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Our Model
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 Initial Questions
What is service?
Service-Learning
The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse proposes the following descriptions of Service-Learning:
“Service-learning combines service objectives with learning objectives with the intent that the activity changes both the recipient and the provider of the service. This is accomplished by combining service tasks with structured opportunities that link the task to self-reflection, self-discovery, and the acquisition and comprehension of values, skills, and knowledge content.”
Direct Community Service
When most people think of community service or volunteering they are thinking about direct service or hands-on activities. Direct service involves interaction between the volunteer and the service reci pient. Examples of direct service include tutoring children, visiting residents at a nursing home, and serving meals at a soup kitchen.
Indirect Community Service
Indirect service supports the infrastructure of community and social service agencies through activities such as mailings, telethons and fundraisers.
Advocacy
Often associated with activism, advocacy focuses in on specific issues that people and/or communities are currently facing. Volunteers participate by sponsoring educational campaigns, lobbying the government, and speaking out to the public to raise awareness.
Why Serve?
Why not? Service doesn’t only help others. Performing service can benefit you too. You can explore careers, gain experience, meet new people, etc. It can also be a lot of fun. Read the quotes below for fellow TCU students about why they are involved.
In short, I serve to give back to the community. There are so many people out there less fortunate than us. Why not use the time and resources that I have to help them out? I do not hope to gain much out of the experience for myself. Of course, I feel accomplished if I serve someone but I never expect anything in return. The knowledge that I have done something that could possibly have affected someone's day, or even someone's life, is enough. A smile on a person's face is the best thanks anyone could give.
—Jessica Searcy
Class of 2007
I choose to participate in service because I love it. Serving the community gives me a sense of accomplishment because I can see the impact I have on other individuals. Serving the community also allows for personal growth and the opportunity to view life from various angles. I have learned so much about the community and the challenges that people face but have also learned a lot about myself. I have discovered what truly matters to me in my life and have become a stronger leader. Finally, serving others is not simply a choice... to me, service is an obligation bestowed upon every individual. We all need guidance and support throughout our lives and it is our job to offer our support to others considering so many people help us on a daily basis.
While many people claim to do service work for the people they are ultimately serving, I will be frank and honest with you. I do service work because it makes me a better person, it makes me feel good about myself, it makes me more aware, and it makes me better understand various viewpoints. I know that when I do service work I am helping people, that is the nature of the work; therefore, I hope that while I am serving individuals and/or the community I can build upon my current foundation to become an even more prolific leader/individual.
—Austin Uebele
Class of 2008
Well the main reason why I like doing community service is b/c I love it. I was an officer of a community service program all 4 years in high school and when I came to college I knew that I wanted to continue giving back. I know that serving can also be lengthy and taxing at times...at least from my experience. But the final result is so rewarding. Last year, after LEAPS was over, I walked back to my apartment. And even though I was so exhausted and tired, I couldn’t stop smiling knowing that I played a big part in putting on this amazing event. It's knowing that you made someone’s day, you made their life easier, even if it was just for a moment. It’s seeing someone smile and say "thank you" and knowing that they really appreciate you being there.
—Kelly O’Fallon
Class of 2006 |
Finding your Skills
Personal Skills and Community Skills Assessment
In order to help make your community service most beneficial to you, you should first assess your skills and interest. Ask yourself:
What does service look like in my life? What do I have an interest for? What would I like to learn more about? Click here for an activity that may help.
Whom do I want to serve? What population would I like to work with?
What skills can I offer? What skills would I like to develop?
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Research Local Agencies
| A Few Local Opportunities |
While there are hundreds of non-profit agencies in the Fort Worth area here is a small list on agencies we work closely with that will get you started. Click Here. |
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| VolunteerMatch.org |
Click Here to take you to VolunteerMatch.org.
This website will give you an interactive search tool to look through many of the agencies in the community that need volunteers. |
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| Visit Our Office |
Located on the second floor of the Student Center room 220, the Center staff will be happy to discuss with you different agencies in the community that you or your group might be able to work with. |
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Orientation
In order to ensure that your experience in the community is the most beneficial to you and the agency that you are working with, you must first go through an Orientation. Many agencies already have an orientation requirement before you ever volunteer, please discuss with the volunteer coodinator exactly what this will look like. If the agency you are working with does not have an official orientation it is important to request some level of an overview about the organization and the work you will be doing.
