Tag Archives: volunteers

General Safety Issues

CRIME HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, EVEN COLLEGE CAMPUSES!

There are many questions both parents and future college students need to ask before choosing and moving to the right college.  Our colleges and universities furnish  information regarding student safety, so find out who to ask.  We have a few tips that will be helpful in your quest to understand how to ensure your safety. 

It is now possible to research campus crime statistics online.  Parents and students can access the Internet, to review campus crime stats for every college and university.  By contacting the particular college campus police, you can find out how to review their annual security report.  While we are talking about online safety, it’s a known fact that personal information should be kept at a minimum on social networks.  Announcing that you will be away from your dorm or apartment may serve as an invitation to intruders.  Sharing Too Much Information (TMI) is a bad idea. 

Colleges have counselors and healthcare providers that students can go to with questions regarding their health.  They may know someone that has an eating disorder, or is drinking too much, and experienced personnel can give them some direction on how to help that person.  By meeting with campus leaders, students can pursue the availability of healthy student activities, as well as safe places to meet with friends. 

Most schools have campus police.  They are not there to harass, but to assist students at any time.  If you feel uneasy about walking to your dorm, don’t be embarrassed to ask one of them to go with you, especially if it is late at night. It’s better to be safe than sorry.  The “buddy system” is a good way to stay safe.  Ask if  the school has volunteers that can accompany you if you feel unsure about where you are going.  Being with a group is the best solution.   Campus police offer safety awareness training and support services for students, faculty, and staff.  Some even give free whistles, a good deterrent to get rid of an attacker.  

It is a good idea to always tell a friend or roommate where you are going and when you plan to be home.  Keep your cell phone safe, and call your friend if you are running late.  You are young adults and it’s your time to establish some independence.  But you must use good judgment in doing so.  There will be off-campus parties that furnish lots of alcohol, but don’t drink too much and let your guard down.  Never leave with a stranger. By all means, don’t text and drive, or drink and drive! 

Search out where your classes will be, and become familiar with the places where you see large groups of students.  There’s always more safety in numbers!  Choose your friends wisely.  If you wander into a deserted area, chances are you are in the wrong place. If you can stay on campus at night, you will be safer.  To call for help on campus, many schools have emergency phones or emergency lights to ensure students’ safety on campus.  Know where these are located on your most often-traveled paths.  Watch for the lights along your route so you know the location of the nearest one in case you need it.  

One last thing, find out what the school’s plan is in case of an emergency on campus.  Find out how they notify all students if there is a threatening situation.  Disabled persons should be informed on how they can access safe places quickly in times of emergencies. 

Have a great and very safe school year! 

 

General Safety Issues

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER – IT’S NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK!

My deepest apologies – I have almost let National Volunteer Week slip by!  The observance began on the 10th of April through April 16th.  Hopefully, you were already aware of this special time that is set aside to recognize those who give their time and service to various good causes in their communities.  According to FEMA Regional Administrator, Ken Murphy, National Volunteer Week is all about inspiring, recognizing, and encouraging people to check out imaginative ways to engage in their communities.  This year’s theme in the United States is “Inspire By Example.”  Canada is also observing their National Volunteer Week during this week, with the theme, “Volunteers: Passion. Action. Impact.” 

It would be hard to find the proper words to express the debt we owe those persons who do various kinds of volunteer work, and the many who volunteer for duties at more than one place.  In the case of FEMA, their concern is knowing that there will be volunteers to plan for disasters, plan for elderly, those who do not have transportation, and others that may not be prepared for storms, floods, or worse.  We have seen numerous earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes this year, and in each case, volunteers have rushed to rescue the stranded, and start the recovery process.  Wildfires have been rampant in several parts of Texas; professional firefighters would be in a terrible fix if it were not for the area volunteer fire departments that do all they can to join them in order to save land, homes, and animals for property owners.  

The next time you enter a hospital, nursing home, school, shelter, or similar facility, look around, and you will most likely see a volunteer.  It may be a person simply reading to an elderly person in a nursing home, filing in a hospital office, helping a teacher in the classroom, or serving food in a shelter.  Persons who deliver food to the elderly or disabled contribute a very valuable service.

How about young parents, who volunteer to coach baseball, football, soccer, or other sports for the children?  Positions on most school boards and hospital boards are unpaid.  Those folks give not only their time for meetings, but have to take phone calls from concerned citizens much of the time.  Hotlines also require volunteers to be ready to answer questions and guidance. 

I am sure I have overlooked many other aspects of volunteerism.  I only know that it is important that we help others by giving back.  I served as President of our hospital volunteers, a group of dedicated workers that got along very well and raised a lot of money for equipment for the hospital.  We had fun, and I got to know some of the best people in the world, that I probably would never have known had it not been for belonging to that group.  There are so many ways to serve, and I hope you will look for your place.  Believe me, you will be paid back in ways you can’t imagine. 

May 7th is “Join Hands Day,” which is established to promote youth and adults volunteering together to improve their communities.  We need to work with our young people.  There’s no better way to inspire each other than by working together for a good cause.  Finally, thank you to all who serve!