <drees@co.rice.mn.us> (507-332-3747)
Time Commitment: every other Thursday, 4:00-6:00 pm, more if desired
Program Description: Volunteers would be involved in the recreation component of Quest, a program for high-risk juvenile male offenders.  Quest is designed to be an intervention for offenders who are at imminent risk of long-term out of home placement and build the skills necessary to succeed in the community.  Working with the family, the mission is to assure public safety, maintain offender accountability, enable offender competency development, facilitate transitions and build links to the community, and restoring the victim by effectively addressing the harms of crime.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) 
Program Director: Stephen Lindley <lindleys>, Davis Wille <willed>
Agency Contact: Susan Sanderson, Youth Development Coordinator,  <susan.sanderson@nfld.k12.mn.us> (507-645-7371) NCRC Building, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: One Saturday per month; 6:45-9:45pm
Program Description: SNL is held at Northfield High School and is for middle school youth. The program provides the youth with open swim, music (with disc jockey and sound system) and open gym (basketball). Volunteers serve as chaperones to monitor the activities, but they are also encouraged to participate in the events with the kids, allowing for relationship building in a casual setting. Free pizza and pop is available! 

Study Buddies 
Program Director: Chris Beal <bealc>, Elisabeth Vickers <vickers>
Agency Contact: Krista Ahlman, Service Coordinator, <ahlman@commonbond.org> (507-645-7710), Greenvale Place, 211 Greenvale Ave., Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: 1.5 hrs/week (Homework Center), 4-5 hrs/week (Special Events)
Program Description: Common Bond is the largest provider for affordable housing. Volunteers for Common Bond work with young children on their personal learning goals and school activities while developing strong relationships with their “Buddies.” This involves reading with the students, stimulating their imagination, playing educational games, and helping with homework. Volunteers may also assist with special events, such as a holiday and an end of the year celebration. 

Education

English as a Second Language (ESL)
Program Director: Colin Halverson <halverso>, Emily Segar <segar>  
Agency Contact: Heather Bae <heather_bae@faribault.K12.mn.us>
Time Commitment: two hours on Wednesday or Thursday evenings
Program Description: Volunteers have the opportunity to assist immigrants in learning English as a second language through a variety of activities. Opportunities focus on group or one-on-one tutoring. The age of the students varies from the early twenties to middle-aged adults. No foreign language skills or previous experience is required.

Nightingale Project
Program Director: Deidre Kiefer <kiefer>, Hanna Dielman <dielman>
Agency Contact: Jennifer Streefland (507-663-0799), Guidance Counselor, Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division Street South, Northfield MN 55057
Time Commitment: One hr/week
Program Description: The Nightingale Project will provide mentors for middle school girls in town. The mentors meet with their mentees for about an hour per week and have one large group activity per month focusing on positive self-esteem.

Head Start
Program Director: Katie Handler <handler>
Agency Contact: Jeannie Dosedel (507-664-3783), Three Rivers Head Start, 1651 Jefferson Pkwy, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: Varies; preferably one hour per week
Program Description: Head Start is a preschool program for children of low-income families. In Northfield, there are two classrooms of children from ages three to five. The classes run Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.   Also, there is a parents’ meeting once Thursday a month from 6-7 pm; volunteers are needed to help play with the children while the parents are at the meeting. Much of the program’s funding is based on the number of volunteer hours, so they heavily depend on volunteer efforts. 

Reach Our Goals (ROG) 
Program Director: Tyson Gern <gern>, Aaron Stauffer <stauffer>
Agency Coordinator: NA, contact Kris Vatter <vatter> with questions
Time Commitment:  Tuesdays, 7-8:30 and occasional weekend activities
Program Description: R.O.G. is a mentoring program for Latino Youth in Northfield.
The mission of R.O.G. is to empower Northfield Latino youth by way of academic support, cultural celebration, and positive role modeling. In R.O.G., volunteers are paired with a Northfield student with the intention of creating a bond between the student and his/her mentor. This bond facilitates healthy role modeling, positive encouragement, and a way for mentees to learn more about college life.  Students bring their homework every week and discuss and set personal and academic goals. During weekly mentoring sessions, volunteers and mentees will get to know each other better through activities such as scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, large group projects, games etc. Weekend activities (St. Olaf athletic events, trips to the Cities, bowling, movies, etc.) are designed to bond mentors and mentees and to bond R.O.G as a community. All R.O.G. mentors are trained before the program begins. The students come to St. Olaf every week, and meet in a classroom in Holland hall. 

