Community Engagement

MiddAction

Weekly Volunteer Service Opportunities

“Like” EIA Civic Engagement’s Facebook page here to receive opportunities and updates!

 Nutrition Outreach and Mentoring (NOM)’s Cooking with Otter Creek Nursery
Otter Creek Nursery (located just off campus on Shannon Street) is looking for volunteers to cook with 2-5 year olds. They are open to different kinds of cooking or gardening with the kids, but would also love to have volunteers come and help out with what the teachers are already doing. They are hoping to have these events Wednesday and/or Friday mornings around 10:15am, but the timing is flexible. Please email Carly Westling ’13 at nom.midd@gmail.com if you are interested.

Apply for the Paid Summer Orientation Trips Internship
Work with the College’s first-year orientation team to help plan and deliver MiddView (Community Engagement, Vermont Explorations, and the Wilderness) trips. The trips are an integral part of our orientation efforts, and include three day, two night off-campus opportunities to engage in some aspect of Vermont’s cultural, community or outdoor landscapes. The internship available will primarily focus on community engagement and Vermont Explorations trips. The position has available hours this spring and will then be extended through the summer, during which the typical workweek will be 37.5 hours. View the full position description and apply here.

DREAM Summer Internship Information Session
Tmrw Tuesday, March 19^th 4:30 p.m. EIA Adirondack House Library
You’ve heard of the DREAM student organization in Middlebury and seen their great t-shirts – come learn about DREAM’s summer internship working to plan daily activities for youth in low-income neighborhoods. Questions? Contact Sarah Caliendo, scaliendo@dreamprogram.org or visit MOJO to apply for the position.

Monkton World Language Program: Volunteers still needed this semester.
The Monkton Central School World Language Program has been in existence for about 10 years with great success. It introduces children from kindergarten through sixth grade to a different language and culture, an experience which, hopefully, will be continued during middle and high school. Middlebury College students teach various languages four times during the semester in an elementary classroom. Volunteers are still needed to: co-teach French on Mondays 2:15 – 3PM, 3^rd and 4^th grade OR teach French or Spanish to 5^th and 6^th graders on a day/time that works for you. If you are interested in one of these volunteer opportunities, email coordinator Jennifer Stanley,  jstanley@wildblue.net.

Help at the annual Addison Central Teens Clothing Swap! Donate clothing items on campus or sign up for a volunteer shift
Location: Middlebury Union High School (MUHS) Dates: March 19 – March 20, 2013 11:30-3:00 MUHS students only, 3:00 – 7:00 open to the public
Bring in teen friendly, gently used clothing, accessories, prom and formal dresses, jewelry, knick-knacks and CDs and swap for “new” used items. No clothing to swap? Bring your money and shop! Clothing Collection at college (will benefit local middle and high school students)
To Volunteer: More info or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Jutta, 802-989-8934, jutta@addisonteens.com

Academic Outreach Endowment Grants – application due April 1
The Academic Outreach Endowment Fund provides financial support to both faculty and students for pursuits that involve community-connected teaching, learning, and research. Examples of these kinds of approaches include project-based learning (when there is a direct community connection), service-learning, community-based learning, participatory action research, and more. Funding for academic year 2013-2014 now being accepted. Visit here for more details.

Volunteer Opportunity with local Middlebury artist
Local Middlebury artist seeks unpaid intern for assistance with written communications, general organization and art business, including art shows, farmers markets and website update. Three hours weekly needed, up to 12 hours help desired! Contact artist Bob Gold @ 802-377-2579.

Sugar on Snow 2013 Volunteers (Huntington, VT)
Each year, the Green Mountain Audubon Center hosts three Sugar on Snow parties in the month of March to celebrate our sustainable, bird-friendly maple sugaring program and offer free education programs to the public.  On March 17, 23 , & 24  we will host hundreds of guests on our property in Huntington, VT. We need help from volunteers to lend a hand serving refreshments, keep a fire going and help our visitors park.  Please consider signing up for a volunteer slot and be added to the list of Vermonters that come together to keep our programs strong throughout the year.  Sign up here. Questions? Contact vermont@audubon.org.

Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!
Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.

Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099

“Like” EIA Civic Engagement’s Facebook page here to receive opportunities and updates!

