Community Service: Program Overview for Supervisor of Volunteers

PROGRAM OVERVIEW FOR SUPERVISOR OF VOLUNTEERS

The following letter is sent to sites & organizations interested in using Shorecrest's volunteers. Download pdf

To: Supervisor of Volunteers

From: Terry Cho
Community Service Secretary
click to email or phone 206.393.6231

Shorecrest High School students will once again be going out into the community to become involved in community service. Our community service program is a vocational Family and Consumer Sciences course which is integrated into the English 10 curriculum. This program provides an opportunity for more positive interaction between the school and the community and engages students in meaningful real-life situations.

How is Community Service defined?

Community service is service without pay to a nonprofit organization, an individual or a group in need of assistance. The service must be primarily for the benefit of others, not the individual rendering the service.

When are volunteers available?

Students are available to volunteer after 2:25 pm on weekdays and on weekends. In addition, Shorecrest has several early release days each semester when students may be available. Schedules are published each semester listing the early release days. It is up to the student and volunteer supervisor to set up a mutually agreeable schedule. The student is expected to treat this volunteer endeavor as they would a “real job”.

How can you get a student volunteer?

E-mail or call to let me know that you are interested in a volunteer and the dates and times that you need the student(s). If a student is available at the times and for the kind of help you need, he/she will contact you for an interview. We have a very high placement rate but should we be unable to fill your position, we will inform you as soon as possible.

Do you have to accept any student who applies?

No. You will meet with the student in a preliminary interview. You will decide whether the person you interview will benefit your program. The student, in turn, will decide if he or she will fit into your program.

What if you want the person you interview to do service for you?

Arrive at a clear agreement with the volunteer about his/her tasks, responsibilities, and the purpose and goals of their services performed. With the student, fill out the Community Service Contract specifying the day(s) of the week and hours to be worked. Agree upon who will keep track of the student’s hours. The supervisor will sign and confirm the time sheets in January, March and May.

What can you expect of the volunteer?

Total dependability in attendance. You can and should expect that they be there every day agreed upon. If the student must miss a day, you should be informed beforehand. Emphasize that this is a necessity for you. You may want to set an arbitrary limit such as two or three absences without notification and the agreement is thereby nullified and placement is terminated.

Should you need to get a message to a student regarding his/her schedule, please call me before noon and I should be able to get a message to them.

You may also expect high quality performance and a good attitude. You are supposed to be getting help, not taking on an extra burden. The basic test is that a volunteer’s presence should make your program more effective.

Please contact me at Shorecrest High School if a volunteer is not living up to his contract or you have other concerns. Your program cannot afford to have students who are unpredictable or irregular in attendance.

What kinds of things can you ask a volunteer to do?

Our goal is for students to have opportunities to work directly with people and take on significant and responsible tasks that meet genuine needs. However, any professional job also involves material preparation and clerical work so this may also be expected of them. The key issues are that you get done what you need done and that at least a general outline of what is expected is clear from the beginning.

What is expected in terms of supervision?

Establish a clear working agreement at the beginning. Provide necessary training and orientation for the work expected. Give feedback on strengths and weaknesses, your level of satisfaction, etc. Encourage and enable students to take on additional responsibilities as they seem ready for them.

Will you be expected to grade a student?

No, but you will be asked to fill out an EVALUATION form at the end of each semester. Community service accounts for 10% of a student’s English 10 grade, and I will be consulting your evaluation as I prepare my grades.

What if this arrangement just isn’t working out?

The basic criteria to keep in mind is that your program is more effective because of the volunteer’s contribution. If this is ever not the case, for whatever reason — irregular attendance, mediocre performance, change in your needs, personality clash, etc.— then the “Agreement” signed is no longer valid, and the student will need to find another placement.

It is very important that open communication take place between us. Please let both the student and me know as soon as you suspect a problem, for your good, the student’s good, and the reputation of this program.

Tips & ideas for effective Community Service

The following six critical elements help keep motivation high. Most volunteers list the following areas as indicators that make their placement a satisfying experience.

• The service performed is seen as valuable and worthwhile for the community or the students.
• The service provides opportunities for young people to be depended upon; one can count on the student.
• The service should include tasks which challenge and strengthen student’s critical thinking skills.
• The service provides the student with opportunities to make decisions.
• The service involves adults and students working together.
• The service provides an opportunity for some reflection on the experience.

While every service experience may not include all of these elements, striving for them as often as possible increases the benefits to the youth involved. The resulting service will be performed with clear thought, purpose, and follow-through.

Thank you for being a part of Shorecrest High School’s Community Service program.

