Community Service 101:The Nuts and Bolts of Starting a Service Project

Help! I'm new, Where do I start?

Often the best place to start volunteering is with an established organization or agency. Their experience in working with volunteers will make your first encounter a lot smoother and enjoyable. There are many different places that you can learn of potential agencies that are in need of volunteers not to mention the various service projects sponsored by Notre Dame student groups. Most likely, a quick call to the CSC will be all you need to get started in the right direction.

Contacts for Service and Social Action

What Will I Need to Know?

The following checklist should help you prepare everything that you will need. When you first contact an organization about volunteering, you will to get the following information:

• Name, address, and telephone number of the person coordinating the program.
• The days and times that the organization needs help.
• The duties that need to be performed and any qualifications that might be necessary.

Location, distance and availability of transportation for your group. If transportation becomes an issue, the CSC may be able to help. CSC Vans are available to students and student groups participating in service projects in the South Bend community. For more information, please contact the CSC at 631-5293.

All of the aforementioned information will most likely be able to be gathered over the telephone. However, it may be necessary to meet in person if for some reason, training is involved. If you are having trouble reaching somebody, do not get discouraged. Leave a brief but concise message stating your name, phone number and that you wish to volunteer. This should ensure that you call is returned promptly. If you are contacting an agency and they wish to meet with you, try to get a feel for the place while you are there. You'll definitely want to find out:

• What days and times that they want you to work. Will it be the same time every week, or will the schedule be flexible?
• What exactly will you be doing? Will you need any special training and if so, what kind and when will it begin?
• Will there be a point when you can expand and diversify your activities?
• Does the organization serve individuals directly or indirectly?

This is very important to know if you will be recruiting others to volunteer with you.

• Who else volunteers for them?
• Will you be working alone or with others in a project?
• What are the agency's policies?

Be sure to know what to do in case of an emergency and who to contact if a problem arises. Before the meeting comes to an end, try to come to some kind of an agreement. It need not be formal as long as everyone knows what to expect from each other.

Strategies for a Successful Experience

Clarify Expectations - Be honest with yourself and the people you are working with.
Always be Reliable - If you can't make it, call in advance.
Confront Difficulties - If something is bothering you, discuss it with someone. Things rarely improve on their own, and you don't want to have to leave unnecessarily.
Be Sensitive - The people that you may encounter could be very different from you. That does not mean they don't have feelings. Treat them with the same dignity and respect that you would want for yourself.
Safety First - Do not put yourself in a situation that you cannot handle. You're not only putting yourself at risk, but the reputation of the agency is at stake as well.
Be Flexible - Things do not always go exactly as planned. Try to adjust and go with the flow.

How Much Can I Accomplish?

Before you begin your service project, there are three important factors that you must consider: Schedule, Time Frame and Commitment. Social service can be very rewarding and a lot of fun, but it is a commitment. You have to be sure that this is what you want to do before there are other people depending on you. It is admirable to want to save the world, but in reality, helping one other person is a feat in itself.

Schedule: Take a good look at your existing schedule before you try to add more things to it. What is class work schedule? How much time do you need for eating, sleeping, studying, exercising, etc? Don't forget exams and papers. Allow for more time than seems necessary at first glance.

Time Frame: Some activities must be done on certain days at certain specified times. Others can be done on a more flexible schedule. Regular times are easier to remember and plan for, while flexible hours are easier to fit into an already established schedule. It's important to decide which option is better for you.

Commitment: The amount of time you spend is not half as important as your dedication to that particular project. It is far better to take on a small project and complete it, than to be overly ambitious and in the end, disappointing someone.

Reflection: Doing service can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of your life. Always remember to take some time and reflect on the people you have met and the lives that you have touched. Don't Ever Get Discouraged
 
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.--Margaret Mead