An organization to help all organizations.
Introduced this year, Volunteer Organization Link is a program aiming to create camaraderie between student organizations. Run by the Center for Student Engagement, the “ambassadors” of this new program will serve as advisers and advocates for student organizations. Loosely defined, the ambassadors will encourage involvement on campus, promote cohesion between UT’s 450 organizations and raise the visibility of student groups through social media and marketing campaigns.
Abigail Brumfield, a graduate assistant at the Center for Student Engagement, played an influential role in the development of the VOL Ambassadors program.
“It will bridge the gap between 450 student organizations and help create a centralized message,” said Brumfield, who also works with the Student Organization Outreach program. “[VOL Ambassadors] will make sure that they are all receiving the information that will be beneficial to them being successful on campus.”
Brumfield said program members will also help pool resources for student organizations, including information about “risk management, conflict resolution and working with budgets.”
The application process will end Sept. 5. Although Brumfield said the program is open to “any and all” students, those with experience in other leadership roles on campus are most likely to succeed in the program.
“We’re looking for students who are passionate about their work and wanting to help other organizations grow,” said Ashleigh Moyer, director of the Center for Student Engagement. Moyer helped develop the VOL Ambassadors program.
After selecting members, the program will discuss committees and executive leadership opportunities within the organization. The ambassadors will then participate in workshops and other activities meant to build leadership skills.
“This semester we have our hazing prevention workshop in September, and in October we have a funding panel workshop for all of our student organizations, so they get to help us organize those,” Brumfield said. “I think it’s an excellent opportunity for students that are looking to start an organization, just from the ground level.”
Thus far, applicants represent a wide variety of students. From freshmen to seniors, all hail from diverse pockets of campus.
“I think we’ll have folks that come and help us out with our check-ins and things like that, all the way to folks that are really delving into all the resources and pulling those things together,” Brumfield said. “I’m looking for people that have just a little experience to people who have a lot, because I think it will add to the overall dynamic of the organization and be a really positive experience for everyone.”
Ultimately, Brumfield hopes the VOL Ambassadors will make student organizations more effective, enhancing the involvement experience for everyone.
“I’m really looking for folks that are excited about engaging in student organizations, have had good student organization experiences and are looking to make big changes in our student organization community,” Brumfield said.
Students can apply at go.utk.edu through Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. For more information email Abigail at [email protected].
