Common Threads Farm Volunteer Schedule and Orientation material

​

• 24-25 WWU Students In Communities Logistics 
  (Use this to update your availability and to access contact information and educational links.) 

• ​Weekly Dispatch Schedule for school-day cooking and after school clubs
  (Use this to find the days of the week you are working, the schools you are assigned,  and names of folks who will be accompanying you to programs on a given day)

• Spring Garden Schedule ​
  (Use this to find the start time of your classes.Search by school location in the tabs below) 
   

Emily Hie emily.hie@commonthreadsfarm.org is the main contact for Common Threads Farm.
​
Common Threads Office location:
801 W. Orchard Drive (Suite 2)

• Common Threads contacts and procedures

• Safety Guidelines for Bellingham Schools,

•  Cooking Club Roles 

​
I've compiled some  2024-2025 onboarding resources, contact information and schedule.  for all of you to look through as you're able, and I've listed your weekly availability at the top as well so that we can easily reference what's current for you. Please take a look at the logistics document for the club that you've been assigned to, as well as the education and behavior management resources that will inform you on how to interact safely and professionally with the students we serve.
 
Common Threads Farm Volunteer Application and Orientation material 
You will all need to complete the volunteer application process through the Bellingham school district here: Volunteer Application. Once completed, BPS will notify you of the results within a few days. If approved, please forward your approval email to volunteer@commonthreadsfarm.org once you receive it.  
​
Roosevelt after school club: continuing through 3/31 every Monday!
 

Handbags for Housing Thursday, June 5th
5 p.m.

​Learn about Lydia Place Fundraiser Handbags for Housing
Volunteer with Lydia Place at Handbags for Housing Thursday, June 5th.
​
We are looking for volunteers to support:

• 6/4: Set up

• 6/5: Set up & Event Shifts

• 6/6: Tear down

Learn more or sign up to volunteer by emailing volunteer@lydiaplace.org or calling 360-671-7663.
​

Whatcom Museum Free First Friday
First Friday of every month
12:00 pm- 9:00pm
Friday, June 6th

Whatcom Museum will have free admission, extended hours until 9 p.m. and special, free programming! Each month, we’ll bring a different mix of artists, performers, and experts to lead workshops and activities for all ages.
View our local history, fine art, and Indigenous cultures exhibitions in the Lightcatcher and Old City Hall (don’t forget the birds!), visit the Family Interactive Gallery for special crafts and programs for children, and check out the calendar below to see the incredible events we’re lining up.
https://www.whatcommuseum.org/free-first-friday/
​

Community Connections Club
 

* All hours spent supporting and creating club activities will count as hours. Please connect with Ruby Hamlyn  hamlynr@wwu.edu or Aubrey Templeton templea5@wwu.edu SIC members and our new Community Connections Club leads. *


 
Hello all,
 
Happy Spring quarter! I'm thrilled to announce the formation of our new club, Community Connections. While we are creating this club with the hopes of easing transportation needs in SIC's future, that isn't it's sole purpose. I envision this club becoming a way to get Western's non-work study students out in the community alongside SIC. With each generation of SIC, I hope for Laurel to watch this club blossom into a campus-wide community.
 
And guess what... You are all founding members! Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, comments, or ideas in regard to the club. I'm so lucky to have the privilege of starting this journey with you all.
 
Enjoy the sunshine,
Ruby Hamlyn

ONLINE- Free AI Courses

AI for Everyone
https://www.coursera.org/learn/prompt-engineering

Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT -https://www.coursera.org/learn/prompt-engineering
 
60 hours + of AI training through GOOGLE 
https://grow.google/ai/

Community Boating Center Volunteer

The Center for Community Learning has a longstanding relationship with the Community Boating Center. If you are looking for additional hours this summer, please consider signing up as a volunteer with the Community Boating Center.
We are a campus on the Salish Sea, and this is a perfect opportunity to learn about watercraft that can take you out on the bay. Much of the volunteering will be on land, but simply being by the water and learning about the boating culture from the staff at the Community Boating Center will be invaluable.
​
To get started:
 

• Fill out the volunteer application.
   

• Email me to let me know you’re considering working with the Community Boating Center.
   

Be sure to explore the CBC website to learn more about the Community Boating Center’s mission and programs.

Don't forget you can also earn hours by taking your boaters' safety course listed on the SIC website. 
​

ONLINE options- Career Services Center
(Complete any of these events or trainings for additional hours.)

Complete a career services training or review the career services resources for additional hours. We will continue to build out our resumes and practice identifying transferable skills. 
careercenter.wwu.edu/
​

ONLINE- Boater Safety Certification- FREE

https://www.boatus.org/washington
​
The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
​
Bellingham, WA is on the water and whether you plan to go kayaking, sailing, or maybe checking out Lakewood the WWU student-centric watersports facility -a boater safety course is a must. You’ll learn how to handle changing tides, unpredictable weather, and emergencies like a pro while making sure you meet Washington’s legal requirements for operating a boat.
Earn hours while earning this certificate. 

ONLINE- Get a Food Handlers card to help with Food prep at Common Threads Farm

The authorized online training program is www.foodworkercard.wa.gov. Cost :$10 - please connect with me to cover the cost. 

