Take Action! 

Whether you are working off-campus at a non-profit's site or on-campus, there are a few things you can learn in advance to make this the best possible experience for everyone.  

Volunteer coordinators at non-profits are very busy people, juggling the needs and expectations of their clients, volunteers, funding organization, government agencies, etc.  They often work on a shoestring budget, and while our partners are vetted and happy to work with you, they may also fall behind in communication at times.  Feel free to reach out politely when needed to clarify your role and expectations.  If you don't hear back in the timeframe required to complete the requirements successfully, please contact your instructor right away.  

The clients and populations that your organization works with should be treated with dignity and respect at all times.  At ACC, we approach service-learning with an justice and equity framework--we know that the conditions facing many community members are often the result of unjust structures within our society that organizations are attempting to address.  For volunteers, this means we work together with our partners to approach service with an asset-based mindset rather than a deficit-based mindset.  In other words, rather than seeing clients as people with deficits that need to be improved, we want to recognize the cultural wealth, skills, and assets of our community partners and their clients.

You might have some anxiety about what the expectations are on your volunteer site and how you can act be viewed more professionally by the organization and other students.  This is common and understandable!  While every organization is different and has different expectations, there are some general guidelines you can follow to help boost your professionalism on a job or volunteer site.  

Treat your volunteer work as a paying job:  show up on time, fulfill your commitments, and follow all the policies of the organization.  

If you meet your manager in person, it's a good idea to make eye contact, introduce yourself, and shake hands.  If you're meeting online, it's polite to turn on your camera and introduce yourself if at all possible.

Here are some examples of professionalism from the National Association of Colleges and Employers:

• Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.

• Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.

• Be present and prepared.

• Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).

• Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.

• Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.

• Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in their work.

• Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job.

(Source:  "What is Career Readiness?" National Association of Colleges and Employers,  2023.

Do some research on your organization, even if it's not required for class.  Most organizations have a website, and most organizations state their 'mission statement' (which tells you their overall purpose), their 'vision statement' (which tells you where they aspire to go or what they hope to do), and the populations they serve.  Try to discover what they do and what needs they meet, who they serve in the community, when and where they do their work, and why they are doing the services they offer in the community.

Find an organization whose mission aligns with your own interests and passions if possible in your service-learning assignment.  

Keep and open mind and be open to learning new things and meeting new people with different perspectives.

Have a positive attitude!

Don't be afraid to ask questions.  This is likely a novel experience for everyone who volunteers, and you're doing a great job of trying something new!