[Vip-specialprojects] Orientation Night info

[emrice at uiuc.edu]

Hello everyone,

So begins another semester of volunteering with Special 
Projects!!  I can tell you're all thrilled about recieving 
mass loads of emails from yours truly again!  :)  In case you 
were unable to attend the SP Orientation Nights, here is the 
information packet I passed out!  Email me with questions or 
concerns!!  And, expect to hear from me very soon with 
reminders of upcoming events and coordinator application 
info!!!

Sincerely, 
Liz Rice



Welcome to Special Projects Spring Orientation Nights 2005!!!


What is Special Projects and how is it special?
-Special Projects provides unique volunteering experiences by 
offering one-time service projects in a wide range of social 
issues.  Working with community organizations and other VIP 
projects, volunteers aid in events concerning youth 
development, the environment, senior citizens, and other 
areas.  Students enjoy the variety of volunteer opportunities 
and like the flexibility of this project.  The goal of 
Special Projects is to bring all of the pieces of the puzzle 
together: Diverse Issues, Flexible Volunteering, and 
Community Improvement!

What types of events does Special Projects do?
-The unique thing about Special projects is our ability to 
volunteer in all types of areas of service.  We have 
volunteered with such agencies as the Champaign County 
Nursing Home, YMCA, SWANN Special Care, Crisis Nursery, 
Champaign and Urbana Park District, Allerton Park, Carle, 
March of Dimes, and many more.   As you can see, there are no 
limits when it comes to volunteering with Special Projects!
- Some past events include: “Light the Night” walk, sponsored 
by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; “The Britles Concert,” 
a benefit for the Carle Children’s Cancer program; “March of 
Dimes” WalkAmerica, raising money for research to address the 
increasing rate of premature birth.

What is a coordinator and how can I become one?
-A coordinator helps the Director plan and organize events 
within a particular agency.  For example, if you were 
assigned to an agency like the Carle Children’s Cancer 
Program, you would have helped plan “The Britle’s” Concert.  
Each coordinator will be expected to plan at least one event 
a month with their agency, and meet with me, the Director, 
once every two weeks, and together as a group once every two 
weeks as well.   The agencies I’m looking for coordinators 
for are: Champaign County Nursing Home, Faith in Action, 
SWANN Special Care Center, TIMES Center, Crisis Nursery, 
Public Relations, and planning joint events with other VIP 
Projects.   If you are interested in applying, pick up an 
application tonight or at the VIP office in the RSO Complex, 
Room 268.

Upcoming Events:
-Friday, February 11, from 5:30-9:30pm: Daddy Daughter Dance, 
hosted by the Urbana Park District
-Friday, February 18, from 5-8:30pm: Bottenfield Elementary 
School Carnival with the Daycare Project
-Saturday, February 19, from10am-noon: Project Workday at 
Allerton Park (Visitor Center Spruce Up)
-Friday, March 11, from 4:15-8:30pm: Carrie Busey Elementary 
School Carnival (collect tickets, explain games, paint faces, 
distribute prizes)
-Saturday, April 30, from 9-11am: March of Dimes
-plan on more events, this is just a tentative schedule! 

Thanks for coming, and feel free to come to me with questions 
or comments!!