Celebrating 100 Years through Community Service Jim Hoppa, University of North Carolina, Charlotte Susan Pile, University of Michigan Kylee Thomas, University of Colorado, Boulder

History Student Unions as Volunteer Organizations – Boards, committees, student employment – Early 30’s the concept that unions were voluntary and democratic communities Community Service Initiatives – Always been a part of campus initiatives – Increased attention after 9/11 and Katrina ACUI 2008 Annual Conference – first “all conference” community service event

Tipping Point The word "Tipping Point", comes from the world of epidemiology. It's the name given to that moment in an epidemic when a virus reaches critical mass. It's the boiling point. It's the moment on the graph when the line starts to shoot straight upwards.

Three Rules of Epidemics The concept of concentrating change management on a few key resources is based on three powerful forces: Law of the Few The Stickiness Factor Power of Context

Law of the Few Mavens – opinion leading consumer experts – have their finger on the pulse – knowledge accumulators Connectors – Bring people together – ability to influence not by their expertise but by their position as highly connected social work hubs Salesmen – due to personalities, are able to sell ideas, practices, products without even trying. They have the power of persuasion.

The Stickiness Factor Refers to the unique quality that compels the notion/idea to “stick” in your mind Often the little things – subtle but significant changes in a message to make it stick Often counterintuitive Message needs to move someone to action

Power of Context The impact of the environment on change Notion that epidemics are sensitive to the context, or the time and place in which they occur. NYC Crime – Broken Window Theory Psychological principles as compared to volume and price promotions.

Getting Started Big and Fast or Small and slow(er) – Large fancy rollouts are rarely sustainable Volunteers expect/need you to: – Be prepared – Create a welcoming environment – Provide training – Make it interesting – Establish time requirments – Show appreciation – Communicate, Communicate, Communicate – Establish and/or develop social connections

Vision for Celebrating 100 Years ­Create opportunities for individuals, institutions and the association staff to make a positive impact on their communities Build community among union and student activities professions due to participation in a unified program Share “our story” as an Association as community builders on our campuses, in our communities Showcase the influence the collective “we” have to impact the future in our day to day lives

Initiatives 2014 Annual Conference through Conference Wide Community Service Project “Change the World” in 100 Hours Service Pledge 2015 Annual Conference

2014 Annual Conference Vision: To embracing our core values of caring community and unconditional human worth by participating in an entire-conference community service project Working with 2014 Conference Program Team on selecting location Current possibility with Give Kids the World (

100 Hours Service Pledge Vision: To engage our College Union students, staff and alumni in making a difference in their communities at home Pledge 100 Hours of Service between January 2014 and April 2015 (6.25 hours a month!!!) Individual or as Union “group” Resources will be provided by Task Force Track on ACUI Website

Ways to Infuse Service Participate when you can Investigate within your community Use your campus as a resource Get the word out Find something you are passionate about! Group and individual opportunities

100 Ways to Infuse Service… Door to door voter registration Foster newborn cats/dogs from the local shelter Participate in a community garden Make “I care” kits for the local shelter Become a mentor Help a senior citizen Incorporate service into family/class reunions, birthday parties, etc.

Days of Service Make a Difference Day – October 26, 2013 – Difference-Day Random Acts of Kindness Week – February 11 – 17, 2013 – Pay it Forward Day – April 25, 2013 –

Volunteer Service Apps dosomething.org volunteermatch dogood Random Kindness Bee Kind Make a Difference Day Cause.it Catalista Acts of Kindness Pay it Forward Circle K International Random Act of Kindness Planet Goodwill: 365 Ways to Spread Love

Volunteer Service Websites UnitedWay.org VolunteerMatch.org Idealist.org AllforGood.org Volunteer.org VolunteerSolutions.org USAservice.org

Feedback? Ideas? “Tipping Points are reaffirmation of the potential for change and the power of intelligent action. Look at the world around you. It may seem like an unmovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push in just the right place, in can be tipped.” --Malcolm Gladwell “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. “ --Margaret Mead

Want to be involved? Contact Us: – Jim Hoppa – Susan Pile – Kylee Thomas