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Getting Involved in a Joint Service Project

Submitted by august on Wed, 2006-01-25 23:16.
There are all types of service projects you can do. You can come up with your own or get involved with something that is already going on.

How to Come Up With a Service Project:

  • What is your organization’s mission? What types of activities can you do to strengthen that mission?
  • Determine if there is a need in your community that is not being met.
  • What do you have money for? Can you do something that costs nothing?
  • Survey your members during meetings to see what they would be interested in doing.
  • What have other groups successfully done in the past?
  • Is your membership aware of any projects going on in the community?
  • Put it up to vote so that representatives from both groups are involved in the decision-making process.

Hints:

  • Make sure that you choose something that everyone is interested in doing so you can be assured that people will show up, not just sign up.
  • The SSA always encourages our affiliates to take on controversial issues, however, when you’re participating in an outreach project it is sometimes best to pick something neutral that almost everyone can support. Remember you are trying to establish relationships with the community. Therefore you are trying to appeal to the greatest number of people. If you choose something controversial you may turn people off and the message will get lost.
  • Make sure both groups have equal say and have a vocal representative
  • Keep in mind time constraints for student participants. Make sure the service project is not during finals or breaks.
  • Offer students rides
  • Always remember that you do not have to come up with something on your own. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in your community that already exist. There are organizations you could get involved with, projects you can do, or volunteer opportunities to take advantage of.
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