Volunteering in the U.S.

Opportunities to join the MIIS and Monterey Community

Presented by Lily Busher, Monterey Institute of International Studies

What is

Volunteering?

Volunteering According to Wikipedia…

“Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun. It is also intended to make contactsfor possible employment. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to

a natural disaster.”Volunteering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved January 6, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteering

Why should I volunteer?

•Help others

•Make a difference

•Find purpose

•Enjoy a meaningful

conversation

•Connect with your

community

•Feel involved

•Contribute to a cause

that you care about

•Use your skills in a

productive way

•Develop new skills

•Meet new people

•Explore new areas of

interest

•Meet good people

•Impress your mom

•Impress yourself

•Expand your horizons

•Get out of the house

•Make new friends

•Strengthen your

resume

•Feel better about

yourself

•___________________

VolunteerMatch - Volunteer Tips and Tricks. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.volunteermatch.org/volunteers/resources/tipstricks.jsp

Learn more about

people and the world

CPT and OPT

Overview

Proposed employment (paid

or unpaid) must be related

to the student’s field of study

Employment cannot begin

prior to completing the first

academic year

Work authorization is

required prior to beginning

employment

Both require the

following….

Bechtel International Center (2013, January 5). Curricular Practical Training VS. Optional Practical Training. Standford University.

To CPT or OPT or Neither, that is the question!

Curricular Optional Training (CPT) Requires a job offer

Must enroll in a class for credit (extra fees) during the same time as your employment

Authorized for a specific employer

Issued through university

CPT work permit is issued on the I-20

Only issued for work prior to graduation

CPT does not affect OPT as long as the CPT does not last 12 full-time months

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Does not require a job offer

Not required to enroll in a class, but requires a processing fee ($380) to submit the I-765 form

Allows work with any employer in student’s field of studies

Issued through USCIS within 90 days

Work permit called the Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

May be employed before and after graduation

OPT completed prior de graduation is deducted from 12 months OPT post-graduation.

Answer

Bechtel International Center (2013, January 5). Curricular Practical Training VS. Optional Practical Training. Standford University.

Two Ways to Get Involved

Language in Motion (LiM) Monterey County Reads

Comparing Programs

Language in Motion Location: High Schools in the

Monterey Penninsula and Salinas

Who: High School Students and their teachers

What: Teaching a class on a topic you are familiar with from your home country or a country you know well (not the U.S.)

Goal: Give the students an opportunity to meet and learn from educated people from other countries (that’s you!)

Monterey County Reads

Location: Elementary Schools in the

Monterey Peninsula and Salinas

Who: Elementary (ages 6-9) students

who need extra reading support

What: Reading one-on-one with a

child who needs extra reading help

Goal: Encourage children who are

slower readers to be brave and

improve their reading level (you

might improve your own too!)

LiM Program

Example 1

Spanish Level 2

Classroom

studying Día

de los Muertos

close to

Halloween

Monterey Country Reads Example 1

A 6-year-old student who

was born in the United

States and speaks English

at school, but speaks

Chinese at home with his

parents. How can you

relate to this student and

help him read better?

What if…?

….A Student asks me a question I do not know the answer to?

You are not the teacher and it is always ok to ask for direction and help.

…I have time in the beginning of the semester, but then I get busy with finals?

LiM only requires a commitment per presentation. If you are busy do fewer

presentations. You can work with MCR as little as 1 hour per week.

….I get nervous and forget how to speak English?

For both projects, there will always be a teacher and/or adviser to help you.

MCR requires a higher level of English than LiM.

…I’m offered money during my time volunteering, can I take it?

No! This will not happen, but if it does, turn it down. Volunteering is unpaid.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Can I put this on my resume?

Of course! It’s great experience, but list it as volunteering, NOT work experience.

I’m studying education, can I still participate?

In this case, yes. Neither of these programs can be used for course credit, are unpaid

and of short duration. They are neither CPT nor OPT.

Can I chose the schools I volunteer at?

No. Students are placed according to the needs of the school.

When can I start volunteering?

Immediately! There are no restrictions on volunteering.

Do I have to choose one of these two programs?

No! Follow your passion and volunteer with an organization or cause you believe in.

Your Turn! Start Volunteering!

Sign-up today!

Any questions?