DePauw Community Service moves to new location

By: Macy Ayers

Posted: 2/15/08

DePauw Community Service is mounting a publicity and recruitment campaign this week with tables set up in the Hub, Den and Café Roy.

While in previous years the organization set up one table on one day during the week, its efforts have expanded this year. Throughout the entire week, representatives were at each of the three locations during specific hours, in the Hub from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Den from 6-7 p.m. and Café Roy from 8-9 p.m.

Student Director of DCS Lauren Auld, a senior, said one of the primary goals is connecting with freshman students who are either unaware of the organization or actively seeking an opportunity to get involved.

A rotation of DCS members at each table facilitated registration and answered questions to help familiarize newcomers with the organization's efforts. Many of DCS's projects were represented.

As a complement to its work at the tables, DCS opened online registration for students. Auld said the digital dimension should make volunteering easier for everyone.

"The idea behind online registration was to hopefully make it easier for volunteers to register for the programs," Auld said. "This way they can learn about programs and register at home or go back to their rooms and tells their friends about it."

On Thursday, three America Reads representatives held down the table at the Hub during a mid-day shift. Project coordinator Katelyn Thompson, a senior, said she saw many more students signing up at the beginning of the week, but numbers trailed off as the week progressed.

Roughly 300 students sign up for at least one of DCS's 25 programs every year. The majority of those students register during the DCS outdoor fair at the end of August. Auld said that the combination of good weather and touring freshman student mentor groups made turnout high.

Auld said she is not satisfied with one semester of high volunteer rates and hopes DCS's expanded strategy this week will increase student involvement.

The 25 exclusively student-run programs cover a broad range of service needs in Putnam County. According to the organization's Web site, volunteers serve agencies like shelters, schools and nursing homes. Specific projects include working at the Juvenile Detention Center in Indianapolis, the Putnam County Humane Society and mentoring local children.

DCS is always willing to work with incoming volunteers looking to create or alter a program. Auld said in this way the group can place every student who approaches DCS.

While the programs themselves always need volunteers to do the groundwork, the entire organization is student-operated. A four-member executive board coordinates individual student leaders. Auld said departing senior classes are always a concern, as they leave holes in leadership positions for underclassmen to fill.

Auld's personal volunteer efforts began four years ago in a project called "You, Me and a Book" at Ridpath Elementary's kindergarten class. The impact of her efforts surprised her.

Auld said she was "actually very shocked at how reading to kindergarten kids can really impact their day and make them look forward to volunteers who come."

The America Reads volunteers were equally positive about their personal experiences. Thompson and senior Courtney Hague have both been involved all four years, and said they valued the connection to the community.

DCS tries to impart its philosophy on its volunteers, and Auld said the group will try to continue to push DePauw students out of their comfort zone and into active, rewarding involvement.