Campus Corps Connections

A Montana Campus Compact publication

Volume 6, Issue 1 Fall 2009

BUILDING ENGAGED CITIZENS

Participating Campuses:
•Blackfeet Community College
•Carroll College
•Dawson Community College
•Flathead Valley Community College
•Fort Belknap College
•Fort Peck Community College
•Miles Community College
•MSU-Billings
•MSU-Bozeman
•MSU-Great Falls College of Tech
•MSU-Northern
•Montana Tech
•Rocky Mountain College
•Salish Kootenai College
•UM-Helena College of Tech
•UM-Missoula
•UM-Western
•University of Great Falls

Inside this Issue:

Building Engaged Citizens…. ..1,4 Members from MSU-Bozeman wrap up a meaningful reflection at this year’s BEC
Team Leader Spotlight……. ..2-3
The 9th Annual Building Engaged facilitated by Program Specialist
September 11th …...….…..…....5 Citizens Conference (BEC) took Emily Clark and Campus Corps
Make-a-Difference Day…..….....6 place on September 24-26 at the Program Manager Eric Cardella.
Volunteerism at Great Falls…...7 University of Montana in Missoula, Second-year Campus Corps
F.L.A.V.E…………….……… ..7 marking the swearing in of the 16th members attended a goal-setting
Service Saturdays….…….…….8
class of Campus Corps members! workshop, followed by sessions
The event kicked off with a Friday covering leadership styles and
Upcoming Events…….….….….8
evening welcome celebration in the team dynamics, led by Sarah
University Center Ballroom with Sadowski, Program Director of
guest speakers Andrea Vernon and Young Adult Service Corps.
Colleen Kane of UM’s Office for VISTA members participated in a
Civic Engagement. grant writing and sustainability
On Saturday, Campus workshop facilitated by Returned
Corps and MTCC VISTA members Peace Corps Volunteer and pro-
broke out into training sessions fessional trainer, Michael LaVolpe
Campus Corps is a proud member of the specific to their service terms. A of Denver, CO.
AmeriCorps family of National Service new member orientation track was Continued on page 4….
Programs in Montana.
 Page 2 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

THE LEADERS BEHIND THE CORPS

Campus Corps has a variety of term options for membership and leadership. There are several choices that members can make
to commit to serving their communities. In addition to student members, there are 18 full-time AmeriCorps members that
serve on 13 campuses to strengthen and enhance Campus Corps around Montana. These leaders come from all over the U.S.,
and have dedicated their year to serving at campuses throughout Montana to fulfill the mission of Campus Corps. Leaders work
directly with members, coordinators, faculty, student volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved in their communities.
Leaders plan meaningful service projects and facilitate reflection activities to put more meaning behind service. Now is your
chance to learn where these leaders come from, what they’re doing, and where they’re going after Campus Corps!

