Pandemics call for leaders that understand the role of stabilization, evaluation, and reallocation. Enter the Volunteer Management Certificate Program. The program represents a learning alliance with our community to develop leaders able to step into different modes of service. I greatly appreciate the support and interest of community members. Moreover, I look forward to seeing their efforts across our region.- William F. Tate, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Committed to increasing community engagement and service in as many communities as possible, the Coordinating Office of Community Engagement and Service Learning at the University of South Carolina (UofSC) has developed the institution’s first Volunteer Management (VM) certificate in collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence.
The VM program aims to increase community involvement among participants and foster a spirit of volunteering during the “new normal.”. It is important to note that even though the VM program is housed at UofSC, the program is not limited to only students and faculty/staff at the university. In fact, the VM program is open to all persons who desire to engage in community service. Anyone who is interested in completing community services via virtual volunteerism regardless of occupation or place of residence is welcome to enroll in the VM program.
The VM program is funded through the 2020-2021 South Carolina Volunteer Generation Fund (SC-VGF) granted by The United Way Association of South Carolina (UWASC), with funds made available by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). UWASC champions the strengthening of communities and the facilitation of civic engagement by promoting community service and volunteering through entities such as Americorps, Senior Corps, and SC-VGF. The SC-VGF grant offers awardees financial support to aid in their efforts to engage and retain volunteers.
Dr. Valinda Littlefield, an Associate Professor in the Department of History at UofSC, Dr. Guillermo Wippold, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at U of SC, and Ms. Sandra Olson, an instructor at the Shepard’s Centers and Midlands Life-Long Learning at the Lourie Center, and OSHER Lifelong Learning Program at the University of Georgia will co-lead the webinar. Dr. Littlefield will present the historical similarities between the Spanish Flu of 1918 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Wippold will cover a course titled “Stress and COVID-19: what we know about stress and how to handle it.” In his presentation, Dr. Wippold will go over the evolutionary history of stress, the stressors experienced by our ancient ancestors, and the stressors of the modern individual. Dr. Wippold will also discuss research-based strategies that reduce stress and will conclude with strategies that can be implemented despite current social distancing and stay-at-home measures. Ms. Sandra Olson will present a course titled “Staying Engaged as We Age: Psychological Benefits of Volunteering During A Pandemic.” This 30-minute class session is designed to acquaint prospective volunteers with the many benefits of volunteering especially during pandemic times. Upon completion of the session, participants will have gained a greater understanding of the benefits of volunteering not only for themselves, but also for those they serve. They will appreciate volunteering as an important component to staying engaged and healthy as we grow older and how it can contribute to greater longevity.
Once attendees have completed the webinar, they are then asked to complete FIVE (5) hours of virtual community service; there are no restrictions of the types of community service that a participant may engage in. A list of resources offering virtual volunteer opportunities will be presented to participants during the webinar. Participants are free to secure opportunities elsewhere as well.
The final webinar is offered on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 1:10 pm