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  3. Preparing to be a Badger Volunteer

Preparing to be a Badger Volunteer

Posted on August 30, 2023 | By Xai Xiong

Looking to get involved this semester? Look no further than Badger Volunteers.

Whether you’re new to Madison or familiar with the city, Badger Volunteers is a unique opportunity for all UW–Madison students to engage with their local community and cultivate real-world experience in their field of interest.

So what is Badger Volunteers?  You have questions — we have answers.

1. How often do students volunteer?
Students volunteer one to four hours, once a week, at the same organization throughout the course of the semester. This is because the program is designed to foster meaningful and consistent connections between community partners. With a semester-long commitment, students become higher-skilled volunteers and form a more-lasting relationship than one-time volunteer commitments.

2. Who do I volunteer with?
Badger Volunteers is a great way to make friends due to its strong community. You serve in a team of at least two other student volunteers, one of which will be your team leader. Students work in teams and get to know each other over the course of the semester. The program also has socials where volunteers can meet other teams, such as breakfasts, ice cream socials and other events.

3. What kind of volunteer opportunities do you offer?
All of our volunteer opportunities come in three categories: public health, education and sustainability. Students passionate about a future in education, public health-related fields or in sustainability can build their resume with volunteer work specific to their field of choice. However, Badger Volunteers has opportunities for any major or skillset. We encourage you to check out all the opportunities.

4. How do I get to my volunteer site?
The Morgridge Center provides FREE transportation to volunteer sites so you don’t have to worry. However, if a volunteer site is more than 35 minutes away by bus, we provide students with a Union Cab, Lyft or UW-Madison fleet vehicle. All volunteers also have access to Madison’s electric B-Cycles.

5. How do students contextualize their volunteer work?
With a semester-long commitment, students become higher-skilled volunteers and form a more-lasting relationship with their peers and community partner. Students become more responsible and effective volunteers and are able to translate their experiences to their academics or future goals.

6. How long has Badger Volunteers been around?
Badger Volunteers started as a program with just four community partners and 40 volunteers in 2008. Prior to the pandemic we averaged over 600 volunteers and more than 80 community partners each semester. Pivoting back from the pandemic in 2021, Badger Volunteers has maintained an average of 300 volunteers and 60 community partners each semester.

Registration for Fall Badger Volunteers is currently open and closes on Friday, Sept. 15 at 11:55 p.m.

Spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Sign up to be a Badger Volunteer.

Posted in NewsTagged Badger Volunteers, civic engagement, Service, Student Life

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