Community Engagement 101/301 A Student Guide

Course Description

The Community Enrichment course introduces students to the concepts of civic responsibility, social issues and personal values. Students complete at least 15 hours of service on a meaningful project/activity that addresses a community need.

Course Outcomes

Students will demonstrate an understanding of social responsibility within the context of the larger community.

Evidenced by participation in a meaningful volunteer activity that benefits a non-profit organization.

Students will identify personal, moral and social values resulting from community involvement.

Evidenced by reflective written assignments.

Students will demonstrate respect and understanding for all people.

Evidenced by using appropriate language and acting in an ethical and respectful manner.

General Course Outline

Weeks 1 & 2:

Read Students Guide, Syllabus, and Service Options through Canvas.

Research and arrange an appropriate community service opportunity.

Weeks 3-9:

Engage in community service activity for approximately 2.5 hours a week for six weeks (schedules will vary), resulting in a total of 15 hours of service.

Weeks 6-9:

Continue serving in volunteer placement

Attend weekly CE class on Tuesdays from 10:26-11:15 (EG S 338)

Complete online discussion board writing prompts

Week 10:

Obtain verification of having completed 15 hours of community service

Submit verification and final written essay by Tuesday of Week 10

What are appropriate forms of community service for CE Class?

The activity must benefit a non-profit organization or government entity (ie. public school, police force, etc.)

If you are unsure if your chosen organization is non-profit, you can check here: http://ucc.state.ri.us/CorpSearch/CorpSearchInput.asp

The activity must meet an community need as identified by the organization and/or community concerned.

The activity must be unpaid/no financial rewards accepted.

Past volunteer hours can be counted if they occurred within the last two quarters, can be documented and if you are currently engaged with this activity.

All prior voluntary military service, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps service will be accepted for CE credit with documentation. This is the only form of prior and/or paid service that will be accepted.

Speak with your instructor before beginning service if you have questions!

Unacceptable Activities

Paid work (even if it is for a non-profit organization)

Transfer credits

Court ordered community service

Monetary donations

Unpaid work for a for-profit business

Past community service

Paid work-study

Service that cannot be documented by a non-profit organization staff member

Working on a political campaign or for a 501c4

Proselytization activities

NEIT Student Volunteer Expectations

As an NEIT student, you are representing yourself as well as the college.

Behave appropriately in your actions, language and dress.

Dress modestly and follow agency guidelines for dress code.

Refrain from using profane language and excessive slang.

Arrive to service on time and ready to work.

Be responsible by being there when you say you will be, completing tasks you agree to, and following agency guidelines.

Under no circumstances should you discriminate against another individual or group. Under no circumstances should you harass another individual or group.

Treat this as a professional opportunity to increase your skill set, network and experience.

You should never tolerate harassment or discrimination during your service work.

If you feel uncomfortable at your service site for any reason, discuss it with your on-site supervisor

immediately and inform your instructor. If you do not feel comfortable bringing the issue to your site supervisor,

contact your instructor right away. Your instructor’s role is to help you mediate these issues and have a positive

experience.

Katie Jourdenais

401-780-4199 X 3352 or kjourdenais@neit.edu

How to Find a Service Experience

1. Consider your personal and career goals that could be met through a service experience.

• Service is a great way to learn a new skill or gain experience in your field.

2. Think about your schedule and transportation options to come up the best times and locations for you to serve. You can complete your service over the course of all 10 weeks or in 2-3 longer events- it is all about what works for you AND the nonprofit organization you’ve chosen to serve.

3. What are you passionate about? You are going to have a better experience volunteering for a cause you care about.

4. Explore the local options & ask your instructor for help!

How to Find a Service Experience Part 2

The CE course Canvas site lists local opportunities, pick one that interests you and call for more information.

Visit the Serve Rhode Island website and utilize their search feature.

Other online resources include:

www.volunteermatch.org

www.idealist.org

www.allforgood.org

Put your network to good use! Ask friends or family if they are involved in any local community groups.

Additional possibilities include your church, former high school or Girl/Boy Scouts troop, local town, and many others.

Be creative! Host a FUNdraiser for a non-profit you care about and invite your friends to donate money, food items or other necessities as part of the fun. Get instructor permission first if you plan to do this.

Contact your instructor if you need assistance.

Tips for Getting Started

Pick up the phone! We live in an electronic age, but most nonprofits are easiest to reach with a phone call. If you have to leave a message, leave your full name and phone number.

Be upfront about the number of hours and length of time you are willing to commit. The course requires 15 hours of service and is 10 weeks long but you can continue to volunteer long after the quarter ends!

Be polite but persistent! Nonprofit staff members are often responsible for many tasks and cannot always call back right away. Follow up with an email or a second phone call after a couple days.

Be clear about the days and times you are committing to, where you need to be and what you need to wear.

Donations In Lieu of Service

Historically, the college has allowed students to provide a donation such as non-perishable food items or used clothing in lieu of service hours. This is with awareness that many of our students work full time in addition to their studies at NEIT and have constraints on their time above and beyond those of many traditional college students.

By planning ahead and staying motivated, most students are able to incorporate the service hours into their schedule for the quarter. In the event that this is not possible, donations in lieu of service will continue to be accepted according to the following guidelines:

Donations In Lieu of Service

Student may use donations for no more than 10 of their required service hours. See instructor with questions or for extenuating circumstances.

Donations must be brought to a non-profit organization and students must obtain documentation of their donation.

Written reflections will be based on the social issue addressed by the non-profit and student donation.

No financial donations can be counted.

1 non-perishable food item = 20 minutes of service

3 items = 1 hour of service

30 items = 10 hours of service

1 gently used appropriate children’s book = 20 minutes of service

4 books = 1 hour of service

30 books = 10 hours of service

1 grocery sized bag of used clothing = 1 hour of service

10 bags = 10 hours of service

For questions regarding other types of donations, please speak with the instructor.

Class Attendance

Class Attendance/Participation is counted in Weeks 6-10 of the quarter. You can earn your attendance for the week in two different ways:

Attend the in person class meeting from 10:26-11:15 AM on Tuesdays (EG Room S 338). The group will discuss the week’s reflection topic as well as any highlights/problems in everyone’s service activities. This is an opportunity to interact with your classmates and digest your experience/get help.

OR…

Respond to the Discussion Board topic on the Canvas website, making sure to meet the guidelines for a written post.

Service Documentation

The Service Documentation counts for 50% of your course grade and you cannot pass CE101 without it!

The form can be found on the Canvas course site and must be completely filled out.

Your hours must be approved by a non-profit organization staff member (see instructor with questions or concerns about this).

No hours can be approved by family members. If you are serving with a family member, you should find someone else to sign off on your hours.

I verify hours by calling the organizations on a random basis or if something is questionable.

Verifcation forms are due on Tuesday of Week 10

It is my hope that you will find this course to be enriching and positive learning experience.

As with most things in life, you will get as much out of this as you put in.

Truly serving others can be a transformative experience and you may find a new side of yourself

that you didn’t know was there!

Katie Jourdenais, CE Instructor 401-739-5000, EXT 3352 kjourdenais@neit.edu

Office Hours and Location: East Greenwich Library, Room 105 W

Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM