Heart of the City Piano Program Fall Volunteer

Heart of the City Piano Program Fall Volunteer Orientation September 24, 2012

Orientation Overview � Mission & History � Introduction of Executives � Volunteer Programs � Events � Expectations � Police Checks and FOIPs � Teaching Tips Seminar � Small Group Q&A

Mission � To enhance the lives of and learning opportunities for at-risk youth through a structured music program that continues throughout the school year. � The Heart of the City Piano Program encourages students to make positive lifestyle choices.

History � Began in 1995 in Saskatoon as a dream to enhance the lives of at-risk youth through a structured music program � Expanded to Edmonton in 2002 � Is now a registered student group at the University of Alberta � Also in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Regina

Meet the Executive

Program Director Kiara Smyth � Main liaison between the schools and the HCPP � Ensures that the program runs efficiently and smoothly � Maintains regular correspondence with the music teachers and other contacts � Manages daily operations of the HCPP � Facilitates collaboration between executive members

Financial Director Jackie Fan � Maintains records of money coming in and out of the organization � Develops a budget that is used to plan out the activities of the year � Provides regular updates on the financial status of the HCPP

Volunteer Coordinator Nabila Chatur � Maintains regular correspondence with volunteers � Facilitates the matching process, assigning volunteers to schools � Periodically checks in with volunteers to make sure everything is functioning effectively

Creative Director Connie Luu � Acts as secretary, photographer, and webmaster � Designs documents (brochures, posters, power point presentations, newsletters) that promote the activities of the HCPP to both volunteers and external bodies

Events Director Jenny Yoon � Plans and manages events, including the fall and winter fundraisers, celebrations, and the recital � Booking locations and filling out health permits are other duties

Community Outreach Director Alan Nguyen � Promotes the HCPP to external bodies including individuals, businesses, community organizations, and the community-at-large � Seeks out sponsorship and other donations as well as support and non-monetary donations � Writes grant proposals

Performance Troupe Director Adam Maciejewski � Manages and maintains correspondence with members of the Performance Troupe � Seeks out performance opportunities � Ensures that the Performance Troupe is prepared to deliver exciting and professional performances

Volunteer Programs

Piano/Guitar Lessons � Teach 1 -4 students for a total of 1 -1. 5 hours � Total time commitment is ~3 hours a week, including travel time and lesson plan making � Lessons are typically from September to April � Email the music teacher/principal at the school you will be teaching at ◦ Introduce yourself ◦ Decide when to begin lessons

First Lesson � Introduce yourself and get to know your students and their interests � Assess the level of your students ◦ If they are returning students, ask them what they played at the recital last year and if they can play it for you � Some students will have their own books, but you can also drop by during our office hours to borrow some from our Music Resource Library.

Old Strathcona Youth Society � Established in 1998 to provide a secure place for youth around Whyte Ave to gather, to be safe, to grow, and to meet others � Working with youth between the ages of 1424 � Lessons on weekdays or Saturday afternoons � Drop-in basis; not same students every week

Performance Troupe � Consists of pianists who volunteer their time and talent by performing at public functions � Proceeds go towards operating the HCPP � Opportunity to raise awareness of the program in the community � Minimum of Grade 10 RCM or equivalent � Talk to Adam afterwards if you are interested!

Events

Timeline of Events � Sept 2012 – Volunteer Orientation � Nov/Dec 2012 – Special Lesson � Dec 3, 2012 – “Heart & Soul” Silent Auction and Concert � January 2013 – Winter Check-In � March 2013 – Recital & AGM � April 2013 – Fundraiser (maybe)

Special Lesson � Working together with the volunteers at your school, throw a small end of the semester celebration for your students � Can be Christmas or winter-themed � Play games, learn Christmas songs, watch a movie, do arts and crafts – be creative! � We will be providing small gifts for the students that will need to be picked up from the office

Heart & Soul � December 3, 2012 – Save the date!! � Myer Horowitz Theatre (in SUB) � Silent auction at 6 pm, concert from 7 -9 pm � Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door ◦ On sale starting mid-Oct � Come to: talk to us afterwards if you would like ◦ Perform in the concert ◦ Recommend a performer ◦ Help obtain silent auction items

Expectations

Volunteers � Be committed to the program � If you must miss a lesson, give adequate notice to the school & music teacher � Be motivated, be prepared, be creative in your teaching � Encourage your students to practice (such as giving rewards, etc)

Volunteers � Be punctual to lessons � Be willing to commit time to HCPP fundraisers and other events � Be prompt with correspondence with HCPP student exec � Maintain good and up-to-date communication with HCPP & school/music teachers

Music Teachers � Choose students to be enrolled in the program � Ensure that the students will be committed � Be present or appoint a supervisor for all lesson days – does not have to directly supervise lesson, but be available in case of problems � Ensure that there is a piano available for lessons and for practice

Music Teachers � Encourage students and parents to participate in events � Be willing to discipline students if necessary � Be prompt with correspondence with HCPP Exec � Maintain good communication with volunteers � Provide schedule of holidays/field trips/special events to volunteer and HCPP student exec ahead of time

Students & Parents � Be committed to the program for the entire school year (Sept – April) � Avoid missing lessons without adequate notice to the music teacher & volunteer piano teacher � Be on time for lessons

Students & Parents � Practice � Be regularly respectful to the piano teacher � Parents: arrange transportation for child after the lesson ◦ maintain good communication with the music teacher ◦ be committed to the program, be supportive

Contact Us

Contact Us � Email: hcpp@ualberta. ca (hcpp. edmonton@gmail. com also works) � Website: http: //www. ualberta. ca/~hcpp/ � Facebook: http: //www. facebook. com/uahcpp

Office Hours �Mondays 9: 00 AM – 4: 00 PM �Thursdays 9: 30 AM – 3: 30 PM �SUB Basement, Student Group Services Lounge, Office 0 -40 P

Questions? ? ? � About the program in general � Please save teaching questions for the teaching tips seminar

Forms � All volunteers ◦ FOIP Form ◦ EPSB Registration Form � New volunteers only ◦ Reference Form (available online) ◦ Police Check � 2 pieces of government-issued ID