What Florida Students Think 2000

Volunteer Coordinators Volunteer Coordinators

Back Continued

Void of Volunteerism
Serving the community can be a passion, a pastime, or to some, pointless. Coordinators statewide try to raise the interests of students and share with them their zeal for service. Mary Szmytkowski, coordinator of CARES, a student volunteer organization at Pasco-Hernando Community College, noticed "a consistent lack of enthusiasm and motivation with regard to volunteering," so she offers incentives to get students involved. "In CARES, we give each person a T-shirt who participates in three or more projects. We also give certificates of appreciation to those who participate in a number of events. This recognition helps motivate them to continue volunteering." Szmytkowski also says that aggressive recruitment is the best way to prevent volunteer apathy. "You must be out recruiting constantly, talking with people one on one and telling them about upcoming projects. Show them your enthusiasm—it will spread."
At the University of Central Florida, Ricky Middagh, 99-00 student director of Volunteer Services, says "organizing multiple smaller projects to cater to different tastes will have a better turnout than one huge nonspecific event." Volunteer UCF has a "personal approach which has improved participation. We have our volunteers sign up to be on an e-mail list, and then they are notified of upcoming projects."

Cultural Barriers
     No matter if the school is large or small, some students never learn to interact with people of different cultures. "When large groups of students come together, they often associate only with people of similar backgrounds," says Brian Dassler, Preview 2000 staff director at the University of Florida. "They don’t realize that separating yourself from those who are unlike you will never prepare you for the real world and the diversity of Florida’s population."
     Dassler says the first step to multicultural communication is a personal one. "We as leaders must make an effort to step out of the comfort zone of people with similar backgrounds and challenge ourselves to talk to someone we’ve never talked to before," he says. Though Dassler admits the task at hand is difficult, he says leaders must "not only be aware of it, but realize that they’re the ones who are in the position to do something about it."
     While leaders are in the position to help, the problem itself can be elusive. "As a leader, you won’t recognize it automatically, you have to really look hard to see where the communication gaps exist," says Diane Torres, executive vice president of Student Senate at Trinity International University. Torres has noticed that when the activities are larger and more universal by incorporating multiple interests, participation will become more diverse. "This broad range of activities is what makes volunteer programs successful in diversifying attendance," she says. "Volunteer organizations have an advantage to breaking this communication barrier, since service unites students of all ethnicities in a common cause," Torres says. "By bringing people together in a volunteering activity, it gives them an opportunity to look beyond their differences and work together to help others and make a difference." Torres says she has noticed that "people are afraid to go outside of their own groups, and it’s leaders who must watch for multicultural barriers and try to alleviate them at their next events." Once the barriers are recognized, Torres says "leaders can personally introduce the segregated groups to each other, or organize games or projects for the students to get to know one another."

Communication Weakness
     Student leaders often work with and rely on campus staff and faculty for information and assistance. When communication between these groups suffers, leaders get frustrated. "Administration and faculty rarely inform student organizations about developments and proposals on campus," says Larry Morris, student volunteer at Florida A&M University. "We aren’t notified when decisions are being discussed or made. This lack of communication leads to a lack of student representation, thus preventing us from being able to voice our opinions or have our needs met."
     As a radio personality for FAMU's 90.5 FM, Morris uses his show as a way to provide students with the information not provided to them by staff. "I gather information about volunteering events on campus and in the community and let the students know specific details and how they can get involved," he says. This lack of communication is avoidable by "not being afraid to talk to the administration, and using them as a means to get what’s best for your organization," Morris says.
     As a student volunteer at Florida Christian College, Katie Layton says, "the staff doesn’t always verbalize what they feel needs to be changed or done." Volunteering in numerous projects such as the Children’s House, a home for children of convicted mothers, has made Layton aware of the value of a good relationship with your advisor. "If you both listen to each other, it eliminates the gray areas of communication that arise when advisors and leaders don’t consider the relationship as a mutual one."
     When a tornado devastated a residential community across from the FCC campus in 1998, numerous campus volunteers responded. "Never have I been more moved then the next morning when I saw the professors and students volunteering hand-in-hand to help the community," Layton says. "If all organizations could build this kind of affiliation with their advisors and just work together and get to know each other, the gap in communication would no longer exist." Layton says encouraging group members to get to know their advisors and listening to what they have to say is the first step. "If you listen to them, they will listen to you."

What’s the most important leadership quality?
"Listening skills. To accept criticism and lead your group, you must listen to what your members have to say. They’re the ones who can identify problem areas and goals for the future. Make yourself available to listen on a one-on-one level. This can be the best way to get their point and yours across."
—Collins Nelson, residential outreach coordinator, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, tommyboys57@hotmail.com

"Respect for yourself and your group members. This creates a stronger backbone for the organization and better teamwork. Once people perceive a leader as someone who respects them, they’ll show their leader the same respect."
—Jolawn Davis, Upward Bound mentor, Edward Waters College, jolawndavis@hotmail.com

"If you show honesty, respect, and integrity, those watching will want your leadership."
—Diane Torres, Student Senate vice president, Trinity International University, rozeyd@aol.com

Describe the most effective project your group has sponsored.
"Up ‘Till Dawn raised $25,000 for St. Judes Children’s Hospital by holding an all year fund-raiser which culminated with a party from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Student organizations participated by forming groups of six members and raising $1,000 per team. Their donation was their ticket into the all-night festivities of dancing, karaoke and food."
—Mark Sullivan, Up ‘Till Dawn corporate proposal chair, Lynn University

"We were involved in Military Mail. Our members visited local schools and had children help us make Christmas cards to send to the U.S. soldiers stationed overseas during the holidays. Many of the soldiers sent responses to the students, proving it was a good way to show our appreciation for their efforts."
—Christy Finnerty, Phi Theta Kappa member, University of South Florida, finnerty@bayflash.stpt.usf.edu

Back Continued

Get PDF for this story

What Florida Students Think (877K)