- Volunteer Opportunities
- Tracking Service Hours
Who Serves? Owls Serve! Will You?
The Department of Student Volunteerism & Service (SVS) facilitates intentional service experiences that promote positive stewardship of our community and develops students as engaged responsible citizens.
Looking to give back and get involved? Look no further than the many opportunities SVS has for you!
Location: KSU Center, West Entrance (next to the Testing Center)
3333 Busbee Dr NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Phone: 470-578-6965
Email: ksuserves@kennesaw.edu
Meet with an SVS Staff Member
GivePulse
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Why should I serve?
- Serving provides students with an opportunity to advance their careers with field experience that is great for a resume on job applications and for a CV letter on graduate school applications.
- Serving also provides students with an opportunity to engage with the community and create a positive impact for others while bonding with those surrounding you.
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How can I serve?
SVS uses a platform called GivePulse to streamline the process of finding service opportunities. Students can navigate to kennesaw.givepulse.com (INSERT HYPERLINK), sign up using their KSU credentials, and begin to search for hundreds of service opportunities from upwards of a hundred local organizations.
GivePulse also enables students to sign up for OwlsServe Days, which are monthly opportunities for students to volunteer alongside other students. Additionally, SVS hosts the annual KSU Day of Service, the largest service event of the year that mobilizes 500+ students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to serve at dozens of service sites.
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Where should I start?
Monthly OwlsServe Days are a great place to start! This will allow students to get started with serving their community without the process being overwhelming. Then, students can use GivePulse to find various service opportunities as they become more comfortable. If you need any assistance throughout your journey serving, the Department of Student Volunteerism and Service is here to assist you as best we can.
The Department of Student Volunteerism and Service reserves the right to have the final decision in all impact logs made through GivePulse.
VISIT GIVEPULSE
Our one-stop-shop for service opportunities open to students that are posted by community partners. The platform also keeps track of service hours throughout your time as a student at KSU for easy access to use in graduate school applications, resume building, and more.
- Before you begin tracking service hours through GivePulse, please review the SVS Service Tracking Guidelines to familiarize yourself with what service activities can and cannot be tracked in the system.
- Get started today using your KSU credentials.
Tracking Service Hours
SVS encourages you to track your service hours during your time at KSU! GivePulse is the official volunteer portal for KSU, where students can sign up for volunteer opportunities and track their hours! Before you track your service hours, please read through our Service Tracking Guidelines to familiarize yourself with what activities can and cannot be tracked through the system.
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Defining Service
At KSU, the Department of Student Volunteerism & Service defines service as a vital opportunity that contributes to the common good of the off-campus community. We actively encourage students to participate in service and discover meaningful ways that their time can positively impact community organizations and individuals beyond the confines of our campus. With the significance of service, we aim to foster a sense of purpose and social responsibility among our student body.
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Types of Service Activities That Can Be Tracked Through GivePulse
- Participation in any service activity posted by KSU or by a community partner who is affiliated with KSU on GivePulse.
- Service completed as a part of a service trip (only hours spent doing service on the trip).
- Time spent doing community service with a faith-based organization, if the services are provided to the public with no faith requirement (i.e., building a home through Habitat for Humanity, assisting at a local food bank, etc.).
- Non-partisan political activities, such as voter registration drives or volunteering for a voting site on election day.
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Types of Service Activities That Cannot Be Tracked Through GivePulse
- Work completed for any KSU department, student organization, or athletic team that does not directly serve a need beyond KSU’s campuses.
Indirect philanthropy or fundraising activities (i.e., tabling to raise money for an organization, walking/running for charity, attending a meeting to plan/organize a fundraising event, etc.). - Work completed for a for-profit organization that is not an affiliate of KSU on GivePulse.
- Items/Money donated do not equate to service hours.
- These should be logged with the correct impact type. (See Other Forms of Tracking for more information about how to log this type of impact).
- Time spent collecting money or items for donation
- Any work for which is paid (i.e., cash, gift card, etc.) or for which other compensation is received (i.e., course credit, unless the course is designated as a service-learning course).
- Travel time (car, train, airplane, etc.) to and from a service site, sleep on any service trip, or any time spent on an excursion during a service trip.
- Self-improvement experiences, including attending a conference or webinar, shadowing experiences, or professional development.
- Participation in a research project either as a participant (i.e., focus group) or a researcher (i.e., lab assistant).
- Assistance with any partisan political activities.
- Work completed for any KSU department, student organization, or athletic team that does not directly serve a need beyond KSU’s campuses.
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Other Forms of Impact Tracking
In addition to tracking service hours, you can also track other forms of impact in GivePulse, such as donated items or money.
To do this, change the type of impact you are making using the drop-down feature on the impact submission form. Then, enter a list of items or the amount of money donated.
Please note when attempting to log an amount of money donated, you will be asked to submit a copy of the receipt to verify this donation.
