Utah Valley University
Volunteer & Service-Learning Center

Community Agency Service-Learning Proposal Form

What is the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center?
The Volunteer & Service-Learning Center is dedicated to providing volunteer and service-learning opportunities for UVU students, faculty, and staff. We focus on community outreach, student leadership, and academic service-learning. As a Center, we provide training and assistance to faculty who utilize service-learning in their classroom. Additionally, we assist community agencies who are seeking partnership with service-learning classes.

What is service-learning?
Service-Learning is a teaching pedagogy that connects academic content with a service experience. Service-Learning is defined as �a credit-bearing, educational, experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in a such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility" (Bringle & Hatcher, 1995). Service-Learning allows students to test skills and facets learned in the classroom, sharpen problem-solving abilities, and work collaboratively with diverse groups of people for collective action. Additionally, it reinforces the skills of critical thinking, public discourse, collective activity, and community building.

Faculty designating service-learning classes
Designating service-learning classes require faculty to meet with the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center to help them coordinate and implement service-learning. Faculty choose to officially designate their class as service-learning to help students who are participating in the service-learning distinction program. Adding a service-learning component requires students to participate in 20 hours of service for a 3 credit class, 15 hours of service for a 2 credit class, and 10 hours of service for a 1 credit class. Again, the service must directly relate to the academic objectives of the class. Not all professors designate their class with the Center and not all professors are doing service-learning even though they might say that it is service-learning. Please be aware that faculty are not mandated to go through the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center form community partnerships.

What is the community agency service-learning proposal form?
The purpose of the community agency service-learning proposal form is to create a formal opportunity for community agencies to submit ideas that may work with a service-learning class. Once the proposal form is submitted the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center will contact potential faculty and service-learning classes. You will be notified when your proposal is received as well as the status of the proposal. UVU�s Volunteer & Service-Learning Center will attempt to find an appropriate partnership with a service-learning class. However, we can not guarantee that a partnership will be made.

Timeline
You may submit your form at any time. However, if you would like a project to begin in the fall it is best to have your proposal submitted by May 1 and if you would like a project to begin in spring it is best to have your proposal submitted by September 1. If you are interested in summer service-learning classes please contact the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center.

Completing the form
The form contains three parts: partnership requirements, community agency responsibilities, and project information. Please answer all questions and thoroughly read the community agency responsibilities.

If you have any questions please call 863-8786 or email volunteer@uvsc.edu.

Part 1: Partnership Requirements
1. The organization is defined as:
Non-profit
Health care
Government
K-12
Other:

2. Does your organization maintain liability insurance for your volunteers?
YES
NO

3. Will the students displace an employed worker?
YES
NO

4. Are there any costs associated with the students? If yes, what are the costs?
YES
NO

5. Please list any requirements needed for a student to volunteer with your organization? (background check, special training, licenses, certifications, etc.)



Part II: Community Agency Responsibilities

As a community agency partnering with a service-learning class you agree to the following responsibilities. Please check each responsibility.

Hold UVU�s Volunteer & Service-Learning Center harmless from any liability for loss or damage arising from the acts of omissions of the organization.
Do not involve students in lobbying activities.
Take time to orient the student/class to the agency rules, policies, guidelines, etc.
Designate a staff member to supervise the student and maintain communication with the faculty member.
If the faculty member requires, complete and sign the student agreement and time log sheet. The faculty member will provide you with this.
Meet regularly with the student.
Notify the faculty or the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center if any problems arise.
Offer suggestions and ideas for improvement to the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center, faculty, and student
Maintain good communication.
Ensure that students do something constructive and worthwhile that will benefit the agency and the student.
Ensure that the service reflects the class objectives.


Part II: Project Information
Community Agency:
Contact Name:    Title:
Telephone:    Fax:
E-mail:    Website:
Address:    City:
State:    Zip Code:

1. What is the mission/purpose of your organization?


2. Please list the primary population(s) served? (youth, seniors, children, homeless, etc.)


3. What community need would a service-learning class or student address?


4. How will the project specifically address this need?


5. Indicate the number of students requested and the preferred times (weekends, weekdays, afternoons, evenings, mornings, etc.)


6. Please list and describe the project objectives, related activities, and project outcomes.


7. Is this project one time or ongoing?