Best Practices

More updates coming soon!

Service-Learning Best Practices: Orientations with Community Partners (PDF)
Resource Purpose: to ensure students gain the most out of the partner's orientation so that they can effectively contribute to the organization.  

Advice for Students Serving with Community-Based Organizations
What You Should Know & What You Should Think About!

Making Contact: How do I get started?
Contacting an agency for the first time? You should…

• Request to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator or an individual's name if available.
• Identify yourself as "a Northeastern University student, part of __________ service-learning course/program."
• Have the days and times you are available or assigned ready.
• If you get their voice mail, leave a message including your name, day and evening numbers, service interests, and days of availability.
• Be PROACTIVE…Call again, or ask for assistance from another employee, if the Volunteer Coordinator does not get back to you within a day or two.
• Contact your professor, program coordinator or the Center of Community Service with questions.

What am I getting myself into?
There are many ways you can find out about the organization.

• Attend the orientation! This is the best opportunity to ask questions about their expectations of you!
• Ask for brochures, flyers and if they have a web site. Request information about their mission, vision or purpose, and policies and procedures.

What do they expect of me?
The basics of Commitment, Responsibility & Confidentiality

• The organization and its clients are counting on you to fulfill your commitment, don't let them down!
• Treat you service-learning placement like a job in terms of:
  Being prompt for your orientation and times to serve;
  Setting up a schedule and sticking to it;
  Calling your supervisor ahead of time if you cannot make it-and arranging to make up the missed hours if possible.
• As a service-learning student you are representing:
  Yourself, your Professor/Coordinator, the Center of Community Service and Northeastern.
• If you drop the class/program or stop going for any reason, inform the organization, and your professor/coordinator right away.
• You may be privy to personal information (name, address, medical history, etc) about the organization's clients (those you are serving). What's considered confidential may vary depending on the situation or organization. Confidential information should not be disclosed to anyone. During discussions about your experiences, personal details such as an individual's name should be left out or supplemented with a pseudonym.
• Many organization require a completed CORI check (criminal background check) before you may begin serving. If you are uncomfortable with this requirement, talk to your professor/coordinator.

Common Sense
Trust It…Use It!

• Ask for information about the agency policies and rules.
• Set boundaries while serving. Think about whether you want to share personal information, such as your address or phone number with those you are serving with.
• Respect others' cultures, religions, values and beliefs, as you would want them to respect yours.
• Ask your supervisor if you have any questions; you're not expected to know everything!

Safety Tips
While entering into a new area can be a great opportunity to learn, it is also an environment you may not be familiar with so it is important to take some precautions to ensure your safety.

• Know where you are going…Plan your route in advance.
  Have directions, maps, bus schedules, T or bus fares ready.
  Have the necessary telephone numbers in case you get lost.
• Make sure someone is expecting you.
  Always let someone know where you are going and when you'll be back.
• Whether walking or driving, use well-traveled and well-lit roads and paths.
• Walk with confidence, and utilize the buddy system if you can.
• Do not display expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash or valuable items.
• Do not leave the same articles visible in your car, and always lock your car.
• It is unusual to be harassed or threatened while volunteering or traveling to a site. If it should happen, keep moving and try to leave the situation. Entering the nearest store or location where others are around could help to diffuse the situation. If you must respond, do so loudly and firmly!
• Report any incident to your professor, coordinator and/or police if necessary.

The Course/Program is almost over. What now?
Why and How should you make sure to leave on a good note?

• Ending on a good note could lead to:
  A potential reference for a job or a valuable contact for your future internship/coops/job search.
  The ability to return and participate in future volunteer or service-learning opportunities.
• With at least a few weeks of service left, remind your site supervisor about your last day and:
  Thank him/her for their assistance and for providing you with this opportunity.
  Let the organization's clients know that you are leaving and why.
  It can help the transition to bring them something simple they can remember you by (e.g. a card) especially when working with children who may become attached.
  Please note: you are free to continue your service after the course/program ends if you wish.

Quick Summary: What's my role?

• To perform the service to which you commit to the best of your ability.
• To be proactive, an enthusiastic and active participant in your service and educational experience.
• To critically think about how your service experiences relate to the course/program content, your future career/personal interests, and your civic responsibility as a member of society.
• To see the possibilities for your future through the opportunities you have been exposed to.
• To take advantage of being able to have fun while learning something valuable about yourself and others!