Hold A Service-Learning Event
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Goal:
To celebrate your past service-learning accomplishments and to build interest in upcoming service-learning opportunities in your school or local community.
Description:
Host a service-learning open house, reception, or exhibit booth to kick-off the school year in your school or local community. Consider linkages to events or activities you’re already planning.
Example:
Students work with their teachers and community partners to set-up an exhibit table to display their service-learning work and activities during the school’s Open House and the local community fair. Students and teachers share their experiences and giveaway candy and flyers about upcoming opportunities to get involved.
Materials Needed:
- Poster displays or pictures of previous service-learning activities or experiences, including examples of youth participants’ work and/or reflections
- DVD player or VCR to play service-learning promotional video(s)
- Light refreshments (e.g., cookies, fruit, punch, water)
- Festive decorations and music, if appropriate
- Modest giveaways or prizes for games or drawings
- A sign-up sheet to record the names and contact information of those who attended
Sample Resources:
How to Get Started:
Step 1: Identify the appropriate time slot for a reception to spotlight service-learning. PTA meetings, class orientations and school assemblies are a few examples of times when participants are open to new and exciting opportunities like service-learning. You may even consider setting up a table or booth at your school’s existing Open House or community activities where large crowds gather (e.g., high school football games).
Step 2: Create an agenda. Remember your goals: to highlight past service-learning successes while promoting future opportunities for the 2008-2009 school year.
Step 3: Send invitations. Consider who you want to attend your event: youth, parents/families, educators, community leaders. Make sure your target audiences are aware of your gathering.
If you want young people to attend, make flyers or post signs in the hallways of schools, youth centers, or other places where young people gather. If you want parents/families to attend, prepare a letter to send home with students. You may be able to have an announcement placed in a community newsletter or local paper.
Step 4: Prepare your service-learning displays and make arrangements for light refreshments and giveaways.
EXTRA TIPS:
- Make your presentation visual. Since service-learning is so dependent on experiential understanding, bring it to life through PowerPoint presentations, photo albums or other displays.
- Have National Learn & Serve Challenge materials on hand so participants can access more information. See our toolkit for flyers and merchandise.
- Take photos at the reception to document how you are promoting the Challenge.
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