<br>VSB offers student service opportunities

The Volunteer Services Board (VSB) is housed in the Student Union, yet our goals and aspirations extend far outside the campus. VSB is operated and funded by students, a fact I think we should all take pride in. Our mission statement defines our purpose as promoting volunteerism and providing easy access to volunteer opportunities. The students who serve as officers on the board are committed to making an impact in their community, and indeed change the world by encouraging involvement and active citizenship.

Volunteering does much more for you then boost your resume. Actively addressing a community need or problem gives you a deeper understanding of the issues and encourages the development of compassion for and commitment to those in need. You will more than likely come in contact with other people who share the same concerns or interests; giving you an opportunity to form new friendships. Volunteering is a chance for you to put your beliefs into action, which boosts self-esteem and strengthens values. Essentially, volunteering is a learning, growing experience. This fits perfectly into the concept of the “college experience” as a time of expanding your mind, and working to develop yourself as an informed and active citizen.

With these ideals in mind, the Volunteer Services Board strives to provide students with encouragement and opportunities to volunteer. To make the process of finding the right volunteer position easy for a student, we have created a referral process. You can browse through our listings of over 70 local non-profit. The agencies’ mission statement, contact information, and volunteer position descriptions are included. In another attempt to connect students to non-profit organizations, VSB organizes a Volunteer Fair each semester. On Sept 6, 2000 from 10 a.m. –2 p.m. you can visit the first floor of the Student Union and speak with over 35 different representatives from local non-profits.

Our first major service project for this year is Into the Streets, Oct 28, 2000. VSB organizes a number of varied volunteer projects around Boise, and students, staff, and faculty come to the SUB, sign up for a project, and go to their chosen site. Around 300 people participated last year! We hope you will join us this year as we go “into the streets” and show that BSU is committed to improving the community.

Five VSB Issue Coordinators will be designing service projects and awareness raising events this year, so be on the watch for our promotions. Committee members are needed to plan the events, so please contact us if you are interested.

I have found a place at Boise State University that has renewed my faith in college students, fostered a sense of pride for my school, and given me a sense of direction for the years after graduation. I hope you will take time to discover what VSB and volunteering has to offer you. Visit our offices on the second floor of the SUB in the Student Organization Complex, check out our website at

http://union.boistate.edu/vsb, or call us at 426-4240.

“Service is the rent we pay for living.” Marion Wright Eddelman

Jillana Solcum is the director of the Volunteer Services Board.

Jillana Slocum (Special to The Arbiter)

Related Posts:

1. Volunteer expo kicks off another year of student service
2. VSB plans community service trip to San Diego
3. Student government offers opportunities for involvement
4. BSU students, faculty, alumni, community members volunteer forAˇ”Into the Streets"
5. Giving back to the community: Part II