Opportunities to get involved at MNIC include volunteering as a:
- Basic Skills Tutor
- English as a Second Language Classroom Tutor
- Community Resource Advocate
- Office Assistant
- Special Projects Volunteer
- Americorps Volunteer
Each of these positions is described below.
Basic Skills Tutors serve as a critical link in the learning process by providing remedial, one-on -one attention to students inside and outside the classroom. As a volunteer in this area you might:
- review a student’s homework assignments
- provide assistance with reading, writing, or math
- reinforce good study and organizational skills, or
- help a student to prepare for the Minnesota Basic Standards tests.
Tutors do not need teaching experience! Training is provided and classroom teachers are available to help choose materials and strategies.
English as a Second Language Classroom Tutors support the healthy development of immigrant youth by helping them to build skills and confidence in English, math, science
and social studies. ESL tutors work one-on-one in the classroom or assist a teacher with small group instruction. You do not need to know a foreign language to volunteer! Training
and materials are provided. As a volunteer tutor you could expect to:
- help students develop English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing
- listen to students read
- review grammar and spelling assignments
- play language games and puzzles, and
- reinforce classroom learning
- help students build their skills in math, science and social studies.
Community Resource Advocates help students to build the lives they desire by connecting them with community resources for housing, health care, employment, career exploration, and higher education. Typically an advocate works one-on-one with a foreign-born or American-born student, but may see several different students during a volunteer shift. As a Community Resource Advocate you might do any of the following:
- refer a student to an agency for help with housing, health care, or to locate other important services
- help a student write a resume or practice for a job interview
- lead a student through career exploration exercises such as identifying personal strengths and values, discussing and comparing different careers, or evaluating prospective colleges or training programs
- help a student understand questions on an application.
Office Assistants provide administrative and clerical support in a variety of ways. As an office assistant you could expect to:
- enter data into a database
- prepare photocopies for a teacher
- stuff envelopes for a bulk mailing
- assist staff with special projects.
Office volunteers work closely with the MNIC Office Manager.
Internships and Special Projects Volunteers work on various specialized projects. They must have the ability and interest to complete projects in their areas of interest and/or expertise. MNIC staff are open to new ideas so if you have an idea not listed here, please contact the MNIC Volunteer Manager. Possible individual projects include:
- translating
- developing a variety of learning games for use by other volunteers or teachers
- scholarship program development
- photography at special events
- writing updates and monthly profile for volunteer website
- public speaking on behalf of the Volunteer Program
Americorps Volunteers strengthen the school through their leadership on important 
initiatives rEast High School ted to student advocacy and support, program research and evaluation, community outreach, and program
infrastructure. Americorps Volunteers receive a living allowance and health insurance as well as an educational stipend at the end of their service year and deferment of school loans. There
is a minimum commitment of 40 hours a week for 1 year. As an Americorps Volunteer you might be engaged in any of the following types of activities:
- meeting with local organizations, parents, and community leaders to identify the need for a new initiative
- researching grants and other possible funding sources
- organizing and facilitating a focus group with students, staff or volunteers to find out the most effective way to market a new program
- writing and designing marketing materials or directing the work of a writer or designer
- writing a training handbook
- recruiting, training, placing, managing and supporting volunteers working on a new initiative
- designing an evaluation survey
Americorps Volunteers work closely with and are strongly supported by the MNIC Volunteer Manager. If you are interested in this position, contact the MNIC Volunteer Manager for more information about the process. Applications are usually accepted in the Spring. Go to www.americorps.org for more information.
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