The phrase "hunger banquet" may appear to be an oxymoron. However, such a banquet took place last weekend to kick off the Virginia Service Coalition's two-day service conference.
VSC President Stephanie Wilson said both events went very well and were very successful for the VSC.
About 60 people attended the banquet where guests drew cards to see what type of meal they would eat that evening. The distribution of cards was meant to reflect the distribution of wealth and the types of meals different socioeconomic levels eat. Those who drew "upper class" cards ate large chicken dinners while the "lower classes," who were the majority, ate rice and drank only water.
Saturday's seven-hour service conference included a number of workshops in which issues such as stress management and nonviolence were related to the issue of service.
The purpose of the weekend's conference was to further the VSC's goal of strengthening the groups involved in service so they can better serve the community.
Yet supporting existing groups and individuals involved in service is only part of the VSC's mission.
"The [VSC's] mission has three basic tenants," Wilson said.
The group seeks to match University students and student groups with service projects, to increase recognition of student service and to strengthen University groups that foster community service.
"What's unique about the Virginia Service Coalition is that they serve as a connection between service opportunities and interested groups," Assistant Dean of Students Stephanie Goodell said.
Goodell serves as the faculty adviser to the VSC and led a workshop called "Leadership Styles" at the VSC conference held this weekend.
While Madison House fosters on-going community service, the VSC sets up one-day service projects for groups or individuals, Goodell said.
"We cater to the groups in the Charlottesville community who don't need volunteers regularly but need them for specific projects or events," VSC business manager Katherine Zinder said.
When the VSC was formed in 1999, it took over Madison House's group projects program.
Now, "approximately 20 student groups and 30-40 individual volunteers contact us a semester," Wilson said.
To increase publicity and recognition of service around Grounds, the VSC sends out bi-weekly e-mails to over 1,000 students to inform them of various service activities, Wilson said. Outstanding community service groups are honored in the spring for their contributions.
Zinder got involved in the VSC after hearing about it through the second-year council, which she served on last year.
"I went into it totally blind, but I love the [VSC] and the people," Zinder said. "We hope to give every student more opportunities for service, and I think as people continue to find out how easy it is they will jump on the bandwagon and volunteer"
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