Contact Us \| Shorecrest Home \| Shoreline School District Home
Students volunteered by providing entertainment for a Make A Wish Charity Dinner. The event raised over $2,000 for Make A Wish Foundation.
	POST OPPORTUNITY CONNECTIONS FAIR OVERVIEW FOR SITES EVALUATION CONTRACT PROGRAM OVERVIEW FOR SUPERVISOR OF VOLUNTEERS The following letter is sent to sites & organizations interested in using Shorecrest's volunteers. Download pdf To: Supervisor of Volunteers From: Terry Cho Community Service Secretary click to email or phone 206.393.6231 Shorecrest High School students will once again be going out into the community to become involved in community service. Our community service program is a vocational Family and Consumer Sciences course which is integrated into the English 10 curriculum. This program provides an opportunity for more positive interaction between the school and the community and engages students in meaningful real-life situations. How is Community Service defined? Community service is service without pay to a nonprofit organization, an individual or a group in need of assistance. The service must be primarily for the benefit of others, not the individual rendering the service. When are volunteers available? Students are available to volunteer after 2:25 pm on weekdays and on weekends. In addition, Shorecrest has several early release days each semester when students may be available. Schedules are published each semester listing the early release days. It is up to the student and volunteer supervisor to set up a mutually agreeable schedule. The student is expected to treat this volunteer endeavor as they would a “real job”. How can you get a student volunteer? E-mail or call to let me know that you are interested in a volunteer and the dates and times that you need the student(s). If a student is available at the times and for the kind of help you need, he/she will contact you for an interview. We have a very high placement rate but should we be unable to fill your position, we will inform you as soon as possible. Do you have to accept any student who applies? No. You will meet with the student in a preliminary interview. You will decide whether the person you interview will benefit your program. The student, in turn, will decide if he or she will fit into your program. What if you want the person you interview to do service for you? Arrive at a clear agreement with the volunteer about his/her tasks, responsibilities, and the purpose and goals of their services performed. With the student, fill out the Community Service Contract specifying the day(s) of the week and hours to be worked. Agree upon who will keep track of the student’s hours. The supervisor will sign and confirm the time sheets in January, March and May. What can you expect of the volunteer? Total dependability in attendance. You can and should expect that they be there every day agreed upon. If the student must miss a day, you should be informed beforehand. Emphasize that this is a necessity for you. You may want to set an arbitrary limit such as two or three absences without notification and the agreement is thereby nullified and placement is terminated. Should you need to get a message to a student regarding his/her schedule, please call me before noon and I should be able to get a message to them. You may also expect high quality performance and a good attitude. You are supposed to be getting help, not taking on an extra burden. The basic test is that a volunteer’s presence should make your program more effective. Please contact me at Shorecrest High School if a volunteer is not living up to his contract or you have other concerns. Your program cannot afford to have students who are unpredictable or irregular in attendance. What kinds of things can you ask a volunteer to do? Our goal is for students to have opportunities to work directly with people and take on significant and responsible tasks that meet genuine needs. However, any professional job also involves material preparation and clerical work so this may also be expected of them. The key issues are that you get done what you need done and that at least a general outline of what is expected is clear from the beginning. What is expected in terms of supervision? Establish a clear working agreement at the beginning. Provide necessary training and orientation for the work expected. Give feedback on strengths and weaknesses, your level of satisfaction, etc. Encourage and enable students to take on additional responsibilities as they seem ready for them. Will you be expected to grade a student? No, but you will be asked to fill out an EVALUATION form at the end of each semester. Community service accounts for 10% of a student’s English 10 grade, and I will be consulting your evaluation as I prepare my grades. What if this arrangement just isn’t working out? The basic criteria to keep in mind is that your program is more effective because of the volunteer’s contribution. If this is ever not the case, for whatever reason — irregular attendance, mediocre performance, change in your needs, personality clash, etc.— then the “Agreement” signed is no longer valid, and the student will need to find another placement. It is very important that open communication take place between us. Please let both the student and me know as soon as you suspect a problem, for your good, the student’s good, and the reputation of this program. Tips & ideas for effective Community Service The following six critical elements help keep motivation high. Most volunteers list the following areas as indicators that make their placement a satisfying experience. • The service performed is seen as valuable and worthwhile for the community or the students. • The service provides opportunities for young people to be depended upon; one can count on the student. • The service should include tasks which challenge and strengthen student’s critical thinking skills. • The service provides the student with opportunities to make decisions. • The service involves adults and students working together. • The service provides an opportunity for some reflection on the experience. While every service experience may not include all of these elements, striving for them as often as possible increases the benefits to the youth involved. The resulting service will be performed with clear thought, purpose, and follow-through. Thank you for being a part of Shorecrest High School’s Community Service program.
Contribute a Spotlight Copyright 2005 Last updated August 30 2005 \| Suggestions \| Site Map