University of Alberta
EN-1: Student Educators Program

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER (OS – CSV) PROGRAM http://sustainability.ualberta.ca/GetInvolved/Volunteer.aspx Operated by the Office of Sustainability, this is a structured volunteer program provides students of all levels with significant opportunities to learn and contribute back to campus life. The OS – CSV program provides a forum for volunteers to explore ways to raise public awareness and discourse of sustainability, as well as enhance sustainability on campus. We host four different volunteer projects that students can get involved in, including: communications, Green Spaces, outreach and resident volunteers. SUSTAIN SU - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER https://www.su.ualberta.ca/services/sustainsu/ This is a service from the university's Students’ Union (SU) that provides peer-to-peer learning and support for all undergraduate students to incorporate sustainability into every aspect of their university experience. This includes providing sustainability-based services to the entire campus community, as well as opportunities to facilitate change on a larger scale. Examples include: Bike Library, reusable dish rental service.

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER (OS – CSV) PROGRAM The selection process for OS – CSVs occurs twice a year and includes an online application, which is then reviewed by Office of Sustainability staff members, followed by an in-person interview. OS – CSVs are selected through the quality of their application and interview, as well as the following qualifications: that they are current undergraduate or graduate students at the university; have strong interpersonal skills and work ethic; have demonstrated interest and commitment to sustainability; are willing to assist with special projects; are self-motivated and organized; and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Assets include proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, experience working on teams, ability to work with the diverse campus community, e.g. staff, faculty and students. SUSTAIN SU - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER Student educators are selected in two different ways. Students that lead the majority of workshops and educational outreach are senior volunteers. They are required to submit a letter of intent and attend an in-person interview with the Sustain SU program manager. These senior volunteers train several campus sustainability volunteers (CSVs) who support the delivery of programs. The selection process for CSVs occurs twice a year and includes an online application which is then reviewed by Sustain SU and Office of Sustainability staff members, followed by an in-person interview.

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER (OS – CSV) PROGRAM All volunteers are required to attend a one-day training session that provides information about the university’s sustainability initiatives, the Office of Sustainability’s goals and programming, and their roles as volunteers. Through the project-specific portion of training, volunteer project leads educate the new OS – CSVs on how to engage their target audience about specific sustainability programming. They are also trained about the recycling and composting systems on campus, why it's important and how to educate the university community. Finally, they are provided the opportunity to network with sustainability staff and student interns, learn about sustainability and develop their own definition of sustainability. SUSTAIN SU - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER All volunteers are required to attend a one-day training session that provides information about the Sustain SU's programming, the university, and their roles as volunteers. Sustain SU takes a lead role in hosting and presenting the training session, and the Office of Sustainability is invited to present about their programming. Sustain SU senior volunteers are trained by Sustain SU staff one-on-one to deliver the sessions and CSV training. Volunteers are trained about the recycling and composting system on campus, why it’s important and how to educate their peers. They learn about sustainability and develop skills to help educate others on the concept.

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER (OS – CSV) PROGRAM The Office of Sustainability project planner supervises the OS-CSV recruitment and interviews. There are four project leads who coordinate their volunteers, including: communications, green spaces, outreach and resident. SUSTAIN SU - CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM The Office of Sustainability provides in-kind and financial support directly to Sustain SU for their programs. This support is negotiated and approved annually via sponsorship and collaboration agreements. The Office of Sustainability staff provide in-kind support as external advisers on ideas and activities, and they have even attended the sessions as presenters. The Office of Sustainability also supports broad-scale promotions to encourage attendance at Sustain SU events.

UALBERTA AMBASSADOR PROGRAM http://www.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca/Student-Opportunities/UAlberta-Ambassadors.aspx Operated by Volunteer Management & Partnerships (Office of the Registrar), the UAlberta Ambassador program consists of approximately 70–80 student volunteers who represent the university by providing tours, offering service triage in Student Connect, and participating in events and initiatives hosted by the Registrar’s Office and the university throughout the year. Each year, approximately 10–15 Ambassadors will volunteer to take on the additional responsibility of leading Sustainability Campus Tours for prospective students, current students, and school groups. The Sustainability Campus Tour focuses on the facts and features of the university that make it one of the highest-ranked universities in Canada for sustainability performance. During the visit, guests have the opportunity to learn more about the university's commitment to sustainability.

Ambassador recruitment takes place in February each year. Interested students are required to apply for the Ambassador program by submitting an electronic application. Staff will then select Ambassadors to attend a group interview in March. Volunteer Management & Partnerships staff and senior UAlberta Ambassadors will select the upcoming year's Ambassador team in March. Returning Ambassadors still submit an application if they would like to continue in the program, but they do not have to go through the formal group interview process.

Volunteers are required to attend three days of training, which focuses on their role as Ambassadors. In addition, Ambassadors who will be providing Sustainability Campus Tours are required to attend an additional half-day training session with that focus. The Office of Sustainability assists with this training session.

The UAlberta Ambassador program is funded by the Office of the Registrar. The Volunteer Management & Partnerships unit consists of four staff members who support the program. The Campus Visits program includes a range of partners that help to fund various initiatives.

RESPONSIBLE PARTIES Daniel J. Kielback Specialist - Sustainable Engagement Sustain SU - The Student Sustainability Service Jasmine Farahbakhsh Program Lead - Sustain SU Sustain SU - The Student Sustainability Service Kayleigh Wiebe Project Planner - Engagement Office of Sustainability Lauren Baril Team Lead Student Engagement & Partnerships Leah Louden Coordinator, Campus Visits, Student Connect Office of the Registrar