SERVICE-LEARNING Community Partner Handbook

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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 314

101 College Parkway

Arnold, MD 21012-1895

Phone: 410-777-2366

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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 21012 [email protected] | 410.777.2366 | www.aacc.edu/servicelearning

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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

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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, 410-777-2366, if

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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: Date:

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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: Contact: Phone: Ext: Fax: Email:

Best time to contact: Mission/Description:

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 21146

Website: http://www.severnaparkcommunitycenter.com

Contact: Pauline Maynard

Phone: (410) 647-5843 Ext: 205 Fax: (410) 647-8122

Email: [email protected] 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:

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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 thestudent narrows down the options to their top three, they call (or email) 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 service-learning credit.

Please report any problems to the Center for Learning through Service as soon as possible so we can assist you.

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Center for Learning through Service Careers Building Room 314 410-777-2366 Fax: 410-777-4057

[email protected]

SERVICE-LEARNING CONTRACT

Student: First name MI Last name Student ID #(Required)

Address City State Zip Code

Home telephone Business/cell phone

Birth date Male Female Email address Subject ART Course number 123 Section number 001 Instructor name Joe Smith Hours required 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) Service Site phone number

Supervisor’s signature (required) Date

AACC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, Title IX, ADA Title 504 compliant institution. Call Disability Support Services, 410-777-2306 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 410-777-2607 or Maryland Relay 711

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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 (410-777-2366 or [email protected]) 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_____________________

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Service-Learning Hours Log & Evaluation of Performance

Student Placement Information

Student: First name MI Last name Student ID #(Required)

Subject ART Course number 123 Section number 001 Instructor name

Joe Smith (Sample Course)

Hours required 20

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 Work Ethic Cooperation Teamwork Respect Initiative Courtesy Dependability Personal grooming

Punctuality and attendance (Did the student call if late or absent?)

Comments:

Site Supervisor’s name (please print) Service Site phone number

Supervisor’s signature (required) 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, 410-777-2306 or Maryland Relay 711, 72 hours in advance to request most accommodations. Requests for sign language interprete rs, 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 410-777-2607 or Maryland Relay 711.

Center for Learning through Service Careers Building Room 314 410-777-2366 Fax: 410-777-4057

[email protected]

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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 127 -- eMarketing

BPA 138 – Business and Professional Ethics

BPA 145 – Leadership

BPA 162 -- Business Communications BPA 171 – Principles of Supervision BPA 174 – Women and Business

BPA 235 - Transportation, Cargo and Logistics Security BPA 295 - Sales & Marketing for Small Business

Chemistry CHE 112 - General Chemistry 2

Communications COM 111 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication

COM 200 – Intercultural Communication

Communication Arts Tech CAT 113 -- Graphic Design I: Fundamentals

Computer Technologies CSI 112 -- Computing, Info. Tech.

CSI 113 -- 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

ENG 111 – Composition & Introduction to Literature 1 ENG 112 – Composition & Introduction to Literature 2 ENG 121 – Composition and Literature

ESL ESL 311 -- Intermediate English Grammar

ESL 323 – Advanced Composition

ESL 332 – Advanced Conversation

Entrepreneurial Studies ESI 103 – Entrepreneurial Thinking, Creating and Opportunity Recognition

ESI 104 -- Sales and Marketing for Small Business

ESI 111 – Business and Its Environment

ESI 231 – Entrepreneurship and Non-Profit Management

Future FTR 100 – Exploring the Future

Gender Studies GGS 101 –Introduction to Women’s Studies

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Health HEA 113 –Women’s Health Issues

HEA 115 - Personal Safety Issues

Hotel/Restaurant Mgmt 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

Human Services HUS 100 – Social Work and Social Policy

HUS 101 -- Human Services Ethics in Practice

HUS 114 – Beginning Counseling and Assessment Techniques

HUS 211 – Crisis Intervention Counseling

Humanities HUM 210 – Images of Women

Math 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

Nursing NUR 220 -- Nursing of Adult Clients in Health and Illness II

NUR 221 -- Nursing Care of Children and Families

NUR 230 – Nursing Mgmt of Complex Health Problems & Transition

Philosophy PHL 111 – Introduction to Philosophy

PHL 142 -- Ethics

PHL 146 – Contemporary Moral Problems

Physical Therapist Assistant PTA 101 – Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting

Physician Assistant PHA 114 – Pediatric Medicine 1

Psychology 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

Physical Science PHS 100 – General Physical Science

Radiologic Technology RAD 112 --Clinical Radiography 1

Sociology SOC 111 – Introduction to Sociology

SOC 122 – Social Problems

World Languages SPA 211 – Intermediate Spanish 1

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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, 410-777-2306 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 410-777-2607 or Maryland Relay 711.

SERVICE-LEARNING Community Partner Handbook

Anne Arundel Community College