by Nadine Moulton

     Volunteering was simply a means of keeping busy until I saw an ad on campus promoting SERVA (Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Action). Despite being a full-time evening student, a single parent working two (2) part-time jobs as well as an Accounting Internship to gain experience in my major, I joined this organization in Fall 2000, and the experience has been extremely rewarding. This program has provided additional incentive for students to help to make our society a better place. Students performing over 30 hours of volunteer service are rewarded with certificates, while those performing 100 hours or more and 6 units of training over two semesters, receive a honors notation on their transcript. I am extremely proud to say I have earned that honors notation by completing 105 hours of volunteering and 6 units of training. My tenure with SERVA has given new light to the word volunteering. It has taken me through many organizations such as New York Cares, Fresh Air Fund, T.J. Martell Foundation, Bailey House, Jumpstart and Mayors Voluntary Action Network to name a few. By working on various projects such as Kidfest and working at Auctions to raise money for various charities, I have met a wide cross-section of people that has led to many friendships as well as sharpened and honed my social skills. Through SERVA I have been able to network more so than I could ever have achieved on my own.

     SERVA has made a remarkable difference in my college life from giving me personal satisfaction to helping to keep a balance in my academic life. I say thank you SERVA for exposing me to a lot of what ails our society and giving me a means to make a world of difference.

by Sherry Drazner

     The Narratives of Leadership event was held in May 2001 as part of the annual Student Life Conference to demonstrate the value of conference participation. All staff and students who participated in conferences or club trips this past year were invited to join the Student Life staff at this roundtable discussion to report back and share with the campus community the benefits and highlights of individual conference or trip experiences. Over 20 students and staff attended the two-hour session and each spoke of their appreciation for conference participation.

     To introduce the program, Loretta Chin, the roundtable facilitator, spoke of several ways conference participation can enrich the college and professional experiences of students and staff by providing the opportunity for all members of the Brooklyn College community to network with mentors and role models, to become inspired to make life changes, to discover resources, and to gain knowledge that will allow them to perform better as leaders in the future.

     A student from the Honors Academy, who attended a medical conference about alternative medicine at Harvard Medical School, compared the medical field to life at Brooklyn College in two respects. First, the diversity of medical practices can be compared to the diversity at Brooklyn College. Second, both institutions treat people and help them become the best they can be.

     Conference participation provides outstanding opportunities to staff, faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. There are innumerable conferences with various themes that take place around the country every year and are open to anyone who is interested. For information on conference participation, please contact Sherry Drazner or Melanie Bush, Office of Student Life, 2113 Boylan, 951-5352.

by Sherry Drazner

     The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and several community-based organizations sponsored a week-long program of activities, exhibits, and fairs from July 9, 2001 to July 13, 2001, throughout the five boroughs. In past years, YouthWeek has served approximately 980,000 children of all ages. With the help of CUNY campuses and community organizations, the DYCD hopes to reach one million children this year. The YouthWeek committee outlined six main themes that will be the focus of activities throughout the week. These six themes include Health, Nutrition, and Fitness; Fine and Performing Arts; Community Service and Volunteerism; Environment; Technology; and College and Careers.
In line with the College and Careers theme, Brooklyn College organized a College Fair for high school students in the community. On Thursday, July 12, Brooklyn College's Student Center held a College and Career Fair, an all-day program consisting of workshops, exhibitions, and guest speakers.

     Approximately 200-300 students visited Brooklyn College that day to meet with over 40 representatives from various high schools, colleges, and businesses, answer questions, complete applications and gather materials, etc. At one point in the morning, all the students and professional representatives watched a performance by an African dance troupe. This all-day event proved to be beneficial to all parties involved. Schools and organizations recruited young responsible young people. Brooklyn College continued to meet its overall objectives by collaborating with the CUNY Central Office and strengthening ties with the surrounding community.