Do you like to volunteer, but want to do more?
Do you crave leadership roles?
Are you interested in exploring a leadership opportunity?

A Program Coordinator (PC) volunteers at the site of their choice, and their role is to lead a group of volunteers as they serve their site on a scheduled day of the week. Whether they are tutoring, working with animals or assisting the elderly, PC's always have the support and assistance of their agency and the SVS staff. A PC's job is very important because they help their fellow volunteers learn and grow through the volunteering experience.

Becoming a Program Coordinator (PC) will help you:

- Learn about leadership opportunities

- Develop leadership, communication, time management, and interpersonal skills

- Join one of the largest student organizations on campus

- Document service experiences for use on resumes, scholarships, internships, and job interviews

- Gain experience that will help you get a job

- Meet new people and make new friends.

- It's FUN! Enjoy your experience! You are making a difference in people's lives, you can feel good about that!


If that's not enough, then listen to what these Program Coordinators have to say about their experiences.

   I joined SVS as a way to gain volunteer hours for my class; however, I liked the program and the people I volunteered with so much that I did it again for my own enjoyment.  It is amazing to see how exciting your child/buddy looks when you arrive at the volunteering sight.  - Kate Czubik

   I decided to become a PC because I have never held a leadership position before and I thought that it would be a good experience.  So far, I've really enjoyed participating and it has really improved my self-confidence and leadership skills.  Also, I am being a good role model for my fellow volunteers and am hopefully inspiring them to aspire to become PCs themselves.  - Margaret Weglarz

   I wanted to become more involved with both Ball State and the community.  I had heard of svs from a friend and went to check it out.  I met some awesome people who let me know all about being a PC.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  You meet a lot of great people in the process of helping others.  And on a side note, the position is great community service leadership and experience.  I definitely encourage anyone to become a PC.   - Tracey Wagner

    I started volunteering my freshman year when it was required for my Edel 100 class, but that is also the first time that I was introduced to SVS.  I am working on a degree in education, so what better way to get experience with children than to volunteer as a tutor.  This will make my 3rd semester as a PC.  Last year I was part of Americorps along with my PC responsibilities.  I have enjoyed working with different groups of individuals who volunteer for a number of reasons, and I have enjoyed meeting new PCs.  I have worked with Motivate Our Minds in their different locations.  I think the MOMs programs are wonderful for students. I encourage others who have not had the experience to work with this program.
- Jessica Wehrly

    I originally started PC-ing as a way to get involved in the campus my freshmen year. I saw it as an excellent leadership opportunity, but never imagined the fun I would have joining such an amazing group. I can honestly say I have met some of the most dedicated, great, and selfless people ever.  I have learned so much from my volunteers, fellow PCs, advisors, and people in the Muncie community. After 2 years I have gained so much knowledge, appreciation, and fun memories, I couldn't imagine my time here at Ball State without it! - Allison Blush

    Fall '04 semester, I walked into the SVS office during the Recruitment Fair.  I was totally confused because I'd never been there  before!  However, all I said was, "I want to volunteer!"  Now, I'm hooked for life, and I love it!  Being a PC doesn't add too much more work onto your schedule but it looks grand on resumes! 
-Maggie Bailey

    The reason that I first became a pc was because it was required of me for a class.  After I started it, I really enjoyed the responsibilities that I acquired and they helped put me on a  leadership role with SVS.  On top of that, I really like all the people that I had the opportunity to meet and all the friends I have made.  That is the main reason why I continue to volunteer, is to keep up with my friends and to make new ones in the process. - Nathan Bacon

    My name is Ray Hart and I just became a PC this semester. I had been involved in several other things since I came to ball state and just recently found out that SVS is where I should be.  It is definitely one of the most rewarding clubs to get involved with on campus because you know that you are getting into the snowball effect and changing the lives of all that are involved.   - Ray Hart

    I became a PC for a few reasons. Mostly it seemed like a good idea to work on leadership skills. It also helped with meeting people because of the bi-weekly PC meetings and the PC retreats. It's been a great experience and I would highly recommend doing it.   - Meagan Hennenfent

    I wanted to be a Program Coordinator because the atmosphere in SVS is so welcoming and fun.  I volunteered last semester for the first time for my EdEl 100 class.  They asked me, "Do you want to be a PC's!?" I replied, "What's that?"  They explained that I would log hours, drive the car, be the leader of the group, and make new friends, so I said, "Why not?"  It was a great choice.  I have met so many great people and been able to do some many things.  There is always so much more to do.  I am from Muncie and I really enjoy giving back to the community and being a leader in this way.
     Everyone loves doing for others in SVS, and it's a really positive environment that I wanted to be a part of.  It is something that is easy to get involved with, but can mean so much to those you serve, and the other volunteers that you meet are just wonderful.  Not to mention the amazing staff who works so hard to get things accomplished. Being a PC means making tons of new friends, getting involved in great service projects, and spending a few hours in the SVS office every week.  It really is a committment worth making if you are looking for a positive and friendly environment.   - Amanda Estes

     Volunteering has just become a major part of my life in the past couple years.  I have always enjoyed taking initiative and doing the unnecessary; mostly to see the reactions of those that benefit from SVS's help even if I don't get the personal recognition.  I wasn't always so involved  You know when you get the "butterflies in the stomach feeling" when you go over a hill while driving, well I get that feeling when I know I have made a difference in someone else's life and I believe that is what has kept me volunteering as a Program Coordinator. 
      The feeling is ten times better when you are surrounded with people of the same mindset.  Being a Program Coordinator has shown me how much a group of people can make a difference in a community and I have been able to meet some of my best friends.  I know that it is hard for me and others involved in SVS to see how everybody has the opportunity to get involved with such a great organization and not take advantage of it.   - Joshua Daugherty

