Usually service-learning refers to volunteerism used as a tool to enhance the teaching of K-12 curriculum.

At HandsOn Network, we also use the words to describe the way that service experiences change people,  even adults.

Service is a journey, right?

Each of us is transformed by the experience of giving.

Sometimes this happens quickly in cataclysmic ways, and other times it happens slowly, over time, like a rock being smoothed in a river.

Being an impatient person, I always want things to happen quickly.

[And efficiently because I am a Virgo, but that is another story.]

It is a tremendous privilege to help facilitate the awakening that happens for people as they get involved in serving others.

Here are a few easy ways to sprinkle a few transformation accelerators into your community project.

Posters: place posters above each project task area with a quote and/or a comment relating to the work volunteers are doing.

Graffiti wall: place a large piece of paper on the wall and ask volunteers to write or draw something representing service or their experience at the project.

Think Tank: Challenge volunteers to act as a “think tank” to address specific challenges the organization or nonprofit faces.

Discussion groups: if time and space permits, facilitate a discussion with your volunteers at the end of the community project – maybe at a nearby restaurant!

Discussion Overview

• Ask volunteers the “WHAT” question, i.e. What happened today?
• Ask volunteers the “SO WHAT” question. i.e. What are the consequences of the day’s actions?
• Ask how the group’s contribution of time does (or doesn’t) address the central need or core issue (i.e. poverty, education, homelessness, etc.)
• Ask volunteers the “NOW WHAT” question. i.e. What can we do next to generate more impact?
• Encourage participants to share their experience with others.  Friends, co-workers, and family members will be inspired to get involved.

Tips for Getting a Conversation Going

• Introduce yourself and establish your role as facilitator.
• Explain the purpose and structure of the conversation.
• Ask open ended questions. Be sure participants have to give you more than a one-word answer.
• If one participant dominates the conversation, take a comment they make, turn it into a question and ask another quieter participant to respond.
• Make eye contact with the participants and listen to their answers.
• Relax and let the conversation flow. Don’t feel to pressured to keep the structure rigid.
• If  the conversation gets off track but you think the comments are useful then let the conversation continue in that way. Don’t feel pressured to stick to a script or plan. That said, if the comments aren’t useful, then use some portion of the comments to get back to your original questions and purpose.
• Give the participants something to think about, the conversation doesn’t have to end that day.
• Thank everyone for participating

Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. —Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.