MTCC Senior Leader Fort Peck Community College Carroll College

Chrissy Orangio is from Atlanta, GA currently Adriann Ricker, a native of Poplar Montana, was Laura D’Esterre was born in Hacketstown, New
serving in Missoula, as the MTCC network leader very active in community service before her time Jersey where her favorite candy Starburst is
for Campus Corps. She just graduated from Elon with AmeriCorps. She is completing a B.S. in made. She lived in Helena, MT for about 21 years
University in North Carolina where she was the Health Promotion and is working towards the and would like to live here for the rest of her
director of the Service Learning Commu- betterment of Indian people with chronic dis- life. Her anticipated career path is to have a PhD
nity. After her time with AmeriCorps she will be eases. Her hobbies include spending time with in Theology and Marriage and Family, in Boston
moving to Southern Africa to get a Master’s in her family and friends, playing piano, singing, hunt- or a University in California. Her passion is in
Conservation. In the mean time, I love playing ing, and fishing. helping people.
guitar, volunteering with youth organizations, and
learning new things.
University of Montana
After graduating with degrees in Biology and Flute
Montana Tech
Performance at the University of Montana, Anna
Janel Evans is originally from Butte, Montana, and Semple has returned as a Campus Corps
would love to eventually settle in Livingston. She Leader. She spent her time since graduation trav-
is currently serving her second term as a Campus elling, teaching, studying biology and playing music
Corps Leader at Montana Tech and plans to at-
across the US and Latin America. As a Peace
tend the University of Montana in Missoula next
Corps Volunteer in Paraguay she taught Environ-
year. She loves to camp, spend time with family
mental Education. Next year she plans to study
and friends, and enjoy life.
youth development and education in graduate
school and hopes to return to Paraguay to teach
Salish Kootenai College music to local youth. In her free time she can be
Joni Bolman is from North Dakota and joined found in the mountains or tracking down live
Campus Corps last summer as the Campus music around Western Montana.
University of Great Falls
Corps leader at Salish Kootenai College as part of
Nel Sutliff is originally from Colorado Springs,
the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
Colorado; however, her husband is an active duty Fort Belknap College
Air Force member so she has lived in six states in Brenda Sears is originally from California, but
Blackfeet Community College the past two years. She recently finished her moved to Montana at an early age. She has a K-8
Masters of Science Education degree in Elemen- teaching certificate and feels called to any service
Heather SpeakThunder is a member of the Assini-
tary Reading and Literacy. Her future career work that involves kids. She has been involved
boine tribe, originally from Fort Belknap, and
plans include working as an adjunct instructor in with Boys and Girls’ Clubs of America and Volun-
currently serves as the Campus Corps Leader at
the education department for the University of teer Action for Youth, and opens her house to all
Blackfeet Community College in Browning. She is
Great Falls. Her passions are hiking and camping children who just need a place to hang out when
the oldest (and shortest) sibling in a large family,
with her two dogs and her husband. they have nowhere else to go. She enjoys living
Heather plans to go back to school for a Busi-
ness degree and hopes to start a small business in each day to its fullest.
her hometown of Harlem.
 Page 3 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

THE LEADERS BEHIND THE CORPS

University of Montana Western Montana State University Bozeman Montana Tech
Jon Stephani is a native of Corvallis, Montana, and Ariel Donohue joins MSU from New York State. Jenny Wilson is a native of Tula, Mississippi, and is
is currently serving in Dillon as the Campus She served with AmeriCorps NCCC (National currently serving in Butte. She loves to hike,
Corps Team Leader at UM Western. He plans to Civilian Community Corps) in the Southwest and hunt, fish, camp and ride horses and four-
teach literature and writing at the university level the Gulf region working in disaster response, wheelers. . . and she is very excited about going
in the near future. He loves to hunt, fish, hike construction, environmental work, mentoring and sledding, skiing and snowboarding for the first
and enjoy the outdoors, and also enjoys writing time this winter. She is currently completing an
youth development. She has a degree in Elemen-
poetry and non-fiction. According to his office- M.F.A. in Creative Writing and eventually hopes
tary Education and plans on teaching and incorpo-
mate, Jon is a “blue-eyed, free-spirited nomad of to earn a Ph.D. in a related field.
rating service into the classroom. Her passions
knowledge . . . and a corndog!”
are sports, laughing, chocolate, and adrenaline
filled activities. Montana State University Northern
Flathead Valley Community College
Delme Mundell-Watson is from Canada, but he
Becky Groose- Jones is a 4th generation Kalispell Montana State University Billings went to School at Flathead High, Flathead Valley
resident. Her work experience includes over 20 Community College, and MSU-Northern. He
Tracy Mouser is a Billings native, though she lived
years with not-for-profit organizations and received a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design
in California for ten years. She plans to use her
schools with a focus on family education, project from MSU-Northern last Summer. His direct
education award to pursue a masters degree in service is tutoring at the Student Support Ser-
development and grant writing . In her spare
Student Services at MSU-Billings. She loves any- vices, as well volunteering at the Boys & Girls
time, she and her daughter like to steal away into
thing outside— gardening, hiking, snowshoeing, Club in Havre. He keeps busy because there is
the fields and meadows in search of birds of prey
scrapbooking, hanging out with family and writing always something to do.
for journaling and photography opportunities.
music for her church.

Flathead Valley Community College

Wendy Jeschke is a native Montanan who has

lived in the Flathead Valley for over 31 years. She
enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, boating, scrap-
booking, riding horses and spending time with her
husband and four kids. Wendy serves her com-
munity in varoius capacities, but one of her favor-
ite places to serve is her local community kitchen.

