Hello fabulous VIRCS Volunteers!
March has been a very busy month, and now we are moving into Spring, always a time for big changes at VIRCS.
This coming month, there will be major shifts in our ESL, Multicultural Environmental Education (MEEP), Enable, Be-Friends, and Family Friendship programs.
Click on each section to learn more, or scroll down to read them all.
- ESL class changes: new teachers and a 'volunteer vacation'
- MEEPle are on the move; what to expect from this year's Environmental Program
- Enable keeps growing with a new Homework Club
- Be-Friends and Family Friendship: Goodbyes and hellos for staff this April
- It's Spring: time for Multicultural Speed Dating!
ESL class changes: new teachers and a 'volunteer vacation'
Some of you may already know that Sheila Moult has taken over the morning classes, beginning this week. Christianne will remain teaching the afternoon classes. Sheila, an experienced ESL instructor, has been doing a great job at VIRCS with our Young Adults ESL classes since September 2009. Now, our two great teachers are working together to re-design the daytime ESL classes.
In order to assess what is working and what could use improvement in the classes, Sheila and Christianne will be teaching class-as-usual until Monday, March 29th. On March 30th we will be closing the classes to volunteers, while Christianne, Sheila, and I try some new things with the students, and create a workshop to let you know about the new class.
Then, on Tuesday, April 6th, we will hold two workshops for all ESL volunteers. Both workshops will take place during regular class time in our HR Solutions room, at #207, 2504 Government Street. Anyone can sign up for either the morning (9:30am-11:30am) or afternoon (1:00pm-3:00pm) workshop. This will give each of you a chance to hear about the new class, learn about Sheila and Christianne's teaching styles, and decide if the new ESL classes are a good fit for you.
After the training, we'll give each of you a chance to talk to us individually, ask questions, and set a start day with you for when class resumes.
Please let me know which workshop time you plan to attend, and I will make sure to have enough coffee, tea, and snacks on hand :)
Timeline
- March 29: last day of classes with volunteers.
- March 30 to April 6: Sheila and Christianne try new teaching models.
- April 6: new teaching model revealed at Volunteer Workshops, 9:30am and 1pm.
- April 7 to April 17: Individual volunteer meetings to assess changes and set start dates.
All volunteers are welcome to attend these sessions, but priority will be given to ESL class volunteers. If you would like to attend, please let me know which session (morning or afternoon) works best for you.
MEEPle are on the move; what to expect from this year's Environmental Program
After over two years at VIRCS, the original MEEP staff (the MEEPle) are moving on :(
We will all be sad to see Gagan Leekha and Rosalyn Cua leave VIRCS in the next few weeks, but we know that they will do amazing things wherever they go.
Since beginning the Multicultural Environmental Education Program, Gagan and Rosalyn have linked newcomers to great environmental services and natural spaces in Victoria, and created some great awareness materials in many languages and many mediums. With multi-language radio tips, videos on waste reduction, a great newsletter, and simple multu-language eco-tips, these two have made a huge green impact on the multicultural communities of Victoria. Thank you so much Gagan and Rosalyn; we'll miss you!
Coming in to carry on this great tradition is Megan Thom. Megan has worked all over the world, and has already begun making friends and helping clients get in touch with nature here at VIRCS. Megan will focus MEEP on outings and group events this year, with some great nature hikes, visits to eco-friendly organizations, do-it-yourself workshops, and more. When you are next at VIRCS, be sure to come and give Megan a big welcome to the VIRCS family.
Enable keeps growing with a new Homework Club
After long negotiation, our new Homework Club time and place have been finalized. Danny Tes will be bringing his talents to a new Homework Club at Vic High, every Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Danny and I will be spending the next few weeks assessing the student volume of the new Homework Club, and we will start opening the Club up for volunteers as the students start coming in. Look for updates here later this month!
Be-Friends and Family Friendship: Goodbyes and hellos for staff this April
Also leaving VIRCS this month is Aviva Shtull, the founding Coordinator of the Be-Friends and Family Friendship Programs that are together known as HOST. Over the last two years Aviva has brought her light-hearted energy and caring nature to spark great friendships and create memorable events for both clients and volunteers in the program.
Aviva was also one of the amazing volunteers that started Strides, our free multicultural summer camp! Aviva will continue to be a part of VIRCS through Strides, bringing many of her skills from her great new position with Power to Be.
It's Spring: time for Multicultural Speed Dating!
Following the success of last year's event, this spring VIRCS is holding another Multicultural Speed Dating fundraiser on April 8th.
That's it for this month's bulletin. Look for updates later this month on more events, activities, and news on these changes.
Thank you so much for your support!
Chris
