Overview

The mission of the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS) deals with creating character, developing a desire for service, ensuing enthusiasm for scholarship, and promoting leadership within students in the state of Michigan. We continually strive for excellence in our programming, developing opportunities for networking, and facilitating mentoring relationships between student leaders and those who guide them.

It is with these ideals in mind that in 2011-2012 we will be continuing our newest program, the MASC/MAHS College Volunteer Facilitator Corps (CVFC). We hope to engage select students to continue their walks of leadership into their collegiate experience--all while providing excellent programming for current MASC/MAHS member school student leaders.

Members of the Collegiate Facilitator Corps (CVFC) will have the opportunity to grow in the following areas:

• Developing and facilitating curriculum for student leaders to grow at the high school and middle level. Learning to use experiential learning techniques to guide a group to a common lesson, using safe and smart common practices.
• Program and event coordination under the guidance of the MASC/MAHS Coordinator of Student Leadership Services as well as other mentoring MASSP staff members. MASC/MAHS CVFC members will supervise, facilitate, and manage many aspects of MASC/MAHS programs.
• Becoming a safe adult for the students that MASC/MAHS serves. MASC/MAHS CVFC members will be equipped with the tools to deal with tough situations, and will be expected to model positive character in their everyday life.

Sound like you might be interested? Read on!

Each and every year there will be between 25-35 members of the CVFC that are selected on a yearly basis by the MASC/MAHS CVFC Selection Team (made up of member advisers, camp curriculum directors, and other key organization individuals). These members selected for the CVFC will be required to attend all training sessions, events that they volunteer to monitor or facilitate, as well as regular meetings (online, phone, or in person) of the CVFC teams. Experienced CVFC members will be selected to drive and monitor CVFC happenings, providing further leadership opportunities for CVFC members.

But what will I do, exactly??

MASC/MAHS CVFC members will have many jobs throughout the year! Many of the year-long volunteer responsibilities will be rolled into the CVFC program for the year. Some of your responsibilities of a CVFC member could include:

• Serving as a Junior Counselor (JC) at one of the MASC/MAHS Summer Leadership Camps! We will use CVFC members as JC's at both the Middle Level and High School workshops.
• Mentoring Board of Delegate members on facilitation skills, proper meeting techniques, and overall leadership concepts. Some CVFC members will be used to coordinate curriculum teams for MASC/MAHS programs.
• Providing support staff and safety team coverage at MASC/MAHS major events--such as the State Convention or Regional Conferences.
• Working with one of the CVFC standing committees formed to enhance the mission and programs of MASC/MAHS. Those who want pre-professional experience in the field that they will choose to go into will be given all that they want in the MASC/MAHS CVFC.

I'm hooked! How do I do it?

While we would love to accept everyone that is interested, by nature the MASC/MAHS CVFC will be a selective process. Simply put, we are looking for the best of the best collegiate student leaders that will work with us to build student leadership in Michigan. To be a member of the CVFC, you must:

• Be enrolled in (or will be enrolled in for the year you apply) a post-secondary educational program. We will ask you to indicate your plans when you apply to be considered for the CVFC.
• Have the ability to meet a ONE-YEAR commitment to the CVFC. This will include training sessions, various online and phone meeting times, and CVFC volunteer opportunities. Those who cannot meet the commitment should not apply.
• Pass a criminal background check, reference verification, and basic interview with the CVFC Director.
• Be sponsored by a mentor from an organization, job, or involvement for consideration. This individual must serve as one of your references, write a specific letter of consideration on behalf of you, and be available for questioning by the MASC/MAHS CVFC selection committee.

Wait--is this the same thing as being a JC at MASC/MAHS Camp?

The MASC/MAHS CVFC is an entire new direction for collegiate student leaders in our organization. All Summer Camp Junior Counselor staff will be choosen from the CVFC pool--and must complete the entire training of a CVFC member. While admittance into the CVFC cohort is NOT a guarantee of a camp JC spot--we will make every effort to accommodate all willing and able members. Likewise, those who are unable to work at a summer leadership workshop may still be considered for selection to the CVFC. The MASC/MAHS Camp Core Team will be involved in the CVFC training sessions, and will recommend placements to the CVFC Director.

PRIVACY and the MASC/MAHS College Volunteer Facilitator Corps

We strive to create a safe environment at all of the MASC/MAHS conferences and events, and the creation of the CVFC is a step to continue these measures. All staff members who work with students will be required to pass (or submit verification of) a criminal background check, reference verification, and basic interview with a member of the MASSP staff. You may be asked for identifying information (such as a picture identification or social security number) for this reason only, and it will be held in confidence by the MASSP office staff members. 

Interested? We'd love to see your materials! Click here to head to the online application.