Nutrition Outreach and Mentoring (NOM)’s Cooking with Otter Creek Nursery
Otter Creek Nursery (located just off campus on Shannon Street) is looking for volunteers to cook with 2-5 year olds. They are open to different kinds of cooking or gardening with the kids, but would also love to have volunteers come and help out with what the teachers are already doing. They are hoping to have these events Wednesday and/or Friday mornings around 10:15am, but the timing is flexible. Please email Carly Westling ’13 at nom.midd@gmail.com if you are interested.

Service Cluster Board Seeking 2013-2014 Coordinators – Application Deadline 3/15.
The Service Cluster Board is seeking individuals passionate about community service to serve as Coordinators for the 2013-2014 academic year. Founded in 2009, the Service Cluster Board is an umbrella organization whose goal is to support student-run service organizations and initiatives on campus. Duties of this position include: Managing the leadership development and finances of 17 student-run service organizations and continuing initiatives; Advising the Flex Fund Review Committee, which screens service project proposals and approving award allocations; Working closely with service leaders, EIA staff, and other students interested in service work; and conducting yearly trainings, monthly meetings, and regular audits of organizations’ budgets. Interested? Find more information and the application here.

Summer Internship Highlight: Addison County Poverty Internships – Application Deadline: Today 3/11
10 week paid internships with the Open Door Clinic, John Graham Homeless Shelter, Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Apply on MOJO: Go/mojo, more information listed here

Interested in art, photography, or computer sciences? Like to help others?
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes is looking for a few college volunteers to help with an upcoming Clay-Mation project. Students in grades 5-8 will be working to make a Clay-Mation short film, and will need help with photography, editing, designing—you name it! No formal experience necessary, only a willingness to help out and have fun. Transportation available, and additional support as needed! For more information, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.

Public Service Leadership Award – Deadline 3/15
Take a few minutes to nominate a peer you volunteer with for a Public Service Leadership Award—it is a meaningful way to recognize their commitment to service! You could nominate a co-leader or an individual who has been particularly active in your organization. Nominate someone today here. Questions? Email me (jcalkins@middlebury.edu).

Interested in journalism? Enjoy writing? Communications intern being sought!
Bridport Central School is looking for a Communications Intern to work for 4 hours / week for a total of six weeks this spring! The intern will aid in crafting Op Ed (external communication) pieces on a variety of topics in order to help celebrate and promote diverse programs and successes at BCS. Potential to include pieces in local newspapers! This position is a Level B position with Middlebury’s employment wage scale, at $9.20/hour. Interested? Nes Martinez, nmartinez@middlebury.edu.

Help at the annual Addison Central Teens Clothing Swap! Donate clothing items on campus or sign up for a volunteer shift
Location: Middlebury Union High School (MUHS) Dates: March 19 – March 20, 2013 11:30-3:00 MUHS students only, 3:00 – 7:00 open to the public
Bring in teen friendly, gently used clothing, accessories, prom and formal dresses, jewelry, knick-knacks and CDs and swap for “new” used items. No clothing to swap? Bring your money and shop! Clothing Collection at college (will benefit local middle and high school students)
Campus Donation Box: You can drop items at Proctor Dining Hall, Chellis House and Atwater Dining Hall from now until March 18. Look for box with this poster on it. Donations are welcome but leave your name and phone number if you like to receive point cards for swapping.
To Volunteer: More info or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Jutta, 802-989-8934, jutta@addisonteens.com

Academic Outreach Endowment Grants – application due April 1
The Academic Outreach Endowment Fund provides financial support to both faculty and students for pursuits that involve community-connected teaching, learning, and research. Examples of these kinds of approaches include project-based learning (when there is a direct community connection), service-learning, community-based learning, participatory action research, and more. Funding for academic year 2013-2014 now being accepted. Visit here for more details.

 Volunteer Opportunity with local Middlebury artist
Local Middlebury artist seeks unpaid intern for assistance with written communications, general organization and art business, including art shows, farmers markets and website update. Three hours weekly needed, up to 12 hours help desired! Contact artist Bob Gold @ 802-377-2579.

Sugar on Snow 2013 Volunteers (Huntington, VT)
Each year, the Green Mountain Audubon Center hosts three Sugar on Snow parties in the month of March to celebrate our sustainable, bird-friendly maple sugaring program and offer free education programs to the public.  On March 17, 23 , & 24  we will host hundreds of guests on our property in Huntington, VT. We need help from volunteers to lend a hand serving refreshments, keep a fire going and help our visitors park.  Please consider signing up for a volunteer slot and be added to the list of Vermonters that come together to keep our programs strong throughout the year.  Sign up here. Questions? Contact vermont@audubon.org.

Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!
Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.

Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099

The Service Cluster Board is seeking individuals passionate about community service to serve as Coordinators for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Founded in 2009, the Service Cluster Board is an umbrella organization whose goal is to support student-run service organizations and initiatives on campus. Duties of this position include:

• Managing the leadership development and finances of 17 student-run service organizations and continuing initiatives;
• Advising the Flex Fund Review Committee, which screens service project proposals and approving award allocations;
• Working closely with service leaders, EIA staff, and other students interested in service work;
• Orchestrating and conducting yearly trainings, monthly meetings, and regular audits of organizations’ budgets;
• Proposing a budget annually on behalf of the 17 service groups before the SGA Finance Committee.

It is requested that the Coordinators serve through Spring 2013. Please submit this Application (Microsoft Word Doc) and your resume to scboard@middlebury.edu by 5pm on Friday, March 15, 2013. Successful applicants will be contacted for an interview during the week of March 18-22. Questions? Contact current SCB Co-Coordinators Angela Santee and Hillary Chutter-Ames at scboard@middlebury.edu

—
Serving you serving others,
Service Cluster Board
Hillary Chutter-Ames and Angela Santee

MiddAction

Weekly Volunteer Service Opportunities

“Like” EIA Civic Engagement’s Facebook page here to receive opportunities and updates!

Deadline March 4th: Apply  to participate in the Spring Break Friends for Burma/Middlebury

Alternative Breaks Trip
Interested in cross-cultural experiences, education, human rights, or community service? Student service initiative Friends for Burma will be leading a Middlebury Alternative Break (MAlt) trip to do in-depth work with the Burmese refugee community in Burlington. Students will stay with Burmese families and do educational projects including teaching English, cooking, citizenship lessons, and activities with the kids. More information and short application here.
Trip dates: March 23 – 26. Participant Fee: $25

Get trained to volunteer at the Charter House Homeless Shelter

Training Date and Time: Thursday, March 7th 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ross Basement B11

The Charter House housing facility serves as an emergency home staffed 24/7 by trained volunteers who provide a warm, welcoming environment for families in stress. Attend this training to learn more about volunteering at the Charter House. Contact Adam Schiff, aschiff@middlebury.edu if you have any questions or would like to be notified of future training dates.

 March 4^th College Defensive Driving Class [Required to drive campus vehicles!]

This program is required for anyone who wishes to rent a College passenger or 15-passenger vehicle. If you might want to use a campus vehicle for volunteering spring semester get prepared by taking this class! There is no cost for the class but a driving orientation (a 1 hour review on the road) is required for 15-passenger Vans and larger vehicles. Class time is about 2 Hrs.  REMINDER: A valid state license is required to take the class. Individuals wanting a 15-Passenger Van license must have 3 years of driving experience.  To sign up email Ed Sullivan, Sullivan@middlebury.edu.

Upcoming class: March 4^th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Mitchell Green Lounge (next class won’t happen until April!)

 Daffodil Days

Welcome spring and support the American Cancer Society by purchasing daffodils! Order your bouquets at go/boxoffice by Tuesday, March 5^th! Support the ACS further its research, education, advocacy, and service programs by participating in this annual fundraiser! These beautiful spring flowers will be sure to brighten anyone’s day, and represent hope to many cancer patients! An email will be sent out about when flowers will arrive to McCullough the week of March 18^th.

Habitat for Humanity Build Saturday 3/9

 Join Habitat for their Saturday Build on March 9th. There will be a shift from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and a shift from 12:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (departing from Adirondack Circle). Volunteers should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty or paint-stained! Sign up to participate here! Questions? Contact humanity@middlebury.edu.

Page One Literacy Project: Dr. Seuss Pajama Party!

Tuesday March 5th, 6 – 7:30PM
Ilsley Public Library

Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with Page One Literacy Project and the Ilsley Public Library! On Tuesday March 5^th from 6-7:30PM, Page One and the library will be sponsoring a fun evening of games and crafts for children of all ages. Looking for volunteers that love reading, working with children, and having fun! Questions? Contact pageone@middlebury.edu.

Interested in art, photography, or computer sciences? Like to help others?