Health & Wellness

Northfield Hospital 
Program Director: Christine Donnell <donnell>, Michelle Rowland <rowlandm>
Agency Coordinator: Georgene Johnson <johnsong@northfieldhospital.org> (507-646-1036) 2000 North Ave., Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: 2-3 hrs/week
Program Description: Opportunities for volunteers at the Northfield Hospital include the following: support for patients in the 40-bed skilled nursing facility, clerical support for staff and short term projects – e.g. entertainment for patients, Auxiliary Book Fair, etc. A current TB test and orientation is required for registration into the program. 

Spread the Hope 
Program Director: Anna Johnson <johnsak>, Shurie Madery <madery>
Agency Coordinator: NA, contact Kris Vatter <vatter> with questions
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: Spread the Hope allows students to become directly involved with fun and exciting volunteer opportunities related to fighting cancer and touching the lives of those affected by cancer. Activities include fundraising, visiting hospitals and hospices, holiday decorating of hospitals/hospices, and Alex's Lemonade Stand. Volunteers can choose when and how they would like to help with the program. 

St. Olaf Cancer Connection (SCC) 
Program Director: Laura Hiller <hiller>
Agency Coordinator: NA, contact Kris Vatter <vatter> with questions
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: SCC is a student organization that arranges many events projects to support people affected by cancer. Activities include raising money for the American Cancer Society, organizing Relay for Life (a fundraising extravaganza in the spring), and volunteering to play with kids or cook meals at the Ronald McDonald house. Volunteers may choose which activities they would like to participate in. 

Up ‘Til Dawn 
Program Director: Mike Potter <potter>
Agency Coordinator: Yvonne Meyerson <yvonne.meyerson@stjude.org> (952-334-4546)
Time Commitment: hours vary with letter writing campaign
Program Description: Up 'Til Dawn is a fundraising program for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is one of the world’s leading research centers for childhood cancers and other diseases. Up 'Til Dawn raises funds mainly through an annual letter-writing campaign but also includes activities like date auctions, movie nights, and the program concludes with a large banquet at the end of the year. Up ‘Til Dawn in a great program to be involved with if you don’t have a lot of time, but want to make a big difference in a child’s life. 

Focus on the Elderly

Northfield Retirement Community (NRC) 
Program Director: Alissa Broz <broz>, Nikki Schmidt <schmidtn>
Agency Coordinator: Milosha Malecha <info@northfieldretirement.org> (507-664-3472), 900 Cannon Valley Dr., Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: 1.5 hrs/week
Program Description: St. Olaf students spend time talking with residents in a group setting each week. Students also participate in a variety of activities including Christmas caroling and ice cream socials.  

Three Links Care Center 
Program Director: Emily Roach <roache>
Agency Coordinator: Carol Fredrickson <carol.fredrickson@threelinks.org> (507-645-6611, ext.114)
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: Volunteers have a variety of opportunities at Three Links Care Center. Many volunteers choose the Adopt-a-Grandparent program, which allows for a very flexible schedule. There are also opportunities to share musical gifts, help out at monthly or weekly activities such as chapel services, bingo, or popcorn parties, deliver mail, or work in the gift shop. Most of the volunteering is on an independent basis, which allows volunteers to set their own schedule and time commitment. 

Millstream Commons
Program Director: Trinara Burgau <burgau>, Griffin Sonstegard <sonstega>
Agency Coordinator: Monica Lynch (507-650-0141) (Monica.Lynch@threelinks.org)
Time Commitment: Monday/Wednesday 6-7:30, come whenever available
Program Description: Students spend time with residents at Millstream Commons Assisted Living facilities, talking and playing games (dominoes, scrabble, bingo, yahtzee, puzzles).

Serving People in Need

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC)
Program Director: Lam Cao <cao>, Sarah Johnson <johnssa>, Sarah Lebens <lebenss>, Linnae Stole <stole>
Agency Coordinator: Contact NA, <info@fmsc.org> (651-379-2775), FMSC, 990 Lone Oak Road, Suite 124, Eagan, MN 55122
Time Commitment: 2 hour shifts, one Monday and one Wednesday a month
Program Description: Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian organization that started in Minnesota in 1987. In FMSC's 3 permanent Twin Cities locations, volunteers package nutritious meals (rice, soy, freeze-dried veggies, and vitamins) that get sent to starving children around the world. A streamlined assembly-line process allows for quick packaging--and requires many volunteers. A group of St. Olaf students will go to the Eagan site for a 2-hour shift one Monday and one Wednesday a month, September through April (transportation provided). Oles can attend just one trip or go multiple times throughout the year.

