Volunteer Center

Help your community through the U Retirees Volunteer Center

We retirees have many skills, many of which are becoming a much-needed benefit for organizations seeking volunteers for specific needs. The University Retirees Volunteer Center is working to provide better service in this regard to provide  you, the volunteer, with projects for which a specialist is needed. Consider the following current and near future needs.

Volunteer Ushering at Rarig Theater in the Stoll Thrust Stage, Shakespeare in April

Rejoicing is due with the return of spring and the Shakespeare Repertory in April! A University Retirees Volunteer Center “Favorite,” we offer you the reward of satisfying your desire for theater enjoyment at no cost (and with free parking). We are asked to provide volunteer ushers and you can serve that role. The University Theater Department will perform two of Shakespeare’s plays in the Stoll Thrust Theater in the Rarig Center: Cymbeline and Winter’s Tale. Four performances of each will be presented in a six-day period from April 4th through 11th. This is a fine opportunity to experience the excellence of the University’s theater students and become more familiar with these lesser performed works.

Volunteer for MRI Study of Brain

Male volunteers are being sought to serve as controls in an MRI study of antioxidants in the brain.  Contact the URVC at [email protected] if you are interested in participating.

March 2017 URVC seeks ushers

The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) invites you to serve as a volunteer usher for two Shakespeare plays—Cymbeline and The Winter’s Tale—in the Stoll Thrust Theater in the Rarig Center. Each will be performed four times from April 4 through 10. 

URVC seeks volunteer judges for school debate and academic competitions

We are in the season of judging, a veritable vortex of opportunities to find gratification in the intellectual pursuits of a youthful generation and to use our well-crafted skills for evaluating their endeavors. Consider volunteering to act as judges for the following projects. Contact the University Retirees Volunteer Center, [email protected], to register your choice.

Twin Cities Regional Science Fair needs Volunteer Science Judges!

Friday Feb. 24 – Project Judging & Feb. 3 – 19 for Research Paper Judging

Volunteer Science Judges are needed for both the Science Fair and the Research Paper judging. You will be extremely valuable to evaluate and encourage Twin Cities’ students. As in the past, some will advance to state, national, and international competitions, winning awards and scholarships! Contact [email protected] for registration details.

Triple match? Time to give? Expiring soon?

Consider a 2017 New Year’s Resolution! Give a little of your valuable time for the good deed of volunteering for a project to help the less fortunate. The University Retirees Volunteer Center does not ask for your money, but instead seeks generous patrons who will contribute time. 

Be a URVC “Phone Companion” for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Too many isolated elders stare at the phone this holiday season, hoping it will ring!

Will you commit yourself to relieving loneliness among elders who have little, if any, family or friendship support in their lives? With just a little time and caring, Phone Companion Volunteers make a big difference in the lives of isolated elderly. Contact the University Retirees Volunteer Center to get started: [email protected]  or 612-625-8016

Tutors needed at Murray Middle School

Murray Middle School provides an intentional intervention program called the “Pilot One-on-One Program” for at-risk students who are academically challenged. The program, now in its ninth year, focuses on students that typically do not have strong home support and are often living in crisis.

University Clinical Research Study Participants (Male Only !)

MRI – Brain Antioxidents Study: Stage 3 needs Men for Control Group (Age 65 – 89). Stage 3 does NOT include those who were previous subjects or who have Alzheimer Disease . Read on for more information on this study, or contact [email protected] or 612-625-8016 

Future City Competition needs Volunteer Mentors for: “The Power of Public Space”

The Power of Public Space is the theme for a middle school engineering program for a regional competition sponsored by Success Beyond the Classroom. The University Retirees Volunteer Center seeks technical professionals to be mentors. You would meet a student team at a middle school weekly until January, providing advice, guidance, and technical assistance.

A buffet of fall volunteer projects

The University Retirees Volunteer Center’s guiding principle is to provide a diversity of opportunities to meet the wide range of your interests. Here is a selection for the current season. Contact [email protected] for more information and your registration.

Volunteer Ambassadors / Greeters at Northrop

Here are opportunities to attend lectures, performances, and discussions on a wide range of topics while serving as greeter at Northrop Auditorium for the I.A.S. "Thursday at 3:30" Series. The Institute of Advanced Studies offers events in the newly redesigned Northrop Auditorium. These "Thursday" series are held in the 2nd floor Crosby Seminar Room, 240 Northrop.

URVC Volunteers - Take Phone Pledges for KBEM Jazz 88 Radio

Volunteers needed to answer phones and take pledges for KBEM – The Jazz 88 Radio Station’s Fall Pledge Drive.

Emeritus faculty, staff can support programs for international students and scholars

As U retirees we have much to offer...are you holding it in reserve for just the right opportunity? Can this be it?  The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will be greeting 1,800 new international students, undergrad and graduate, to the University in September. You have likely received Vice President Meredith McQuaid’s statement about the services the University provides to these students, and scholars who will visit the University during the year.  We need more facilitators for these projects. Contact URVC at [email protected] to explore your interests.