March 27, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- The volunteer spirit is alive and well at Western Kentucky University. Volunteerism isn't new to Western, but a Student Volunteer Bureau is.

To enhance the University's leadership and volunteer opportunities, the Student Activities office implemented the Student Volunteer Bureau last fall to connect campus groups with community agencies.

The program "has worked very successfully," said Heather Strode, Leadership and Volunteerism coordinator.

Many campus groups, including Greek organizations, academic departments, service organizations and honor societies, have been involved in volunteer activities with 3,500 to 4,000 students participating, she said. The Student Volunteer Bureau gives organizations a central contact point on campus, Strode said.

"We have received a great response from the community," she said.

In the past three months, the Student Volunteer Bureau has provided support for more than 20 community agencies and donated more than 1,300 hours of service. Before the holidays, 45 WKU students participated in a foster care program's Christmas party.

"Through volunteering, students get involved in the community," Strode said.

The Student Volunteer Bureau isn't limited to groups or organizations. Individuals who want to volunteer are encouraged to participate, she said. In January and February, 76 students seeking volunteer opportunities contacted the bureau's office in Downing University Center.

Western students volunteer for nonprofit organizations, school systems, small business, community events and others. "We try to be inclusive," Strode said.
"We want the community to feel free to call us with their volunteer needs."

The Student Volunteer Bureau also provides students and faculty with opportunities for service learning, which combines volunteerism with academic curriculum. For example, 23 public health students volunteered 16 hours each at a local agency and wrote papers on their experiences.

Service learning isn't a new concept for Western students, Strode said. Many of the volunteers have been freshmen who've been participating in volunteer work or service learning projects since elementary school, she said.

"Volunteerism is a hot topic now and will continue to be," Strode said.

If you'd like to volunteer or learn more about the Student Volunteer Bureau, call Strode or the Student Activities office at (270) 745-2459.