Hi service-learners! Thank you for visiting our service-learning and reflection blog!  I hope that you find this space as a supportive and safe environment to write about your experiences and reflect on your service projects with us.  I was a service-learner when I was in college for all four years and it changed my view on life, it changed what I wanted to dedicate my life to, it changed me... So if you feel you need anyone to talk to but don't think your normal crowd will understand please feel free to use me as an outlet.

Every once in a while I will be posting reflection topics or announcing workshops through this blog.  I am available for questions or talking to you personally about your reflection or a situation that may have occurred while you were doing your service with us that you may not wish to post on the blog.  My door is always open... when I am here.  Remember my office is at the main location on Chicago Ave but I can meet you anywhere that is convenient.

Some things to keep in mind while posting on this website...

1) Do not use the real names of any clients for confidentiality purposes.

2) Also stay away from giving out addresses and phone numbers on the blog in case individuals not volunteering log on and begin reading.

3)  Be safe and use common sense.

4)  Meet people experiencing the same feelings and events that you might be experiencing.

Mini Reflection Activity

Answer these questions

When do you catch yourself smiling?

What makes your heart skip a beat?

What do your friends tell you that you do so well or seem excited about?

How do you bring these things with you as a volunteer?

When it would be easy to get caught up in something you're passionate about, how do you keep yourself from going overboard (e.g. losing sleep, not seeing friends, not wanting to talk about anything else)?

What do you experience that you wish the rest of the world could?

What?

The situation itself- what happened?  Explain what actual happened in your experience - think of this as the hard facts.  Please remember to not include real names of any clients or members.

So What?

How did the experience make you feel as it was happening or immediately following... What was good, what was bad, were your emotions affected, did you not understand something... Were your sterotypes tested? 

Now What?

Take the actual event and your initial reaction and contemplate what you've learned from the experience.  What will you do from this step forward because of your experience

You can surely use the timesheet I provide to you at orientation or monthly by email...but some colleges handle tracking hours differently...

UMN- Log on to your account at https://servicelearning.umn.edu/index.php and log your hours there - I will then verify hours .

Normandale- Turn in timesheet to me on a monthly basis - I will be verifying with Normandale how many hours you worked with us at the end of the semester.

Century-  Make sure to have correct paperwork filled and either myself or your volunteer supervisor will verify.  Also turn in monthly timesheet to me so I can verify.

U of St.Thomas-  Turn in timesheet to me on monthly basis or at end of short-term project (10 hour projects) .   If other paperwork is needed I will complete it.