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes is looking for a few college volunteers to help with an upcoming Clay-Mation project. Students in grades 5-8 will be working to make a Clay-Mation short film, and will need help with photography, editing, designing—you name it! No formal experience necessary, only a willingness to help out and have fun. Transportation available, and additional support as needed! For more information, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.

Summer Internship Highlight: Addison County Poverty Internships

10 week paid  internships with the Open Door Clinic, John Graham Homeless Shelter, Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Application Deadline: March 11

Apply on MOJO: Go/mojo, more information listed here

 Mentors for high school students needed!

Middlebury Union High School is launching its mentoring program. Pairing high school freshmen with college students, the program will be the first of its kind in Vermont! Pairs will meet weekly to do a variety of activities based on shared interests—go to a hockey game, explore town! Endless possibilities await. No formal experience necessary, transportation available if needed. Training and strong support will be provided for all mentors. To find out more, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.

 2-3 Volunteers Sought to Help w/ PT Exercises and/or Visiting

EIA Civic Engagement seeks 2-3 volunteers to help long-time College friend, Butch Varno, augment his physical therapy on a weekly basis. Butch is a man in his 60s with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair. It makes a huge difference to his health and well-being when he receives regular exercise and social opportunities. Ideally, individuals will go to nearby Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (across the street from the soccer field) once a week. Volunteers will receive training and oversight from Butch’s physical therapists at Helen Porter and design his routines and practice sessions under their guidance. Middlebury College and Butch have celebrated more than 50 years of friendship. To learn more about the tradition of “Picking Up Butch,” please follow this link: http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/eia/volunteering/butch  and hear his personal comments on the effects of having cerebral palsy in this  Emmy Award-winning video featuring Butch and several athletes. For more information please contact Tiffany Sargent in EIA Civic Engagement (x5082).

Sugar on Snow 2013 Volunteers (Huntington, VT)

Each year, the Green Mountain Audubon Center hosts three Sugar on Snow parties in the month of March to celebrate our sustainable, bird-friendly maple sugaring program and offer free education programs to the public.  On March 17, 23 , & 24  we will host hundreds of guests on our property in Huntington, VT. We need help from volunteers to lend a hand serving refreshments, keep a fire going and help our visitors park.  Please consider signing up for a volunteer slot and be added to the list of Vermonters that come together to keep our programs strong throughout the year.  Sign up here. Questions? Contact vermont@audubon.org.

Help a Middlebury College Community member: Finite Math Tutor needed

Volunteer to tutor an international Middlebury College staff member who is taking a community college course in Finite Math. The staff member would like to meet with a student weekly on campus for assistance with math concepts. Interested? Contact Ashley Calkins, jcalkins@middlebury.edu.

Middlebury Studio School: Children’s Pottery Class Helpers needed

Volunteers with some art experience are needed to help with children’s pottery classes at the not-for-profit Middlebury Studio School either from 3:30-4:30 or 3:30- 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Interested? Contact Barb, ewaldewald@aol.com.

 Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!

Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.

Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099

-Ashley Calkins ‘06

MiddView Trip Leader Application Due Wednesday (1/30): Apply now at go/lead
Move in early to campus. Participate in leader training at the beautiful Common Ground Center. Lead a group of incoming first-year students on an outdoor trip, Vermont Explorations, or Community Engagement trip (Social Justice! Food Security! Youth Programs!). Return to campus before classes start. What a great opportunity – apply today.

Want to learn how to design your own service project? Come to our Service Cluster Board Workshop
Today (1/28) 5:15 p.m. Ross B11
SCB is pleased to present a workshop for students interested in organizing their own service project or initiative in the Middlebury community and beyond! Come with your ideas and with your questions about navigating the process of creating a service project, applying for funding, and building a strong, sustainable volunteer base. Questions? Contact scboard@middlebury.edu.

 Attend an Addison County Farm-To-School Salon over February Break
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 5-8 p.m. Alternative Education Building, MUHS
RSVP: Lea at lea@acornvt.org or 382-0401
Farm-to-School organizations are popping up around the state—how can we in Addison County work together so we’re not reinventing the wheel? How can we encourage more people to get involved in Farm-to-School here and reap the benefits for themselves and their communities? This salon will serve as an initial conversation between all interested parties on the status of regional farm-to-school programs and useful collaborations going forward. Come with questions, ideas and resources, and meet new people passionate about this topic. Salons are free, but please bring a potluck dish to share. Space is limited—RSVP early!

