2008 Woodie Awards
Orgs plan for volunteer lull
Service groups desire student help during summer months
Erin Bowen
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Community
While community service involvement during the school year may satisfy the needs of some local organizations, some say students could be more involved - especially those who remain in Oxford over the summer.
Multiple service organizations - such as the United Way Oxford, Oxford Church of God, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club - depend on the volunteer efforts of both students and residents to provide assistance and address the needs of the community, said Mary Jo Clark, administrator for The Family Resource Center in Oxford.
Clark added that, on a weekly basis, volunteer groups are comprised of about half Miami University students and half residents.
Clark said professors' efforts are helping increase the number of student volunteers around Oxford.
"Student involvement is increasing, especially since more and more professors are adding a service learning component to their classes," she said.
However, Maureen Kranbuhl, executive director of United Way Oxford, said student involvement could be even higher.
"(I) would absolutely like to see more student involvement,"
Kranbuhl said.
According to Kranbuhl, most of the contributors to the United Way Oxford are residents who make a donation and then further inquire about service opportunities.
"At this point, we have more residents participating than students," Kranbuhl said. Another large resource for community service is Miami's Office of Community Engagement and Service, which provides opportunities for students to learn through exposure and collaboration with local community organizations.
The organization promotes service opportunities by supporting the yearly on-campus Volunteer Fair and programs such as
Adopt-A-School and Empower, said Miami senior Laura Smith, the upcoming community partnerships coordinator for Miami's Office of Community Engagement and Service.
Smith added that her office finds volunteers through a listserv, by visiting classes and by encouraging students at residence halls to become involved.
Multiple service organizations - such as the United Way Oxford, Oxford Church of God, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club - depend on the volunteer efforts of both students and residents to provide assistance and address the needs of the community, said Mary Jo Clark, administrator for The Family Resource Center in Oxford.
Clark added that, on a weekly basis, volunteer groups are comprised of about half Miami University students and half residents.
Clark said professors' efforts are helping increase the number of student volunteers around Oxford.
"Student involvement is increasing, especially since more and more professors are adding a service learning component to their classes," she said.
However, Maureen Kranbuhl, executive director of United Way Oxford, said student involvement could be even higher.
"(I) would absolutely like to see more student involvement,"
Kranbuhl said.
According to Kranbuhl, most of the contributors to the United Way Oxford are residents who make a donation and then further inquire about service opportunities.
"At this point, we have more residents participating than students," Kranbuhl said. Another large resource for community service is Miami's Office of Community Engagement and Service, which provides opportunities for students to learn through exposure and collaboration with local community organizations.
The organization promotes service opportunities by supporting the yearly on-campus Volunteer Fair and programs such as
Adopt-A-School and Empower, said Miami senior Laura Smith, the upcoming community partnerships coordinator for Miami's Office of Community Engagement and Service.
Smith added that her office finds volunteers through a listserv, by visiting classes and by encouraging students at residence halls to become involved.
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