November 21, 2009

The K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan is part of Kansas State University’s School of Leadership Studies and serves both the campus and community by striving to:

• Support, enhance and advance the service efforts of campus and community organizations
• Provide leadership, service and professional development opportunities
• Promote civic learning, service and leading to a life-long commitment to active citizen participation

As an action center affiliate with the HandsOn Network, the K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan:

• Coordinates and promotes campus-community volunteer activities and events
• Provides learning opportunities for students, non-profits and volunteer managers
• Trains volunteer leaders to guide others in service
• Recognizes campus and community volunteers for their efforts
• Promotes and assists with campus service-learning initiatives

Evolution from Community Service Program to the K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan

1987 - 2003 - K-State Community Service Program (CSP) provides service programs and opportunities created and maintained by student coordinators. Student leadership development opportunities are provided through service and civic participation.

2003 - Kansas Campus Compact (KSCC) created - Kansas Campus Compact is part of a growing national coalition of college and university presidents established to encourage and support campus engagement in the community. Kansas Campus Compact encourages civic discourse and debate and assists higher education institutions in the creation of partnerships with the community.

2004 - Community Service Program participates in KSCC’s AmeriCorps VISTA project

2006 - CSP joins K-State’s Leadership Studies & Programs (LSP); Civic Leadership is created

Fall 2006 - Campus and community partners support concept of a volunteer center, Student government leaders encourage application for student financial support for a volunteer center

Spring 2007 - K-State’s Student Governing Association grants first year funding of 3-year allocation to establish a volunteer center; Prospective center elected to participate in Points of Light Affiliate Volunteer Center Start-Up Academy. A Start-Up Advisory Team from campus and community is established. The K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan is created.

 Special Thanks

Kansas State University 's Student Governing Association recognizes the value of campus-community partnerships and civic involvement through Volunteer Center resources. Therefore, the Student Centered Tuition Enhancement Committee served as the initial financial advocate for its creation.

K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan Start-Up Team 

Representatives from Kansas State University , social service organizations in Manhattan and beyond meet regularly to discuss strategic planning, and direction the volunteer center needs to take in order to effectively serve and address the needs of our community.

School of Leadership Studies at K-State provides administrative and program support connecting the volunteer center with campus resources including students, faculty and staff. As part of Civic Leadership, the K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan is able to provide service-learning and civic engagement opportunities to enhance social responsibility, citizenship and awareness.

The HandsOn Network serves to provide a multitude of national resources for the new K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan. Affiliation with the National Volunteer Center Network has enabled staff to network with other volunteer centers across the state and country finding best practices and innovative ways to help connect with our community.

Through Kansas Campus Compact the volunteer center has been able to utilize AmeriCorps*VISTAs to provide a year of service to assist in daily operation and creation of sustainability for the K-State Volunteer Center of Manhattan.