SUNY Oneonta to Host Conference on Volunteerism

The Center for Social Responsibility and Community at SUNY Oneonta will present its 18th annual Conference on Volunteerism and Social Responsibility on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Morris Conference Center. The purpose of the conference is to inspire participants and get them excited about making a difference in their communities.

Registration will begin at 9:15 a.m. Admission is free, and community members are invited to attend. Breakfast, lunch and an official conference T-shirt are included. During the lunch hour, participants will join in on a service project.

Conference attendees will be invited to enter an essay contest on the topic “How Does Helping Others Help You?” The winner of the Provost’s Essay Award on Volunteerism will receive an iPad mini.

The program will open with a keynote address titled “It’s Good to be Good – Understanding the Giver’s Glow” by Dr. Stephen Post of SUNY Stony Brook. Following Post’s presentation, participants will choose three of the following “funshops” to attend:

• “Acupuncture in the Amazon: How Traditional Medicine practices Cross Cultural Boundaries” presented by Laura Reyda, licensed acupuncturist, massage therapist and cofounder of nonprofit Project Buena Vista

• “How to Use Your Voice Effectively with Elected Officials” presented by Dr. Julie Dostal of the LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions

• “Living Sustainability at SUNY” presented by SUNY Oneonta Sustainability Coordinator Rachel Kornhauser

• “What’s in it…?” presented by John Arlet of Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties

• “Home Restoration and Sun Salutations” presented by SUNY Oneonta students Samantha Pepe and Skylar Claud

• “Volunteerism Begins with You” presented by Nicholas Lane, Kappa Sigma Epsilon, SUNY Delhi

• “Help Us Help Them!!” presented by Terra Butler of local nonprofit humane society/animal shelter Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans

“Volunteerism in Sustainable Communities” presented by Dr. Jack Tessier, SUNY Delhi