Information for our Volunteers

Welcome to our vibrant and compassionate NCSU Free Moms community! We are thrilled to have you join us in making a positive impact on the lives of NC State University students. This is your guide to understanding our mission, navigating the volunteering process, and ensuring a meaningful experience for both you and the students we serve.

Getting Started

Orientation

We’ve developed an orientation process for NCSU Free Moms with the aim of warmly welcoming new members, offering insights into the organization, and recounting our founding story. Throughout this orientation, new members will gain valuable knowledge about the diverse range of activities and services provided by NCSU Free Moms.

Nancy Nelson, the founder of NCSU Free Moms, or other team leads, personally engages with new volunteers in a small group setting during their initial event. In these sessions, we share the rich history and vision of our organization, addressing any questions that may arise. The orientation covers essential procedures such as signing up, baking, parking, and more. These onboarding sessions occur at both campuses, allowing volunteers to start by serving the students and then take a break for orientation. This unique approach provides volunteers with a firsthand experience of the event before delving into the orientation process, creating a well-rounded introduction.

Orientation sessions commence around 10:30 am at Centennial Campus and approximately 2 pm at Wolf Plaza.

Post Orientation

Following your orientation session, if you want to continue volunteering, simply scan the QR code provided by the coordinator. This action will seamlessly add you to our team of volunteers. Expect to receive an email from us containing links to Sign Up Genius and our GroupMe chats. Sign Up Genius is the platform where you can conveniently sign up for various roles such as volunteering, baking, bringing your dog, and more.

It’s important to note that there’s no obligation for you to stay for the entire 3-hour duration when volunteering, and you are not required to volunteer every week. We are seeking volunteers who are enthusiastic about contributing on a regular basis. Your commitment level is flexible and designed to accommodate your availability and interest.

For any questions about onboarding, please email us at info@ncsufreemoms.org

NCSU Campus Details

Centennial Campus

NCSU Free Moms serve students on Centennial Campus from 9:30am-12:30pm, Thursdays, 890 Oval Drive, Bus stop #40 (the Breezeway). 

Volunteers park in the Partners Way Parking Deck (851 Partners Way), parking zone 2256, which uses the ParkMobile app and meet at the Breezeway between 9:00am – 9:30am to help set up. If you stay the full event time, it is about four hours. Four hours will be approximately $10.00 for parking.

Tables open to students at 9:30am.

If you have any questions related to Centennial Campus please email us at centennial@ncsufreemoms.org

Wolf Plaza

NCSU Free Moms serve students on Main Campus from 12:30pm-4:00pm, Thursdays, at Wolf Plaza, which is by the entrance to the Expression Tunnel (where the three metal wolf statues are located). 

There are 2 places for volunteers to park for Wolf Plaza:

• The lower level of the Reynolds Coliseum Parking Deck (2411 Dunn Avenue, Raleigh) which uses parking zone 2269 in the ParkMobile app.
• The Dan Allen Parking Lot (110 Dan Allen Drive, Raleigh) which uses parking zone 2268 in the ParkMobile app.

We meet at Wolf Plaza between 12:00pm-12:30pm to help set up and tables open to the students at 12:30.  If you stay the full event time, it is about four hours. Four hours will be approximately $10.00 for parking.

If you have any questions related to onboarding at Wolf Plaza please email us at wolfplaza@ncsufreemoms.org

Visit Guidelines

Pets

We welcome dogs to our gatherings, but prior approval is necessary through our dog volunteer coordinator before they attend a session. For the initial visit, we request new volunteers to refrain from bringing their dogs until after completing orientation.

To ensure a harmonious experience for everyone, we have a limited number of reserved slots each week for dogs, managed through our SignUp Genius form. This approach helps us effectively coordinate students, food, and dogs. We strictly adhere to a one-dog-per-owner policy.

Upon completing your orientation, you’ll gain access to our SignUp Genius, allowing you to sign up for bringing your dog to campus. It’s important to note that bringing your pet to campus is subject to approval, so please refrain from doing so until you receive confirmation.

By bringing your pet to campus as part of the NCSU Free Moms on-campus experience, you agree to comply with the Dog Safety Policy in its entirety.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to dogs, feel free to reach out to us at dogs@ncsufreemoms.org. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Baked Goods

Our baked goods guidelines ensure the quality and safety of the treats we share:

• Homemade Touch: All baked goods should be homemade to provide students with a comforting taste of home.
• No Refrigeration Required: Ensure that your treats do not require refrigeration to maintain freshness during our events.
• Comprehensive Information: Include an index card with the date, item description, and ingredients susceptible to allergies (such as nuts, dairy, gluten, etc.) on the front. On the back, provide your name and telephone number for reference.

You have the option to drop off your food on campus during designated times or coordinate with other volunteers for delivery.

A friendly reminder: In warmer months, if you opt for iced or frosted treats, be mindful that there’s a possibility the frosting may melt. Treats like cookies, brownies, and Rice Krispy treats tend to hold up better in warmer weather.

For any additional inquiries or questions related to baked goods, please feel free to reach out to us at baking@ncsufreemoms.org. Your dedication to these guidelines ensures a delightful experience for the students we serve.