South Serves Web Portal Launched

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Posted on September 7, 2018

Joy Washington

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The University of South Alabama Office of Community Engagement has launched a new volunteer management web portal through the support of the United Way of Southwest Alabama’s Volunteer Connect Hub. Called “South Serves,” it will serve as a central point for matching South students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteers with projects.

“The new link between United Way Volunteer Connect and South Serves will strengthen the culture of volunteerism in our community,” said Brad Martin, volunteer program coordinator with the United Way of Southwest Alabama. “The need for community volunteers is huge. Nonprofits rely on volunteers to carry out their missions more effectively. This partnership between South Alabama and United Way of Southwest Alabama represents an easy way to establish connections between South volunteers and the agencies that need them.”

“This partnership between South Alabama and United Way of Southwest Alabama represents an easy way to establish connections between South volunteers and the agencies that need them.”

South Serves has a fresh look and feel, and it’s a user-friendly portal for all volunteers at South Alabama. It features an online database of willing volunteers and available volunteer opportunities.

“South faculty, staff, students and alumni have been volunteering and supporting the community for many years. We are excited now to offer this web portal for University volunteers, and they can start signing up now,” said Shannon Shelley-Tremblay, director of USA’s Office of Community Engagement. “Each organization or volunteer will be able to sign in and create a page on the web portal and explore and respond to community needs. The site includes comprehensive tracking and a performance dashboard that will log all volunteer hours and keep a resume of volunteer work for each of them.” To that end, the Employee Community Volunteer Program allows faculty and staff to receive up to eight hours of paid time off to pursue volunteer involvement.

Shelley-Tremblay said this will be a fully responsive experience and the portal connects organizations, events and volunteers. Lee Boykin is the new volunteer coordinator. She’s confident the new site will make it easier for South volunteers to serve.

 

“We hope visitors will be able to take advantage of this great new site that will help us better track the great service our students, faculty, staff and alumni are providing to the community,” Boykin said. “Visitors will also be greeted by our bright and engaging design. The site also features audience-specific information for faculty, staff and students wishing to volunteer. Volunteers can also sign up for training sessions on how to use South Serves.”

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