Information for Community Partners

Welcome to Service-Learning!

Being a community partner for service-learning can seem confusing- but we are here to help! The key item is knowing that service-learning is different from true volunteerism. Service-learning combines academic study with practical experience and civic engagement. Students will work with your organization for a semester (usually 20 hours per semester...this depends on the faculty member's requirements) applying something he or she has learned in the classroom. The student learns from YOU the community partner (making the information learned in class tangible) then brings that knowledge back to the classroom. It is truly amazing! We hope that you too want to be a community partner in service-learning. If so, feel free to contact our office. Also, we have a community partner toolkit which will help you understand exactly what service-learning is and how to get involved.

On this site we have information on how to orient a service-learning student to your organization and "What If" scenarios. Please click on the ServiceFest site and the Service-Learning Awards site to learn even more about how to get involved!

Orienting a Service-Learning Student to Your Organization:

During the student’s first visit to your agency, their site supervisor should cover the following items with the service-learning student (when applicable):

Provide essential resources and references:

Mission, values, and philosophy
Position descriptions
Organizational and departmental procedures

Review the service-learning contract and the course expectations.

Review the position descriptions and goals of the service-learning experience from the community partner point-of-view.

Review key policies:

Dress code
Confidentiality
Safety/accident procedures (health and first aid)
Background checks
Liability (if under18)
Visitors
Other policies specific to the population being served

Give instructions to the member of immediate staff and other key personnel.

Give a brief tour of the surrounding area and facilities (restrooms, computers, parking, etc.)

Identify potential meeting that the student might be interested in attending.

Identify co-workers who can train/assist with questions.

What if…? Scenarios:

What if… the student’s expectations aren’t being met?

A: When the students approaches you with the initial contract you both should take the time to openly discuss every expectation from both sides. If they seem to be doing work unrelated to their objectives, try and challenge them with more complicated tasks, if they seem capable.

What if… the student is not meeting our organizations expectations or begins to flake out and stop coming?

A: This is a perfect opportunity to revisit the contract. Remind them of what they agreed to do during their service with you. If it continues to be a problem, treat the student as you would any other volunteer in the same situation.

What if… the student does not know the professors objectives for the class?

A: Attached to the contract should be a list of the course objectives, which the both of you should go over together. If there is not, you may ask the student to bring in a copy of the syllabus. This is a great tool to figure out a position that will meet the needs of the student and also be helpful to your organization.

What if…I receive a call from a faculty member?

A: This is a wonderful opportunity for you to continuing building a partnership with the university. Be as helpful as possible. If you don’t have all the answers, which is okay, contact the universities’ service-learning office (see attached contact information specific to the university).

When should I expect students to call for placements? And how long can I expect them to come in and volunteer?

A: For students on a Semester System: 2 semesters, 16 weeks long. Expect theses students to call the last week of September and towards the middle of February.

For students on a Quarter System: 3 quarters, 10-12 weeks long. Expect these students to call the first week of October, the middle of January and then again the first week of April.

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