[Editor's Note: Emily Culclasure is a member of UniteNET.]
Fall: The season that some may associate with the leaves changing colors and the air getting a little more crisp.
For UF students, it's the season associated with Gator football fever and a hectic course load.
And for me and other volunteers, it's the season associated with starting over with a clean slate and exploring new opportunities around campus.
This fall has already greeted me with what will be my most challenging semester yet at UF. But despite the stress that's constantly consuming me, I've discovered that I have a passion for helping others, and I'm hoping to get more Gators involved in giving back and lending a helping hand.
Whether you're grabbing lunch at the Reitz Union or taking a stroll in Turlington Plaza, you're bound to run into student organizations and volunteer opportunities around every corner on campus.
I've already had the pleasure of getting involved with a few, and one useful resource I've come across is a volunteering database known as UniteNET.
Cole Slate, the founder and president of UniteNET, came in to speak during one of my classes. I immediately recognized the usefulness of the resource.
UniteNET allows volunteers to list their interests and preferences for volunteer work and view volunteer and nonprofit organizations that correlate with their interests.
Organizations and volunteers alike can sign up on the website for free, and volunteers can view events and organizations up to 60 miles outside of the Gainesville area.
The site also keeps track of worked hours and gives volunteers the ability to join groups, start a group, create events and sign up for events.
UniteNET is a great tool for Gators who are looking to volunteer but having difficulty finding work that fits their interests and schedule.
For more information, you can contact the president of UniteNET, Cole Slate at Cole.Slate@UniteNET.org or log on to Facebook and check out the UniteNET fan page.
If you have 10 minutes to spare and you want to get started on creating your own account, go to the website for UniteNET and click on "Create Volunteer Account."
Aside from looking great on resumes, volunteering gives a rewarding feeling that few other experiences can give.
So, fellow Gators, I'm encouraging you to grasp every opportunity for community service that comes your way.
Show people what being part of the Gator Nation is all about.
