Give a little, get a lot
Everyone has a cause. Whether it’s a political party, a human rights group or a campus newspaper, volunteering for an organization can be a great way to make new friends, acquire life skills and gain work experience.
Across Canada, an estimated 12.5 million people volunteer each year and give 2.1 billion hours to worthy organizations. Some people commit a fixed amount of hours to their cause each week; others give back as opportunities arise.
Regardless of how much time is committed, volunteering is a great networking opportunity and an effective way to sharpen leadership and interpersonal skills.
To acknowledge how giving back to the community can add value to a student’s education, Concordia has launched two new initiatives to promote and recognize volunteerism.
Concordia LIVE Centre
Open since June 2010 and overseen by Counselling and Development, the Concordia LIVE Centre promotes volunteering both on and off campus. The LIVE Centre name stands for Leadership, Initiative and Volunteer Engagement.
The Centre is Concordia’s main resource for students who seek volunteer opportunities on campus, across Montreal and abroad or who wish to explore opportunities that can meet their specific needs and interests.
Co-curricular Record
On-campus leadership and volunteering are recognized by Concordia and that’s why the university established a Co-curricular Record to celebrate the many ways students give back.
Concordia is the first Quebec university to offer a Co-curricular Record, which has been available since September 2010, as an official document to identify extra-curricular activities that are additional to academic achievements.
The university created a new site where students can list their volunteer and leadership experiences. Before a record can be made official, however, activities must be validated by the club, association or department concerned.
Related links:
• Volunteer Awareness Month at Concordia
• LIVE Centre
• Co-curricular Record
• Concordia Journal article on Co-curricular Record
• Concordia Journal article on LIVE Centre