[145] MTSU, United Way partner online to help campus community find volunteer opportunities

Web portal provides searchable clearinghouse for area nonprofits

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University students, faculty and staff looking for area volunteer opportunities — both on campus and off — now have a one-stop shop online thanks to a partnership between the university and United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

For the past 18 months, the United Way has operated the Volunteer Connect website at http://www.unitedwayvolunteer.orgas a clearinghouse for area nonprofits to post information about their organizations as well as their volunteer opportunities. The website has more than 90 agencies and schools registered.

Jackie Victory, director of Student Organizations and Service in MTSU’s Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, said her office is now directing students to Volunteer Connect for such community service opportunities with a link from her office’s webpage, http://www.mtsu.edu/sos/service-opps.php. Click on the “Service” tab and then click on the “Volunteer Connect” link in the drop-down menu.

Victory said the idea of partnering with United Way developed after the efficiency with which students were able to use the portal to sign up for “The Big Event,” an annual one-day community service effort involving hundreds of MTSU students.

“The Office of Student Organizations and Service is excited to partner with the United Way Volunteer Connect website,” Victory said. “When students are looking for volunteer opportunities, they will have one place to look. This also allows outside agencies a place to post their volunteer needs for the community.”

Volunteer Connect, sponsored by Volunteer State Bank, was launched in 2017 by the local United Way and is an interactive digital platform to connect volunteers’ interests with agency needs. 

United Way President and CEO Meagan Flippin, an MTSU alumna, said her organization is proud to partner with MTSU on this effort and pointed out the benefits of Volunteer Connect.

“Users can build a volunteer resume, subscribe to organizations and types of volunteer work that they’re interested in, and participate in volunteer teams or as individuals,” she said. “MTSU students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to engage in the community and build leadership skills through their usage of Volunteer Connect.”

For more information about United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, go to http://www.yourlocaluw.org. 

For more information about the Office of Student Organizations and Service in MTSU’s Center for Student Involvement, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/sos/index.php.