Become a Renaissance Ambassador

Ambassadors share their passion for Renaissance Society (RS) with others by going out into the community and talking about Renaissance. We host information tables at community events, such as Senior Resource Fairs, represent RS at special events such as the Annual MLK Jr. Dinner at Sac State and make presentations to groups such as service clubs and employer retirement groups The goal is to raise the visibility of Renaissance in the community and to increase our membership.

Training is available and you can volunteer as often or as little as once a year. If are interested in joining our enthusiastic team of Ambassadors, please contact Deanna Hanson, deannahanson@gmail.com

Ushering

Volunteer to Usher at Sac State performances

For many semesters, the Renaissance Society has been proud to offer members the opportunity to volunteer as an Usher at a Sac State Department of Theatre and Dance performance--and to see the show for free!

Fall 2022 Theatre productions are The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Laramie Project and the dance production Communication. The Theatre Department usually offers three to four productions a semester. Performances are generally on eight to 10 days and evenings over a two-week period. Watch for sign-ups at Rendezvous as well as the Weekly Update.

Duties include scanning tickets, directing patrons to open seating and restrooms and minding the doors. Ushers are asked to arrive one hour before the 7 p.m. or 2 p.m. curtain; wear a white shirt and black pants or skirt; and follow the University's protocols on COVID, which the Ushering coordinators will communicate to you at the time of the production. Free parking is available adjacent to the Shasta Hall Theaters.

After that, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Mentor a Gerontology student 

Help a Sac State Gerontology Student earn classroom credits and experience working with an Elder. If you have been an Elder Mentor in the past, you can volunteer again. Volunteers will experience:

• Assignment to a Gerontology Student for four or five on- or off-campus meetings during the semester.
• Getting to know your Student and participating in social, physical and mental acuity assessments during the meetings.
• Help Students who have experience with seniors in skilled nursing, but want to experience a senior who is aging well.
• Help a Student earn three college credits in a required class.
• Attend a reception for Mentors hosted by Students at semester's end.
• Some volunteers are asked to speak in Gerontology classes.

Renaissance has participated in this program for several years, and many Elder Mentors continue a friendship with their Students for years after the semester is completed.

If you are interesting in volunteering as an Elder Mentor, watch for Constant Contact emails with opportunties or sign up at the Rendezvous.

U Mentor Program

Become a general mentor to a student

Are you looking for another way to connect with students, give back and share some of your life experience? Consider being a U Mentor! Renaissance Society has collaborated with Sac State so that our members can mentor one or more students per semester and contribute to their success.

No experience or special background is required. The U Mentor Program will provide you with all the tools and support you will need to be a successful Mentor.

The goals of the U Mentor Program are to increase student retention and graduation rate and close the achievement gap. Students are looking for someone to talk to about their academic, personal or professional goals. Once you are matched, you and your student will complete a development plan to guide you through the semester.

How to Apply:

U Mentor will provide a link to an online application just for Renaissance members that we will advertise in the Fall. Once you have submitted the application, Sac State HR will send you a link to an online background check. Once your background check has cleared, you will be matched to a student, and you are on your way! Please note, it may take a few weeks to match you to a student.

More Information

A recorded U Mentor Orientation presented by Ruth Williams, Program Coordinator, can be viewed here.

The Renaissance Society contact is Deanna Hanson, deannahanson@gmail.com