February 2015 Newsletter

Cougars Taking Action

A variety of Valentine's Day cards for Charleston Area Seniors.

Cougars Taking Action is the service initiative component of the Homecoming Spirit Cup Challenge. Each year teams of students compete to show the most cougar pride. Cougars Taking Action provides students with the opportunity to gain points and give back to the Charleston community. While teams are encouraged to participate as part of the Spirit Cup Challenge, individuals are also welcome to join in the fun.

Cougars Taking Action is comprised of philanthropic direct service components coordinated with the homecoming theme. This year’s theme was Unmask Your Pride! The students that participated unmasked their pride by engaging with Senior Citizens in the Charleston area. They created over 200 Valentine’s Day cards for the individuals that benefit from programs and services offered by Charleston Area Senior Citizens Inc. and Dorchester County Senior Citizens Inc. Some students also directly engaged with senior citizens by visiting them at Charleston Area Senior Citizens Inc. and participating in the Dorchester County Senior Citizens meal delivery program.


Recurring Service

The Center for Civic Engagement has instated new recurring service events in conjunction with Lowcountry Food Bank and Charleston Area Senior Citizens Inc. Like all of our events, we will provide transportation, pre-service education and post-service reflection.

Lowcountry Food Bank

Lowcountry Food Bank collects, inspects, maintains, and distributes otherwise wasted food products. These food products are then redistributed to organizations that provide hunger-relief services in South Carolina.

Register to participate on one of the following Fridays 1:00pm – 3:00 pm.

  • February 27
  • March 13, 27
  • April 10, 17

Charleston Area Senior Citizens

CASC helps enhance the lives of older adults in the community through a variety of services. Most CASC programs and services target low income seniors and are offered at no charge.

Register to participate on one of the following Wednesdays from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

  • February 25
  • March 11, 25
  • April 8, 22

Conference

The Center for Civic Engagement is excited to offer the opportunity for aspiring active citizens to apply for funding to attend a local, regional, or national conference that addresses one or more of the following criteria:

  • Service-Learning
  • Civic Engagement
  • Social Justice
  • o Specific social issues of interest (e.g. environmental issues, education, homelessness, etc.)

If funding is awarded, students will be required to provide typed notes from any sessions attended and materials from workshops, in addition to identifying a concrete opportunity to apply the information learned on the College of Charleston campus and/or in the Charleston community.

Email Maggie Szeman (szemanme@cofc.edu for more information and to apply).


Service Grants

The Center for Civic Engagement is excited to offer the opportunity for aspiring active citizens to apply for funding to offset the costs associated with service-based initiatives in the Charleston community. Costs that can be covered through the parameters of this grant include, supplies (i.e. construction tools, art supplies, food prep materials, books, etc.) related to the service initiative and some travel expenses to and from service sites. Expenses of up to $500.00 will be considered.

Visit volunteer.cofc.edu to apply.


Upcoming Events

  • Alternative Break Drive-In
  • Alternative Break Trips: April Weekend (April 10-12; Applications available April 9th)
  • Spring into Service

Welcome to the Center for Civic Engagement’s New Blog!

It’s not really new, it’s actually been around for a while, but several changes are in order. To date the Center for Civic Engagement has primarily utilized the blog to market and promote events. Although marketing is still an important part of our success as an office, we recently repurposed our website to address that need and allow our blog to focus on bigger and better, if not equally important, things.

Before we address our blog’s new prospects, let’s revisit the Center for Civic Engagement’s Mission:

The Center for Civic Engagement’s mission is to contribute to the holistic development of College of Charleston students and to cultivate in them a passion for positive social change through the use of education, service, and critical reflection.

The Center for Civic Engagement places equal emphasis on education, direct service, and reflection – a philosophy represented by the triangle of quality service. Each of our student interactions revolve around this philosophy; therefore, we feel our online presence should represent the same commitment. Our dream is that the blog will become a resource for students to educate themselves about social change, and provide a context for students to reflect on their direct service experiences through our office.

New Features of the Blog

  1. Education Posts
  2. The Center for Civic Engagement believes that one of the critical components to resolving a social justice issue is being educated about it. We hope to contribute to the education of our blog readers by publishing biweekly articles about specific social justice topics. We hope to inform and inspire our readers to become active and effective citizens in the community. These posts will be written by a member of our office staff or by a guest who has substantial knowledge about a particular subject. Guest writers can be faculty/staff members at the College of Charleston or members of the community. If you are passionate about a topic that relates to our office’s mission and you would like to publish to our blog, contact us at volunteer@cofc.edu.

  3. Student Posts
  4. Critical reflection of direct service events gives our student participants new perspectives, inspires passion, and challenges them to learn and do more. It also requires volunteers to evaluate the impact they have on the community through their service. This is an important part of moving individuals to become active citizens in the community. In order to capture students’ reflections, the Center for Civic Engagement will encourage one or two of the student participants in each of our events to post about their experiences.

