|
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one
thing I know. The only ones among you who will be truly
happy will be those who have sought and found how to
serve."
-Albert Schweitzer
Stories of Community
Service
Upon completion of her community service
activities, a 2005 RPCS graduate wrote:
"Being in the youth group at St. Martin's
in the Field Episcopal Church in Severna Park, Maryland,
known by name as SMART, has been my most meaningful
activity during high school. Through this group, I have
been given numerous opportunities to participate in
community service. I believe it is extremely important
to give back to the community, and St. Martin's has
a strong outreach program. In the past, we volunteered
at a homeless shelter, collected can goods while Christmas
caroling in local neighborhoods for Severna Park Assistance
Network, painted and cleaned St. Mary's Outreach Center
in Baltimore and our church nursery, participated in
the 30-Hour Famine for World Hunger program and raised
funds for World Hunger with a car wash, helped with
Habitat for Humanity and supported numerous church events
by staffing, cooking, serving food, and cleaning. Perhaps
the most amazing part of SMART is each member is incredibly
different and attends various schools in the area but
we come together to form a very accepting and cohesive
group.
Why Should You Get Involved In Community Service?
Community service provides a variety of unique benefits
to the students, the community and to the organizations
where students volunteer. It is very common that volunteers
get much more out of their service experience than
they expect. Also, the community gains resources and
services that would otherwise be unavailable.
Every community service activity or project benefits
a specific individual or group. Whether it is building
a home for the working poor, serving victims of chronic
or terminal illness, tutoring children, or any other
service activity, there is a person or group who ultimately
benefits from your time! Without volunteers like you
these services would not be provided and the lives
of those people receiving the services would not be
enriched. In addition, whenever you reach out and help
one person, there is a ripple effect that ultimately
results in benefits to the entire community.
Finally, the organizations where you conduct your
service work also benefit enormously. Non-profit agencies
and government programs have suffered many budgetary
cutbacks, yet client needs have continued to expand.
Volunteers can make significant contributions to these
agencies in their attempt to deal with the complex
and growing needs of society.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Service Experience
Like any opportunity you must try to make the most
of it. Treat this opportunity like you would an important
job. Be committed to your work! Just because it is
a volunteer job does not mean you do not have any obligations.
-
Be on time and dress appropriately
-
Perform your work to the best of your abilities
-
Always try to do a little more than is required
-
Keep a journal of your experiences, lessons learned,
special people and pictures
The volunteer work you do will be the basis on which
you build professional contacts and job skills. If
you perform your work poorly and don't take the position
seriously, it will negatively reflect on you, RPCS
and our community service program. On the other hand,
if you do well in your volunteer work, it may be a
springboard to future opportunities, including part-time
work or full-time career opportunities. Also, don't
be afraid to discuss your volunteer work assignment
with your supervisor. If you wish to be involved in
specific activities or projects at your agency, don't
be afraid to ask. Many times volunteer supervisors
will willingly get volunteers involved in new projects
if they know you are interested!
Service Outside of the Local Community
http://www.nationalservice.org/
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/americorps.asp
|
