Prospective Volunteers

Recruitment Process

~ SOS Recruitment - January 5, 2012 through January 31, 2012

Recruitment is now complete.  To check the status of your application please call 519-253-3000 ext. 3288.  If you missed the deadline please feel free to apply next year or visit www.uwindsor.ca/volunteer for additional volunteer opportunities.  We will be recruiting Windsor Welcome Week volunteers in March at www.uwindsor.ca/edc

1. Complete the S.O.S. Application Form (available January 2013)
 
2. Attend a Group Selection Workshop
Fill out your S.O.S. application form and sign up for one of the mandatory Group Selection Workshops. 
 
3. If you are selected from the Group Workshop, you will be contacted to schedule an individual interview
 
4. Upon being accepted into the S.O.S. Program, you must attend a mandatory General Training (Friday, March 2nd at 4:00pm)

** Following General Training all volunteers are considered "General" S.O.S. Volunteers.  By expressing interest and attending additional trainings throughout the year, you can be involved in other aspects of S.O.S. such as, but not limited to:

1. Orientation Leaders
2. Administrative Groups
3. Head Start Committees

Orientation Leaders

Head Start is one of the best opportunities that our S.O.S. volunteers have to both showcase and improve their skills of leadership, public speaking, and mentorship. The Head Start Orientation Leaders are essential to the success of the Head Start program, as they provide the motivation, enthusiasm and first-hand knowledge as students of the University of Windsor, that first-year Head Start students and their families really want to see.

As an Orientation Leader at Head Start, a volunteer can be involved in presenting Student Information Sessions, assisting students with timetabling and registration, conducting Campus Tours, or working a booth at our Campus Services Information Fair.

If you volunteer to be an Orientation Leader for Head Start you may also have the opportunity to be a Parent Session Presenter, where you will provide parents/family with first hand information about academic programs, academic structure, support services and career planning processes.

Goals of an Orientation Leader:
• To provide a positive first impression of the University of Windsor
• To familiarize new students with the University
• To help students feel more comfortable on campus
• To confirm for new students that their decision to attend the University of Windsor was the right one

Administrative Groups

The SOS Administrative Groups are made up of volunteers who assist with program planning and volunteer administration. These include:

The Advisory Board:  A board consisting of the SOS Student Coordinator, the Assistant Coordinator and six volunteers who critically review and improve existing SOS programs.

In pairs, they select and supervise a committee of volunteers who assist them in one of the following areas:

• Improving the Student Orientation Program
• Improving the Parent Orientation Program
• Improving Volunteer training

This is the most advanced position within SOS and requires the greatest degree of leadership. As in the case with the Volunteer Selection Board, experience is essential and a separate application is required.

The Volunteer Selection Board (VSB):  Each year 12 volunteers are given the unique opportunity to be on the other side of an interview situation. In pairs, they interview and make selection decisions about potential S.O.S volunteers. This component is critical to the continuing success of the S.O.S. program. As such, experience within the program is essential - a separate application is required.  

Teams:  Communications, Major Events, Community Outreach, Go Green team, Student Disability Services and the Advising Centre team.
The six teams work together each semester to plan and execute events/ projects. Volunteers develop their team building, cooperation, time management, and organization skills throughout their time of involvement. Time commitment is 1hr. per week for the Communications, Major Events, Community Outreach and the Go Green Teams. In the Advising Centre or the Student Disability Services Office Volunteers will commit to 2 hours of service each week.

Head Start Committees

• Student Session
• Parent Session
• Training

The three committees work to improve various aspects of Head Start. Time commitment varies by team (approx. 2hrs per week).