Volunteer with  ProStart®

There’s no better way to understand the power and potential of the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation than spending time with ProStart® students in the classroom, or opening your place of business to serve as classroom for a day. Take a look at the variety of volunteering opportunities ORA offers to consider what best suits you:

Fill Out Volunteer Interest Form

​Guest speakers give students a glimpse at what working in the restaurant business is all about. Spend one or more class periods in a classroom sharing your personal career journey, perspective on the industry or providing an overview on a specific topic.

Open your doors to a student or a small group of students for a half or full shift. Students will shadow various key positions within the organization to gain a well-rounded perspective of what working in the business entails.

​Accommodate and lead a group of as many as 25 students for a tour of your facility. Field trips typically last one-and-a-half hours to three hours, depending on if lunch is provided.
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Serve as an employer, hiring a ProStart student for part-time or full-time employment. Or provide a site for an internship opportunity, which is supported by ORA in a variety of capacities.

For more information on ways to get involved, contact Roberta Helsley at (405) 942-8181 or via email at roberta@okrestaurants.com.
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Get Involved with ProStart®

Industry Owners & Operators

• Access to interested and skilled employees
• Use mentorships to develop current employees as mentors to students
• Reduce turnover by motivating staff to be a part of a community-based project
• Support, mentor training and development provided by the ORA
• Increase community involvement and public relations

Educators

• Easy to use, comprehensive teacher materials
• Support and professional development provided by the ORA and ODCTE
• Develop partnerships with local industry and businesses
• Enhance resource materials through national affiliation

Students

• Experience a fun and interesting class
• Learn critical workplace skills
• Develop a personal career portfolio through completion of course work
• Gain exposure to industry leaders
• Receive a nationally recognized certification
• Increase access to college credit and scholarship opportunities

How Can I Get Involved?

Incorporating ProStart® into your school is a simple!
It starts with the school purchase of ProStart® textbooks. Once the ProStart® curriculum is introduced in the classroom, teachers and students will receive support from ORA, including connecting the school to an industry mentor, providing scholarship opportunities, hosting the state competition, and offering professional development opportunities to educators. There is no annual fee or financial obligation. The level of support ORA offers a school depends on how active the school is in the ProStart® program.

​To learn more about the ORA's program or to take advantage of these wonderful benefits, contact Roberta Helsley at (405) 942-8181 or via email at roberta@okrestaurants.com.

Oklahoma ProStart® Schools

There are many Oklahoma schools already using ProStart®; yours could be next!

• Caddo Kiowa Technology Center
• Edmond Memorial High School
• Edmond North High School
• Edmond Santa Fe High School
• Francis Tuttle Technology Center
•  Great Plans Technology Center
• John Marshall High School
• Indian Capital Technology Center
• Kiamichi Technology Center
• Meridian Technology Center

• Metro Technology Center
• Nathan Hale High School
• Northwest Classen High School
• Northeast Technology Center, Afton
• Northeast Technology Center, Pryor
• Northwest Technology Center, Fairview
• Pioneer Technology Center
• Star Spencer High School
• Tulsa Technology Center
• Western Technology Center