Volunteer Program
The Tallahassee Senior Services Volunteer Program enlists the assistance of more than 300 volunteers who
provide programs and serve as support staff. In 2007, volunteers served 19,332 hours at a value of $362,862.
The Tallahassee Senior Center depends on its 300 plus volunteers to offer an outstanding number, variety and quality of programs and services. Older adults (age 55+) are specifically encouraged to lend their interests and skills to Center activities. Their time and talents are matched with opportunities to serve in ways such as greeting newcomers, directing callers, coordinating programs, teaching classes, fundraising, providing health screenings, maintaining the leisure library, serving lunch, helping with data entry and other administrative duties, and serving on advisory boards.
Some volunteers are recruited through a direct call for help. Others come to us with a skill, talent or life experience they want to share. Many times, participants themselves take on these service leadership roles as needs arise. New volunteers receive orientation to Tallahassee Senior Services as well as training pertinent to their area of service. All volunteers must operate within the TSC volunteer policies and procedures, the volunteer and participant standards of conduct and must sign a participant confidentiality agreement.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Leisure Learning Instructors: Experts on topics such as WWII, Humanities, Architecture, U.S. Presidents, Florida History or others. Classes may run one to two hours per week for a period of four to eight weeks. Time commitment depends on particular course outline.
Evening Receptionist: Answer phone and greet visitors from 5:00 - 7:30pm, one evening per week.
Volunteer Recognition
National Volunteer Appreciation Week each April.
- Years of Service Awards presented during the prestigious Silver Stars Award ceremony to individuals who volunteered five, 10, 15 and 20 years.
- Presidential Service Awards presented at the Ice Cream Social to volunteers who reached hourly milestones during the year.
Student Intern Opportunities
Tallahassee Senior Services encourages and promotes the participation of university students by offering a variety of learning experiences. Placement opportunities vary from one-time presentations to full-time internships. Undergraduate and graduate level students learn about an array of senior and caregiver issues and related individual and community service delivery. Students gain knowledge of program planning, partnership development, budgeting, marketing, fundraising, and policy and advocacy.
Students in social work, psychology, nursing, pre-med, recreation and leisure, public administration, communications, and other geriatric-related disciplines can apply for the limited number of internships available. Pre-intern students in geriatric programs are welcome to attend programs at the Senior Center to experience the health and wellness mission of the Center firsthand, however, volunteer positions are rarely available to meet 20-hour or less service-learning requirements.
TSS provides programs and services at the nationally accredited Tallahassee Senior Center and its 15 satellite sites. For more information regarding student opportunities, contact Hella Spellman, 891-4007.