What is the VNP?
The Volunteer Network Program (VNP) is an SCSU initiative that connects students looking for meaningful volunteer experiences with organizations across the Greater Toronto Area. The VNP allows University of Toronto Scarborough students to connect with select partner organizations, both on and off-campus. Students who subscribe to the mailing service will be notified about a great number of quality volunteer opportunities on a weekly basis.These opportunities can be long term, short term, or occasional – the subscribed student member has the freedom to choose their preferred placement. Placements range across many fields of interest. Some of the most interesting opportunities present themselves in the public health, social work, business, education and many more!

Also, students can now take part in the VNP Rewards System. This system allows students to accumulate volunteer hours and build up credit levels in order to become eligible for prizes, awards and even a scholarship!

The aim of the VNP is to help students network, gain experience, build essential skills for the future, and form a better sense of community. Furthermore, clubs and organizations can also use the service to recruite volunteers as needed. If you would like to get involved with the VNP, please click here.

What is a VNPer?

A VNPer is a member of the Volunteer Network Program. VNPers takes the initiative to be involved within their community in a variety of manners that provide short-term and/or long-term benefits for the community as a whole. They possess the drive and determination to make a difference, and to take on any challenges and obstacles in their path with a mixture of courage and enthusiasm.

How to get involved?

It’s simple! If you would like to join the VNP please sign up by placing your email in the box above or forward your name, student number, and preferred email address to vnp@scsu.ca. You will automatically be subscribed and added to the VNP Listerv. Each week you will receive an email with current volunteer opportunities on and off-campus and your journey with the program will begin! Or simply . Every few weeks you simply have to submit a completed Hours Log Sheet to the SCSU office and you will begin to accumulate hours in the VNP Rewards System. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Laetitia Nocera, Volunteer Network program (VNP) Coordinator at vnp@scsu.ca or call 416-287-5641.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of being involved with the VNP are simple. As students, gaining practical experience is of paramount importance and the Volunteer Network Program provides students that opportunity. Being involved in the VNP is beneficial to any student looking to network, build their resume and garner recognition in the form of certificates, awards, and scholarships. Being a volunteer and engaging in community outreach or helping on campus enriches the community as a whole. This active involvement in “giving back” fulfills the pillars of volunteerism and the joys of that experience often stay with volunteers for their lives. The VNP is a great tool for any student wishing to become a more involved member of their on or off campus community in making a difference by lending a hand.

What is the VNP Rewards System?

The VNP Rewards System recognizes and celebrates the efforts of all the volunteers involved in the program. The Rewards System is divided into five levels. These levels (Volunteer, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) correlate to the total number of hours gained by the student. Volunteers can work towards higher levels in the credit system by gaining volunteer hours. At each level, student volunteers will be eligible for prize draws and awards. These levels will also be represented on the VNP Certificate given out every semester.

This year, we are proud to announce that we will be awarding a ‘Volunteer of the Month’, ‘Volunteer of the Semester’ and “Volunteer of the Year”. Volunteers at any Volunteer Level are elgible for the awards.

In addition, all volunteers who read Plantimum will become eligible for the VNP Scholarship!

The VNP Rewards System functions as a mechanism to honour the distinguished hard work of all our volunteers. For brief details on the different awards that volunteers are elgibile for click here.

Volunteer Levels	Reward Eligibility	Volunteer Hours
VNP Platinum Level Volunteer	VNP Scholarship, VNP Merchandise, Reference Letter, Certificate	71 + hours
VNP Gold Level Volunteer	VNP Merchandise, Reference Letter, Certificate	51- 70 hours
VNP Silver Level Volunteer	VNP Merchandise, Reference Letter, Certificate	31-50 hours
VNP Bronze Level Volunteer	Reference Letter, Certificate	11-30 hours
VNP Volunteer	Certificate	2-10 hours