Shaping the Future of Service: Codington Connects Explores New Volunteer Coordinator Role (Video)
- Steve Jurrens
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - How does a community turn a desire to help into actual impact? For Codington Connects, the answer lies in listening to the people of the Watertown region.
Sara Foust, President of Codington Connects, and Heidi Schooley, Campus Director for Mount Marty University-Watertown, recently sat down with Northeast Radio SD to discuss a new initiative to streamline local volunteerism: the potential creation of a Community Volunteer Coordinator.
From a Vision to a Hub
The idea for a centralized volunteer role emerged from the “Partners in Mission” effort initiated by the Monastery last May, which brought together nearly 100 community members to identify local needs.
“Over discussion since last May, we’ve really narrowed it down to this idea that the benefit of a volunteer coordinator would have in our community,” explained Sara Foust. “We have a list of volunteer opportunities on CodingtonConnects.com... but we don’t have anybody connecting [people]. We don’t have anybody creating other opportunities or other ways to connect.”
Heidi Schooley emphasized that for many, volunteering is about more than just checking a box—it’s about belonging.
“We talk a lot about being part of something, joining, feeling your heart, feeling your soul—and community does that,” Schooley said. “Folks that are new to our community, or folks that have been here for many years and want to get involved, need someone to lead the charge.”
Your Voice, Their Support: The $50,000 Match
Before moving forward, Codington Connects is launching a Volunteer Community Engagement Survey to gauge public interest. The stakes are high: a $50,000 matching donation is already on the table to fund the position, provided the community indicates that this service is one they want and will use.
The survey takes between three and five minutes to complete. To encourage participation, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win up to $50.
Mount Marty and Community Training Updates
In addition to the volunteer initiative, Heidi Schooley provided several updates from the Mount Marty University Watertown campus:
· Leadership Lab: Resumes this coming Monday night, following spring break.
· Enrollment: Registration is now open for summer and fall sessions.
· Commencement: Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for the end of April.
Foust also reminded listeners of the upcoming ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Training on March 30th and 31st. The event features a Monday evening presentation with supper included, specifically targeted at parents, followed by introductory and “HOPE” content sessions on Tuesday. Because of the nature of the material, these sessions will not be recorded and must be attended live.
How to Get Involved
The survey is open to anyone living within a 20- to 30-mile radius of Watertown. Residents can find the survey pinned at the top of the Codington Connects Facebook page or at CodingtonConnects.com.
