Volunteer Opportunities

CALL TO ACTION!!

On November 7th, 2007 the NC Community College System (NCCCS) Office released a memo stating that all community colleges in the state are now required to admit undocumented students.

With this change in policy, NC now has uniform policies at both the NCCCS and UNC 16-campus university system to admit undocumented students.

This is an amazing and hugely positive development for our students, our community, and our state!

However, these policy changes have come under attack and there is reason to believe that the NC General Assembly will consider passing legislation in the 2008 short session (May-July 2008) that would ban access to higher education to undocumented students at NC community colleges AND public universities. 

We need your help to ensure that Higher Education will be available for ALL students by:

1. Pledging to CALL the Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Hackney (919-733-3451 - Joeh@ncleg.net) and President Pro Tem Sen. Marc Basnight (919-733-6854 - Marcb@ncleg.net) to let them know that you would like for them to support undocumented students’ access to NC community colleges and public universities, AND

2. Committing to have 10 other community members make calls!

3. Signing this petition: http://college-access.no-ip.org

Our goal is to generate at least 500 calls by May 1st!

The following are some suggested talking points:

  • This policy change will strengthen our future tax base. Immigrant families are pulling more than their own weight when it comes to the taxes they pay, the contribution they are making to our growing economy, and what they bring to a diverse state like North Carolina.
  • This is a workforce development issue. North Carolina's state and local governments, businesses, and industry are currently recruiting college graduates from outside the state, as well as outside the US, to fill shortages in the fields of business, education, and health services. A number of students who will benefit from this policy change have the potential to satisfy many of these essential job needs in NC.
  • These are qualified North Carolina students. These are high school students who have attended elementary and secondary schools in this state for most of their lives, who are likely to remain in the state. By allowing them to pursue higher educations, the state can benefit from students who are bilingual and bicultural, and able to contribute to the state's collective productivity and economic growth.
  • In-state tuition and federal immigration issues are separate issues from open enrollment admission. The recent policy change only impacts enrollment to the Community Colleges; undocumented students must still pay out-of-state tuition, which is over $2,000 more than the actual cost of educating the students. This policy change does not adjust students' documentation status, reminding us of the need for federal comprehensive immigration reform.

North Carolina was the FIRST state to offer a higher education, but do we really want to be the first to take it away?

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Please complete the Volunteer Application if you're interested in volunteering with the NC Society of Hispanic Professionals.

Inspirational Speaker Group

We are seeking motivated Hispanic professionals to visit local schools and deliver presentations related to varying topics from "My Life" to "How to Stay in School". Members should have experience with children or with presenting to large groups. This group meets when necessary.

Pilot Mentoring Group

We are seeking Hispanic professionals to mentor Hispanic students in grades 5-8. Once you have committed, a student will be selected for you to mentor based on compatibility. A 10 hour per month commitment is required.

Newsletter Committee

We are seeking a group of people to help put our quarterly/semiyearly newsletter together. This group will require several meetings related to design of newsletter. Topics will be provided.

Granty Writing / Fundraising Committee

We are seeking a group of people to help with grant writing and fundraising. This group will meet when necessary.

IT Support