ORGANIZE A SERVICE-LEARNINGOPEN HOUSE OR RECEPTION
Download Document
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Host a service-learning open house, reception, or exhibit booth to celebrate your past service-learning accomplishments and to build interest in upcoming service-learning opportunities in your school or local community. Consider linkages to existing events or activities, such as Back to School Night or a PTA meeting.
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).
- A flier for attendees that includes information on service-learning, state-specific statistics and impacts, short testimonials, etc.
- Light refreshments (e.g., cookies, fruit, punch, water)
- Festive decorations and music, if appropriate
- Simple giveaways or prizes for games or drawings
- A sign-up sheet to record the names and contact information of those who attended
Resources YOU CAN USE:
HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT:
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 or outline of what you want to happen during your event. 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: Create a speech or talking points using the Challenge’s Talking Points. When crafting your speech or talking points, remember the overarching goals of the Learn and Serve Challenge.
Practice Makes Perfect! To deliver a confident presentation, give yourself the opportunity to practice and refine your “pitch” so you feel better prepared.
Step 5: 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 Back to School Night or Open House to document how you are promoting the Challenge.
Possible Agenda for Reception
(5 minutes)
Welcome from [NAME AND TITLE OF PROGRAM LEADER]
(facilitator can use L&S Challenge talking points as part of welcome and opening remarks—see below)
(20 minutes)
Past Service-Learning Successes: [PROJECT NAME]
- Presentation from [PROJECT NAME] participants
- Show service-learning resource promotional video/DVD, such as Learn and Serve America’s “Bringing Learning to Life” public service announcement or the National Service-Learning Commission’s “Academics in Action” VHS video.
(10 minutes)
Questions & Answers
- [PROGRAM LEADER] will answer questions
(remainder of time)
Refreshments
- An opportunity to meet with [PROGRAM LEADER] and past project participants while enjoying something to eat.
INVITATION IDEAS
OPTION #1: Send a brief note or letter to target audience or special guests (see below)
Dear ______,
You are invited to attend [PROGRAM NAME]’s 2007 information reception on [DATE] at [TIME] in [PLACE]. This year we have joined the National National Learn & Serve Challenge, an effort to highlight and promote service-learning all over. Come hear about our work and how you can get involved this year!
Sincerely,
_________
OPTION #2: Customize the Learn & Serve Challenge flyer.
Make the Learn & Serve Challenge flyer your own! The template is available under Activity Tips and Tools at www.learnandservechallenge.org or see suggested text and logo below.
The INSERT COMMUNITY
Learn & Serve Challenge
October 6-12, 2008
By the INSERT DATE, our goal is to:
- INSERT YOUR LOCAL GOAL (e.g., #### students engaged in service-learning this year)
- INSERT YOUR OWN GOAL (e.g., ## opportunities for young people to participate in service-learning)
- INSERT YOUR OWN GOAL (e.g., X impact on the community)
Accept the Challenge Now!
Stop by our Service-Learning Open House to celebrate our past accomplishments and to learn more about how you can make a difference through service-learning in the year ahead.
INSERT DATE
INSERT TIME
INSERT LOCATION
For more information:
Email YOUR CONTACT INFO or visit YOUR WEBSITE.
|
