Bennion Center Student Leader positions for the 2023-2024 academic-year!
Positions are still available!
- Community Partner Programs - Partner Liaisons (3 total remaining)
Partner Liaisons - Community Partner Programs
Apply by: Positions are open until filled
Partner Liaisons (PLs) work collaboratively to connect volunteers from the U of U to nonprofits, schools, and government organizations to support the Bennion Center’s mission of inspiring and mobilizing people to strengthen communities. PLs lead efforts in volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, and recognition for the program/partner with which they are paired. Depending on the community partner, PLs may also support the planning and implementation of programming.
PLs will gain valuable real-world skills including volunteer management, organization, communication, professional relationship building, facilitation, and how to equitably engage with the community.
This is an unpaid, volunteer leadership position. If this is a barrier to your participation, we offer a limited number of need-based Helping Hand scholarships that range from $50 to $500 in the fall & spring.
Other than noted responsibilities (weekly office hour, Issue Area meetings, workshops) the responsibilities to the Bennion Center can be completed remotely. Most volunteer work with the community partner will take place in person, check the position specific description to see any required availability.
- Must be a degree-seeking University of Utah student. Position is open to undergraduate and graduate students.
- We strongly recommend prospective PLs volunteer with or visit the community partner prior to applying.
- Support the Bennion Center’s values of Hope, Action, Collaboration, and Integrity, and our commitment to anti-racism.
- Volunteer regularly within the respective program (see Volunteer Interest Form for a description of each program).
- Recruit, orient, train, and retain volunteers as necessary to meet community partner needs.
- Respond to prospective Volunteer Interest Forms (VIFs) within 24-48 hours.
- Maintain regular communication with your staff partner, community partner, and Issue Area Coordinator.
- Complete three Community Partner Agreement meetings by the established deadlines.
- Maintain a VIF tracking spreadsheet (a database of all prospective, current, and past volunteers, including contact information and university ID).
- Track and submit monthly hours served within your program by Bennion Center volunteers.
- Attend monthly meetings facilitated by the Issue Area Coordinator.
- Perform the duties required by the specific program (see specific program description for details).
- Be a Bennion Center Ambassador: build an in-depth understanding of the programs and opportunities at the Bennion Center.
- Some programs may have additional requirements including background checks, motor pool certification, or youth protection.
PLs are expected to serve 3-5 hours a week, depending on the program. Many programs also require engagement during the summer months (see application for details) although remote engagement might be possible depending on the program.
Weekly
- 1 office hour held at Bennion Center, duties may include:
- Complete programmatic responsibilities
- Meet with prospective volunteers
- Program volunteer commitment (with Community Partner)
Monthly
- Issue Area Meeting
- Hours Logs/Reflections
Semester
- Attend Legacy of Lowell Saturday Service Project (Fall) & MLK Saturday Service Project (Spring)
- 1 Leadership Workshop (per semester)
- 2 hours outreach (per semester)
Yearly
- Student Leader Orientation (Dates TBD)
- 3 Community Partner Agreement meetings
Partner Liaison positions available by Issue Area
On average, how many hours a week should a Program Liaison expect to commit to this program?
TBD
Who does your program serve?
TBD
Are there specific days/times that you must be available?
TBD
What are your unique duties as the Program Liaison that are separate from your Bennion Center-specific responsibilities?
TBD
On average, how many hours a week should a Program Liaison expect to commit to this program?
5-7 hours
Who does your program serve?
Adolescents and teenagers ages 11-17 experiencing homelessness
Are there specific days/times that you must be available?
Wednesdays 6:00-9:00 pm
What are your unique duties as the Program Liaison that are separate from your Bennion Center-specific responsibilities?
Planning weekly activities on Wednesdays, informing volunteers via email (especially the driver for activity), ensuring there is one person to meet with volunteers at activity site and another to meet driver at the Road Home.
On average, how many hours a week should a Program Liaison expect to commit to this program?
TBD
Who does your program serve?
TBD
Are there specific days/times that you must be available?
TBD
What are your unique duties as the Program Liaison that are separate from your Bennion Center-specific responsibilities?
TBD
All of our Community Partner Programs by Issue Area
Advocacy: provide direct engagement at several Title I public schools and non-profit organizations around Salt Lake. Projects support advocacy work that elevates the voices of historically marginalized communities and animals.
- American Red Cross
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Catholic Community Services
- Health Access Project
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- International Rescue Committee
- Ronald McDonald House
- Take Care Utah
- Youth Resource Center
Arts & Recreation: programs support direct engagement opportunities like coaching sports, planning events, concert ushering, and working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This programming area aims to engage student volunteers from all over campus, including kinesiology, performing arts, and parks, recreation & tourism majors.
- Arts for Youth (Historic Scott School)
- Canyon Hospice Musical Therapy
- Elevate Theater - Tanner Dance
- Pasifika First Friday
- Primary Children's Hospital
- Running Forward
- Special Olympics Utah U.L.E. (University Leadership & Engagement)
- Special Olympics Utah Team
- Utah Symphony | Utah Opera
Education: programs provide direct service at several Title I public schools, local libraries, and non-profit organizations around Salt Lake. Projects support education initiatives at all levels of instruction (children and adults).
- ACT Prep at Day-Riverside Library
- ACT Prep at Marmalade Branch Library
- Bud Bailey Youth Tutoring
- Children's Center Mentoring
- ESL Guadalupe
- Hser Ner Moo
- Palmer Court Kids' Book Club
- Road Home Kids' Book Club
- YWCA
Health & Wellness: programs include a variety of both hospital and non-hospital programs. Volunteers can work with kids, adults, and the elderly in an assortment of capacities such as mentoring, providing free vision screenings, and providing assistance and companionship to patients.
- Friends for Sight
- Hospice and U
- Maliheh Free Clinic
- Rides for Wellness
- Utah AIDS Foundation
- Utah Naloxone
- VA Nursing Home
Mentorship: programs work with a variety of populations, including young people, the elderly, and low-income children and adults. Volunteers serve as mentors, group leaders, and role models.
- Best Buddies
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah
- Girl Scouts Outreach
- Grandfamilies
- Road Home Teens' Night Out
- TBI Group (Headstrong, Brain Injury Alliance Utah)
- The Sharing Place
Sustainability & Food Justice: programs are diverse and include everything from recovering food to avoid waste to weeding carrots in a school garden. This programming area aims to entice student volunteers from all over campus, including biology, nutrition, and environmental studies majors. Volunteers can assist in a community garden, promote recycling around campus, or deliver meals to the elderly.
- Edible Campus Gardens
- Feed U Pantry
- Food Recovery Network
- Green Urban Lunchbox
- Meals on Wheels
- Social Justice Gardens - Mountain View