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Cross-cultural exchange promotes volunteering by Cindy Abole Public Relations Recognized for its success with community service and encouraging volunteerism, the MUSC Gives Back program serves as a helpful resource between two cultures 2,400 miles apart. MUSC Gives Back Liz Sheridan, left, shares volunteering ideas with  Addys Then Marte, a visitor from the Dominican Republic. It was the focus of Dominican Republic native Addys Then Marte, executive director of Alianza Ong, a service organization in the Caribbean Island dedicated to promoting partnership and volunteering. Marte was in Charleston Oct. 11 as part of a three-week, multi-city visit  coordinated by a World Trade Organization and State Department-sponsored program. Marte’s visit was organized through the S.C. World Trade Center under the guidance of the City of Charleston Mayor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families.  A portion of Marte’s day-long agenda was spent with MUSC Gives Back director Liz Sheridan. The pair discussed successes gained throughout the program's decade-long service with MUSC’s student volunteer program and its community partnerships. “This is a great opportunity for MUSC and the Gives Back program,” said Sheridan. “Sharing ideas and matching specific needs with willing groups and individuals to provide a service is what volunteering is all about.”  Sheridan reviewed details about managing the program’s active partnerships with more than 150 Tri-county service organizations and its successes throughout its 10-year history. Through the aid of a Spanish interpreter, she discussed everything from communicating specific needs to documenting efforts.  Marte wore two hats during her U.S. visit: one as a representative of 19 non-profit agencies and another representing U.S. and Dominican organizations promoting partnership and volunteering.  “We want to establish volunteer programs with our university students throughout the country,” Marte said. “Coming to Charleston and meeting with Ms. Sheridan has been very helpful and will certainly draw new ideas for us.” Marte previously met with representatives and organizers dedicated to community service and volunteerism in Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City, Coopersville, Mich., and a handful of cities and towns. “Our meeting was an opportunity to discover and discuss the challenges of responding to many unmet needs within our communities, regardless of distance, culture and location,” Sheridan said. “Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of how and who gets involved to promote a positive action.”  The two-hour exchange ended with well-wishes and a promise to keep up with each other’s program via Internet. Marte’s final stop in her itinerary was a trip to New York City before returning to Santo Domingo.   Friday, Oct. 28, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.