Community Service Project Reflection Activity

Often times episodic volunteers participate in meaningful service without connecting their efforts to work that's ongoing on the issue, and without realizing that professional opportunities are often available to work on the issue. Group leaders may facilitate this reflection activity at the end of a community service day like Make a Difference Day to help volunteers connect their service with careers.

Outcome:
Participants will have processed their service actions and their impact, and connected their actions to longer-term activities of professionals working in this issue area full time.

Before the service project:
Introduce participants to the project, emphasizing how the need for the project was identified, the rationale for the project design, and what organizers hope the impact of the service will be. Introduce the sponsoring organization, the number of people on staff, and (briefly) some of the roles they play and what has drawn them to this work generally. Include information about the ways other people have been involved as board members and other volunteers, and how the community (including clients) support the efforts of the organization.

After the service project:
Volunteer leader asks some — not all — of these questions, based on where the conversation takes the group.

What:
Ask participants to report objectively on what happened during their service project.

• What happened?
• What did you observe?
• What issues (matters of public concern) did the project address? What populations have benefitted?
• What are the results of the project?
• What events or "critical incidents" occurred? How did you feel about that? Let's hear from someone with a different reaction.

So what?:
Ask participants to discuss their feelings, ideas, and analysis of the service experience.

• Did you learn a new skill, or clarify a new interest?
• What surprised you, or differed from your expectations?
• Why did organizers identify this project as necessary?
• What did you learn about the community and the people who'll benefit from the project?
• What are the pressing needs and issues in this community? How did the project address these needs?
• What will be the longer-term impact of the project and/or your actions today?
• What is the minimum impact you can imagine from today's project — the least significant outcome that could come of our effort.
• What is the best impact you can imagine — the most significant outcome, including the ripple effect, you could dream of?
• Could anything negative come from today's efforts?
• How did the group work together? How could the group have been even more effective?
• What role did you play in the group dynamic? In what ways did you help others, and how did others help you?
• How did the group make decisions? Was everyone listened to?

Now what?:
Ask participants to consider the broader implications of the service experience and to apply what they've learned. Be aware to strike a balance between realistic, reachable goals and openness to spontaneity and change.

• What seems to be the root cause of the problems at issue during our project?
• Who's going to carry on your efforts now (who's been working on these issues till now)? (People, organizations)
• What kinds of organizations work on these issues — locally and nationally?
• What kind of roles do people at these organizations take on? What skill sets are useful? Do you know anyone who works in this field?
• What would it take to completely solve the problems at issue during today's project? Who would have to work together? What would have to happen?
• Can you see yourself playing a part in tackling these issues? If so, how can you deepen your involvement?
• How can you stay informed about these issues, and the organizations and people who work on them every day?