Preparation & Action

THINKING ABOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE
The following questions will help guide your reflections about what type of community service might be most beneficial to you and utilize your talents and time well.

Why are you interested in getting involved in community service?
· Has service always been a part of your life?
· Are you interested in connecting community service to your academic studies?
· What do you hope to learn or experience through service?
· Whom do you want to serve? What issues are important to you?

Do you want to do a one-time project with an agency or make a more long-term commitment?
· Clarify what type of commitment you can, or want to, make. For example, if you decide you can only commit to a one-time event, don't plan an activity, like tutoring, that requires training and an on-going commitment. Many service projects, along with tutoring, that tend to require training beforehand are day care centers or activities that require you to constantly be around children, food preparation/serving organizations, hospitals, counseling or hotline centers, and criminal-justice associated events.
· Agencies often have a mixture of needs that suit both on-going and one-time volunteers. If you are considering making a long-term commitment, but are not positive you can, choose any agency that provides opportunities for both, even if it involves training. You’d be surprised how attached you can get!

What type of community service do you want to do?
· There are three main types of service: direct, non-direct (behind the scenes) and indirect (on behalf of). Think about the intensity level of the experience you desire. If you have minimal experience with community service, behind-the-scenes work at an agency or work on behalf of individuals or an issue of concern may be the most comfortable way to begin. Many times, while direct service can be the most intense, it can also be the most rewarding.
· Direct service involves working one-on-one with individuals, such as tutoring children, teaching English as a second language or leading a sing-a-long for nursing home residents.
· Working behind the scenes (non-direct service) includes service such as painting a day care center or preparing food for people who are living with AIDS and are unable to cook for themselves.
· When working on behalf of an agency (indirect service) or issue you are concerned about, you may hold a fundraiser or participate in a letter writing campaign.

GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL SERVICE SITE
Learning about an agency's goals, expectations, history, philosophy, staff and volunteers can help you select one that best matches your interests and skills. These questions are just a beginning. Use this list to help you gather information about potential volunteer sites. Each agency has a volunteer coordinator or person in a similar position who can help you.

ABOUT THE AGENCY:
· What are the goals of the organization?
· How long has the agency been operating?
· Who does the agency serve?
· How many volunteers serve the organization?
· Have any Maryland students volunteered here before?
· What is the structure of the agency?
· How is it funded?
· How does the agency interact with the surrounding community?

ABOUT VOLUNTEERING:
· What expectations does the organization have of its volunteers?
· Do volunteers generally serve as individuals or groups? One-time or on-going?
· Is any training required of volunteers prior to volunteering with the organization? (CPR certified)
· What type of service does the agency need? (direct work with clients, behind-the-scenes work)
· Are there specific skills or qualities the agency is looking for in its volunteers?
· What type of orientations and on-going training do volunteers receive?
· Who supervises volunteers?
· Are there opportunities for regular interaction with the supervisor?
· Are there opportunities for regular interaction with those you are serving?
· What kind of feedback or evaluation do volunteers receive?

ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT:
· Must volunteers agree to a minimum commitment?
· How many hours per week are needed?
· Are the work times flexible or fixed?
· Is public transportation available to the site? Is there parking?
· Are there any travel, safety or health concerns that volunteers should note?
· Is there additional assistance required at certain times of the year? (holidays)
· What skills or qualities can volunteers develop as a result of working with the agency?

A TIMELINE FOR PLANNING SERVICE
Quality planning maximizes your experience as a volunteer and your ability to meet the needs of the community organization where you serve. Here is a suggested outline to help you plan your service:

1. At least six weeks prior to your desired service date…
· Determine the issues, populations, and locations that are of interest to you
· Determine you time investment (on-going, one time, how many hours)
· Consult Community Service Programs (web site or in-person)
· Get to know the volunteer coordinator that you will be communicating and working with at the agency
· Gather information about potential agencies and issues
· Make preliminary phone calls to agencies; discuss service activities and potential dates

2. At least four weeks prior to your desired service date…
· Solidify with the host agency the service location, date, time and activity
· Solidify transportation plans

3. At least two weeks prior to your service date…
· Review written information (either Website or printed publications) about the agency or issue.
· Draw connections to your coursework and other activities and life experiences.

4. After your service…
· Reflect and evaluate your service experience
· Thank host agency
· Continue to draw connections and learning from the service experience

Reflecting on Your Experience

By contemplating your service experience, you can better understand the people with whom and for whom you served, appreciate your thoughts and feelings, and potentially deepen your commitment. These questions can serve as a guide in your personal reflection:

· What did I learn about myself from this experience? What did I learn about others?
· In what ways did this experience challenge my values?
· Which of my values were affirmed by this experience?
· What emotions did I experience while I was involved in this experience? Which ones surprised me?
· What was the most successful part of this experience for me? What was the most frustrating part?
· If I could do any part of this experience over, what would it be? Why?
· What did I like best/least about my experience?
· What did I gain from the experience? What did I contribute?
· How might the person I was working with (tutoring, serving, etc.) feel about working with me? How successful might they feel our experience was together? What did the person I was working with share with me, teach me, give me?
· Why is it important to me to be involved in community service?
· What have I learned in other parts of my life (e.g. family, classes, cultural heritage, religious training) that helps me better understand this experience?
· How does this experience relate to things I am learning in classes?
· What opportunities for learning do I want to pursue?
· How might my efforts contribute or hinder social change?

Making the Commitment

A commitment to service is serious business. The organization, its staff and the people who utilize the agency depend on you to fulfill your obligations.

MAKING A COMMITMENT AS A VOLUNTEER INCLUDES:

· Understanding the agency’s philosophy and upholding its standards.
· Becoming familiar with and working in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures.
· Attending orientation and in-service training as scheduled.
· Notifying your supervisor if you are unable to work as scheduled and providing a substitute as appropriate.
· Treating all individuals with courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
· Bringing any problems or suggestions to the attention of your supervisor or the volunteer coordinator.
· Maintaining confidential, as directed by the agency, any information you obtain directly or indirectly concerning the people the agency serves.

Your volunteer site may ask you to sign a “volunteer agreement.” Before you sign, be sure you understand and feel comfortable with all the conditions listed. Discuss any questions you have with the volunteer coordinator or supervisor before you sign the document.