SERVICE-LEARNING Community Partner Handbook

Transcription

1 Anne Arundel Community College SERVICE-LEARNING Community Partner Handbook The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Ghandi Anne Arundel Community College Center for Learning through Service a part of the Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service Careers Center CRSC College Parkway Arnold, MD Phone: servicelearning@aacc.edu

2 Table of Contents Welcome... 3 Service-Learning Mission, Definition & Benefits... 4 Expectations of Community Partners... 5 Becoming a Community Partner: Letter of Understanding... 6 Becoming a Community Partner: Information Sheet/Handbook Listing... 7 Service-Learning Process for Students... 8 Contract & Liability Waiver Hours Log & Evaluation List of Courses Involved in Service-Learning Testimonials from Community Partners and Students... 14

3 Welcome to the Center for Learning through Service Welcome! This handbook provides you with information about the Center for Learning through Service, guidelines for working with service-learning student volunteers, and opportunities to connect to other volunteers at AACC. The Center for Learning through Service at Anne Arundel Community College promotes citizenship and engaged learning through service by providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff to serve the community. We are grateful for the support of our community partners. We appreciate you for your care and commitment to supporting our students in achieving their educational and personal goals. The Center for Learning through Service is here to serve you, the students, and the faculty to ensure a successful service-learning experience that benefits everyone. Please contact our office if there is anything we can do to help provide you and our students the best service-learning experience possible. Stephanie Goldenberg Program Coordinator, Center for Learning through Service Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway, CRSC 314 Arnold, MD slgoldenberg@aacc.edu

4 AACC Center for Learning through Service a part of the Sarbanes Center for Public and Community Service Mission To enhance student educational experiences through the integration of academic study with active service to the community, while encouraging civic involvement, community awareness and responsible leadership. Definition Service-learning combines academic studies with community volunteer service, enhancing student learning through a hands-on service experience that meets a community need. Benefits for Community Partners Short-term volunteers to meet community needs Project support Potential long-term volunteers Potential employees Expanded trained-volunteer network to promote your services within the community Free outreach opportunities Free workshops, networking, and one-on-one consulting Diversity of Community Needs that can connect to classroom learning Aging Animals Disabilities Education Environment Health/ Mental Health Hunger/Homelessness Substance abuse Women s Issues Youth Benefits for Students Link academic theory to real world experience Learn new skills Connect with the community Explore careers Learn about diversity Expand network

5 Expectations of Community Partners Confirm and/or update your service-learning information sheet for fall and spring Identify service needs and clearly define meaningful associated tasks for student volunteers Interview and screen student applicants to verify suitable matches between the needs of your organization and the educational objectives of the student Verify that the tasks assigned can be accomplished within the time limits of the agreement Discuss with the student what their role will be and sign the Service-Learning Contract Provide an orientation for the student covering your organization s mission, site, staff and clients. It is helpful for a student to understand why they are needed and what the outcomes will be from their service. Provide supervision of the student volunteer Help the student connect their service-learning experience with academic and personal objectives Verify the student s hours log and complete the evaluation of student performance at the end of the student s service. The student will provide you with this form. Discuss with the student and contact the Center for Learning through Service, , if any problems or concerns arise

6 Becoming a Community Partner Nonprofit organizations interested in becoming a Community Partners will read and sign this Letter of Understanding and complete an information sheet to help us share service opportunities in the student service-learning handbook. Letter of Understanding On behalf of Anne Arundel Community College's Service-Learning Office, we would like to thank you for entering into a partnership with us to provide richer educational opportunities for our students. By accepting and supervising our service learners, you are helping these students connect classroom theory with real-life experience. Ultimately, you are also contributing to our mission of promoting civic responsibility and improving the quality of life in our community. As a community partner supervising Anne Arundel Community College students involved in a service-learning project, you will ensure that these students are provided with the following: A service task that is worthwhile and challenging, in order to strengthen student s critical thinking Orientation and supervision A single point of contact to work with the student(s) during their service A safe and appropriate working environment An evaluation of the student's service The Service-Learning Office will ensure that your organization is provided with the following: Assistance in developing a clear description of the assigned service-learning project to include identification of appropriate tasks and learning objectives Orientation for organization supervisors to include the goals of service-learning and our expectations of participating organizations Ongoing support and monitoring of student activities to ensure that the service-learning experience is beneficial for everyone. The service site may terminate student service at any time, for good cause. Your signature below demonstrates your understanding and agreement with the above listed provisions. We welcome you as a partner in education with Anne Arundel Community College. Name of Organization: Contact Person:/Phone #: Address: Signature: Service-Learning Office: Date: Date:

