The demand for a centralized place for volunteer services is undeniable as seen since CSN Serve’s inaugural year. Between Fall 2010 and Fall 2011, 537 student volunteers contributed over 9,200 hours to their community, which amounts to a 394% increase in volunteers and a 333% increase in community service hours. The exponential growth experienced affirms what we here at CSN know – Our students are difference makers. They desire to get out in the world and make it better than they found it.
As part of our mission, CSN Serves’ offers our CSN community an assortment of volunteer opportunities. We fulfill this mission by hosting events like our Volunteer Fairs, Days of Service, and Alternative Spring Breaks. Since Fall 2010, we have created and maintained partnerships with over 20 non-profit organizations from around the valley, to ensure students are being given meaningful volunteer opportunities. In addition, we have worked with 21 professors to promote service-learning at CSN. These partnerships with professors have helped us reach over 800 students through in class presentations about volunteerism.
With the support of President Michael Richards, CSN Serves created the CSN Presidential Recognition Program Award in order to recognize students for their service. Last academic year, 32 students volunteered 25+ hours to receive this award. CSN Serves is also a certified organization to award the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This nationally recognized award starts at 100+ volunteer hours and students receive a certificate, letter and a pin from the President of the United States. Last year, 14 students won this prestigious award. All these awards are presented at our semesterly Volunteer Reception.
As CSN Serves becomes a steady part of college life, we encourage students, faculty, and staff to spread the “feel-good feeling”. CSN Serves continues to make strides in informing and educating our community about the mutually beneficial relationship that is volunteering. Please feel free to visit our website for more information. www.csn.edu/csnserves