Abstract

Creating a concrete plan helps lead members and volunteers to definitive action! This effective practice, submitted by Hands On Network in April 2007, outlines a strategy for program directors to implement with volunteers.

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Issue

One of the main challenges faced by service programs is to move volunteers and members from an ideological perspective to an action-oriented strategy.

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Action

One of the primary ways to engage volunteers on the service to civics continuum is by involving them in creating a strategy for deeper civic involvement. One approach includes:

Begin by having volunteers explore the root causes of the issues that concern them. You can do this by providing volunteers with context for their service.

• Who are your clients and/or service recipients?
• What are the community needs/issues you are working to address?
• What are the greatest challenges facing your organization?
• How will your volunteers' service impact your organization's mission?
• What are the barriers to implementing lasting change around the issue?

Once volunteers understand some of the causes behind the issue, lead them to explore ways to address it. A good way to do this is to ask volunteers to brainstorm a list of characteristics embodied by active citizens.

Building off the list, ask volunteers to think about what characteristics they would like to spend more time cultivating. Plans should list commitments that will occur over the next week, month, five years, decade and lifetime.

To make the plan more manageable for volunteers, you can ask them to concentrate on four spheres of influence in their lives (for example, family, friends or community). Then, they can list one or two action steps for each sphere of influence. For example, if a sphere of influence is a volunteer's neighborhood, then s/he could commit to attend the next neighborhood association meeting. They can continue their plan by committing to action steps for the near future and for months or years in the future.

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Outcome

Taking the time to create civic involvement plans with your volunteers will help move them from reflection to action.

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Posted On

April 3, 2007

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For More Information

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Resources

See the resource, Service to Civics Guidebook.

Source Documents

Service to Civics Guidebook

Related Practices

• Deepening the connection between service activities and civic involvement

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