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G-RAP Dinner Series: Mary Ann Casey

Last week G-RAP was lucky enough to welcome Mary Ann Casey, the former U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia and Algeria, back again this year. As part of the RAP’s Federal February, a month dedicated to government work abroad and current world affairs and domestic issues, Casey

shared her knowledge and experiences in the State Department with students and faculty alike. She explained the benefits of working for the government and of working abroad, presenting pictures and stories from her . Not only did we get to learn more about her work and life, but we also got to enjoy delicious North African food from Boulder’s own Naropa! We hope this is not the last we’ll see of her.

Other events this month include visits from other foreign services officers like Mick Hauser, Chris Hill, and Mike Hammer, as well as an upcoming Political Forum including a variety of CU professors.

Where to Volunteer

The Acorn School: for early childhood development
Boulder
This school provides schooling and care for small children. Volunteer to participate in the Acorn classroom (read stories, do projects), or help maintain the building and grounds.
http://theacornschool.org/support-us/volunteer

Bicycle Colorado
Denver Metro Area
Teach kids how to bike at one of Bicycle Colorado’s Bike Rodeos! They occur in several locations in the spring. The rodeos in Denver take place March-May. There are also a variety of ways to help advocate the organization. Small things like photographing bicycle etiquette and donating or finding people to donate for raffles at events.
http://bicyclecolo.org/articles/volunteer-opportunities-pg17.htm

Boulder County CareConnect
All over Boulder County
Volunteer to help older adults and people with disabilities maintain their yards with minor yard work, gardening, shrub trimming, and the like. Flexible schedule but requires a background check. Several other volunteer options are available through this organization so visit their website for more information.
http://www.careconnectbc.org/

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Boulder
Volunteer to work at check-in or the membership table, be a bartender, or help with setup and teardown of special events. Docents and education volunteer positions are available.
Applications available on their website.
http://www.bmoca.org/join/volunteer/

Colorado Refugee ESL Volunteer Programs
Denver and at refugees’ homes in the area
Help the refugees who have made it to the United States and into Colorado learn English. Most are from areas of violent or intense conflict, such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Burma. Their blog (link below) has details on training, the latest local and state news about refugees and their status, as well as the link to their application page.
http://cresltutors.blogspot.com/

CU EducAid
On-campus
A student organization here at CU and advised by our very own Professor Zeiler! Club meetings are Mondays at 6 PM in Atlas 229. Their current projects include raising money to build a school in Cambodia. Visit their website to join the e-mail list and access their Facebook page.
http://www.cueducaid.org/

CU Museum of Natural History
On-campus
Get involved here and work with the public by organizing events, teaching young students, leading tours, and helping with the museum’s collections. Most of their positions are based on regular scheduling–whether it’s once a month or several times a week. This a great opportunity for students looking for something close to home!
http://cumuseum.colorado.edu/Involved/volunteer.html

Habitat for Humanity
Longmont
Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing for low-income families and has locations and projects all over the world. Local opportunities include providing lunch for workers, being a driver and transporting materials, and even construction.
http://www.stvrainhfh.org/BodyStyle.asp?mmid=142&cmid=4

Emergency Family Assistance Association
Boulder
EFAA offers a variety of jobs working with children currently in emergency and transitional housing. These include helping with homework, researching possible activities & requesting donations, and leading a one-time or regularly scheduled craft or activity. The program is after school on Wednesdays in Boulder from 2:45-4:45. The program takes place in either Lafayette or Longmont the rest of the week.
http://efaa.org/index.php/How-You-Can-Help/Wonderful-Volunteering-Opportunities.html

Intercambio
Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette
Help teach English to individuals and small groups according to your schedule! You can be matched with a student you know or a new one at a variety of times and language levels. You don’t need to speak Spanish to participate, but should be able to commit to a minimum of 50 hours. Some training required.
http://www.intercambioweb.org/volunteer_form.php

Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Any public park or wilderness area
Lead an environmental stewardship project and receive an Apprentice Ecologist Award. Potential to win a scholarship for strong contributions.
There are also several upcoming events through this during National Volunteer Week and Earth Day, both in April.
http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_events.php

A Precious Child, Inc.
Broomfield
Work in this organization’s clothing bank! Help them take inventory of donated clothing and other essentials, and then help sort, hang, and fill orders for clients in need.
Contact through Volunteer Match or by calling 303-466-4272.

