Volunteer Orientations
Who Should Attend a New Volunteer Orientation?
Any person wanting to volunteer on a school campus in Berkeley must come through BSV or another agency with a partnership with the Berkeley Unified School District to screen, train and manage volunteers. If you are a parent/guardian of a child currently attending the BUSD school at which you wish to volunteer, click here for more information about your volunteer options and rights.
- All new volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation prior to requesting a volunteer assignment and/or joining a wait list ( for example, the Edible Schoolyard program.)
- Plan to attend a 1 hour orientation on one of the dates listed below.
- Late arrivals: If you arrive 15 minutes or more after the start time, you will be asked to attend another orientation.
- Once you attend, you do not need to attend another orientation. For a new placement, see our Returning Volunteer page, and contact us with your new placement request details.
What to Expect
At the orientation, we will present an overview of Berkeley schools, programs and options you have as a volunteer, explain the request and selection process, and help you complete a Volunteer Registration Form. We will also review volunteer etiquette and tips from your own copy of our Volunteer Handbook.
What to Bring
- a government issued form of photo ID (driver’s license, Passport, student ID with birth date on it.)
- two references who can vouch for your ability to volunteer with youth in schools (names and contact information only; no letters needed)
- your schedule of availability (to match your needs with those of teachers/staff; you will set a volunteer schedule with the teacher/staff member directly once in contact.)
Location
Orientations are located in our conference room @1835 Allston Way in Berkeley (nearest cross street is Martin Luther King, Jr. Way; limited 2 hour street parking only is available; two city blocks from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and bus lines.)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Berkeley&state=ca&address=1835+Allston+Way&zipcode=94703
FALL 2010 Orientation Schedule
Thursday, September 2, 12 noon-1 pm
Friday, September 10, 10-11 am
Thursday, September 16, 6:30-7:30 pm
Monday, September 20, 12 noon-1 pm
Wednesday, September 29 from 4-5 pm
Tuesday, October 5 from 10-11 am
Friday, October 15 from 12 noon-1 pm
Monday, October 18 from 3-4 pm
Thursday, October 28 from 3-4 pm
Wednesday, November 3 from 10-11 am
Tuesday, November 9 from 4-5 pm
Monday, November 15 from 12 noon-1 pm
Thursday, Dec. 2 from 3-4 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 10-11 am
Please contact us if you wish BSV to add your name and email to our Fall 2010 information list.
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Are you a Parent/Guardian of a student currently attending a BUSD school?
If you are a parent/guardian of a child currently attending the BUSD school at which you wish to volunteer, you have rights under the CA Education Code to do so–with prior notice and approval from the school site and staff. If you choose to volunteer outside your son’s/daughter’s classroom, your school site may ask you to come through BSV for additional clearances. Please understand this is to protect all our students, as school sites have limited ability to screen volunteers–which is why BSV exists! You may also choose to come through BSV’s training to find community, improve your strategies for working with children, teachers and support you in finding other volunteer opportunities. Many parents do! Please contact us or your school site to ask about your specific situation.