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

Onboarding

We’ve developed an onboarding 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 onboarding, 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 onboarding 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 onboarding. This unique approach provides volunteers with a firsthand experience of the event before delving into the onboarding process, creating a well-rounded introduction.

If you are interested in attending an Onboarding session, please complete our Onboarding Registration Form.

Post Onboarding

Following your onboarding 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 most Thursdays on Centennial Campus from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (times subject to change). We typically setup by the breezeway at 890 Oval Drive, by Bus Stop #40. 

Volunteers should plan to park in the Partners Way Parking Deck at 851 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC. This is a pay lot which uses the ParkMobile app for payment (parking zone 2256).

For any questions regarding visits to Centennial Campus, please email us at info@ncsufreemoms.org.

Main Campus

NCSU Free Moms serve students most Thursdays on Main Campus from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (times subject to change). We set up at various places on campus, depending on space availability. Here are the locations we currently visit:

• Wolf Plaza – by the entrance to the Expression Tunnel (where the three metal wolf statues are located).
• Harris Field – at the corner of Cates Ave. & Dan Allen Dr. (in front of Witherspoon Student Center).
• Court of North Carolina – large area in front of Winston, Caldwell and Tompkins Hall not far from the Belltower.

Visitor Parking is available in several campus lots which use the ParkMobile app for payment. For Wolf Plaza, we suggest the Coliseum Deck (lower level). For Harris Field, we suggest the Dan Allen Deck (lower level). And for the Court of North Carolina, we suggest the Coliseum Deck (lower level). There are other pay parking spots on campus, but the parking decks provide the most spaces. For the latest info on parking, please refer to the NCSU Transportation Visitor Parking page, or this Hourly Pay Parking Map.

For any questions regarding visits to Main Campus, please email us at info@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 onboarding.

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 onboarding, 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 info@ncsufreemoms.org. Your dedication to these guidelines ensures a delightful experience for the students we serve.