WSA February Community Involvement Updates

Happy Bronco Friday,

I hope everyone is doing well Please see below for the February Community Involvement Update.

As always additional information can be found on the Community Involvement Page (https://wmuwsa.org/getinvolved) and you can also reach out to me via email wsa-vpcommunity@wmich.edu.

Do you know what month it is? Black History Month! If you didn’t attend events last month you still have time. Please see below for a message from the Lewis Walker Institute:

“DON’T WORRY! The Lewis Walker Institute is hosting a movie night discussion Friday, February 19th at @6pm. This 2020 mystery-thriller follows successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monáe) who finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late. Join us for some fantasy, fiction, and depiction for Black History Month. Stay for the talkback at the end. We will have a small panel to discuss the themes of the film! Did I mention there’s free popcorn??”

Volunteer Events:

Gibbs House

• · This spring come and volunteer at the Gibbs House located at 4503 Parkview Avenue, Kalamazoo MI 49008 every Friday from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. These hours are open so you can arrive and leave at any point or stay for the full time.

• Whether you are interested in permaculture, food forestry, vegetable gardening, composting, or just being involved in a community of WMU students working to make the greater WMU area a wonderful place to live. We look forward to working with you. Sign up to volunteer at: https://forms.gle/kwEtrUhrTVv6fw2x7.

Deliver Meals to Seniors

• Help homebound seniors stay independent by delivering hot, nutritious meals made fresh each day. Meals are delivered on weekdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Delivery takes around 2 hours.

• Caring and friendly volunteer drivers (drives the route) and hoppers (takes the meal to the door and provides a brief check of the person's well-being) in the Kalamazoo area. Volunteer with your spouse, family member, neighbor, or friend, or meet someone new by being matched with another volunteer. Sign up: https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1275394.jsp

Volunteer Child Care Aid

• · The Kalamazoo Drop-In Child Care Center (KDCCC), a non-profit, is seeking Volunteer Child Care Aides. We offer free, part-time childcare for income-eligible families. KDCCC gives parents time to search for employment or housing, keep necessary appointments, go to school, or take a healthy break from the demands of parenting. Volunteers assist the staff in the daily operation of the child care and are needed to allow KDCCC to operate up to our full capacity.

• Volunteer activities include: Engaging children in play and other educational activities, Supervising children to provide a healthy, safe and nurturing environment, Interacting in a positive way with children, parents, volunteers, and staff Sign Up: https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp2593032.jsp

  Get Involved With Campus:

Lee Honors College

• Valentines Card Making February 14 from 1-3 p.m - LHC and WMU Global Engagement Activities for Valentine’s Day card making on Monday from 1-3 p.m. in the former Swain Library, 2nd floor Sangren Hall, Room 2800 across from Flossie’s Café. You can keep your card, give it to a friend or share it with a significant other. No registration is necessary, just stop by!

• Stop by the LHC Lobby on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’ll have candy on the welcome table

Study Abroad Information Sessions

• These Sessions are Step 1 in the study abroad process! Info sessions are 30-min virtual sessions that discuss frequently asked questions and guide students on how to find study abroad programs that meet their needs. Study Abroad offers information sessions VIRTUALLY via Webex every day of the week.

Learn more and sign up for a session at wmich.edu/studyabroad/infosession.

University Strategic Plan

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -As part of our institutional strategic planning process, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion working group is holding focused listening sessions that are open to every member of our campus community that provides an opportunity for us to come together and evaluate the state of DEI on our campus, and determine how WMU can better represent, serve, and empower all members of our community.

Individuals will be able to register for all events on our website: www.wmich.edu/strategic. Stay tuned!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group

Wednesday, 2/9: 10-11 am Webex

Thursday, 2/10: 3-4 pm Webex

Friday, 2/11: 2-3 pm 1920 Sangren Hall

Internationalization Working Group

Friday, February 18, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Webex

Wednesday, March 2, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Webex

Community Building Working Group

Focus on internal community building

Tuesday, February 15: 9:00 - 10:30 am in person on the main campus

Thursday, February 17: 1-2:30 pm Webex

Focus on external community building

Wednesday, March 9: 8:30 - 10:00 am in person WMU Grand Rapids

Thursday, March 10: 1- 2:30 pm Webex