Opportunities From: MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning

We will be working to remove buckthorn (an invasive tree) in the forest. Volunteers will be making rabbitat with the wood, this is essentially piling up the trees. A professional will be cutting the trees into manageable sizes.

Buckthorn removal is important in our park forests because it helps the native plants grow and also removes a lot of the smaller trees which gives park visitors a clearer line of sight and feeling of safety.

We will be working to remove buckthorn (an invasive tree) in the forest. Volunteers will be making rabbitat with the wood, this is essentially piling up the trees. A professional will be cutting the trees into manageable sizes.

Buckthorn removal is important in our park forests because it helps the native plants grow and also removes a lot of the smaller trees which gives park visitors a clearer line of sight and feeling of safety.

The capacity connect project will involve working with our staff, board members and partners to create and improve funding opportunities, build and strengthen relationships while promoting the organizations mission of transforming the culture within the community using quality art programming.  Tasks may include fundraising building, grant research, grant writing, community outreach, volunteer outreach and more.

Volunteers help vendors as they arrive (bring in supplies, collect raffle prizes, direct them to their booth location). When the event is open to the public, volunteers help with kids craft activities, keep the dining area clean, greet customers, sell raffle tix, announce winners, stand in at booths if vendors need to use the restroom, and perform other tasks as needed. To facilitate check in and raffle sales, students are asked to bring a laptop or tablet. 

South Lansing Farmers Market is hosting 60+ local artists, makers, and bakers!

Shoppers will find lots of homemade, home grown, and artisan foods, including cured meats, smoked cheeses, butter, eggs, fruit preserves, pickled veggies, sauces/salsas, soup/dip mix, spices/seasonings, local wildflower honey, natural peanut butter, elderberry syrup, sea moss smoothies, roasted coffee, cinnamon roasted nuts, fruit infused herbal teas, artisan sourdough and yeast breads, desserts.

You'll also find potted houseplants, original artwork, seasonal decorations, jewelry, pottery, wood and metalwork, sewn/knit items, natural soaps, candles, herbal household/body products, toys and games, as well as vendors offering massage, reiki, tarot readings, and henna art (Mehndi). Treat yourself or someone else!

Throughout the event we'll have live music, children's activities, and raffle drawings every 15 minutes. Our raffles are super popular because all prizes are items made by our vendors, and winners get to choose what they go home with!

Make sure you come hungry, because our international food court is fire! Choose from Mexican, Chinese, Lebanese, Polish, and Southern Soul Food dinners and a la carte items, for dine in and carry-out.

The former TJ Maxx storefront is handicap accessible, has plenty of parking, and is close to several CATA bus stops.

Description

Do you enjoy connecting and explaining matters from the heart?  Are you creative and into seeing results from your skills? Sign up with the Business Charity Directory to be a community outreach volunteer!

Responsibilities 

Requirements

Other Information
Training and guidance will be provided.  We are flexible with your schedule.

About the Business Charity Directory
Our main goal is to help non-profits find resources (financial, goods, or volunteer sources) within Michigan communities. Including our main goal, our nonprofit provides educational materials based on fundraising topics. By meeting the main goal, non-profits can focus more on their clients and less searching for resources.

Do you enjoy gathering around food? Making new friends? Hanging out with older adults (senior citizens)? Are you comfortable serving food, and preparing and cleaning dining areas? Sign up today to be a Dining Site Volunteer!

This opportunity is all about serving others and building positive relationships with participants of the Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA)’s Dining Site program, which provides nutritious meals and social/recreational activity to eligible community members.

See Below For More Details:

General Responsibilities

Works as part of a team of volunteers to:

1.      prepare the site for delivery of pre-cooked food from the Tri-County Office on Aging’s main kitchen. 

2.      greet participants and create a welcoming environment.

3.      serve meals to participating seniors at the designated mealtime.

4.      clean up the kitchen and the dining area, including dishes and wiping down counters and tables.

*Volunteers may be asked to attend meetings for Nutrition staff/volunteers when scheduled.

Volunteer Locations and Times

Colonial Woods at Colonial Woods Apartments, 2001 W. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48910

*On the busline. 

