Volunteer…

The Orange County Literacy Council (OCLC) works with a corps of 150+ dedicated volunteers who provide adult literacy instruction and literacy-related activities to adult students and families, as well as advocacy, fund development and operational assistance. From those who tutor inmates at Orange County’s correctional facility to those who manage writing workshops in local shelters, volunteers are the heart and soul of the OCLC.

…as a Tutor

As a small community-based non-profit, the OCLC relies almost entirely on volunteers to provide tutoring.

Adult Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Recruiting, training and supporting volunteer tutors are crucial to our strength and longevity. Each potential Adult Literacy or ESOL tutor begins by attending our Tutor Training Workshop (TTW). The workshop is held over a two to three week period, beginning with a 2-hour (daytime or evening) orientation, followed by online study and finishing with an all-day, hands-on training session.

We offer tutoring in several formats - one-on-one, small group or special topic workshops – to provide safe and effective learning environments that meet the individual needs of our students. Tutors are matched with students or groups of students based on interests and availability. We help our student/tutor matches grow into strong working partnerships, with each tutor gaining an understanding of their student’s educational and life-skill needs, and each student become comfortable with both their tutor and the tutoring process. We work in a number of locations throughout the county, including libraries, churches, the Orange Correctional Center and our offices in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.

We ask that tutors:

• meet with their students twice a week, for approximately an hour each time,
• provide information to us monthly on their student’s progress, and
• participate in at least two in-service programs each year.

For more information about our Adult Literacy and ESOL Programs, click here.

Creative Writing and Family Reading Workshops

For volunteers who are interested in tutoring, but are unable to commit to weekly sessions, we suggest our Creative Writing or Family Reading Workshops.

Creative Writing Workshops

A cooperative effort between the OCLC and the Interfaith Council, the Creative Writing Workshops provide guests at area homeless shelters the opportunity to keep their minds active in productive ways. Each week, two volunteers, a prompt and an observer, are scheduled for each location. The following week, the observer becomes the prompt and a new observer is added. Volunteers provide two ten-minute writing assignments, encouraging participants to read what they have written. Each volunteer works two weeks in a row, every six to eight weeks. Volunteers choose to work at either the Men’s or the Women’s shelter. Although many of the volunteers who work with program have completed a Tutor Training Workshop, it is not required. For more information about our Creative Writing Workshops, click here.

Family Reading Workshops

Tutors who have experience, or a strong interest, in family literacy are encouraged to participate in our Family Reading Workshops. The sessions are highly interactive, with choral reading, bookmaking and a show-and-tell library. Sessions are held at varying times to coincide with existing parenting groups. Volunteers are trained through a special family reading orientation and training session followed by apprenticeship. For more information about our Family Reading Workshops, click here.

…as an Advocate

We welcome volunteers who are interested in helping us spread the word – from making the issue of literacy more visible in the community to helping us recruit those who may need our services.

Communications

Become a contributing editor to our newsletter, contribute to our website, staff an OCLC table at an information fair or help us develop materials to help make the public aware of the issues surrounding literacy.

Speaker’s Bureau

Help us connect to new groups, or stay on touch with existing supporters through our Speakers’ Bureau. Speakers present information on literacy and the Council to businesses, civic organizations and schools, sharing their experiences related to literacy, tutoring and their own particular relationship with OCLC.

Fundraising and Events

Please consider helping us raise funds for the OCLC. We have many ways to get involved, from working with a fundraising committee to launching a small fundraiser on your own. Click here for ideas on how to organize a small fundraiser of your own. Volunteers are also needed to help with fundraising events like author signings, movie screenings, and holiday gift wrapping. Volunteers are also needed to help  with the OCLC's annual student/tutor banquet each year.

…for a Special Project

Throughout the year, the OCLC hosts activities and special events honoring volunteerism. These events recognize the special effort volunteers contribute, or they are aimed at invigorating the spirit in people to act as volunteers. For further information, please contact the OCLC staff.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Book Drive (January)

The Orange County Literacy Council works in partnership with a number of area organizations and agencies to collect and distribute books to local shelters, crisis intervention programs and other non-profit organizations.

National Volunteer Week (April)

Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week “ is about thanking one of America's most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention to all that they do to improve our communities.” Check with OCLC staff for 2007 projects.

…or to provide Operational Support

There is tremendous need and opportunity for writers, techs, and general supporters willing to volunteer their time and effort to assist with operations at OCLC.

Grant Writer

OCLC welcomes volunteers adept in grant, proposal, business-plan, and other forms of outline-structured persuasive writing methods. Several years of experience are required. Contact OCLC’s executive director for further details.

Newsletter Writer or Editor

READ, the OCLC’s quarterly newsletter (both print and online versions) welcomes volunteer contributors from experienced or novice writers.

Technology Guru or Webmaster

The OCLC’s goal is to retain several computer technology gurus to support and mentor the organization.

Office Support

OCLC is often in need of reception volunteers to help with mailings, telephone calls, and office organization.

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