What is Community Service?
"Community Service shall be defined as service performed for approved persons, organizations or agencies outside of the student's home and/or family. --- Beginning with the Fall of 2014, every high school student will participate in community service as part of the EPISD learning experience." --- Board of Managers Goal 3-Immediate
How to make the most of your Community Service:
Ask yourself:
- What kinds of work would I like to do?
- What groups would I like to help (such as children, seniors, animals)?
- What social or environmental issues would I like to address?
- How much time do I have to volunteer?
- What do I want to get out of volunteering? A chance to meet people, make a difference, use a skill or talent, or gain professional experience and contacts?
Choose organizations you're interested in, then:
- Ask for a tour of the facility
- Ask questions that interest you
- Stretch beyond your comfort level. Something you've never tried before could put you in contact with new groups and help you build new skills.
If you are working with the organization's clients, listen to them more than you talk. Listening validates others' experiences and helps them feel comfortable.
Who knows? Maybe you'll learn some things as you listen.
Avoid extremely personal questions or questions that might embarrass clients.
Go out of your way to interact with the people you're serving, other volunteers, and staff people. Even if you're working on just a short project, sharing yourself can have a lasting impact on others. Watch for lasting impacts others have on you, too.
If you finish the task you came to do, ask the agency for another project that could use your help. You'll get to see a different aspect of the organization and gain another experience.