Great Intentions, Wrong Methods

As a non profit organization, we truly appreciate the support of our volunteers. Without our volunteers we wouldn't be able to achieve our mission because it is the volunteers that implement our programs and assist with various tasks related to operations. However, as a volunteer there are certain things you have to be careful about when you represent the organization to make sure that you properly represent the organization and don't put the organization in harms way.

A few days ago, I was googling SEM Link, which I periodically to do see if I our efforts to increase our webpresence is working. I came across a volunteer who had posted pictures and videos from one of our events on their website. I was horrified at this huge liability this person put our organization in. However, I realized that this person probability didn't even realize the huge liability and risk they were putting SEM Link in by posting picture of minors on their site. They probably didn't even think they had to ask permission to take pictures or videos of this event, let alone obtain permission from SEM Link before they posted it on the website.

So as volunteers to be sure that you are always representing the organization be sure you do the following things.
1. Always be sure that you know the mission and vision of the organization you are serving; people will ask you why you volunteer and knowing this information about the organization promote the organization and encourages others to be involved as well.
2. Before you take pictures of your own, please ask the organization representative if you can take pictures. If they don't allow you to please be ask permission to obtain the photos that will be taken of the event. This will allow the organization to go through the proper channels to release permission to your organization to utilize their photos.
3. If are a business owner or community organization that is serious about serving your community, please consider becoming one of the organizations corporate partners and financially support the organization.

SEM Link Appreciating the Unsung Hero of Volunteers- The Skilled Volunteer

In most non profit organization's volunteers are a critical component to the organization being able to achieve it mission. When we think about the volunteers, we always think about those who are in direct services or directly involved in the programs. However, there is another group of volunteers that does a lot of the behind the scences work for programs and operations called the skilled volunteers.

A skilled volunteer is an individual that donates their time and expertise to the organization. These volunteers usually help with projects that deal with operations or indirect service related to programs. These are usually the people who assist with organization fundraising, coordinate special events, web design, graphic artist, marketing projects, public relations, etc. These volunteers are so invaluable because they usually provide a service that the non profit organization could not afford to have without this professional believing enough in the mission of the organization to use their expertise to help the organization achieve its mission. They also save the staff and huge amount of time by provide a person in which tasks that are critical to programs or operations can be delegated to an individual who has the skill set to complete it; sometimes they have a better expertise than the organization's staff.

So I just want to spend a few minutes, saying thank you to some of the skilled volunteers that support SEM Link. First of all, I would like to thank Mrs. Mardell Artis and her Community Consulting Team (CCT) that spent months developing a marketing and communications plans for the Science Cafes and our Annual Career Fair and Exhibition. We are implementing that plan in the 2009-10 fiscal year and beyond. I would like to thank Mrs. Radhika Gadiyaram of Two Penny Creations of Detriot, MI who has donated her time and expertise to redesign and maintain our website. I would like to thank Ms. Wanda Clouston of Eiram Creative, who donates her time to meet our graphic design needs. I would also like to thank our newest skilled volunteer Ms. Tanya Montgomery who is donating her time and expertise to help us with public relations efforts.

I truly appreciate every volunteer that has makes time in their busy schedule to serve and help us "unveil potentional through exposure". I realize there are many non profits that you could have donated your time to and I am so honored you have chosing SEM Link.

Great Community Partnerships

In the 2009-10 Academic Year Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link Inc (SEM Link) and Cool Girls will continue their community partnership which was first established in the 2008-09 Program year. Through its Math and Science Career Academy, (MSCA) SEM Link will provide hands on activities in math and science for the Cool Girls Cool Club after-school program. In the Cool Scholars portion of the program students will engage in activities designed to enhance the classroom learning experience. Some of the sites will participate in four week modules that engage students in hands on math and science activities that teaching concepts in math and science. Other sites will engage in weekly academic enrichment activities which focus on developing basic math and science skills through a tutorial program. These activities will begin in mid-September 2009 and end in April 2010.

One of the reasons both organizations continued this partnership because it was a win-win for us both because it allowed us both to achieve our missions; that is what great partnerships are all about. SEM Link was able to achieve its mission of promoting student achievement and career exploration in math and science by having a group of engaged young minds having fun learning math and science concepts through hands on activities. Our staff and volunteers loved working with these elementary and middle school girls. Cool Girls was able to achieve its mission for the Cool Girls Club which is to have an after school program comprised of academic support and life skills development. Cool Scholars provides academic support to girls in all core subject areas; SEM Link covered the subject areas of math and science.

I am so looking forward to engaging the Cool Scholars, in our Math and Science Career Academy and "unveiling potential through exposure". Each year, we find one or two young ladies that are interested in pursuing STEM career and many realize that math and science can be fun to learning. Thank you Cool Girls for a wonderful partnership.

Ensuring A Child's Academic Achievement in Math and Science for the 2009-10 Academic Year and Beyond

A component of SEM Link's mission is promote student achievement in math and science; therefore as the start of school is approaching I thought is was appropriate to talk about how student can do well in these subjects. I believe that any child has the ability to achieve academically in math and science, however at times their are many barriers to one's success.

One of the major barriers is a child's perception of math and science and their ability to achieve. Math and science are subjects that many students say is "hard" and once you determine in your mind that someone is hard, you automatically put a negative association with that thing. So the first step in changing students mindset about math and science is for them to believe they are capable of achieving well in math and science. It isn't hard, but you must work hard to excel in this subjects; so don't be afraid of hard work.

The next thing is to realize that in math and science, concepts usually build upon one another or are connected. Therefore it is important that students take good notes in class, read their textbook and devote plenty of study time at home to these subjects. Also if you are stuck on a concept don't be afraid to get help from a classmate, a teacher or a tutor. There is nothing wrong with asking for help because getting a little help will ensure that you achieve academically in challenging subjects. Everyone needs a little help from time to time.

Finally, if you interested in math and science find extra activities to develop your skills and explore your interests. There are plenty of websites where you can find hands on activities to practice your skills. You can do a math or science fair project, where you get an opportunity to study a topic in math or science that you are interested in. Join the math or science club or participate in math or science competitions such as quiz bowls and outreach programs at your local colleges or university or community organization. Their is so much to learn about math and science that you can't possibly learn it all in your classroom.