Welcome to the Beacon Project. Your
efforts, along with millions of others in our Nation, fulfill the increasing and essential
role of volunteerism in the United States. Our government has passed the torch and it is
up to us to preserve the quality of the institutions dearest to our hearts. The mission of
the Beacon Project is to support elementary education in our communities, lighting the way
for the next generation.
As volunteers, there are some things
you will need to know.
Volunteers are part of every successful
school program
Volunteers do a variety of tasks from
assisting in the instructional program to
Volunteers are welcomed in the school
but only after having followed certain procedures:
All volunteers, like all visitors, must
report to the school office
Volunteers may have to complete an application and background information
Volunteers are there to assist and are generally supervised
Volunteers are not responsible for grading students, discipline or policing
Volunteers can assist in instructional situations like helping in reading classes
Volunteers may never touch a student or address him or her in an unfriendly manner
Volunteers may not take compensation for their efforts
Volunteers need to follow all of the rules for guests in the school
Volunteers generally get as much or
more than they give. As a Beacon Program volunteer, you can expect to make some friends
that can last a lifetime. This is the real benefit of volunteering and you should enjoy
every minute of your effort. In many cases, as a Mason and as a man, you may be the only
adult male in a student's life. As such, you may be asked to help in many different ways.
You may be asked questions about growing up, solving problems, getting along with others,
struggles in school and making ends meet. Help in any way you can. If you are unfamiliar
with a problem or uncomfortable with your answer, seek help from your school volunteer
coordinator or from the administration. Remember, each child travels his or her own path.
A beacon need only light the way.
Good luck and happy volunteering!
If there is one fact that we know about the new century, it is that we cannot count upon the government or even our taxes to support many public institutions including our community schools. Therefore, the importance of volunteerism has reached a new high and the demand has outstripped the supply.
The schools in the State of Michigan have made great progress in improving the language arts, math and science scores in many of its schools thanks, in part, to a vigorous volunteer effort and considerable special funds for special programs. But here, too, much more needs to be done.
Volunteers are generally welcome in the schools in Michigan. They play a daily and important part of nearly every component of the school day. They help the school in the classrooms, cafeterias, on the playgrounds, on field trips and at special events.
As mentors they have a critical role in the learning and educational process under the careful eye of a teacher or administrator. We hope that Masons in this State will be part of both programs.
A great concern of many educators, especially the school principals, is that volunteers not take even more of their time. Principals, who are acknowledged to be at the center of school improvement, need to stay focused on the day-to-day issues of the school and can ill-afford to take time to manage volunteers. As a result, they usually delegate the volunteer network to someone else. This is not possible in every school so volunteers need to be especially alert and sensitive to the situation.
In many schools in Michigan there exists a coordinated volunteer program called HOSTS - Helping One Student to Succeed. Lodges are encouraged to partner with this group when possible. If your school has no such affiliation, a customized program will need to be fashioned with the help of a school representative.
When a lodge decides to embrace the Beacon Program, they are doing exactly what their newest members want of the organization they join. Masons can point with pride to their gift to children and to the schools and say, we are involved, we are the leading edge and we are a relevant, preeminent organization.
Thank you for volunteering. Now, come see for yourself.