 Become a Reading Buddy!
Bridport Central School seeks Reading Buddy volunteers who can commit to one hour each week reading one-on-one with a preschool student and completing a literacy related activity. Seven volunteers are needed on Tuesdays from 9:45-10:45 and five volunteers are needed on Thursdays from 12:15-1:15. If you are interested or would like more information please contact Beth Bearor, Preschool Teacher, by e-mail at bbearor@addisoncentralsu.org or by phone Monday-Thursday at 758-2331.

Want to make MONEY driving home to Boston and/or back for Feb Break? Help out a MAlt trip and get paid doing it!
Needed: A student to drive MAlt participants to Boston on the January 2^nd and back to Middlebury on the January 9^th. Even if you can only drive one direction we are interested! You will be paid $10/hr, $0.40/mile (for gas), and the love of all MAlt participants. Email czelle@middlebury.edu if you are interested. THANK YOU!

2013 Vermont Chili Festival Volunteers Needed
March 9, 2013 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. Downtown Middlebury
Sign up for volunteer shifts here
Volunteer for a shift at the 2013 Vermont Chili Festival doing tasks such as token collection, hot chocolate sales, and event set up. This event includes activities for all ages and award-winning chili, located all on the streets of historic downtown Middlebury. As a thank you for offering your time you will receive a volunteer hat and one button for admission.

Middlebury Studio School: Children’s Pottery Class Helpers needed
Volunteers with some art experience are needed to help with children’s pottery classes at the not-for-profit Middlebury Studio School either from 3:30-4:30 or 3:30- 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Interested? Contact Barb, ewaldewald@aol.com.

Student Presentation Opportunity: Champlain Valley Agency on Aging
Champlain Valley Agency on Aging is seeking passionate students to share a 60-minute presentation with 30-40 elderly community members on the 3^rd Tuesdays of each month from 11a.m. – noon in the Middlebury Municipal Building (a short walk from campus!). In the past presentations have ranged from slideshows of international trips, a brass quartet, discussions with Senator Sanders. Specifically they are interested in having students come share knowledge of their home country, its traditions, cultures, etc. Students can participate in the meal and dialogue after their presentation! Interested? Contact Ashley Calkins, jcalkins@middlebury.edu.

 Native Spanish speaker? Interested in education?
Consider being a mentor for a local Spanish-speaking boy or girl! Community Friends, a campus-based mentoring program that matches Middlebury College students with children of Addison County ages six to twelve, is seeking willing volunteers of Latino ethnicity to be a mentor for either a local Spanish-speaking girl or boy. Take him or her to a hockey game, talk about the world while taking a walk! The possibilities are endless! You could be an important part of these children’s lives by simply meeting up and being yourself on a regular basis! Flexible meeting times, no car required, and alternate ways of transportation are available at no cost. For more information about the program, or to apply to be either one of these or another child’s mentor, please visit our website (go/cf), get in contact with a student coordinator or contact Nestor Martinez ’10 (nmartinez@middlebury.edu).

Still looking for mentors!
Middlebury Union High School is launching its mentoring program. Pairing high school freshmen with college students, the program will be the first of its kind in Vermont! Pairs will meet weekly to do a variety of activities based on shared interests—go to a hockey game, explore town! Endless possibilities await. No formal experience necessary, transportation available if needed. Training and strong support will be provided for all mentors. To find out more, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.

Have a passion for food? Join NOM!
NOM (Nutrition, Outreach, and Mentoring) is seeking more willing volunteers to plan and participate in group activities. In the past, NOM has led cooking nights at the local teen center, and nutrition workshops at local schools. Have an interest in local food and or whole, healthy eating? Come share your passions with others, and with the community at large. Plenty of opportunities available, funding provided for programming! For more information, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.

Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!
Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.

Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099

Interested in cross-cultural experiences, education, human rights, or community service? Student service initiative Friends for Burma will be leading a Middlebury Alternative Break (MAlt) trip to do in-depth work with the Burmese refugee community in Burlington. Students will stay with Burmese families and do educational projects including teaching English, cooking, citizenship lessons, and activities with the kids.