7 Becoming a Community Partner You will complete the Information Sheet to share your contact information, mission, service-learning opportunities, and other details important to help students make a decision about where to serve. See below for the template as well as a completed sample. Information Sheet Name: Address: Website: Mission/Description: Contact: Phone: Fax: Best time to contact: Ext: Service-learning opportunities: # of students needed: Minimum age: Minimum # of hours: Times when needed: Orientation: Special requirements: Public transportation access: Comments: Sample Information Sheet Severna Park Community Center 623 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard Severna Park, MD Website: Contact: Pauline Maynard Phone: (410) Ext: 205 Fax: (410) pmaynard@severnaparkcommunitycenter.com Best time to contact: M-F, 11:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Mission/Description: The mission is to provide programs and activities that enhance and enrich family life, community life, and individual development in a Christian environment open to all. Service-learning opportunities: Special events for the community and grounds maintenance # of students needed: 2-3 for each program Minimum age: 18 Minimum # of hours: Times when needed: Varies Orientation: Varies Special requirements: None Public transportation access: County bus stop one block away Comments:

8 Understanding the Process for Students In order for you to understand how best to work with students, it is important for you to understand the process students take to select a service-learning opportunity. Students follow three important steps outlined below: review the handbook, select and contact the community partner, and complete the paperwork. The Center for Learning through Service is available to help guide students through the process to help everyone have the most successful experience. Step 1 Review the Student Service-Learning Handbook: Using the guidelines provided by their instructors, students review the list of community partners in the handbook and select a potential service site that meets the instructor s requirements and that looks interesting to them. In the selection process, students take into account the location and times of operation to make sure that the opportunity will fit into their schedule. Step 2 Select and Contact the Community Partner: Once the student narrows down the options to their top three, they call (or ) the community partner and discuss the available service options. This helps the student to determine if this opportunity is a good fit. If they do not commit over the phone, set up an appointment to meet, or ask for you to sign their forms, then do not count on the student as a volunteer. At this point, they are just shopping around. Be sure to ask the student what course he/she is taking and the academic requirements of the instructor. Some students have to work with specific populations or must work hands-on with the environment. This is helpful to know before you commit to working with the student. Step 3 Complete the Forms: 3a. Contract and Liability Waiver: Once you have agreed that the student can perform his/her service hours with your organization, they will complete the Service-Learning Contract and Liability Waiver. They will need your signature and the course instructor s signature on the form. This completed contract must be turned in to the Center for Learning through Service by the deadline or the student will not receive service-learning credit. Students are not authorized to begin service hours until this form has been submitted. 3b. Hours Log and Evaluation Form: Students will document the hours they serve on the Hours Log and Evaluation Form. When their hours are completed, the student will ask you to verify their hours and complete the evaluation of their performance. The student or the Community Partner can submit the Hours Log and Evaluation Form to the Center for Learning through Service, but it must be submitted by the deadline for the student to receive servicelearning credit. Please report any problems to the Center for Learning through Service as soon as possible so we can assist you.

9 Center for Learning through Service Careers Building Room Fax: SERVICE-LEARNING CONTRACT Student: First name MI Last name Student ID # (Required) Address City State Zip Code Home telephone Business/cell phone Birth date address Male Female Subject Course number Section number Instructor name Hours required ART Joe Smith (Sample Course) 20 Subject Course number Section number Instructor name - PRINT Hours required Instructor signature- REQUIRED Subject Course number Section number Instructor name - PRINT Hours required Instructor signature- REQUIRED Placement Confirmation Name of partnership site as listed in the handbook Total hours required Describe the service-learning assignment and student responsibilities Site Supervisor s name (please print) Supervisor s signature (required) Service Site phone number Date AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call Disability Support Services, or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance to request most accommodations. Requests for sign language interpreters, alternative format books or assistive technology require 30 days notice. For information on AACC s compliance and complaints concerning discrimination or harassment, contact Kelly Koermer, J.D., federal compliance officer, at or Maryland Relay 711