If you have any unanswered questions after reading these guidelines, please feel free to reach us at ksuserves@kennesaw.edu. A member of our team will reply as soon as possible.
Please Note: This is a living document and may be updated in the future with more information or examples. We will make sure to provide the most up to date version on our website. The Department of Student Volunteerism & Service reserves the right to have the final decision in all impact logs made through GivePulse.
Volunteer Opportunities from GivePulse
After School Tutoring (Bolton)
LaAmistad, which simply means “the friendship,” is the premier organization serving Latinos in Atlanta. With an environment constructed around the premise offriendshipsand relationships, we foster educational excellence and help our students, parents, and families to achieve a better quality of life.LaAmistad is seeking volunteers whocan offer elementary age homework help at one of our eight LaAmistad Afterschool program locations. Volunteers work alongside a staff teacher and parent liaison. No Spanish or education experience required.Tutoring for elementary schoolaged students is from3:30 PM - 5:00 PMon Mondays and Wednesdays.Because you will be working with children, background checks for volunteers 19 and over are required.NOTE: This opportunity does not extend to court ordered service.
After School Tutoring (Briarwood Rec Center)
LaAmistad, which simply means “the friendship,” is the premier organization serving Latinos in Atlanta. With an environment constructed around the premise offriendshipsand relationships, we foster educational excellence and help our students, parents, and families to achieve a better quality of life.LaAmistad is seeking volunteers whocan offer elementary age homework help at one of our eight LaAmistad Afterschool program locations. Volunteers work alongside a staff teacher and parent liaison. No Spanish or education experience required.Tutoring for elementary schoolaged students is from3:30 PM - 5:00 PMon Tuesdays and Thursdays.Because you will be working with children, background checks for volunteers 19 and over are required.NOTE: This opportunity does not extend to court ordered service.
After School Tutoring (Cathedral of St. Philip)
LaAmistad, which simply means “the friendship,” is the premier organization serving Latinos in Atlanta. With an environment constructed around the premise offriendshipsand relationships, we foster educational excellence and help our students, parents, and families to achieve a better quality of life.LaAmistad is seeking volunteers whocan offer elementary age homework help at one of our eight LaAmistad Afterschool program locations. Volunteers work alongside a staff teacher and parent liaison. No Spanish or education experience required.Tutoring for elementary schoolaged students is from3:30 PM - 5:00 PMon Tuesdays and Thursdays.Because you will be working with children, background checks for volunteers 19 and over are required.NOTE: This opportunity does not extend to court ordered service.
Events and Programming
All students interested in SVS should log in to GivePulse to ensure they are notified of events and programming when registration opens.
- OwlsServe Days - At least once a month the department hosts OwlsServe Days in partnership with a community partner in Cobb County or Metro Atlanta. Transportation will always be available to students, and you’re sure to have a fun and meaningful experience.
- OwlsServe Award -Serve and track your hours throughout your time as a student and earn the OwlsServe Award when you graduate!
- KSU Day of Service - KSU Day of Service includes students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members serving together at many sites. Everyone can find an opportunity to fit their interests!
- KSU Rotaract - Looking for a community of service-minded students? Consider joining KSU Rotaract, a registered student organization advised by SVS that is affiliated with Rotary International.
- AmeriCorps Service Fellowship - The Kennesaw State University AmeriCorps Service Fellowship program is a paid, year-long opportunity to serve alongside local non-profits, develop your professional skills, and build a professional network! Becoming a Service Fellow is an opportunity to learn how to effect change for the campus, community, and beyond while demonstrating a commitment to public service.
- Owls on Break: Alternative Break Trips - Spend your break from classes with other students exploring social issues and giving back.
If you are seeking to fulfill court-mandated service hours, we are unable to provide opportunities to complete these requirements.
Student Volunteerism and Service Events
- Oct12FLIGHT28 OwlsServe DayHooty Hoo, FLIGHT28! Join FLIGHT and Student Volunteerism and Service for the FLIGHT28 OwlsServe Day on Saturday, October 12th from 9am to 12pm. This year we will serve at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Volunteers will assist with habitat restoration. In celebration of You Matter Month, we will also discuss the benefits of volunteering for your mental and physical health. Please wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty and bring bug spray.Registration Information: Each student must register for this event on GivePulse. Registration is required to participate in the FLIGHT28 OwlsServe Day. https://kennesaw.givepulse.com/event/460204-flight-28-owlsserve-dayTransportation: Transportation will be provided on the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. All students will be required to ride the Big Owl Bus to and from campus.Registration Deadline: The registration deadline is October 7th at 11am. There are no opportunities for walk-up registration.Communications: Full details about the FLIGHT28 OwlsServe Day will be sent to all registered participants on October 7th. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email ksuserves@kennesaw.edu.SVS is committed to providing accessible programming for all students. Please indicate any accommodations you need to participate in this event when registering.