Announcing ONSC Corps

The Ozark Natural Science Center is fortunate to have an extremely strong group of long-standing supporters and donors. However, it is challenging for many individuals who are passionate about ONSC to provide volunteer service due to the distance to our remote facilities - we get it!  Additionally, many ONSC supporters and donors who feel particularly strongly about our work and our mission may not feel comfortable providing volunteer support through activities such as trail-clearing or work at the facility.

The launch this April of ONSC Corps is intended to provide an outlet for service, opportunities to align specific skills with specific needs and a deeper connection between members and the Center. The Corps will be volunteer-driven and will hold quarterly meetings in the Northwest Arkansas business community to recruit members, identify service areas and assign duties. Quarterly meetings will also provide networking with a purpose for members who support the mission of the Ozark Natural Science Center.

Examples of service areas or subcommittees might include:

- A public speakers’ bureau
- Volunteer support for area fairs, festivals and farmers’ markets
- On-site labor at ONSC for deferred maintenance and other needs
- Weekend hosts for facility rentals
- Back-up support for program and camp chaperones

In fact, our first few opportunities for service are coming up: April 17 (9a to 2p) is the Downtown Rogers Environmental Day, and ONSC Corps will have a booth - we'd love volunteers to join us: http://www.mainstreetrogers.com/.  Similarly, we'll participate in the Downtown Bentonville First Friday event on May 7 (5p - 8p): http://www.downtownbentonville.org/Events/.  We'll also be at the NWA Green Expo on April 30 - May 1 at the John Q. Hammons Center: http://bit.ly/cOnCSb.
 
ONSC Corps is envisioned as a volunteer army of individuals who support the Ozark Natural Science Center with their deeds as well as their dues. Annual membership is $50, reflecting the “above and beyond” commitment of Corps members to the ONSC mission. Members will receive newsletters, e-updates and an item (t-shirt, hat or license plate) of their choice as well as the ONSC Annual Report and an invitation to the ONSC Member Weekend on June 5 - 6.  ONSC Corps members will have their names listed on the website and may connect and plan activities with other members via a dedicated online portal.

For more information, contact ONSC Corps Chair Candice Haines of CCF Brands (chaines@ccfbrands.com) or staff liaison Naima Montacer (naima@onsc.us).  You may also join ONSC Corps by visiting http://www.onsc.us/.

Our first meeting will be on Thursday, April 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Carino's Restaurant in Rogers (535 North 46th Street in Scottsdale Center/Restaurant Row - I-540 Exit 85).  Please RSVP to Candice or Naima and join us to learn more about ONSC Corps!