SAN ANTONIO AREA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETIRED FACULTY
Introduction
What are you doing in your retirement from UTSA? Some continue to teach part-time; others engage in research, writing and consultant work within or outside the University. For many, however, retirement provides an opportunity for volunteer work in our community.
In response to requests from faculty, particularly those about to retire, the RFA Board is putting together a collection of such opportunities that retired faculty are enjoying, together with contact persons, and the names of the retirees.
If you are interested in any of these, please contact either the faculty member or the contact listed on that page.
If you are volunteering somewhere else in the San Antonio area, please share your experience and opportunities by completing the form below, and returning it to Gillian Cook, [email protected]. If you have questions, please contact any of the Board members, or call Dr. Cook at 210-822-3873. She will be glad to add your information to this webpage.
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San Antonio Area Volunteer Opportunities
Place or Organization:
Type of Volunteering:
Contact:
RFA Member Involved: Year of Retirement: College/Department/Specialty:
Other Information:
Connection with previous employment at UTSA (if appropriate):
Place or Organization: Alamo Area Chapter of Master Naturalists
Type of Volunteering: Lead walks along the new Mission Reach of the San Antonio River, some of which involve the general public and others that involve high school students.
Contact: The Alamo Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist (AAMN): http://txmn.org/alamo/
RFA Member Involved: Dwight Henderson Year of Retirement: 2006 College/Department/Specialty: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/ Department of History
Other Information: : The Master Naturalists offer two classes per year for people who wish to become Master Naturalists. Information about when and where the classes are offered are on the WEB site of the Alamo chapter of Texas Master Naturalists.
Place or Organization: Casa Navarro
Type of Volunteering: Pro bono education consultant
Contact: , Sylvia Navarro-Tillotson, Casa Navarro Historic House, [email protected]
RFA Member Involved: Marian Martinello Year of Retirement: 2000 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Other Information: Casa Navarro is a state historic site under the jurisdiction of the Texas Historical Commission. When reopened, the site will have programs for students, teachers, and tourists. www.visitcasanavarro.com
Connection with previous employment at UTSA: All of my work/volunteering is a natural extension of my academic preparation and work at UTSA in inquiry learning, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, museum education, interdisciplinary learning and teaching.
Place or Organization: Communities in Schools of San Antonio
Type of Volunteering: Mentor in the SAISD Partners Program
Contact: Communities in Schools of San Antonio (CISSA) Nancy Reed, President 1616 E. Commerce Street San Antonio, Tx.78205 (210) 520-8440 Ext. 222 http://www.cissa.org/
RFA Member Involved: Charles Field Year of Retirement: 2002 College/Department/Specialty: College of Liberal and Fine Arts/Art and Art History
Other Information:
Place or Organization: Girl Scouts of America
Type of Volunteering: Camp: Hike, Bike, camp by day or overnight. Organize Events around your favorite topics. Offer a series of workshops, meeting 6-8 times with girls to share your knowledge and skills. Travel: Plan a trip across state or around the world. Troop: Partner with girls to meet regularly to share experiences in the community and the world. Help girls and adults become involved with Girl Scouts as a Member Organizer New Leader Coach Support other adult volunteers as an Adult Learning Facilitator Money Manager PR and Marketing Coordinator Support the girls’ experience as Outdoor Consultant Event Coordinator Product Sales Team Member Other ways that you may wish to suggest.
Contact: Ways to become a volunteer: 1. Complete a GSSWT volunteer Application and Criminal Background Check 2. Complete the online learning session, Girl Scouting 101 at trainsing.girlscouts.org (password: aboutGS101) 3. Attend a GSSWT Welcome Session 210-349-2303 1-800-580-7247 girlscouts-swtx.org
RFA Member Involved: Year of Retirement: College/Department/Specialty:
Other Information:
Connection with previous employment at UTSA (if appropriate):
Place: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center
Type of Volunteering: Education docent and naturalist; particularly 3rd and 5th Grade students; Fall Festival (fund raiser)
Contact: Michelle Eckman at Mitchell Lake: [email protected]; html://tx.audubon,org/mitchell
RFA Member Involved: Dwight Henderson Year of retirement: 2006 College/Department/Specialty: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/ Department of History
Other Information: The Mitchell Lake Audubon Center can use volunteers in a variety of capacities, but there is a major need for people interested in working with Elementary students—3rd and 5th grade. The Center provides special training to the education volunteers.