Reading to End Racism
Boulder
Volunteer as a reader for this Boulder-based effort to end racism through education and empowerment of youth. Present books, personal stories, and lead class discussions in Boulder Valley School District elementary and middle schools.
http://www.readingtoendracism.org/volunteerRER.htm

Ready to Work
Boulder
Ready to Work, formerly BridgeHouse, serves homeless clients in the Boulder community by providing food and shelter. Volunteering options include making meals, serving & clean-up, listening to clients’ stories, assisting with Ready to Work administration, and organizing events. You can also donate various food staples, clothing, and other basic supplies.
http://boulderbridgehouse.org/how-you-can-help/

Swim for MS
Anywhere!
Organize a Swim for MS near you. Assemble participants, collect pledges, and help raise money in the fight against multiple sclerosis. Or do a personal Swim for MS–collect your own pledges and get in the water!
http://support.msassociation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Volunteer

Resources

Africa Centre
Resource to help you find opportunities at a variety of Africa-based charities all over the Denver metro area. These include Boulder-based groups like World Running, African AIDS Orphan Project, Beadforlife, and the Mali Assistance Project. There are tons of volunteer options available here, so if you interested in just about any area of aid for Africa, take a look at this impressive list of local organizations.
http://www.africacentre.org/volunteer_and_aid.html

Boulder County website
Provides a list of opportunities and expected time, duration, etc. The list includes some short-term or one day projects.

http://www.bouldercounty.org/apply/volunteer/pages/volcurrent.aspx

Volunteer Match
Create an account and search for opportunities matching your own interests! Search for in-person and virtual options. Get in contact with organizations through Volunteer March, as well.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

How to Succeed on Finals!

This is an exciting time of the year for all CU students. You have never felt solidarity like you are about to; all of us will be running around like chickens with our heads cut off, staying up into the wee hours of the morning working on final papers and eating with textbooks in front of our faces. I don’t mean to scare you! Finals time is the opportunity to prove what you’ve learned over the course of the semester, and you can finish your classes successfully. We’re two weeks out now–time to start studying! Here are the favors you can do yourself to help you do well on finals:

Get plenty of sleep! Everyone has their own sleep schedule, but whether you do it at night or in the middle of the day, make sure you get enough rest!
Don’t cram! If you’re tired, it’s a sign your brain needs a break. Cramming and pulling all-nighters does not help you absorb information. Better to spread studying out over a longer period of time–do a little for one class here, and a little for another there, and you will be sittin’ pretty when test time comes.
Focus on one thing at a time! When you’re studying–STUDY! Don’t try to have Skype conversations or play Skyrim at the same time. Study time should be time dedicated to remembering things your brain already knows…just reach into those dusty corners. Also–it helps to prioritize. Study for your first finals first, then the next, etc. Focusing on one subject at a time can really help.
Eat! Eat an apple or some other healthy snack before you go into your exam, especially if you haven’t eaten anything else that day.
Chew gum! It might seem strange, but chewing gum while you take a test can give you a physical outlet for your nerves–just chomp quietly.
Exercise! Going for a run or to lift can help you burn off some steam, and the endorphines will help you stay energized.
Stay energized, naturally! SAY NO TO ADDERALL! And be aware that caffeine only works to a certain extent.
Check, double check, triple check your final times! This is one thing you REALLY don’t want to sleep through or forget about.
Set time limits for yourself! Study for two hours, watch an episode of “How I Met Your Mother.” On and off, on and off…just another way of giving yourself a little break. You can also reward yourself for every chapter you read with a little snack or a piece of candy.

MOST OF ALL, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE G-RAP FELLOWS, STUDENT COORDINATORS AND PROFESSORS. WE’RE HERE FOR A REASON!

Best of luck!

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G-RAP Dinner Series: Mary Ann Casey

Where to Volunteer

How to Succeed on Finals!

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