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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is service-learning? A: Service-Learning is a pedagogy, which integrates service in the community with academic study (theory/curriculum). Faculty, in partnership with representatives of non-profit, community organizations, design service-learning projects that meet identified community needs to advance the student's understanding of course content and which help to strengthen the community. Strong reflective components are built into the course to help students consider relationships between their service, the curriculum of the class, and its impact on their personal values and professional goals. Co-Curricular Service-Learning is distinguished from Academic Service-Learning in that it is not anchored in a specific course, but rather is a part of the students' "life experiences" (for example, residential life, career development, and residential learning communities). The pedagogical framework of co-curricular service-learning cultivates student reflections upon the intersection of the needs and concerns of their communities with their personal values and professional goals. Q: Can I still use this site if I am not interested in service-learning? A: Certainly. MidwestSeriveLearning.org also has listings for traditional service opportunities. To view openings that are currently available, visit the volunteer openings page. Q: How can I have my agency/organization listed as a site? A: Agencies/organizations interested in listing their service-learning and volunteer opportunities can request an account. Once approved by a site administrator, you will be notified by email and will be able to login and post opportunities. Q: Who is the primary audience of this website? A: MidwestServiceLearning.org has two audiences - organizations that are interested in offering service-learning and volunteer opportunities, and people who are interested in participating in those opportunities. Q: Who maintains the site? A: Many people are involved in maintaining "Community Connections" (MidwestServiceLearning.org.) The original site programming was done by Brandon Rich, a recent graduate of Creighton University. The site is hosted by the AIM Institute and administered by AmeriCore*VISTA members under the direction of Penny Boykins of Clarkson College Service-Learning/Community Service Office. The Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education (MSCHLE) funded the project with a grant from the Corporation for Nation and Community Service. Community Partners are responsible for submitting updated agency descriptions, contact information, as well as service postings. Q: How often can I change my postings? A: Once posted, a posting can be changed up until the day it starts. A posting cannot be changed once it starts but it can be renewed. Q: What if a position is filled? Is there a way to still keep the posting up but still let someone know the position is filled just for this semester? A: Once a position has started, it continues to be displayed in search results for two weeks. Although the viewer can no longer request the position, this allows viewers to see more of the interesting opportunities being offered in the community. For this reason, organizations are encouraged to give information about how often a position is offered in the position's description. Q: How long can a posting stay up? A: The start date for a position can be up to three months away. Once expired, postings stay in the system for six months and can be accessed through the "view my expired postings" link on your account options page. Q: Is there a way to keep track of how many people view my agency's profile? A: Not currently but such a feature may be added in the near future. Q: What if I don't need volunteers right now, can I still have a general overview of my agency posted? A: Yes, each agency has a profile that is accessable though the organizations page. Clicking on an organization's "view full profile" link will display a variety of information including the agency's description of itself, its address and a link to its web site (if provided.) Q: How many postings can an organization list? A: There is no set limit for the number of opportunities that an organization can post. Q: Can I post the same thing in more than one category? A: Yes, posts can be listed in multiple categories for concentration, time of day and duration. To select multiple categories, hold the "control" key while clicking on options. Macintosh users can select multiple categories by holding the "command" (sometimes called the "open apple") key while clicking on options. Q: We don't have our own local website. Can we a have a link to the national organization? A: Yes, local "branches" or "chapters" may link to their national organization if they choose. Q: I've lost my password. How can I go about getting a new one? A: If you are unable to login, your password can be reset by providing your login name. A new password will be created and emailed to the address provided in your account. Q: What areas have agency postings? A: Currently, MidwestServiceLearning.org focuses on the following cities: Omaha, Papillion/La Vista, Ralston, Bellevue, Council Bluffs, Lincoln, Hastings and Kearney. Q: What if I have commodities to share? A: Although MidwestServiceLearning.org does not currently offer commodity listings, a commodity listing section has been discussed and may be added in the future. Q: I am a student. Is there a place where I can find the type of experience I am looking for? A: The search page allows users to find openings that meet their exact needs. Q: I am a student/faculty member/community agency. Where can I learn more about service-learning for my school, classes or agency? A: Many of the sites listed on the links page provide a fair amount of information regarding service-learning. Q: I am interested in a service-learning project. How do I contact the agency? A: Once you have found a position you are interested in, you can contact the organization using the contact information found by clicking on the organization's name. Calling is usually the best way to reach someone. Q: Do I have to be a non-profit agency to be listed? A: Although MidwestServiceLearning.org caters to non-profit organizations, all organizations offering relevant service-learning and volunteer opportunities in the community are welcome to use the site. Q: I haven't heard from the agency yet. What do I do now? A: Organizations are very busy - that's why they need you! Try calling again and don't rely on email only. If they still do not respond please notify servicelearning@clarksoncollege.edu of the problem and we will assist you. |
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