Students in Community work study plan 

Please review the Students in Community Work Study plan for 2023-2024 members
Students in Community work study plan 

Timesheet

Continue to update both the Google Timesheet and the WWU Web4U timesheet tracker after each workday.
Please make sure to document on your timesheet 30 minute lunch breaks at least every 5 hours. 

Learn about Native Plants
Sunday, June 1st
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Fairhaven Village Green

Explore native plants on local field trips! Join the Koma Kulshan Chapter of WNPS for their fun and informal Introductory Plant Walks series in Whatcom County parks. These free, 2-hour walks are open to all—no registration required!
Upcoming walks in Bellingham include:
​​​​
Stroll through the shady Padden Creek trail in Fairhaven. Your guide, Eric Worden, will help you learn to identify common trees and shrubs, and also to learn their unique plant “personalities” and how they interact in this dynamic urban green space.
​
Day/Date: Sunday, June 1
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Fairhaven Village Green

WWU Last Night Out: The Longest Table
Wednesday, June 4th
Need volunteer help all day! 

Be a Table Captain at The Longest Table event!

We’re looking for student leaders to help host The Longest Table—a free downtown dinner on Wednesday, June 4 at 5 p.m., part of WWU’s Last Night Out.
​
Table Captains welcome guests, spark conversation, and help spread the word beforehand.
​
Info session: Monday, May 19 at 4 p.m. on Teams
Sign up ASAP!

Contact: Sara Fennell at fennels2@wwu.edu
​

Students in Community Spring Retreat!

THANK YOU FOR SUCH FUN PLACE -BASED ADVENTURES​
 
📸Photos:
*2025 Students in Community Shannon Point Marine Center/ Lopez Island
*2024 Students in Community Sinclair Island Retreat
*2023 Students in Community Orcas Island Retreat 
 
​

ONLINE -Khan Academy - hundreds of hours of free life-skills courses. 

Take ANY class from this list of lifeskills courses from Khan Academy. Khan Academy's mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.

https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more

ONLINE- Explore the Community Engagement Fellows/ Center for Community Learning website

Take time to flip through all the resources and content on the www.cefellows.org site

ONLINE -$$
Financial Literacy educational programs - good for at home and evening hours.
 

Empowering our community through financial literacy at WWU and beyond! 
​
These are hours worth of financial literacy training in the links below. Please just write in the Google sheet reflecting on what you learned and what your next step is.
Perhaps use the following Value Story Elements prompts to guide your reflection!
​
​​​WWU Merriman Financial Literacy Program​
1. Attend events! 
https://www.instagram.com/wwufinlit/
​
2.Enroll in and get paid through the Students in Community program for the accessing the free iGrad program. 
​
3. Meet with a WWU Financial Aid Peer Mentor
https://financialliteracy.wwu.edu/peer-mentors
​​
WECU (local bank) financial online resources.
Financial literacy courses
​
Khan Academy Educational Resources
​

Join Food Truck Help Needed! 

 Food Truck Help Needed!
Common Threads Farm is looking for support with their food truck events. If you’re interested, please check out the opportunities below and reach out directly to Emily Hie emily.hie@commonthreadsfarm.org . Be sure to CC me on your email so I know Common threads Farm is getting the help they need.
These opportunities are great for one-time volunteering or for those seeking more hours. Weekend shifts are also available!
​
Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Mondays (anytime)

   • Task: Preparing food at The Kitchen

   • Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

   • Location Options:

     • Meet at The Kitchen (2185 Alpine Way), or meet at the office (801 W Orchard Dr) and drive over with the team.

2. Tuesdays (afternoons)

   • Task: Serving meals at Villa Santa Fe

   • Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

   • Location Options:

     • Meet at The Kitchen around 2:00 PM and drive over with the team, or meet directly at Villa Santa Fe (804 W Bakerview Rd) by 2:50 PM.

3. Wednesdays (afternoons)

   • Task: Serving meals at Trailview Apartments

   • Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

   • Location Options:

     • Meet at The Kitchen around 3:00 PM and drive over with the team, or meet directly at Trailview Apartments (2412 Rimland Dr) by 3:50 PM.

4. Thursday afternoons:
   Task: Serving meals at Sterling Meadows apartments
   Time: 1:00-5:30 (including prep time and serving)

ONLINE Options- Update your resume and LinkedIn to include your Students in Community work.
**Send your updated resume/LinkedIn profile to me!**
 

Here is a video recording of Common Threads Farm Resume and  Cover letter training 
Here are the slides that go along with it. 
​
Check out the Food Educator position description that is actually linked in this training to practice with already, but the link to it is also here as well.
 
 Include key words in your resume! 

Here is my LinkedIn profile. Connect with me!
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelhammond/

​

ONLINE- Required Hazing Prevention Training

Use your WWU login to access the online learning platform.
Go to the Vector online learning platform for Western Washington University: https://wwu-wa.vectorlmsedu.com

ONLINE- Bellingham School District Volunteer Application
Complete ASAP

All Student in Community members are required to complete the online application which includes a disclosure statement, review of policies and procedures, and picture identification. This information is used to perform a background check through Washington State Patrol, a requirement for all district volunteers.
​
When volunteer applications have been processed, applicants receive an email confirmation upon approval.  The process can take up to one week from the time the application is completed.  Approved volunteer status is valid for two academic years.​
​