Volunteer Bill of Rights
Click here to download the Volunteer Bill of Rights.
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Evaluation
What is evaluation?
Evaluation facilitates a process of collecting comprehensive feedback about an event, project, or set of experiences. Everyone who participates in the project should be part of the evaluation process including the coordinators, volunteers, service recipients, and members of the community agency or community partner.
Why is evaluation important?
Leaving a detailed and complete program evaluation will help guide your future efforts and will assist the efforts of coordinators in years to come.
Sample Evaluation Questions
- Would you recommend returning to this service site again in the future? YES NO (explain)
- Describe the service project you participated in.
- What were the successes of the project/event?
- What were the challenges of the project/event?
- What recommendations coudl you give for improving the project in the future?
- What feedback did you hear from participants in the project?
- What advice or suggestions do you have for future students who work with this agency?
Tools for Effective Evaluation
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Reflection
What is reflection?
Reflection facilitates a process in which to think clearly about what one is doing and about the experiences one is having. Through reflection, the experience of serving may become more deeply part of one’s life, values and beliefs. Reflection helps one understand how a service activity fits into much larger issues and social contexts.
Why is reflection important?
We have all heard the saying, “We learn from our experiences.” But do we? No! If we learned from our experiences we would all be perfect, the world would be without conflict and there would be no need for service. We don’t learn from experiences, we learn from reflecting on our experiences.
An example: The Mirror, The Microscope and the Binoculars. Use any of the following questions to spark internal reflection or group dialogue.
1. The Mirror (A clear reflection of the Self) Who are you? How do you describe yourself?
- What are your values? What do you believe?
- What have you learned about yourself through this experience?
- Do you have more/less understanding or empathy than you did before volunteering?
- In what ways, if any, has your sense of self, your values, your sense of “community,” your willingness to serve others, and your self-confidence/self-esteem been impacted or altered through this experience?
- Have your motivations for volunteering changed? In what ways?
- How has this experience challenged stereotypes or prejudices you have/had?
- Any realizations, insights, or especially strong lessons learned or half-glimpsed?
- Will these experiences change the way you act or think in the future?
- Have you given enough, opened up enough, cared enough?
- How have you challenged yourself, your ideals, your philosophies, your concept of life or of the way you live?
2. The Microscope (Makes the small experience large)
- What happened? Describe your experience as if you were talking to a close friend.
- What would you change about this situation if you were in charge?
- What have you learned about this agency, these people, or the community?
- Was there a moment of failure, success, indecision, doubt, humor, frustration, happiness, sadness?
- Did you make a difference? Do you feel your actions had any impact?
- What more needs to be done? What more can you do?
- Does this experience complement or contrast with what you’re learning in class? How?
- Has learning through experience taught you more, less, or the same as in class? In what ways?
3. The Binoculars (Makes what appears distant, appear closer)
- From this service experience, can you identify any underlying or overarching issues that influence the problem?
- What could be done to change the situation?
- Will this alter your future behaviors, attitudes, and career? If so, how?
- How is this issue or agency you’re serving been impacted by what is going on in the larger political/social sphere?
- What does the future hold?
- What can be done?
(Source: Mark Cooper, WashingtonUniversity in St. Louis)
Tools for Effective Reflection
- Write in a personal journal, create press releases, or send letters to elected officials.
- Read case studies, books and articles and quotes to set a tone.
- Watch movies or documentaries, create art, or participate in role plays.
- Participate in discussions, presentations and/or storytelling.
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Integration
What is integration?
Integration is the process of taking what you learned from your service and acting on it, essentially, “walking your talk.” Integration allows you to continue to explore larger social issues and intentionally make them a part of your life.
Why is integration important?
Integration ensures one’s personal development and growth. Life-long learners integrate knowledge, act on it, and continue to impact issues, communities and the world.
Tools for Effective Integration:
- Continue your service
- Visit the CCISL to learn about other service opportunities that interest you
- Research issues to learn more about their history, root causes, relief efforts, etc.
- Write an article to the Skiff
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