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Volunteer Opportunities

MUSC Gives Back

The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) connects students with service opportunities in the Charleston community.

Through volunteer activities and service-learning, students can engage in direct service and integrate classroom learning with community experiences. OSE also maintains a volunteer database that allows students to explore partner organizations and record self-reported service contributions.

Our community engagement values include:

  • Reciprocity: To develop projects and programs for mutual benefit
  • Education: To enhance the educational experience students receive at MUSC
  • Service: To engage in service to support and build healthy communities
  • Collaboration: To commit to intentional partnerships within MUSC and in the Charleston community

We also aim to serve as a connector for student, faculty and staff involvement with community organizations and local projects.

Volunteer Information

  • Attend an organized Student Service Saturday project
  • Schedule an appointment to learn about opportunities for you or your student organization
  • Celebrate and recognized student contributions through service awards
  • Engage in events and workshops
  • Access Helper Helper - the online tool and mobile app to:
    • Track your volunteer hours
    • Browse ongoing opportunities to serve as a volunteer in the Charleston community
    • Access a service portfolio of hours you have reported over time
    • Sign up for organized, group volunteer experiences

Check the Student Broadcast emails weekly for the latest information!

OSE values our ongoing relationships and collaborations with partner organizations.

By partnering with OSE, we will work to connect our students to volunteer/service opportunities and share the organization's information via Helper Helper. Partners are invited to the annual Student Activities and Volunteer Fair (held in September) and much more.

Although we are unable to guarantee student volunteers for specific events, students and the MUSC community and faculty often utilize OSE resources to connect with community-based organizations, projects, and programs.

We would love to connect with you! Please feel welcome to reach out to Susannah Joy, Assistant Director, Volunteer Programs & Service Learning, at mcfaul@musc.edu.

Student Volunteer Time Tracking

OSE has a great app for tracking student volunteer hours called Helper Helper.

Using Your Phone or Tablet to Access Helper Helper

  1. Download the free Helper Helper app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Once opened, you will need to enter your MUSC email address.
  3. Enter your MUSC credentials for the MUSC Single Sign-On service.
  4. From the menu in the top left corner, you can find tutorials, search for volunteer opportunities, or add a past volunteer commitment to your record.

 

Using Your Browser to Access Helper Helper

  1. Open http://app.helperhelper.com in your preferred browser.
  2. Once opened, you will need your MUSC email address.
  3. Enter your MUSC credentials for the MUSC Signle Sign-On service.
  4. From the menu in the top left corner, you can find tutorials, search for volunteer opportunities, or add a past volunteer commitment to your record.

  1. Access Helper Helper.
  2. Click on Add Past Commitment on the left menu and enter the volunteer event information as prompted.
  3. Click Submit Commitment at the bottom of the form.
  4. Your recorded service hours will then be visible under the Service Record tab on the See Stats & Goals page.

  1. Access Helper Helper.
  2. Click on See Stats & Goals on the left menu and view the list of your itemized or total service hours.
  3. To retrieve a PDF copy, click on the Service Record tab and then click Generate Service Portfolio.
  4. You will receive a prompt informing you that a PDF copy has been emailed to your MUSC email address.

  1. Access Helper Helper.
  2. Click on Find Opportunities on the left menu.
  3. Click on Ongoing Opportunities and a list will be generated.
  4. Click on organizations of your choice to explore their mission, description of possible volunteer opportunities, and contact information.

Note: Helper Helper lists many community organizations and their contact information to get you started in your search. After reviewing the list, please feel free to reach out to giveback@musc.edu if you have questions or would like some support.

  1. Access Helper Helper.
  2. From your home screen, you should see Upcoming Opportunities listed and an option to view all upcoming opportunities.
  3. Click on an individual listing to view volunteer event details and sign up information.

Team & Group Volunteer Time Tracking

Helper Helper can support your team, student organization, or group service goals. Below are some steps and helpful information for student teams and groups.

  1. Ensure that your team or group has been established in Helper Helper and group has identified a Team Admin(s). You can email giveback@musc.edu to add a team or add a Team Admin. The Team Admin will be able to track group hours and post group opportunities. All registered MUSC Student Organizations will have their group set up by OSE, based on their registration information provided.
  2. Upload or Update Team Roster
    1. Once designated, the Team Admin should access Helper Helper.
    2. On the left menu, click on the Administrator Panel, then click Full Administrator Panel.
    3. Click Teams from the top menu.
    4. Click on your team name.
    5. If you have a small team or for updates, click on Add Volunteer and add the team members individually.
    6. If you have a large team, click on Upload Team Roster and follow the prompts.
  3. Report volunteer hours for a past event.
    1. Go to the Opportunities tab of the portal.
    2. Create the event that you wish to track by clicking on Add Opportunity and following the steps.
    3. Choose the name of the community organization that you served (e.g., Habitat for Humanity, Cared Medical Clinic). If not already listed, you may add a new organization.
    4. Complete Opportunity form as prompted. Save.
    5. Once you hit save, you may notice that your event does not appear. This is because the event happened in the past.
    6. Use the filter bar to change the view to the PAST.
    7. You will then be able to see the event you created.If you want to add volunteers to this event, you will click on the pencil icon.
    8. Scroll to the bottom.
    9. You can then add users by team or individually, so the attendees receive credit for the volunteer event.

Drop-In Sessions

Helper Helper Drop-In Sessions are held every Thursday from noon to 1:00 pm in the Office of Student Engagement.

 

Additional Support

Should you have any questions not answered here or need support, OSE is here to help. Please feel free to contact us at giveback@musc.edu.

Note: We strongly recommend student team leaders attend a Helper Helper Drop-In Session so we can provide additional support.

Contact Us

843-792-2693
stuinfo@musc.edu

45 Courtenay Drive
Suite 213
Charleston, SC 29425