University of Montana

Ashley Widtfeldt is originally from Boston. She is

in her second Campus Corps term and currently
serves at UM’s Office for Civic Engagement. She
loves Missoula and would love to stick around
after finishing Campus Corps. Her favorite pas-
times are gardening, cooking, and making jewelry.

Interested in finding out what it takes to be a Campus Corps Leader?

Thinking about possibly stepping into a leadership role in the future?
Contact Chrissy Orangio at [email protected] to learn more!
 Page 4 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

BUILDING ENGAGED CITIZENS

Following a large group activity and
break-out sessions presented by Dean
McGovern, Eric Cardella, Emily Clark and
Campus Corps Senior Leader Chrissy
Orangio, the conference concluded with a
small group planning session, during which
national service members from each re-
gion of the state had the opportunity to
meet with their peers and neighbors to
discuss possibilities for future collaborative
efforts. We would like to extend a special
FPCC Campus Corps leader Adriann Ricker
thanks to all members whose leadership
working hard on Mt. Sentinel
and participation made the 2009 Building
...Continued from page 1. Engaged Citizens Conference a success!
Campus Corps leaders practiced effective
leadership and facilitation techniques under - written by Jenny Wilson,
the guidance of Montana Conservation Campus Corps Leader, Montana Tech
Corps Program Manager Shannon Stober.
For many members, the highlight of the
conference was a Public Lands Day service
project on Mount Sentinel. On Saturday
afternoon, over 100 MTCC service mem-
bers collaborated with members of the
Montana Conservation Corps to pull inva-
sive nap weed from one of Missoula’s most
frequented outdoor recreation areas.
Post-service reflection activities
Members are sworn into AmeriCorps service at the
focused on discussions of how and why
Building Engaged Citizens Conference
stewardship of the environment is an im-
portant aspect of civic engagement.

The Governor’s Call to Service:

Campus Corps participated in the National Call to Service for first official September 11 National Service
Day. Governor Brian Schweitzer recognized the state of Montana for citizens’ commitment to service.
Governor Schweitzer asked Montanans to “seek out volunteer opportunities in their own communities that
demonstrate our continued commitment to service.” Montana Campus Corps responded to this request
with service projects throughout the state. The following are only a few of the projects that touched the
lives of Montanans on the National Day of Service & Remembrance.
Thanks to all of you who were able to serve on September 11, 2009!
 Page 5 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

9/11: A DAY OF SERVICE & REMEMBRANCE

A New Year Begins at UM-Western Moments of Silence

A well-organized, curbside recycling program coupled with a Campus Corps Leaders at MSU-Bozeman, Salish
food drive marked the “welcome back” event for the University of Mon- Kootenai College, Fort Belknap College, MSU-
tana Western Campus Corps, on September 11, 2009. After being out Northern, and Fort Peck Community College,
of the picture for many years, the Dillon team wanted to hit the ground had school-wide and community-wide moments of
running for the year’s first National Day of Service project. silence in honor of the troops. Many local policemen
Campus Corps member Heather Rubey said, “It was great see- and firemen came to the events to show support.
ing how much we could help our community by volunteering a few
hours of our time, as well as the positive reaction from our community.
Without [the community’s] involvement, our day would have been a
bust.”
Despite the short amount of time allotted for planning and ad-
vertising, the UM-Western team successfully received coverage in local
media through a story and advertisement as well as coverage on the
University of Montana Western website. The team pulled together
nearly 40 campus and community volunteers. As the pick-up teams
drove around Dillon with high spirits, they searched in anticipation for
piles of recyclable materials and food donations sitting on the curbs.
Former Campus Corps member Mike Adams, summed up the
The Big Roll-Out
day by saying “Helping our community is our responsibility as future
educators.” Campus Corps Leaders Anna Semple and Ashley
By the end of the event, the UM- Widtfeldt at the University of Montana collabo-
Western Campus Corps team rated with Missoula Aging Services and VISTA
was able to collect almost 150 (Volunteers In Service To America) members in Mis-
pounds of food for the local food soula to host a toilet paper drive at local grocery
pantry, fill the majority of the stores. Volunteers collected over 4,000 rolls of toi-
recycling bins at the local fair- let paper from various stores in Missoula, which were
grounds and collect enough plas- donated to the Missoula Food Bank. It was noted that
tic to fill a horse trailer. (Not bad the donations left grocery stores with empty shelves.
for a day’s work!)
After a long day, Montana Western Campus Corps Team
Leader Jon Stephani looked across the piles of recyclable materials and
donated food and said, “the Montana Western Campus Corps is back
and ready to serve.”