  5. Newsletter Posts
  6. The Center for Civic Engagement would like to keep the readers of the blog up to date with what is happening in our office. Therefore we will have monthly posts that reflect on the previous month’s events and programs.

  7. Thematic Changes
  8. In the upcoming months, the Center for Civic Engagement may be testing new visual themes for our blog. This will not affect the content whatsoever but it may affect the user experience. If you have any feedback regarding these changes, contact us at volunteer@cofc.edu.

We look forward to this exciting new change for our office through the modification of our blog. We hope that these changes will encourage students to engage in the community, and community members to engage with students. We encourage you, whether you are a student at the College of Charleston, or just a kindred spirit, to read our blog and to engage in whatever community you claim.

A Salute to Veterans

A Salute to Veterans Flyer

Join the Center for Civic Engagement for service to veterans on Veterans Day:

When: Tuesday, November 11th  

(volunteer shifts available 11am-2pm; 4pm-6pm; or 6pm-8pm)

Where: Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Volunteers will meet at the Center for Civic Engagement (203 Lightsey Center) at the beginning of their shift. Groups will have the opportunity to serve lunch, dinner, and play bingo with  residents in the Patriots  Harbor Community Living Center.

Register: Email volunteer@cofc.edu with preferred shift.

Must register no later than 5pm on Monday, November 10th.

 

Alternative Spring Break Applications Due October 24th

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Visit our website volunteer.cofc.edu for more information

Step 1: Attend an information session or stop by an information table to learn more:

Information Session

Wednesday, Oct. 8th  at 7:00pm in Maybank 115

Tuesday, October 14th at 5:00pm in Maybank 115

Tuesday, Oct 21st at 11:00am in Lightsey 203

Wednesday, Oct. 22nd at 1:30pm in Lightsey 203

Information Table

Monday, Oct. 20th:  8:30 AM – 1:30 PM at Cougar Mall

Tuesday, Oct 21st: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM at Cougar Mall

Step 2: Review these important mandatory dates

Step 3: Apply online!

Step 4: Submit your non-refundable application fee of $25 to the Center for Civic Engagement (Lightsey 203)

Alternative Fall Break Applications LIVE

Apply online for one of our three Alternative Fall Break experiences by 3pm on Friday, September 26th.

Want more information?

  • Swing by our table on Cougar Mall Tuesday, September 16th between 9am and 1pm
  • Attend our information session on Wednesday, September 17th at 5pm in Lightsey B09
  • Send us an email cofc.alternativebreak@gmail.com
  • Stop by our office Lightsey 203

Dash for Trash 2014 Registration Open

DashForTrashLogo2014

 

Dash for Trash 2014 Registration NOW OPEN!

Dash for Trash is a litter collecting scavenger hunt in which teams of 10 or less compete to have the greatest positive impact on Charleston’s environment. The event will begin at Liberty Square and will take place from 9:00am until 1:30pm on Saturday, October 11th, 2014.

To register your team, visit: https://orgsync.com/35421/forms/117110

 

Welcome Week

Welcomeweek2

Looking to serve in the Charleston community?

Volunteer at Green Heart

Start off the school year by giving your time and skills at Green Heart. Learn more about the Charleston community, Green Heart and volunteering through our office. This is a great way to meet other students with a passion for service and urban gardening. 

When:  Thursday, August 21st  5:00pm-8:30pm

Where: Lightsey Center 203, 160 Calhoun Street

[We will meet and walk to Green Heart as a group]

Register by emailing: volunteer@cofc.edu

Volunteer Fair

Join us at the Volunteer Fair! The Volunteer Fair, a part of Cisternfest, will give students the opportunity to connect with various organizations seeking volunteers.

When: Saturday, August 23rd, 12-2pm

Where: Cistern Yard

Click here to learn more about Welcome Week events.

Volunteer Opportunities

Looking to give back as the school year comes to an end?

Here are some opportunities for you!

April 2014 events newsletter

A Charleston Affair is going zero waste! The office of sustainability needs help in doing a trail run of composting this year at the Charleston Affair. Volunteers are needed to help attendees choose the correct bin for their materials. We’re looking for volunteers from 6:00pm-10:30pm on both Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday May 4th (with a greater need on Sunday).

GrowFood Carolina is looking for some help with our exciting Peak of the Season fundraising party on Wednesday, April 30th!  This is a casual, happy hour event that gives us the opportunity to share with the community all the fun produce that Spring has to offer.  Throughout the evening volunteers will help out with bar tending, clearing plates, décor & set-up.  There will be LOCAL nibbles, libations & music for everyone to enjoy!

Be a Mentor: 2014 Mentor Appreciation Celebration on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Academic Magnet High School. The event will take place at 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. We are in desperate need of volunteers for the day of the event to help with set up, greeting guests, and serving food.  All who volunteer with be treated to an evening of music, laughter, and a fabulous meal prepared by Willie Jewels.

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