Trek 2000 Volunteer Leadership Project

Susan Sorrell, UBC Learning Exchange

The Volunteer Leadership Project will enable the Learning Exchange to bring students into leadership roles within the Trek 2000 Volunteer Program. The volunteer program was initiated by the Learning Exchange (formerly the Downtown Eastside Initiative) in 1999 and continues to be an integral part of the community outreach objectives of TREK 2000, UBC's vision for the 21st century.

The primary objective of the Trek 2000 Volunteer Program is to give students first-hand volunteer experience in organizations in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. To date, this experience has helped to break down student volunteers' stereotypes and misconceptions; enhanced their understanding of social, economic, and health issues of critical importance in the larger community; and given the students a chance to explore different work settings and roles, which can help in clarifying their career paths and goals.

The Volunteer Leadership Project's goal will be to enhance the extent to which the Trek 2000 volunteer program is student-led, using a similar model of student leadership and leadership development used in the Imagine UBC/MUGS programs. The Learning Exchange currently links students with organizations in the OTES who need volunteers and provides minimal orientation and support to these students. Having students take more of a leadership role within the Trek 2000 program, including increased engagement with its planning and implementation, will mean better preparation and more effective support for the student volunteers. As a more cohesive cohort of student volunteers is built, these students will be challenged to engage more fully and their learning will be enhanced.

Susan Sorrell, UBC Learning Exchange

The Volunteer Leadership Project will enable the Learning Exchange to bring new students into ongoing and expanded leadership roles within the Trek 2000 Volunteer Program. Initiated by the Learning Exchange in 1999, the Trek 2000 Volunteer Program continues to be an integral part of the community outreach objectives of TREK 2000, UBC's vision for the 21st century.

The primary objective of the Volunteer Program is to provide a wide range of students with experiential learning opportunities through front-line volunteer work in inner city organizations, primarily in the Downtown Eastside, Strathcona and Chinatown neighbourhoods. To date, this experience has helped to break down student volunteers' stereotypes, misconceptions and fears; it has enhanced their understanding of social, economic, and health issues of critical importance in the larger community; and it has given participating students a chance to explore different work settings and roles, which has in turn helped numerous students to clarify their career paths and goals.

In its second year, the Volunteer Leadership Project's will continue to enhance the extent to which the Trek 2000 Volunteer Program is student-led. It will expand the role of student leaders in the overall operation of the program, and increase the number of student volunteers and volunteer opportunities. Prior to this fall's implementation of the Volunteer Leadership Project, the Learning Exchange was able to link students with organizations in the Downtown Eastside who needed volunteers, but was only able to provide minimal orientation and support to these students. Having students take more of a leadership role within the Trek 2000 program, including increased engagement with its planning and implementation, has meant better preparation, better communication and more effective support for an increasing number of student volunteers. As a more cohesive and integrated cohort of student volunteers is built, these students are challenged to engage more fully and their learning is enhanced.