As part of UMRA, the University of Minnesota Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) provides opportunities for retirees to use their knowledge, skills, and interests in volunteer service within the University and the surrounding community. URVC is open to both retirees of the UMN and members of greater metropolitan area.
The Silver Gopher Service Corps is a product of the recent re-affiliation of URVC and UMRA, and it focuses on service opportunities that facilitate engagement with fellow volunteers. Silver Gopher projects occur both on campus (e.g. new student recruiting and campus life events) and in the community (e.g. landscape restoration projects, food supply.)
What are the objectives of URVC?
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has three key purposes:
- To provide opportunities for service that are rewarding to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities retiree volunteers,
- To identify projects within and outside the University that need volunteers, and
- To connect volunteers with these projects.
In addition to the Silver Gopher team-oriented projects, regular volunteer opportunities include tutoring, course instruction, participation in research studies and adult literacy programs, community health education, tax preparation, debate and mock trial judging, theatre and event ushering.
In recent years URVC has typically connected over 500 retirees contributing nearly 9000 hours to University and community volunteer activities. For details, see this URVC Snapshot.
Free parking is provided by URVC for volunteers participating in University of Minnesota—Twin Cities projects on campus.
URVC Volunteers in Action Opportunities
If you would like information on the many volunteer opportunities, offered through URVC, see this URVC snapshot. Or send an e-mail to [email protected] or, if preferred, call 612-625-8016. A URVC office staff person will contact you.
A couple of current opportunities are: