Heart of the City Piano Program

1. Heart of the City Piano Program Fall Volunteer Orientation September 24, 2012

2. Orientation Overview • Mission & History • Introduction of Executives • Volunteer Programs • Events • Expectations • Police Checks and FOIPs • Teaching Tips Seminar • Small Group Q&A

3. Mission • To enhance the lives of and learning opportunities for at-risk youth through a structured music program that continues throughout the school year. • The Heart of the City Piano Program encourages students to make positive lifestyle choices.

4. History • Began in 1995 in Saskatoon as a dream to enhance the lives of at-risk youth through a structured music program • Expanded to Edmonton in 2002 • Is now a registered student group at the University of Alberta • Also in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Regina

5. Meet the Executive

6. Program DirectorKiara Smyth • Main liaison between the schools and the HCPP • Ensures that the program runs efficiently and smoothly • Maintains regular correspondence with the music teachers and other contacts • Manages daily operations of the HCPP • Facilitates collaboration between executive members

7. Financial DirectorJackie Fan • Maintains records of money coming in and out of the organization • Develops a budget that is used to plan out the activities of the year • Provides regular updates on the financial status of the HCPP

8. Volunteer CoordinatorNabila Chatur • Maintains regular correspondence with volunteers • Facilitates the matching process, assigning volunteers to schools • Periodically checks in with volunteers to make sure everything is functioning effectively

9. Creative DirectorConnie Luu • Acts as secretary, photographer, and webmaster • Designs documents (brochures, posters, power point presentations, newsletters) that promote the activities of the HCPP to both volunteers and external bodies

10. Events DirectorJenny Yoon • Plans and manages events, including the fall and winter fundraisers, celebrations, and the recital • Booking locations and filling out health permits are other duties

11. Community Outreach DirectorAlan Nguyen • Promotes the HCPP to external bodies including individuals, businesses, community organizations, and the community-at-large • Seeks out sponsorship and other donations as well as support and non-monetary donations • Writes grant proposals

12. Performance Troupe DirectorAdam Maciejewski • Manages and maintains correspondence with members of the Performance Troupe • Seeks out performance opportunities • Ensures that the Performance Troupe is prepared to deliver exciting and professional performances

13. Volunteer Programs

14. Piano/Guitar Lessons • Teach 1-4 students for a total of 1-1.5 hours • Total time commitment is ~3 hours a week, including travel time and lesson plan making • Lessons are typically from September to April • Email the music teacher/principal at the school you will be teaching at • Introduce yourself • Decide when to begin lessons

15. First Lesson • Introduce yourself and get to know your students and their interests • Assess the level of your students • If they are returning students, ask them what they played at the recital last year and if they can play it for you • Some students will have their own books, but you can also drop by during our office hours to borrow some from our Music Resource Library.

16. Old Strathcona Youth Society • Established in 1998 to provide a secure place for youth around Whyte Ave to gather, to be safe, to grow, and to meet others • Working with youth between the ages of 14-24 • Lessons on weekdays or Saturday afternoons • Drop-in basis; not same students every week

17. Performance Troupe • Consists of pianists who volunteer their time and talent by performing at public functions • Proceeds go towards operating the HCPP • Opportunity to raise awareness of the program in the community • Minimum of Grade 10 RCM or equivalent • Talk to Adam afterwards if you are interested!

18. Events

19. Timeline of Events • Sept 2012 – Volunteer Orientation • Nov/Dec 2012 – Special Lesson • Dec 3, 2012 – “Heart & Soul” Silent Auction and Concert • January 2013 – Winter Check-In • March 2013 – Recital & AGM • April 2013 – Fundraiser (maybe)

20. Special Lesson • Working together with the volunteers at your school, throw a small end of the semester celebration for your students • Can be Christmas or winter-themed • Play games, learn Christmas songs, watch a movie, do arts and crafts – be creative! • We will be providing small gifts for the students that will need to be picked up from the office

21. Heart & Soul • December 3, 2012 – Save the date!! • Myer Horowitz Theatre (in SUB) • Silent auction at 6pm, concert from 7-9pm • Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door • On sale starting mid-Oct • Come talk to us afterwards if you would like to: • Perform in the concert • Recommend a performer • Help obtain silent auction items

22. Expectations

23. Volunteers • Be committed to the program • If you must miss a lesson, give adequate notice to the school & music teacher • Be motivated, be prepared, be creative in your teaching • Encourage your students to practice (such as giving rewards, etc)

24. Volunteers • Be punctual to lessons • Be willing to commit time to HCPP fundraisers and other events • Be prompt with correspondence with HCPP student exec • Maintain good and up-to-date communication with HCPP & school/music teachers

25. Music Teachers • Choose students to be enrolled in the program • Ensure that the students will be committed • Be present or appoint a supervisor for all lesson days – does not have to directly supervise lesson, but be available in case of problems • Ensure that there is a piano available for lessons and for practice

26. Music Teachers • Encourage students and parents to participate in events • Be willing to discipline students if necessary • Be prompt with correspondence with HCPP Exec • Maintain good communication with volunteers • Provide schedule of holidays/field trips/special events to volunteer and HCPP student exec ahead of time

27. Students & Parents • Be committed to the program for the entire school year (Sept – April) • Avoid missing lessons without adequate notice to the music teacher & volunteer piano teacher • Be on time for lessons

28. Students & Parents • Practice regularly • Be respectful to the piano teacher • Parents: arrange transportation for child after the lesson • maintain good communication with the music teacher • be committed to the program, be supportive

29. Contact Us

30. Contact Us • Email: hcpp@ualberta.ca (hcpp.edmonton@gmail.com also works) • Website: http://www.ualberta.ca/~hcpp/ • Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/uahcpp

31. Office Hours • Mondays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Thursdays 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM • SUB Basement, Student Group Services Lounge, Office 0-40P

32. Questions??? • About the program in general • Please save teaching questions for the teaching tips seminar

33. Forms • All volunteers • FOIPForm • EPSB Registration Form • New volunteers only • Reference Form (available online) • Police Check • 2 pieces of government-issued ID