Abstract

During a community service fair representatives from local nonprofit agencies and on-campus student service organizations are invited to share information about getting involved in service.  This is a great opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to learn about local opportunities and the needs of campus and community organizations — and how they can volunteer to address those needs.  Michel Ward, an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Michigan Campus Compact at Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan, (2004-05) submitted this effective practice on implementing this type of event.

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Issue

Orienting college students to service opportunities, both on-campus and in the local community can be challenging.  An annual “community service fair” can be a good solution.

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Action

Logistical Arrangements

• Plan the fair on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.  Monday spurs forgetfulness and may be busy for community agencies, and college students tend to be weekend-focused on Fridays.
• Arrange for the fair to take place on-campus, in a high traffic area.  Set up tables for presenters to showcase information or displays.  Try to make alternative plans to move the fair inside (ideally in a building with lots of people) in case of rain.
• Schedule the fair early in the day when students are going to and from classes.
• Provide water and chairs for presenters.  Sunscreen is a good idea on a sunny day if the fair is to be held outside.
• Provide paperclips, rubber-bands, and paperweights in case it is windy.
• Keep track of communication with faculty, staff, students, and community representatives regarding the fair.  With numerous phone calls and e-mails, there is always the potential to forget small, but important, details.

Bringing Opportunities to Students, Faculty, and Staff

• Create a list of community agencies and student groups that may potentially participate in the fair.  Figure out which organizations are particularly crucial; this is especially important in smaller towns or at smaller colleges.  It would be a mistake to forget any organization that is already engaged with students or groups on campus.
• Most community agencies will be glad to participate, provided they have enough notice of the event.  Contact nonprofit agencies 6-8 weeks prior to the fair.
• On-campus student service organizations will generally be happy to take part in a community service fair.  Student leaders tend to be quite busy though and may require more reminders.  Contact student groups leaders 3-4 weeks prior to the fair.
• Obtain an e-mail or postal address for all representatives of student groups and community agencies who will be presenting at the fair.  Use this to confirm logistical details and provide directions to the fair. Send a follow up e-mail or letter thanking them for their participation.
• Also remember to send thank you notes to faculty members, staff, and students who helped with the fair.

Bringing Students, Faculty, and Staff to Opportunities

• Promote the fair on-campus with posters, flyers, and other media.  Find catchy ways to grab students’ attention.
• Send an e-mail about the fair to all faculty and staff and/or to all students.
• Speak briefly at student organization meetings or send e-mails via e-mail discussion lists; use blogs or other social media to create “buzz” about the fair.
• Encourage faculty members to announce the fair in their classes, or speak briefly to their classes and/or send an e-mail about the fair.  Ask faculty members to offer incentives to their students to participate in service, and to present the community service fair as a way to learn about opportunities.
• Create a list of significant staff and faculty members. These might include faculty who teach courses with a service-learning component, or staff with jobs related to community service.  Send them a letter about the fair (e.g. its purpose, time, and location) through campus mail, at least a month before the fair.  Follow up with a phone call or visit to their offices a week or so after sending the letter.

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Context

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

AmeriCorps*VISTA members leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of thousands of low-income areas across the country to address challenges and improve the lives of the people in those communities.

Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA members are placed within a network of campuses to build, support, and develop the capacity of college students to address the local needs of children in low-income communities and to gain a richer experience outside the classroom.

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Holding a community service fair for students with disabilities
• Increasing participation at service-learning fairs by choosing an appropriate name for the event

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