Who Should Attend a New Volunteer Orientation?
Any person wanting to volunteer on a school campus in Berkeley must come through BSV or another agency with a partnership with the Berkeley Unified School District to screen, train and manage volunteers. We hope you understand why we would like to meet you in-person, check your ID, references and orient you to the district and unique policies. We also want to share with all the undecided volunteers our variety of current volunteer opportunities and urgent needs in all 20 BUSD schools.
If you are a parent/guardian of a child currently attending the BUSD school at which you wish to volunteer, click here for more information about your volunteer options and rights. You are not required to come through the BSV office in order to volunteer with your child.
Orientation Logistics and Reminders
- All new volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation prior to requesting a volunteer assignment and/or joining a wait list – for example, the Edible Schoolyard program
- Plan to attend a 1 hour orientation on one of the dates listed below.
- Late arrivals: If you arrive 5 minutes or more after the start time, you will be asked to attend another orientation.
- Once you attend, you do not need to attend another orientation
- Some volunteer placements require additional screening or training, depending upon the nature of the volunteer placement. For a new placement, see our Returning Volunteer page, and contact us with your new placement request details.
What to Expect
At the orientation, we will present an overview of Berkeley schools, programs and options you have as a volunteer, explain the request and selection process, handle the screening requirements, and help you complete a Volunteer Registration Form. We will also review volunteer policy in BUSD schools and etiquette and tips from your own copy of our Volunteer Tips and Information.
What to Bring
- a government issued form of photo ID (State ID card or Driver’s license – must be current)
We no longer accept school ID’s.
Starting in August of 2012, you will need a Government form of identification (ID card or Driver’s License) in person at the orientation to complete your screening process. - two references who can vouch for your ability to volunteer with youth in schools (names and contact information only; no letters needed)
- your schedule of availability (to match your needs with those of teachers/staff; you will set a volunteer schedule with the teacher/staff member directly once in contact)
- If you already have a connection at a school, please bring the name of the TEACHER who is hosting the program and the name of the SCHOOL SITE.
Location
All BSV orientations are held at 2020 Bonar St Rm 126, Berkeley, CA (Technology Lab).
Spring/Summer – 2013 Orientation Schedule – RSVP required
Wednesday, May 22nd from 3pm – 4pm
Wednesday, May 29th from 2pm – 3pm
*No summer term orientations planned for 2013* Attend an orientation listed above in order to volunteer this summer. Read more on our Summer Term information page.
Click here to RSVP for one of the above orientation dates.
Are you a Parent/Guardian of a student currently attending a BUSD school?
If you are a parent/guardian of a child currently attending the BUSD school at which you wish to volunteer, you have rights under the CA Education Code to do so–with prior notice and approval from the school site and staff. If you choose to volunteer outside your son’s/daughter’s classroom, your school site may ask you to come through BSV for additional clearances. Please understand this is to protect all our students, as school sites have limited ability to screen volunteers–which is why BSV exists! You may also choose to come through BSV’s training to find community, improve your strategies for working with children and teachers, and for help finding other volunteer opportunities. Many parents do! Please contact us or your school site to ask about your specific situation.