CACC Programs » Connecting Californians

Connecting Californians

On October 3rd, 2006 the California Service Corps launched californiavolunteers.org, a state-wide volunteer matching database with the goal of connecting Californians with local volunteer opportunities across the state. Opportunities range from arts and education to community organizing and activism. One of California’s major assets is the diversity of its people. Sharing in the skills and resources individuals in the state can offer will help numerous nonprofits and developing organizations to grow and build the foundations of their work. This initiative is the largest state-wide volunteer matching network in the United States, intended to mobilize volunteerism through the use of technology. California Campus Compact (CACC) is participating in this unique program to tap into the resources and skills that many volunteers in California possess and can contribute to our members’ Service-Learning & Community Engagement Offices.

Program Goal and Purpose

• As participants in this new state-wide volunteer matching database, CACC will participate in this project with a pilot in the San Francisco Bay Area. Following the success of the pilot program, CACC intends to branch out across the state to recruit and place volunteers from all counties and cities.
• The goal of Connecting Californians is to recruit and link skilled volunteers with member institutions' Service-Learning offices throughout San Francisco County. Through their participation in Connecting Californians, Service-Learning staff members can focus on capacity-building and find volunteers with specific skills related to their offices' needs. Ultimately, this program will reach far beyond the San Francisco Bay Area, incorporating as many counties in the state as possible.

How can volunteers be utilized?

• If your institution needs help in skill-specific areas such as event-planning, marketing or web-design, etc., Connecting Californians may be the program for you!
• Volunteers can be recruited for one-time events and opportunities, or they can be used on an on-going basis for longer-term projects.

How to participate and get involved in Connecting Californians:

• Contact: Elaine Ikeda, California Campus Compact, Executive Director, elaine@cacampuscompact.org ,
  (415) 338-3983.
• Click Here to View Sample Volunteer Positions.
• Have the volunteer opportunity position description readily available and Dean Rodgers will then collaborate with the local HUB/Volunteer organization in your region and ensure the position is posted on the http://www.californiavolunteers.org website.
• Dean Rodgers will provide training and technical assistance, as well as program monitoring to ensure your needs are being met.
• You will be required to maintain contact with CACC (Elaine Ikeda) to provide input and feedback on volunteer screening and placement.