Dear Friends,

Welcome (back) to Wake Forest and Winston-Salem, NC! To our returning Deacs, we missed you; to our newest Deacs, we are excited to meet you! Given the ongoing global pandemic, we want to share important information about volunteer and community engagement. 

In accordance with CDC guidelines and expectations from local nonprofits in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, the Office of Civic & Community Engagement has developed the following expectations for community engagement:

  1. As a Wake Forest community, we will refrain from any in-person community engagement until September 9, 2020 (fall semester) and February 10, 2021* (spring semester), respectively. Please do not volunteer before this date.
    1. *in-person volunteer activity for the spring 2021 semester will continue to be suspended until the modified orange status has been lifted.
  2. Student organizations and teams should not serve in groups of more than 10 people.
  3. In addition to site-specific expectations, students, faculty, and staff should adhere to the following guidelines for volunteer and community engagement:

You may volunteer if you:

  • Are in overall good health, have not experienced any symptoms of possible COVID-19  and have not had a temperature of 100.4 or greater within the 14 days prior to volunteering.
  • Have not exhibited flu-like symptoms or had recent exposure to the flu.
  • Have not been exposed to individuals suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days. Have not traveled recently outside of Winston-Salem.
  • Have adhered to self-quarantine processes for 14 days following any travel, possible exposure to infected persons, and/or engagement in groups larger than 25 people.

Precautions you should take as a volunteer:

  1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; or when soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  2. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer between each contact and as soon as possible after touching surfaces.
  3. Avoid touching your face – eyes, mouth, and nose.
  4. Avoid close proximity to others. You should be spaced at least 6-ft apart.
  5. Wear a mask. All volunteers must wear masks while on-site. Volunteers are asked to secure their own masks. The volunteer should follow instructions in the organization’s protocol.
  6. Cover your mouth with tissues or into your sleeve whenever you cough or sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
  7. Wear gloves. Some organizations encourage wearing gloves. Please wash hands before gloves are put on and after they are removed. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, even when wearing gloves.
  8. If you have traveled outside of Winston-Salem, please self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. You should remain symptom and fever-free for 14 days before joining any in-person volunteer effort.

As members of the Winston-Salem community, we must take steps to protect the health of others. Many of our nonprofit partners serve vulnerable populations who may be at heightened risk of contracting Covid-19. We urge Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff to act in accordance with university policy and CDC guidelines regarding health and safety. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with an OCCE staff member or contact us via email if you have any questions or concerns. 

Best,
Dr. Marianne Magjuka
Executive Director, Office of Civic & Community Engagement
Wake Forest University

 

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