For immediate release
Otago Volunteer Fair
11.00am – 2.00pm, Wednesday 16th July 2014
University of Otago Central Library - The Link
Student Volunteer Fair for Goodness Sake
OUSA and the University Volunteering Centre have joined to present the first annual Volunteer Fair in the University
Link as part of a major campaign to raise awareness of volunteer opportunities on campus and in Dunedin.
“The aim is to showcase and elevate student enthusiasm for community engagement through volunteering.” said Kitty Brown,
OUSA Project Coordinator. “It’s about giving students a chance to be involved with community and student organisations
who are doing great things.”
In a lively fairground atmosphere students will have the chance to sign up to over twenty Dunedin community
volunteer-involving organisations such as the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Riding for the Disabled, and IHC. Student run
groups Cancer Core, Choose Kids and Ignite will also be there to talk to students and encourage them to volunteer their
time.
Both OUSA and the UVC already have hundreds of student volunteers on their databases and the Fair gives these and other
students an opportunity to meet and connect with the organisations offering opportunities.
“We’re keen to raise the number of students volunteering in Dunedin.” said OUSA Project Coordinator Ms. Brown. “At the
same time we’re interested in creating a valuable experience for student volunteers - something that will inspire them
to develop beyond the possibilities of their conventional studies.”
UVC Coordinator Sze-En Lau said, “Today’s young people have a greater awareness of not just their ability but also their
responsibility to contribute to positive social change. Community groups that work with student volunteers love their
energy and creative ideas, especially in areas to do with social media and technology. So for goodness sake, come to the
Fair and meet your community match!”
ENDS