10 10 Liability Waiver I, (name of student), hereby acknowledge that I am enrolled in the Service-Learning Program at Anne Arundel Community College. I understand that to participate in this program, I am required to travel to and from my assigned partnership site. I further understand and agree that Anne Arundel Community College is neither responsible nor liable for any injury, damage, or loss incurred while traveling to or from the partnership site, or while at the partnership site, and that I am solely responsible for my actions, inactions, and/or behavior while participating in this program, and agree to and shall save and hold harmless Anne Arundel Community College, its Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, agents, and employees from any claims, actions or judgments including the expenditure of attorney s fees and costs arising from my actions or inactions during my participation in this program. I certify that I have no physical condition or disability that I have not disclosed which might affect my participation in this program. Should I develop a condition or injury, which limits my participation in the program (i.e. unable to lift required weights), I will immediately notify the Center for Learning through Service and provide medical documentation as required. Additionally, with my signature below, I acknowledge my permission for any quotation of my comments, video, or still photography made with my image and any sound recording of my voice to be applied to a variety of uses by Anne Arundel Community College parties, cable casting, broadcasting and/or other forms of electric transmission. I hereby give permission for the use of the media described above and I release Anne Arundel Community College, its Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, agents, and employees of and from any claims (monetary or otherwise) that I may have related to the use of said media. Student declares and also agrees to the following: 1. I will comply with agency policies, standards and regulations and serve in a professional manner with respect for others, especially with regard to confidentiality. I understand that all activities, in which I am involved as a service-learner, are strictly confidential. I will not release any type of personal information concerning clients of the agency listed above, without written authorization from appropriate persons. 2. I will complete the service assignment I have made a commitment to and will be on time or call the partnership site if I cannot attend due to illness or emergency. 3. I will contact the Center for Learning through Service ( or servicelearning@aacc.edu) if I have concerns, difficulties and/or feedback about this agency or placement. 4. I do not currently nor have I previously worked or volunteered with this agency. I hereby affirm that I have read and understand the terms and conditions of this Liability Waiver and Release Form and agree to accept the terms and conditions. I further agree and acknowledge that I will abide by all responsibilities as outlined in this document. Student Signature Date Parent or Guardian Signature Date (For students under the age of 18)

11 11 Service-Learning Hours Log & Evaluation of Performance Student Placement Information Center for Learning through Service Careers Building Room Fax: Student: First name MI Last name Student ID # (Required) Subject Course number Section number Instructor name Hours required ART Joe Smith (Sample Course) 20 Subject Course number Section number Instructor name Hours required Subject Course number Section number Instructor name Hours required Name of partnership site as listed in the handbook Total hours required Hours Log Evaluation of Performance - Completed by Site Supervisor Date of Service Hours served Student s Performance Rating Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Work Quality TOTAL HOURS SERVED: Comments: Work Ethic Cooperation Teamwork Respect Initiative Courtesy Dependability Personal grooming Punctuality and attendance (Did the student call if late or absent?) Site Supervisor s name (please print) Supervisor s signature (required) Service Site phone number Date Return completed form to the Center for Learning through Service, fax, or give it to the student to deliver. AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call Disability Support Serv ices, or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance to request most accommodations. Requests for sign language interpreters, alternative format books or assistive technology require 30 days notice. For information on AACC s compliance and complaints concerning discrimination or harassment, contact Kelly Koermer, J.D., federal compliance officer, at or Maryland Relay 711.

12 Disciplines and Courses Involved in Service-Learning at Anne Arundel Community College DISCIPLINE COURSE Architecture ACH 211 Architectural Design 3 Biology BIO 101 Fundamentals of Biology BIO 107 Environmental Science BIO 230 Structure and Function of the Human Body BIO 231 Human Biology 1 BIO 232 Human Biology 2 BIO 233 Anatomy and Physiology 1 BIO 234 Anatomy and Physiology 2 Business BPA 111 Business and Its Environment BPA 120 Small Business Management BPA 125 Marketing Principles BPA 126 Advertising and Sales Promotion BPA emarketing BPA 138 Business and Professional Ethics BPA 145 Leadership BPA Business Communications BPA 171 Principles of Supervision BPA 174 Women and Business BPA Transportation, Cargo and Logistics Security BPA Sales & Marketing for Small Business Chemistry CHE General Chemistry 2 Communications COM 111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication Communication Arts Tech COM 200 Intercultural Communication CAT Graphic Design I: Fundamentals Computer Technologies CSI Computing, Info. Tech. CSI Introduction to Computers Dance DAN 221 Intermediate Modern Dance 1 DAN 222 Intermediate Modern Dance 2 DAN 231 Intermediate Jazz Dance 1 DAN 232 Intermediate Jazz Dance 2 DAN 240 Dance Production English ENG 002 Basic English 2 ESL Entrepreneurial Studies Future Gender Studies ENG 111 Composition & Introduction to Literature 1 ENG 112 Composition & Introduction to Literature 2 ENG 121 Composition and Literature ESL Intermediate English Grammar ESL 323 Advanced Composition ESL 332 Advanced Conversation ESI 103 Entrepreneurial Thinking, Creating and Opportunity Recognition ESI Sales and Marketing for Small Business ESI 111 Business and Its Environment ESI 231 Entrepreneurship and Non-Profit Management FTR 100 Exploring the Future GGS 101 Introduction to Women s Studies GGS 169 Music, Power & Gender 12