Place or Organization: Parman Branch, San Antonio Public Library
Type of Volunteering: Work to develop the new branch library’s Friends’ Group and its sponsored activities.
Contact: Katherine Lavender, President, Parman Library Friends, [email protected]
RFA Member Involved: Marian Martinello Year of Retirement: 2000 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Other Information: The Parman Branch Library is in its early stages of development. Members are needed who can help with a variety of activities, notably a members ship drive and a spring book sale. The branch has 800-1000 visitors daily. www.mysapl.org
Connection with previous employment at UTSA: All of my work/volunteering is a natural extension of my academic preparation and work at UTSA in inquiry learning, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, museum education, interdisciplinary learning and teaching.
Place or Organization: San Antonio Botanical Gardening
Type of Volunteering: Watering areas of the gardens during the summer.
Contact: San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place San Antonio, TX 78209 210-207-3261 http://www.sabot.org
RFA Member Involved: Gillian Cook Year of Retirement: 1998 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Other Information: The San Antonio Botanical Gardens has many opportunities for volunteering, all year round. Check the website for Volunteer positions.
Place or Organization: San Antonio Regional History Day
Type of Volunteering: Judging High School and Middle School entries in a variety of sections, including public speaking, docudramas, audiovisual presentations, and displays. One or two day commitment once a year (usually in February).
Contact: Dr. William Bush, Judging Coordinator, 210-932-6276, [email protected]
RFA Member Involved: Gillian E. Cook Year of Retirement: 1998 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching.
Other Information: Some knowledge of Texas History is helpful, but you do not need to be an expert in this area. It is always a very enjoyable experience.
Connection with previous employment at UTSA (if appropriate): I enjoy working with school children and schools, which was something I did while working at UTSA.
Place or Organization: Southwest School of Art
Type of Volunteering: Presenting workshops
Contact: Southwest School of Art 300 Augusta San Antonio, TX 78205 210-224-1848 http://www.swschool.org/
RFA Member Involved: Charles Field Year of Retirement: 2002 College/Department/Specialty: College of Liberal and Fine Arts/Art and Art History
Other Information:
Place or Organization: UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Type of Volunteering: Leading museum tours for children and adults; training docents; leading teacher workshops; helping with special events.
Contact: Mary Ellen Smith; Volunteer Programs; [email protected]; http://www.texancultures.com/
RFA Member Involved: Gillian Cook Year of Retirement: 1998 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Other Information: The Institute of Texan Cultures needs volunteers to lead tours, interpret exhibits, work in the library, greet visitors and provide information, serve in the Museum Store, help with special events.
Connection with previous employment at UTSA: I am able to continue the type of training that I was doing with undergraduate and graduate students and public school teachers, as well as working with children, which I did for 16 years before going to graduate school.
Place or Organization: Witte Museum
Type of Volunteering: Pro bono consultation on inquiry learning, teacher in-service on south Texas heritage and museum education.
Contact: Sarita Rodriguez, Public Programs Coordinator, The Witte Museum, [email protected]
RFA Member Involved: Marian Martinello Year of Retirement: 2000 College/Department/Specialty: College of Education and Human Development/Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Other Information: The Witte Museum has a vibrant docent program with opportunities to work with large and small groups of students on various exhibit-related educational activities. www.wittemuseum.org
Connection with previous employment at UTSA: All of my work/volunteering is a natural extension of my academic preparation and work at UTSA in inquiry learning, teacher education, curriculum and instruction, museum education, interdisciplinary learning and teaching.