By Kean Bagaipo
Sillimanians can now be part of broader community initiatives as the Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) officially launched its Volunteering Network Program (VNP) last Nov. 13.
Over 70 students from different colleges and departments joined the launching event at the Oriental Hall where the program’s mission, vision, and guidelines were discussed.
According to SUSG President Sabrina Ledesma, VNP aims to provide a comprehensive directory wherein organizations can tap into their volunteering activities and services.
“It aims to foster collaboration and strengthen volunteerism through a comprehensive directory for both individuals and group volunteers,” she said.
Meanwhile, SUSG Vice President Luke Timothy Burbano stressed that one of the program’s main objectives is to “maximize manpower” for Sillimanian-led community initiatives.
Burbano added that VNP seeks to mobilize students’ participation in any disaster-response initiatives led by the Sillimanian Initiative (tSI) and other SU organizations.
Recently, tSI organized various relief efforts to help the victims of the Mount Kanlaon eruption and the communities affected by the recent typhoon Kristine this year.
“This is a unified and collaborative community within Silliman where there is something we can tap and rely on if other communities need help,” he added.
Background and challenges
During Veritas 2024, Ledesma and Burbano debuted five major advocacy-driven platforms as part of their electoral campaign.
VNP is one of the advocacy-driven projects launched under the present SUSG administration which focuses on volunteerism.
Meanwhile, SUSG SocServ is the working committee behind VNP’s launching and its future operations.
Former SUSG SocServ Chairperson Ruth Ann Dean discussed the challenges the committee faced such as limited engagements, no established community networks, and the lack of manpower to manifest initiatives.
She said that VNP will address these gaps and will “serve as a bridge” between its external partners and the student body.
“Networking outside focuses on partnering with the local government unit such as the Dumaguete City Social Welfare and Development Office and the Local Youth Development Office – Dumaguete,” Dean explained.
In terms of sustainability, the SUSG will “work closely” with its existing support systems such as the SU Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning and the Student Organizations and Activities Division.
Guidelines
In its guidelines, VNP is open to all bonafide college and high school students, socio-civic and academic organizations, sororities, and fraternities within SU.
For organizations, two delegates must sign up and partake in VNP activities such as clean-ups, donation drives, outreach programs, and other community-related seminars and events.
Moreover, participating councils will also receive corresponding organizational points which will determine the top three most active councils to be recognized as volunteers of the year.
Registration is still ongoing for interested student-volunteers.