- Written by Jon Stephani, Campus Corps Leader, UM-Western

Page 6 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR MONTANANS

On Saturday, October 24th, communities all over Montana engaged in Make-a-Difference Day. Campus
Corps members teamed up with local organizations to plan events that met community needs and en-
gaged students and community members in service. Many campuses participated in First Lady Nancy
Schweitzer’s “One Warm Coat” drive, which is occurring all over the state as part of a collaboration with
First National Bank. As winter is approaching, the Governor's office has been doing its part by promoting
volunteerism among Montanans with a statewide coat drive. For Make-a-Difference Day, Campus Corps
members at MSU-Northern, Fort Peck Community College, Fort Belknap College, , and UM-
Western collected coats for families in their communities. Other campuses like MSU-Bozeman
planned a “spectacular” Halloween event for children in the community.

The Difference a Day Made A Mall of Opportunity

UM-Western — Members collected 160 Campus Corps Leaders Becky Groose-Jones and Wendy Jeschke at
pounds of food during a two week food drive, Flathead Valley Community College teamed up with MCC
receiving donations from 17 local businesses. (Montana Conservation Corps) and United way to do construction
Fort Belknap College — Over 200 coats on the Gateway Community Center. Formerly an abandoned mall,
were collected in Harlem, MT and distributed the community center will now be using to house 15 non-profit or-
to community members in need. ganizations, including the Boys & Girls Club and CASA (Court Ap-
pointed Special Advocates). The new-and-improved mall will now be
home to over 30 different programs and will provide a variety of
different services to clients in just one space. Campus Corps and
Conservation Corps members spent the day painting, pulling carpet,
breaking down cabinets, replacing ceiling tiles, and doing physical la-
bor to allow these organizations to be housed under one roof.

UM — A toiletry drive filled a Subaru station

wagon with much-needed items such as toilet
paper, razors, and shampoo, benefiting over 40
people. In addition, 135 dollars were donated
to purchase materials for 111 meals that mem-
bers served at the Poverello Center.
MSU-Billings — Trick or Eat proved to be a
success due to the over 800 pounds of food
 Page 7 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

PUT A LITTLE F.L.A.V.E. IN YOUR LIFE

F.L.A.V.E., the First-year Leadership and Volun- rots, onions and tomatoes that were divvyed up into community
teer Experience, was created this year at the University of shares. At the Poverello Center, students prepared and served
Montana as a way to introduce first-year students to the the day’s lunch as well as organized rooms full of donated items.
Missoula Community through service. Missoula has such a Many of the students who attended F.L.A.V.E. have continued to
large number of non-profits that individuals first coming in be involved in other Campus Corps sponsored service events and
have shown an incredible ethic for community service.
to the community can often be overwhelmed. F.L.A.V.E.
students serve with different community organizations,
- Written by Ashley Widtfeldt, Campus Corps Leader, UM
then gather back at the university to discuss the experi-
ence. Students from each of the sites compare and con-
trast their experiences to figure out differences in the
organizations and understand themes present in all types
of service, regardless of the where the service is per-
formed. The relationship between service and leadership
is also explored during these discussion.
The two agencies F.L.A.V.E. volunteers served with
this year were Garden City Harvest’s Orchard Homes
Garden, a small community farm that provides fresh pro-
duce for low-income individuals, and the Poverello Cen-
ter, Missoula’s largest soup kitchen and shelter. At Or-
chard Homes Garden, students harvested and sorted car- F.L.A.V.E. Volunteers at Orchard Homes Garden

