Eight hours of impact: Volunteer on the clock
By Kendall Sternberg, University Marketing and Communications
A team of AZPM employees spent their volunteer hours at the Community Food Bank this past November.
Image courtesy Timna Guerchon
U of A employees can connect with their communities and support a nonprofit of their choice through eight hours of paid volunteer leave provided by the university each year.
As part of its strategic imperatives, the university works alongside communities across Arizona to create opportunities and improve lives. Volunteer leave empowers employees to contribute to that mission by sharing their time and talents with organizations and community initiatives throughout Southern Arizona.
Eligible employees interested in using their volunteer leave hours should talk to their supervisors to get approval before volunteering. Once approved, these hours are reported by selecting “Volunteer Leave – VLE" in the dropdown menu within employee timesheets in UAccess.
Timna Guerchon holds books she helped distribute at a local Title I school, where she has used volunteer leave to read with students and foster a love of reading.
Image courtesy Timna Guerchon
Making a difference, together
For employees like Timna Guerchon, community events coordinator at Arizona Public Media, the benefit is an opportunity to put her values into action.
Having previously served as volunteer director for United Way in Phoenix, Guerchon was immediately excited when she learned the university would offer volunteer time off.
Since then, Guerchon has become an enthusiastic advocate, encouraging colleagues to use their hours and connecting staff with volunteer opportunities throughout Tucson.
For her, volunteerism strengthens the connection between the university and the broader community it serves. Guerchon has volunteered in Tucson at the Community Food Bank of Arizona and at Title I schools reading to young students.
"We are a large group of people," Guerchon said. "If every single one of us used our eight hours, think of all that we could accomplish in our community."
She believes that collective impact aligns naturally with the university's role in Southern Arizona.
"I think the U of A understands the power of its people and the power of such a large group," Guerchon said.
Choose your own adventure
Employees across the university are using volunteer leave in different ways to support the community.
Sheila Bustamante, assistant director of consulting and project management at Campus IT Services, used her volunteer hours to support a blood drive organized through UA Cares and United Way's Days of Caring.
Alyssa Gough volunteered at the Pima Animal Care Center, joining a team of volunteers who spent the day supporting the shelter's daily operations.
Image courtesy Alyssa Gough
Bustamante welcomed participants, answered questions and guided donors through the process.
"It's a nice day for a few hours to get out and do something that's different, meeting different people and helping the community," Bustamante said.
For Alyssa Gough, grant and contract administrator with Arizona Area Health Education Centers, volunteering has long been a personal passion. Through her involvement with UA Cares, she has supported community organizations ranging from food drives to animal welfare initiatives.
Gough values the flexibility the university provides in allowing employees to support causes that matter to them.
"Having those options is really nice," Gough said. "The flexibility and being able to say, 'Hey, can we volunteer for this?' is great if you have something special in mind."
She also sees volunteer leave as an invitation for employees who may never have volunteered before.
Wilbur and Wilma joined Alyssa Gough at a past UA Cares kickoff event. UA Cares is a series of giving initiatives at the university that offers employees opportunities to volunteer, give back and support the campus and Southern Arizona communities.
Image courtesy Alyssa Gough
"You can spread out your time," Gough said. "If you've never volunteered before, just give it an hour here or there somewhere and see if you like it."
Taking the first step
That first hour of volunteering, Guerchon says, can often lead to something bigger.
"Use your VTO. Use your VTO. Use your VTO," Guerchon said with a laugh. "It feeds your soul. Find what is interesting to you and use this paid time to do it."
Thousands of employees work and live throughout the region. By using volunteer leave, employees can support local organizations, strengthen community partnerships and help advance the university's commitment to creating opportunity throughout Arizona.
For employees unsure where to begin, Guerchon recommends exploring opportunities through UA Cares or local organizations that address community needs.