"What is CONTACT?" by Sarahjane Thompson
Saturday, 26 June 2010 12:50
Got a question? Sarahjane Thompson tells us about the strangest questions she's answered while being the CONTACT Coordintor.

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CONTACT Information and Referral Service. It sounds quite formal, but it really isn't. It's just an office on campus where student volunteers hang out, just in case someone shows up to ask a question. You know the Information Desks in large shopping centres? CONTACT is like the Information Desk for UNSW. We get all sorts of questions, ranging from the basic "where’s my lecture theatre?" to the random "where’s the best whale watching at Maroubra Beach?"

To become a CONTACT volunteer and be the one to answer these questions, you can apply via the Arc website. No need to worry that you won’t be able to answer the questions, because all CONTACT volunteers are trained at the beginning of session and given lots of opportunities to improve their knowledge and skills throughout semester. Who knows, you may even become one of CONTACT’s OT - that is, part of the volunteer organising team that oversees training, social events, the website and publicity!

But it’s not all answering questions. CONTACT also runs regular events such as Arrowroot Art (decorating biscuits with coloured icing and lollies - delicious!) at both Artsweek and Foundation Day. We also make an appearance at Relay for Life and on the Library Lawn during semester! There is also a strong focus on volunteer support, with a few volunteer events being held throughout semester.

Having been involved with CONTACT for two and a half years, I can say with complete confidence that it changed my university life for the better. What started as a desire to help out and meet new people has resulted in lots of laughs around the CONTACT couch, solid friendships, as well as the confidence and the skills to step up and join the organising team, and eventually go on to coordinate. I would reccomend it, as both a volunteer program and a student service, to anyone.
 

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