HealthFinders Collaborative 
Program Director: Zach Hathway <hathway>
Agency Coordinator: Angela Koch <koch.angeica@healthfindersmn.orf> (507-330-4031), 2980 130th St. East, Dundas, MN
Time Commitment: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm
Program Description: The Mission of Health Finders is to provide quality, accessible and culturally appropriate healthcare services, at no cost, to low-income and uninsured residents of greater Rice County. HealthFinders allows students to become directly involved in translating services (in Spanish for doctors and patients) for the Clinic. The clinic is located on county Road 88/130th Street in Dundas, MN.  

People Serving People 
Program Director: Anna Sauer <sauera>, Marija Knudson <knudson>
Agency Coordinator: Erika Iverson <erikai@peopleservingpeople.org> (612-277-0256), 614 South Third Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Time Commitment: 4 hours per trip: 10:30am to 2:30pm (several weekends a semester)
Program Description: People Serving People is the largest homeless shelter in Minneapolis, providing both emergency and empowering services to families who need assistance. We go up to the shelter several weekends a month to serve hot meals that are prepared by cooks cafeteria-style in a serving line. We get to meet people from all walks of life through the kitchen staff as well as the residents. Transportation is provided. 

St. Olaf Community Action: Northfield Foodshelf 
Program Director: Marija Knudson <knudson>
Agency Coordinator: <bickel.judy@northfieldcac.org> (507-664-3550), 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS 200, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: 1-3 hrs/week
Program Description: This Program coordinates and transports St. Olaf volunteers to the local food shelf where our students help distribute the food to families in need. 

Special Olympics 
Program Director: Sommer Wild <wilds>
Agency Coordinator: Kathy Lean <kathryn.lean@nfld.k12.mn.us> (507-663-0630), 1400 Division Street South, Northfield, MN 55057
Time Commitment: varies
Program Description: This program works with people who have mental and/or physical disabilities. Volunteers provide athletic opportunities like basketball, swimming, adaptive bowling, and track. All of these activities are conducted on-campus, except bowling. 

St. Olaf Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Program Director: Anna Scaramuzza <scaramuz>
Agency Coordinator: Kathy Cooper <kcooper@acs.carleton.edu> (507-646-4297)
Time commitment: 2 hrs/month
Program Description: On campus, the SOMADD mission is to promote anti-drunk driving through activities such as red ribbon reach out, the chain of life, 21st birthday cards, and sponsoring a crash car. In the community, volunteers extend service to the SADD chapter at Northfield High School and visit the elementary schools to teach youth about how they can help stop drunk driving. SOMADD hopes to involve as many students as possible in community-wide anti-drunk driving campaign. 

Sexual Assult Resource Network (SARN)
Program Director: Christina Hodge <hodge>, Julie Rolfes <rolfesj>
Agency Coordinator: Melia Garza <melia.garza@gmail.com> (507-332-0882). 303 1st Ave. NE, Suite 365, Faribault, MN 55021
Time Commitment: 1 day/week, plus an initial 6-week training period (8 hrs/wk)
Program Description: HOPE Center, formerly the WomanSafe Center, delivers advocacy and crisis intervention services to victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual assault through healing outreach, prevention and education.  HOPE Center was formed in 1994 by merging the Rice County Sexual Assault Program, Battered Women’s Program and the Northfield Helpline. The result is an advocacy organization that provides extensive services to victims of violence in Rice County. If offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and allows for volunteers to work with both children and adults. Some opportunities include aiding in conversations and presentations about abuse to both children and adults, playing with children, serving as a role model for youth, and helping at health fairs. 

Working with Animals

Pet Therapy 
Program Director: Rochelle Erickson <ericksre>
Agency Coordinator: Mark Bunett <burnettm@northfieldhospital.org> (507-646-1000)
Time Commitment: Friday 4:15-5:30pm
Program Description: Each week, three volunteers bring pets, mostly from professors and the community, to visit residents at the Northfield Hospital’s long-term care unit. 

