Abstract

It’s never too early to get students thinking about volunteering and service. For many schools, elementary level students begin by participating in age-level appropriate service-learning projects and activities. However, by the time students reach high school, their actions should have a clearer focus and a more deliberate methodology. Clarifying the concept of “service” and how it fits into their lives is the goal of the “Importance of Volunteering and Service Session Activity” described in this effective practice and shared by LEARNS at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory via the AmeriCorps e-mail discussion list in April 2008.

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Issue

Working with high school students at a Student Leadership Summit, an AmeriCorps program wanted to include a session on civic engagement facilitated by current members.

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Action

Importance of Volunteering and Service Session Activity

25 minutes

Part I

“What are you passionate about?”

Time (15 minutes)

Supplies (chart pack, sticky notes, pens)

1. Hang several pieces of chart paper around the room with headers related to categories of social issues (i.e. environment, education, human needs, children and youth). Be sure to include a blank sheet for issues that don't fall into any of the categories. Place sticky notes and pens on each table.
2. Ask the group "What social issue are you most passionate about?" Provide an example you personally care about.
3. Ask participants to write their issue on a sticky note and place it on the chart paper with the category that best fits.
4. Once everyone has finished posting their issues it will become evident which subjects resonate most with the group. Read one or two of the issues to the group.

Part II

"Linking passion to service and your future"

Time (10 minutes)

Supplies (chart pack, markers)

1. Transition: Have the facilitator say something to the effect of: "There is a lot of energy and passion in this room. A great way to channel your energy is through volunteering and service. Let's think about some of the benefits of volunteering..."
2. On chart paper write "Why Volunteer?" Ask the question, "What are the benefits of volunteering?" and have participants brainstorm and record all ideas. Be sure to include some of the following key points:
   • Help others/make an impact
   • Have a voice in your community
   • Meet new people
   • Be like people you admire
   • Gain skills for future jobs
   • Connect with future employers
   • Investigate career options
   • Explore college majors/focus areas
   • Build your resume for college applications and jobs
3. Debrief: Have the facilitator say something to the effect of: "As you can see there are a lot of benefits to volunteering and service — including helping you apply for college and planning your college focus. Hopefully this exercise also helped you think about the type of service you are passionate about."
4. "This exercise can also be used with your classmates to learn about their volunteer interests, help them understand the benefits of volunteering, and get them thinking about their college focus."

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Context

The 30 minute session ran four times a day and focused on the importance of volunteering and service, how this relates to college applications, and creating future plans for community service projects.

The high school students who participated were 9-12th graders who had joined in-school peer networks committed to encouraging their classmates to strive for higher education opportunities after high school.

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Outcome

The exercise:

• Gave students a clearer understanding of social issues they would like to concentrate on through volunteer service.
• Helped students plan their college focus and in creating college applications

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