Friendship Manor Apartments at 200 Friendship Cir, Lansing, MI 48912

Other Locations

See all schedules/locations of Senior Dining Sites in the Tri-county area at www.tcoa.org/nutrition/senior-dining-sites/

Volunteer Onboarding Process

Interested volunteers can fill out an application at tcoa.org/volunteer.

1.      A TCOA staff will review their application and process their background checks. *Please note: if a volunteer has lived outside of the state of Michigan within the last 7 years, TCOA will need to run additional background checks.

2.      If approved, the volunteer should hear from a TCOA staff member within the week to confirm where they would like to volunteer. If there is any reason that a volunteer has not been approved due to a background check, a TCOA staff member will notify them.

3.      The Community Nutrition Program Manager will reach out to the approved volunteer to schedule their training, which will include Meeting with the Dining Site Coordinator.  

Working Conditions

You can learn more about TCOA’s volunteer opportunities at tcoa.org/volunteer.

Our Community Kitchen offers hot lunch 11:30-1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

CCIEC Community Kitchen does more than serve food. It also serves as a warming center during harsh winters and a cooling center during sweltering summers. This is a crucial service; there are hundreds of individuals who identify as homeless in the Lansing area.

Volunteer Duties Include: food prep, serving breakfast and lunch, clean up, as well as minimal stocking and organization. 

Essential skills include interpersonal skills, attention to detail, time management, cleanliness, teamwork, food safety, and food preparation.

                         ***Closed toe shoes are essential for this role. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts.***

Documentation/Tracking of Hours

It is the responsibility of the volunteer to sign in and sign out on CCIEC tracking sheets as instructed by staff. In addition, we request that volunteers keep track of their own hours and notify us at least 24 hours in advance of needing a letter confirming service. (Preferably on your 2nd to last volunteer shift) All service hours totals are generated from the tracking sheets. You must sign in and out for accurate counting of service. 

Policy for volunteers’ no shows.

Volunteers have a responsibility to show to the shifts they are assigned to. If Volunteers do not show for their shifts, we have a three-strike policy.

First no show: They will be contacted via email/Phone Call

Second no show: it will be a verbal warning, stating/explaining they have two strikes, and they have one last chance.

Third no show: they will be immediately removed from any future shifts and disqualified for participating in any future volunteering program.

**We encourage volunteers to give at least 24 Hours notice before Unregistering, failing to do so will be consider a no show.**

Our Community Kitchen offers hot breakfast from 9:00-10:30 am, Monday through Friday. 

CCIEC Community Kitchen does more than serve food. It also serves as a warming center during harsh winters and a cooling center during sweltering summers. This is a crucial service; there are hundreds of individuals who identify as homeless in the Lansing area.

Volunteer Duties Include: food prep, serving breakfast and lunch, clean up, as well as minimal stocking and organization. 

Essential skills include interpersonal skills, attention to detail, time management, cleanliness, teamwork, food safety, and food preparation.

                      ***Closed toe shoes are essential for this role. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts.***

Documentation/Tracking of Hours

It is the responsibility of the volunteer to sign in and sign out on CCIEC tracking sheets as instructed by staff. In addition, we request that volunteers keep track of their own hours and notify us at least 24 hours in advance of needing a letter confirming service. (Preferably on your 2nd to last volunteer shift) All service hours totals are generated from the tracking sheets. You must sign in and out for accurate counting of service. 

Policy for volunteers’ no shows.

Volunteers have a responsibility to show to the shifts they are assigned to. If Volunteers do not show for their shifts, we have a three-strike policy.

First no show: They will be contacted via email/Phone Call

Second no show: it will be a verbal warning, stating/explaining they have two strikes, and they have one last chance.

Third no show: they will be immediately removed from any future shifts and disqualified for participating in any future volunteering program.

**We encourage volunteers to give at least 24 Hours notice before Unregistering, failing to do so will be consider a no show.**

 For additional information contact Veronika Parsamova at vparsamova@catholiccharitiesiec.org

Tutors will work with students (K-6) on homework completion, on line academic programs and life skills. Volunteers will assist with set up/clean up. Upon arrival, they will check in with the tutoring coordinator to see where they are needed. A background check is required. A training session is required.

 Whether you love cooking, working with children, you’re a natural born leader, or you’ve just been looking for a way to give back, our Volunteer & Projects Manager Paden Clevenger