    One of my main goals when I came to Ball State was to become involved in a service organization.  Helping others just gives you an amazing feeling.  It is one little thing that you can do to really make a difference in the community.  It also builds leadership skills and self-confidence.  My first experience with the Leadership and Service Learning Office, was the Alternative Fall Break Trip last semester. We went to Morroco, Indiana to help clean up and rebuild a prarie.  I learned a lot about myself and others during that trip. 
    It felt good to know that I was helping someone, so I decided to become more involved and applied to be a PC.  I'm a PC for the CAPE (Community Alliance to Promote Education) program at Southview Elementary school, and help students improve their reading comprehension skills.  It is helping me prepare for my future career as a teacher, and also is improving my leadership skills and cooperation skills. - Jackie Dulian

    I decided to become a PC at the beginning of fall semester because I am a commuter. I wanted to find a way to become involved on campus and since I am a commuter there isn't a lot of opportunity that is throw at you like if you lived in the dorm. I love being a pc and working with my child through the cape program. This has possible been the best thing I could have ever done for my self and another person.   - Crystal McCorkhill

   I believe that it is very important to give back to society. As a college student, I don't have the extra funds to support various charities, but I knew I could give up the time it takes to watch a couple of TV shows or go out for coffee to volunteer. Student Voluntary Services has an excellent program for getting involved in the community. When I first went in to volunteer, I heard of being a Program Coordinator and liked the idea of getting other students excited about volunteering.
     It gave me the opportunity to get more actively involved with the agency I was working with and also help plan more of what I'd be volunteering. For example, SVS worked with me my first semester of PCing and I got to organize an entire program myself at the Parkview Nursing Center. I was able to plan the activities, make a website for my volunteers, and basically run the program myself. I really enjoyed these opportunities and I know it will also look good on my resume.  - Kara Moes

    I volunteered because I wanted to make a difference.  In the fall semester I came to the recruitment fair and since most of the programs were full but needed a PC I decided to do that.  I did not need to volunteer for a class and being a PC made me feel as if I was accomplishing more than I needed to.  Because there is only one mandatory office hour a week, being a PC is very easy. 
    Right now I'm volunteering for the MOMs main program, and It's an experience to work with children in a school environment.  Last semester I volunteered with the Harvest Soup Kitchen and that was also very interesting.  When you do these programs you help out so many people in so many ways.  I can't explain it, you'd just have to do it.  It's well worth the experience!  -  Tamara Jones

    I first got involved with Student Voluntary Services because of a course requirement. I enjoyed working with the program and my program coordinator was a really enthusiastic person, so she always kept us enthused about what we were doing. Once I had completed my course requirement, I decided to continue volunteering. I figured why not go out and help a child or do some type of community service rather than just going back to my dorm room sitting and watching television.
     Volunteering has really helped me gain field experience and an insight for what to expect once I go into my field of study which is education. I became interested in how the organization worked and how I could make the most change within everyone else, so I decided to join the executive board. This has helped me gain more and enhance my leadership skills and provided opportunities that I would have never been able to participate in if I had not got involved.  - Marquita Coleman

     I love to volunteer! To me, it is the highest form of gratitude because you are giving back to the world what you have taken. I volunteered a great deal in high school, but I was not sure if I could continue my volunteerism throughout my college career. So, when I arrived at Ball State University as a freshman, I was relieved to find there was an organization called Student Voluntary Services where I could not only find the opportunity to continue volunteering, but have the chance to become more familiar with the community I live in.
     By becoming a program coordinator I have had many leadership opportunities presented to me during my career at this school. Making friends was so much easier after becoming involved and these people who have become some of my very best friends. Being a part of Student Voluntary Services has been the best decision I have ever made. I can honestly say that I have not only built professional relationships with the people I work with, but I have gained mentors, friends, and family that I will keep for a lifetime.   - Danielle Frazier

     When I first considered being a PC I was a senior in high school and my counselor brought an application to me.  He was not sure what the job entitled and neither did I, but I enjoyed volunteering and figured it would be an exciting adventure.  After meeting fellow PCs at the PC Retreat I knew that I was working with dedicated and fun people.  I have been a PC for four semesters now and plan to service for four more.  The children I get to help and the volunteers I get to lead have helped hone my leadership skills and opened my eyes to what time management, dedication and good times really means to a leader.  - Johnny Karch

      Being a PC is a great experience because you not only acquire great leadership and organizational skills, but you also get to see things from a different perspective.  So not only am I a better leader now, but I'm also a better follower, which is just as important.  I am now able to understand what the leader expects from me and what they are going through. 
      It's also a lot of fun because you really get to know the other PCs and have people to talk with about your volunteer experiences.  Volunteering is so much more fun when you can do it with other people your age, and being in charge makes it that much more rewarding.  You don't even need to be the typical outgoing leader type as long as you can communicate effectively with others and just be genuine with people.  I would recommend this position to almost anyone who is even just considering it.
- Sarah Boling

       I learned about Student Voluntary Services through the Honors College.  I had always been involved with service projects and community service growing up and loved it; so, I decided to give it a try.  I immediately jumped in to be a Program Coordinator.  Entering the organization, I had no idea what to expect of the leadership, agencies or myself.  Not to mention, I was singled out more because I was beginning as an older student and not in the Education Department.  None of those things mattered. 
     I found when I came that everyone is ecstatic to work with other people that have the same passion for helping those in need.  Also, the directors and officers in the Leadership and Service Learning office were on top of things and aware of every activity happening.  I discovered that I could expect from myself the same enthusiasm and dedication that I had always had before.  The job is not hard, and though the rewards are not tangible, they build character, intelligence, and compassion for the world around us.  - Kacie Hamilton

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