1. Civic Engagement and Volunteerism in the Union Linda Corriveau Plymouth State University © linda corriveau, 2011

2. Overview Correlation between volunteerism and student union objectives & missions Trends in service among young people Effective service Translating service into union life Utilizing community service in programming or employee training

3. ACUI As the center of the college community life, the union complements the academic experience through an extensive variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs. These programs provide the opportunity to balance course work and free time as cooperative factors in education. The union is a student-centered organization that values participatory decision-making. Through volunteerism, its boards, committees, and student employment, the union offers first-hand experience in citizenship and educates students in leadership, social responsibility, and values. In all its processes, the union encourages self-directed activity, giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and for growth in individual social competency and group effectiveness. "Role of the College Union." ACUI. October 29, 2009. Accessed November 2, 2011. http://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=30&id=296.

4. Mission and Values Plymouth State University –The mission of the Hartman Union Building (HUB) is to educate for personal growth and responsible citizenship. University of Tennessee –The University Center supports the educational mission by providing quality services and facilities, a sense of place, and an interactive "living room of the University." Serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests, the University Center is committed to student development and learning, civic engagement and discourse, multiculturalism, healthy living, and sustainability.

5. Trends in Service Generation of volunteers – September 11th – Hurricane Katrina World Trade Center Photo: REUTERS/Gary Hershorn Katrina Photo: Linda Corriveau

6. The numbers *The number of college students volunteering grew by nearly 600,000 from 2.7 million in 2002 to 3.3million in 2005. *The growth rate of college student volunteers (approximately 20%) is more than double the growth rate of all adult volunteers (9%). *In 2005, approximately 30.2 percent of college students volunteered, exceeding the volunteer rate for the general adult population of 28.8 percent. Photo: Linda Corriveau -College Students Helping America. Report. Washington: Corporation for Community and National Service, 2006.

7. Campus Compact Annual Survey 2009-2010 Survey –Responding colleges and universities report students contributed more than 382 million hours of service Where they are volunteering: –Education –Hunger issues –Tutoring –Poverty issues –Environment/ Sustainability issues –Housing/Homelessness Campus Compact. (2011). 2010 Annual Membership Survey Results: Executive Summary. Boston, MA: Campus Compact.

8. Definitions Volunteerism vs. Community Service or Service-Learning!? – Volunteerism is the policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or talents for charitable, educational or other worthwhile activities, especially in one’s community (dictionary.com) – Community Service identifies a social need and creates solutions to alleviate the need – Service-Learning is academic in nature and related to course curriculum and syllabus

9. What is Effective Service? Finding projects of need & value to community partners or non-profit agencies Making sure volunteers are prepared and utilized Providing time for reflection Evaluating the project

10. Reflection Important part of service – Allows the participant to process aspects of the project worked on – Opportunity to share – Positive or Negative – Facilitated, structured, “free-form”, individually or in a group

11. Student Survey Survey of HUB student employees – The Hartman Union Building is a hybrid (union and recreation facility) – Survey only of employees on the facilities & programming side 27 students surveyed 20 participate/d in service related activities as a student at PSU (74%)

14. Translating Service Into Union Life What they’re learning volunteering – Leadership and Communication (55% Strongly Agreed) – Greater Knowledge of Community, Facilitation Skills (44% Agreed) – Networking, Planning/Organization and General Skills (40% Agreed) What they’re using in the union – Communication Skills – Greater Knowledge of Community – Planning/Organization Skills – Leadership Experience – Networking Skills

15. Putting Service Into Action Getting Involved Campus Community Service Center Local Non-Profits One Time Events Campus Organizations Partnerships On-going relationship with an area non- profit. Cultivated and can be mutually beneficial Positive relationships make scheduling projects easy

16. Creating Programs Programs don’t have to originate in a Community Service Center – Use Community Service Center as a resource – Have an idea of focus area or type of project to work on – Partner with student group, faculty or Community Service Center

17. Creating Programs Continued Know your needs – Transportation – Special site requirements – Food – Appropriate attire – Equipment

18. Employee Training If utilizing during training, may still have to pay wages Can you split staff into smaller groups? What are your learning outcomes? Or is there something specific you want them to get out of it? Incentives/Initiatives to volunteer on their own throughout the year?

19. Employee Training If encouraging students to take part on their own – Promote volunteer opportunities in staff meetings – Have student staff talk about their volunteer projects – Outside of work social activity centered around volunteering

20. Volunteering is a natural fit in college union Students are volunteering & they enjoy it They’re learning and using skills in the union Many ways to utilize volunteer projects in programming or training Afghans for Afghans- PSU Volunteers Spring 2011

21. Discussion & Wicked Awesome Ideas