The Campus Volunteer

Florida's Office for Campus Volunteers was created in 1990 as a pilot project of the Legislature. Student leaders from across the state worked with Dr. Charles Reed (Chancellor for the State University System), with members of the Florida Association of Colleges and University presidents, national Campus Compact, and campus-based staff to create a proposal for a state-wide office for campus volunteerism that would serve all sixty nine institutions of Florida. The Florida Student Association, a statewide lobbying group for student issues, worked to garner support for the office across the state as a legislative priority. Legislators and college presidents were quite responsive to this initiative, and in September of 1990 the office began operating at the Florida State University Student Union. Staff included a Director, Associate Director, Administrative Assistant, and a student Program Assistant.

The stated goals of the office included: assess and promote the degree of student volunteerism throughout Florida's sixty nine colleges and universities by conducting a detailed survey; create awareness of and involvement in currently funded programs and combine efforts with existing agencies; provide technical assistance and funds to create or enhance campus based volunteer programs; establish and maintain a network between the community, student leaders and administrators; organize and assist in the planning of statewide conferences (recruiting, resources, training, forums, etc.) and other special events; provide a clearinghouse for information through publications, resource packets and presentations; recognize outstanding student volunteers in Florida's colleges and universities in the Spring of 1991.

The mission of Florida's Office for Campus Volunteers is to provide greater opportunities for students to engage in quality service programs. In the spirit of diversity and with thoughtful action, students can address Florida's greatest social needs through community service.