Service Learner Orientation Giving Them Direction

Service Learning Partnerships The Steans Center believes in mutually beneficial relationships between community- based organizations & the university What makes it beneficial for you to be a service site? What benefit do you provide to us as a service site?

What We Ask of Partners An identified site representative Representation at placement Clear and identified tasks for service learners Service Learner Orientation Participation in Community Development workshops (when possible) Utilize Service Learning Coordinators Participation in Quarterly Evaluation Updates on transitions within the organization Communication, Communication, & more Communication

Identified Site Representative Executive Director Volunteer Manager* Site Rep. to Steans Center Program DirectorFiscal Department

Placement Be There or Be Square Placement should be no more than a 3 minute commercial on your org. It gives you an opportunity to arrange an orientation date with students It’s an excuse to get out of the office

Providing Direction Clear & Defined Tasks Being able to provide meaningful work for the student and for your organization is the goal of service learning. Orientation Orientation should be approximately an hour long and provide some in-depth information to the student on your organization and the community

Supportive Services Community Development Workshops Provides an opportunity to network with colleagues Provides resources relevant to volunteers Service Learning Coordinators They are available to do the leg work if a student is MIA Follow-up with professors Answer questions

Input and Updates Evaluations Allows you to provide us with input to improve our program Updates Please provide us with any staff updates or changes Allows us to maintain communication and partnership with organization

COMMUNICATION The best way to maintain a productive and cooperative relationship is through communication. When students are or are not coming through – let us know When coordinators are or are not coming through – let me know Inform us on projects or ideas that you have and maybe we can find a way to make it work

Orientation Why orientation? What should be included in orientation? Who should do orientation? Where should orientation take place? When should orientation take place? How do I host an orientation?

Why? To give students an understanding of your work, your community, and your clients. To put into context the importance of community work and the impact it has in changing lives To get them to re-examine the world around them

What? Your orientation should include an opportunity for the students to become familiar with the mission and purpose of the organization as well as the community in which you are located.

Who? Ideally the site contact/representative will do the orientation for the students; however sometimes that is not possible, but someone with experience and expertise in the organization should provide the orientation. The person should be able to answer basic questions about the organization and the tasks the students will be engaged in.

Where? Orientations should take place on-site where the students will be doing their service You should arrange the orientation on a date and time you can get the most students present If possible a small community tour can be included

When? The orientation should take place the 2 nd week of the quarter. If students have not shown up for the orientation, please inform the service learning coordinator. Students cannot begin their service without an orientation first.

How? Survey the Field Examine your organization – ask current volunteers and staff what they wish they had known when they started. Find out what was confusing for them and make sure to clearly address that during orientation Provide a volunteer job description to be able to clearly identify tasks

How? Call up a Chorus Have an employee, volunteer, or client speak to the new service learners about their experience with the organization If you have a short video on your organization share it with the service learners Make them understand the array of work that goes on at your org. and how you are part of a bigger picture

How? Show them the ropes Provide a good intro into what your org. does, how you got started, your programs and future plans Discuss any potentially stressful situations they may encounter and let them know who they should go to in case Describe to them their duties and tasks

How? Give them the grand tour Provide the service learners with a tour of the organization, even beyond your program Show them where they can keep their stuff and where they can and cannot go Introduce them to staff, students, and other volunteers along the way

How? Send them home wanting more After the tour allow time for questions and answer them openly and honestly Have them fill out a volunteer information form, that includes their contact info and their availability Show them where the time logs can be found Let them know the next steps and review with them their individual volunteer schedule Thank them for coming

Your input? How do you do orientations? What can we add? Any suggestions?

Gracias! Thanks for coming out. You make our work possible. Some ideas and info for presentation came from volunteer.html volunteer.html