13 13 Health Hotel/Restaurant Mgmt Human Services Humanities Math Nursing Philosophy HEA 113 Women s Health Issues HEA Personal Safety Issues HRM 111 Introduction to the Hospitality Industry HRM 121 Introduction to Cooking HRM 124 Introduction to Baking and Pastry HRM 221 Purchasing HRM 232 World Culture and Cuisine HUS 100 Social Work and Social Policy HUS Human Services Ethics in Practice HUS 114 Beginning Counseling and Assessment Techniques HUS 211 Crisis Intervention Counseling HUM 210 Images of Women MAT 011 Beginning Algebra MAT 012 Intermediate Algebra MAT 100 The Nature of Mathematics MAT 131 College Algebra MAT 221 Fundamental Concepts of Math 1 MAT 222 Fundamental Concepts of Math 2 NUR Nursing of Adult Clients in Health and Illness II NUR Nursing Care of Children and Families NUR 230 Nursing Mgmt of Complex Health Problems & Transition PHL 111 Introduction to Philosophy PHL Ethics PHL 146 Contemporary Moral Problems Physical Therapist Assistant PTA 101 Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting Physician Assistant PHA 114 Pediatric Medicine 1 Psychology Physical Science PSY 100 Career Development and Assessment PSY 111 Introduction to Psychology PSY 123 Social Psychology PSY 124 Child Psychology PSY 211 Developmental Psychology PSY 214 Abnormal Psychology PSY 222 Psychology of Women PHS 100 General Physical Science Radiologic Technology RAD Clinical Radiography 1 Sociology SOC 111 Introduction to Sociology SOC 122 Social Problems World Languages SPA 211 Intermediate Spanish 1 SPA 212 Intermediate Spanish 2

14 14 What Community Partners are Saying Most students seem to enjoy their experience with us, and some stay on and volunteer beyond their required hours, now that's a compliment! The service learning students have been so beneficial and supportive to the ongoing mission of our organization. We have a very small staff and their help has been essential to our organization. Having young people help with our events that include young children helps to influence our young ones who see their older peers making a difference. What great role models. Having the "young" students in our Community brings new information in for the residents. Seeing them helps them to remember "when they were young." One AACC student was an outstanding assistant to our Living with Alzheimer's team staff, impressing the Program Director so much they wanted to hire her. After that, she was a wonderful help at our major fundraising event in Baltimore, and is working to start a walk team for our Walk to End Alzheimer's in the Anne Arundel area. Many students have developed strong connections with our clients and continue volunteering beyond their required hours. Thank you for sending us such wonderful young people over the years. We have benefited greatly by this partnership! What Students are Saying This service learning option has sharpened my understanding of what I need to do to be successful in the future. I loved working on the project, I was able to use my skills for my career, and give back at the same time. The people who worked for the organization were really helpful and friendly. They are also very knowledgeable about the environment. I really believe in the organization s mission. Everyone I met was there to improve their lives and the lives of their children. I love the feeling of devoting time without expecting anything but experience Working with the kids was fun, and a great way to see some of the developmental milestones we talked about in class. Service-learning was a great way to expand my role as a citizen in the community. Notice of Nondiscrimination: AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call Disability Support Services, or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance to request most accommodations. Requests for sign language interpreters, alternative format books or assistive technology require 30 days notice. For information on AACC s compliance and complaints concerning discrimination or harassment, contact Kelly Koermer, J.D., federal compliance officer, at or Maryland Relay 711.