Application: Spring 2013 Mini-MAlt Participant Application
Application Due Monday, March 4^th via email to Forest Jarvis, fjarvis@middlebury.edu. Selected participants will be notified by Friday, March 8^th
Trip dates: March 23 – 26.
Participant Fee: $25
*MAlt is supported by funds through the MAlt student organization budget
Questions? Contact Forest Jarvis

EIA Civic Engagement
Weekly Volunteer Service Opportunities

Nutrition Outreach and Mentoring (NOM) Info Session
Tonight Monday, February 25^th 7:30 p.m. LaForce 121
NOM is aimed at creating community and connecting people through food and food education. Come have some homemade cookies and hear about what NOM is going to be up to this semester. We’ll have a brainstorm session about possible new directions for our Bridport elementary after school program as well as other opportunities for NOM to branch out! Bring any ideas for ways you might want to engage the community surrounding food education and/or mentoring and your enthusiasm for healthy food! If you can’t make it but still want to be involved, send an email to Carly Westling, nom.midd@gmail.com.

 Summer Internship Highlight: Addison County Poverty Internships
10 week paid  internships with the Open Door Clinic, John Graham Homeless Shelter, Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Info Session: Wed. 2/27 4:30p.m. Center for Education in Action (Adirondack House)
Application Deadline: March 11
Apply on MOJO: Go/mojo, more information listed here

Open Door Clinic Seeking Volunteer Medical Interpreters
As a free medical clinic serving uninsured and underinsured low income individuals in Addison County, we provide essential medical care to individuals of many backgrounds. Approximately 30% of our patients are Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients requiring assistance of medical interpreters to facilitate communication and thus insure high quality medical care. Although we have access to telephonic interpretation, we rely most heavily on volunteer medical interpreters available for in-person interpretation at clinics and referral appointments. The Open Door Clinic is located close to campus at Porter Hospital! Learn more about applying to be a Volunteer Medical Interpreter here.

Volunteer to be a 2013 Salamander Escort
Otter Creek Audubon Society will provide salamander escort coverage once again this spring at the Morgan Road site in Salisbury. On an ideal evening, wet and warm, this site can experience a thousand or more amphibians of seven species crossing from their wooded wintering sites to vernal pools where they breed. We will alert our 2013 email list between Monday, March 25^th and Sunday, April 14^th on nights when volunteer support is needed between 8:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Volunteers arrive or leave when they wish, gathering data for an hour, possibly two. Please contact Warren King, orkinglet@together.net to sign on to the 2013 salamander volunteer email list.

Conference Opportunity: INSPIRE2013, presented by the Bonner Foundation and Siena College Academic Community Engagement
April 5-7, 2013 Siena College near Albany, NY
Inspire is a student-led conference that brings together over 300 people from the Northeast and across the country to engage in training and dialogue around Community Engagement and pedagogy through workshops, networking and national partner presentations. This conference will feature 4 elective workshops blocks and 5 tracks that will explore best practices and strategies in community engagement. More information here. EIA Civic Engagement has funding to support conference attendance (transportation, meals, lodging, registration fee) for four students. To learn more contact Ashley Calkins, jcalkins@middlebury.edu.

Page One
Page One is still looking for volunteers to lead reading programs with fun activities for local elementary school students! Email pageone@middlebury.edu to learn more and sign-up to volunteer from 2:30 – 3:30 on Tuesdays (adventure stories!) or Thursdays (classic fables!) at Salisbury Elementary School.

Monkton World Language Program: Volunteers needed
The Monkton Central School World Language Program has been in existence for about 10 years with great success. It introduces children from kindergarten through sixth grade to a different language and culture, an experience which, hopefully, will be continued during middle and high school. Middlebury College students teach various languages six times during the semester in an elementary classroom. If you are interested in teaching a language at Monkton, email coordinator Jennifer Stanley,  jstanley@wildblue.net.

Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!
Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.

“Like” EIA Civic Engagement’s Facebook page here to receive opportunities and updates!

Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099

Addison County Poverty Internships offer meaningful opportunities to spend summer fighting poverty in Vermont. This year the paid internships will take place at the John Graham Homeless Shelter, the Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and the Open Door Clinic.

John Graham Homeless Shelter: The John W. Graham Emergency Shelter has provided food, shelter and hope to homeless individuals and families for thirty-one years. The Shelter offers its services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to individuals and families with children. Many are the hardest to house including survivors of abuse, violence and rape; people with disabilities; people in recovery; and people suffering with mental illness. The John Graham Shelter summer intern will be a key team player in providing food, shelter and hope to Addison County’s homeless population, with a special emphasis on helping the Shelter to manage its community mentor program.

Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence: ACCADSV is a collaborative group of Addison County agencies that work together to prevent domestic and sexual violence through education and closing gaps amongst providers. Our mission is to promote and enhance the safety and well-being of all members of the Addison County Community. The intern will work with community agencies by serving on the Education Committee that plans programs and events to educate community members about issues of domestic and sexual violence. The intern will also have the opportunity to take WomenSafe training and participate in DV Solutions community programs.

Open Door Clinic: Open Door Clinic (ODC) is a free medical clinic based in Middlebury, VT, providing healthcare to low income, uninsured and underinsured Addison County adults. This full-time, 10 week internship experience will provide the intern with a unique perspective on healthcare, public health, and provision of services to marginalized and low-income communities. A particular focus of the internship will be on supporting the healthcare needs of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients, especially Addison County’s Latino Farmworker population, through medical interpretation, document translation, and building culturally and linguistically appropriate local healthcare infrastructure.

How do I apply?
Find our more information and apply through MOJO! Log in here, search for “Addison County Poverty Internships,” and follow the instructions to submit a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript (can be unofficial). Applications are due on March 11, 2013. Interviews will be held in mid-March and successful applicants will be notified before spring break.

What if I have questions?
Attend the information session:
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.
Center for Education in Action (EIA) Library in Adirondack House
OR Contact Ashley Calkins, jcalkins@middlebury.edu.

Benefits
Interns will earn $9.20 per hour, 35 hours per week. Students can choose to reside on campus for $100 per week, meal plan included.

Additional Poverty Internship Opportunity on MOJO (with funding opportunities available!)
Middlebury Community Care Coalition, Inc. (MCCC) – Farm-to-Plate Intern: MCCC is a volunteer, non-profit providing basic food and housing for local residents who need assistance. Community Lunch and Community Supper together provide over 18,000 meals each year, and with the participation of the Nash farm, as well as church, student and community organizations. The intern will gain firsthand experience in how food, housing and other poverty challenges of low-income families in Addison County are being supported, will learn operational and management aspects of a volunteer-based non-profit organization, and will gain experience in supporting the needs of members of our community who are housing or food insecure.

The Open Door Clinic is seeking Volunteer Medical Interpreters. Read below for more information and a volunteer application. 

Dear Potential Volunteer:

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Open Door Clinic.

As a free medical clinic serving uninsured and underinsured low income individuals in Addison County, we provide essential medical care to individuals of many backgrounds. Approximately 30% of our patients are Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients requiring assistance of medical interpreters to facilitate communication and thus insure high quality medical care. Although we have access to telephonic interpretation, we rely most heavily on volunteer medical interpreters available for in-person interpretation at clinics and referral appointments.

Please review the attachments below information before submitting a medical interpreter volunteer application.

VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INTERPRETER APPLICATION
Volunteer Medical Interpreter Position Description
Interpreter External Language Evaluation Form
Interpreter Application cover letter and instructions
Interpreter Language Skills Self Assessment Form

Because of the responsibility that interpreters have for insuring accurate understanding of medical conditions, procedures, and treatments, we require a relatively stringent screening process for potential volunteer interpreters. We are glad to train new interpreters in interpretation techniques and practices, but we require fluency in English and the target language before we can accept these new interpreter volunteers for training.

Please return the following application materials to Open Door Clinic by March 15, 2013:
• Medical Interpreter Volunteer Application
• Language Skills Self Assessment Form
• Names and contact information for two personal/professional references, ideally individuals who can comment on your experience in cross-cultural and/or other settings applicable to volunteer work as a medical interpreter
• Please have two individuals familiar with your non-native language skills submit language evaluation forms directly to Open Door Clinic using the enclosed postage prepaid envelopes. If you have formally studied this language within the past five years, at least one of these language evaluations should be from a language instructor.

After receipt of your application materials, an Open Door Clinic staff member will contact interpreter candidates to schedule a 20-30 minute phone interview conducted in English and/or your target language. There will be an April 6th training at UVM for interested applicants. Please do not hesitate to contact Kay with questions about Open Door Clinic, medical interpretation and/or medical interpreter application, screening, and training.

Thank you again for your support of our community and assistance in ensuring quality healthcare for all.

Sincerely,

Kay A. Freedy
Outreach Coordinator
outreach.opendoor@gmail.com