Volunteerism at the University of Great Falls

At the University of Great Falls, much of our service is centered on education. This year, we have several ongoing service-learning
projects, including academic tutoring in all subjects. Most of our student volunteers have committed to providing over 60 hours of
tutoring to students in low income K-12 schools each semester. Another project is Spookaroo! This project provides trick-or-
treaters with a place to play games and win prizes on Halloween as a safer alternative to regular Trick-or-Treating in surrounding
neighborhoods. Closer to Christmas time, the Student Montana Educators Association at the University of Great Falls is doing a
Book Bag giveaway. Money from various grants will be used to purchase developmentally appropriate books for children, age birth
to five years. These books will be put together to make book bags that will be donated to low income preschools and Head Start
programs in Great Falls.
In September, volunteers from the University’s Cheerleading squad helped with a blood drive, and in October, a food drive was
held at the University, with the help of MTCC VISTA member Pamela Hoffmann, to benefit the Great Falls Community Food Bank.
Additionally, a Volunteer Fair will take place in our Student Center where Campus Corps hopes to make contact with enough
interested students to begin a Service Saturdays program where we will collaborate with various community agencies so that we
may provide assistance in the capacity they need.

Finally, the University of Great Falls is currently a member of the Early Childhood Coalition. This coalition is embarking on a com-
prehensive program to house various agencies dedicated to the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of pre-school aged
children as a means to alleviate many of the problems educators, parents, and support personnel see once children have begun
primary school. Once the center is up and running, Campus Corps volunteers and members will be needed to provide much
needed help in a variety of areas.
- Written By Nel Sutliff, Campus Corps Leader, University of Great Falls
 Page 8 Campus Corps Connections, Volume 6, Issue 1

UPCOMING EVENTS PROMOTIONAL TIPS FOR SERVICE EVENTS:

January 18: ADVERTISEMENTS STUDENTS CAN’T IGNORE
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
♦ Advertise in advance — The more time you have, the more students you can inform.
February 14:
♦ Contact the campus newspaper — However students find the news is where you want your
Donate Life Today Organ
event to be. (Be sure to ask for a non-profit discount!)
Donation Drive Kick-Off
♦ Use technology — If your campus has an online events calendar, blog, or social networking
April 16-18: page, post your Campus Corps events on the Web.
Spring Summit
♦ Connect with the local radio station — Getting involved with the campus radio station could
Training Event
get your events announced on-air.
April 23-25: ♦ Collaborate with other student organizations — Greek Life, student government, and various
Global Youth Service Day leadership groups are excellent venues for reaching a variety of engaged students.
♦ Put a banner in your Student Center — If there is a main center on campus where you know
students go, figure out how to get your event advertised where students walk by it daily
Our Mission:
Montana Campus Corps is an
Service projects and special events are being planned all over Montana’s college
AmeriCorps program that
campuses, and we want students to notice them. Try some of these advertising
engages college students in
meeting community identified tips next time you want to recruit volunteers for a major service project.
needs through meaningful
service.
SERVICE SATURDAYS

REPORTING TIPS Want a way to engage students in service

monthly on your campus? Join University of
Campus Corps Members:
Montana, MSU-Bozeman, and MSU-
Make sure to keep track of the
Billings for Service Saturdays. These three
volunteers you recruit and the
campuses plan service projects for at least one
beneficiaries you serve!
Saturday every month. So far this year, some
The first Member Progress Re-
projects include: working with the Poverello
port is due on March 8, 2010.
Center and Missoula Urban Demonstration
Project in Missoula; Friendship House, Montana
In the meantime, you should have
Rescue Mission and Billings Family Services in
a system in place for tracking
Billings; Montana Rescue Mission, Children’s
your impact in a measurable way.
Museum and Campus Clean-Up in Bozeman, to
Don’t forget: Volunteer Surveys name a few! These projects are open to any-
and Team & Special Project one and have already engaged over 150 student
Reports must be submitted online volunteers to act in their communities.
at http://mtcampuscorps.org For more information about Service Saturdays, contact the
MSU—Billings Student Volunteering
Office for Civic Engagement at UM-Missoula or Offices for
for a Service Saturday
Community Involvement at MSU and MSU-Billings.