Rice County Humane Society 
Program Director: Anna Dutke <dutke>
Agency Coordinator: Jan Mitchell <ricecountyhumane@hotmail.com> (507-334-7117)
Time Commitment: Volunteer as much or as little as you want. Wednesdays 3:00-5:30pm, Saturdays 12-3:00pm, Sundays 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Program Description: Duties include walking the dogs and socializing with the cats. Occasionally other small duties will be assigned by the staff.  Volunteers need to understand the aspects of running a shelter.

Caring For the Environment

 

Environmental Coalition 
Program Director: Christian Balzer <balzer>, Katie Handler <handler>
Agency Coordinator: NA, contact Kris Vatter <vatter> with questions
Time Commitment: 1 hr/week
Program Description: The program offers two or three volunteer opportunities per month, many of which are conducted outside, on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and last about two hours. The activities are either on the St. Olaf Natural Lands or at the Arboretum at Carleton, and can range from clean-ups to prairie burns to tree planting. 

 

Volunteer Network Executive Committee

Executive Coordinator
Victor Wong <wongv>

Assistant Coordinator
Margaret Wade <wade>

Program Director (PD) Coordinator
Katie Keil <keil>

Public Relations Coordinator
Tony Paterno <paterno>

Special Projects Coordinator
Theanna Hegge <hegge>

Development Coordinator
Bret Peterson < petersbc>

Community Coordinator
David Sayre <sayre>

First Year Representatives
Abby Benson<bensona>
Revanth Chada <chada>
Kathryn Southard <southard>

Director of Student Activities
Kris Vatter <vatter>

Executive Contact Information
Volunteer Network Desk: 507-786-3821
Student Activities Office: 507-786-3999
Website: http://www.stolaf.edu/orgs/sga/vn
Office of Student Activities
Buntrock Commons 107
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057

Volunteer Network Committees

Development Committee:
Coordinator: Bret Peterson <petersbc>
Description: Help to survey student interest in volunteering and creating new and diverse programs for the Volunteer Network.  Committee members will brainstorm, carry out, and evaluate current and potential VN projects.  If you have any interest in joining the committee or have a program idea you would like to see created, please contact Bret <petersbc>.

Public Relations Committee:
Coordinator: Tony Paterno <paterno>
Description: Publicity is vital to any student organization.  If you are creative and want to get the campus involved and informed of everything the Volunteer Network has to offer, this is the committee to join!  Members will be called upon to advertise for general VN promotion, special projects, or program-specific initiatives.  This is your chance to express your creative side and assist the community.  The more people you reach and inform, the more people you serve.

Special Projects Committee:
Coordinator: Theanna Hegge <hegge>
Description: Help to organize diverse, one-time volunteer opportunities for St. Olaf students. The Committee exists for students who are not able to make the time commitment to volunteer on a regular basis or for the person who would like to explore new volunteer opportunities. Special projects in the past have included the community Halloween Party, the Spring Senior Citizen Prom, Painting/Planting Pots for the Hospital residents, etc. Please contact Theanna <hegge> if you are interested in joining or have ideas for future special projects.

Tutor Hotline:
tutorhotline@stolaf.edu
(Request tutor services for area youth by e-mail)

 

 

 

Note: Program information listed in this directory is regularly updated on the Volunteer Network Website.  Please go to http://www.stolaf.edu/orgs/sga/vn for recent news and accurate program information.

Honor House Presidents Roster

The Story House: Aaker (x2982)
Contact: Rebecca Dyer <dyerr>

Cooperative Justice House: Felland (x2983)
Contact: Nicole Novak <novak>

St. Olaf Red Cross: Forest Inn (x2981)
Contact: Aurora Vincent <vincent>

Project Friendship: Haldorsen (x2969)
Contact: Jenny Fitzgerald <fitzgera>

CIVICS House: Lincoln Inn (x2986)
Contact: Erica Jaastad <jaastad>, Ishanaa Rambachan <rambachi>

St. Olaf Cancer Connection: Lincoln Manor (x2970)
Contact: Kira Price <pricek>

St. Paul’s Outreach: Mohn (x6726)
Contact: Bernadette Shaffer <shafferb>

ART House: Schmidt (x2987)
Contact: Katherine Dobie <dobiek>, Leah Klister <klister>

TOLLHOUSE: St. John’s (x2989)
Contact: Stephen Lindley <lindleys>

Gender and Sexuality House: Thompson (x2977)

Contact: Anya Galli <galli>, Sean Miyamoto <miyamoto>