Dear Volunteers,
This is an email going out to all our new Shack Tutoring Volunteers for 2003. We have organised a training day for all of you on Wed 26th March (next week, week 4) from 5 until 7 pm. Training will be held in the AIR room, Roundhouse (where tutoring is usually held). This will provide an opportunity for Shack Volunteers to get to know one another and receive some important tips and guidelines for tutoring highschool students. A training manual will be available to take for all interested volunteers. I ask that especially those of you who have already begun tutoring attend the training night. There will also be a code of volunteers' rights and responsibilities that we will ask you to read and sign, so you know exactly what you are entitled to as well as your responsibilities as a Union Volunteer working with Highschool kids. It should be a fun night with some 'getting to know you' games. Please RSVP by Monday 24th March whether or not you can attend the Training. I am really looking forward to meeting you on the night, and hope that I will get to see as many of you as possible.
Those of you who applied for Shack earlier in the year should have already received my last email. Those who have been paired up with a student would have already or will soon be receiving a letter in the mail about the week 3 start. If you have not yet been matched up with a student, rest assured it has NOTHING to do with your ability as a tutor but all to do with your availabilities. I can't stress this enough as some students become very concerned about this issue. An increasing number of highschool students are continuing to apply to be tutored, so if you have not yet begun tutoring hopefully you will get to do so soon. Meanwhile you may wish to look into other volunteering options with the Union such as Learning The Lingo, The Hypesmiths Program, Oral Blitz or gaining leadership skills through the SLAP program or Students Training Students. Lingo is an opportunity to make lifetime friendships from students at uni from all countries over the world while helping them with their conversation and grammar skills. Lingo has two weekly informat chat-over-coffee meetings and will be holding a scavenger hunt at the Rocks in Week 4. They will continue to hold more fun outings throughout the year. Find out more about all these programs down at U-Space or pamphlets in Contact. Those of you interested in more volunteering opportunities, especially those dealing with elderley/the sick/underprivileged, log onto
www.careers.unsw.edu.au into the volunteering section. There are many volunteer jobs available there.
Thankyou so much for Volunteering with The Shack. Just remember that you are each an invaluable member of this program, as it could not exist without your willingness to give selflessly of your time and self while gaining some very important communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. And you know what? I think you will even learn a whole lot from the student you are tutoring - I know I definitely am. Have a happy, peaceful [though it be hard in our current circumstances], safe and productive weekend. Look forward to meeting you soon-
Samia Hasasn
Shack Tutoring Coordinator
