Level 6 Certificate in Volunteering ITT Dublin 2016/2017

Programme Aims This Programme aims to:  Provide students with the opportunity to gain accreditation for their volunteering activities  Encourage active citizenship and engagement with the local community;  Raise the profile of voluntary work in the Institute

Programme Objectives On successful completion of this Programme a student will be able to:  Engage with volunteering activities in the local community;  Reflect on their personal development as a volunteer;  Describe the value of active citizenship;  Gain an accredited award for their volunteering activities.

Programme Details Level 6 Special Purpose Award 10 ECTS in total. Two modules: Volunteering (5 ECTS) Civic Engagement (5 ECTS) Mode of study: Flexible Pass/Fail No final exams

Volunteering Module Topics All about Volunteering Goal setting and reflection for personal development Volunteering portfolio preparation The skills of a volunteer

Volunteering Module Requirements Volunteering plan (20%) - Due at start of Semester 1 Learning Journal (60%) - Ongoing task Performance Evaluation from Volunteering Organisation (20%) - Due at the end of Semester 2

Module Details: Civic Engagement On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:  List the benefits and challenges of active citizenship  Reflect on how their citizenship activities may benefit their personal development  Deliver a poster presentation detailing their and their volunteering organisation’s citizenship activities  Write a report documenting their citizenship experience  Develop social and cultural awareness required for civic engagement activities

Civic Engagement Module Topics  Civic Engagement  Personal Development Planning  Volunteering Portfolio Preparation

Civic Engagement Module Requirements Learning Journal (50%) Presentation (20%) Written report (20%) Performance evaluation (10%)

What you will need to do: Minimum 50 hours of volunteering activity Submission of a Volunteering Portfolio comprising: A Volunteering Plan A Learning Journal A Poster Presentation A Volunteering Report Final Feedback from Volunteering Organisation

Volunteering Plan A plan of volunteering activities including: The chosen organisation A timetable of volunteering activities A plan for journal entries Outlines of duties and responsibilities

Learning Journal Students will log their volunteering experience using Student Diary Pro (Moodle) against competencies listed. Competencies will be agreed between the student and the placement coordinator when completing the Volunteering Plan. Students can include evidence of learning by using photos, video, and written correspondence. On completion the student should have logged 10 journal entries over the two semesters (approximately 5 entries per semester).

Presentation of Volunteering Experience Poster presentation to include: Volunteering organisation profile Outline of role and responsibilities Goals and reflections on experience to-date The presentations will take place on the Mezzanine ~ November 2016

Volunteering Report The final written volunteering report will include: o A profile of the chosen volunteering organisation o A reflective piece on the student’s role during the assessment period o Documentation of the volunteer’s key learning experiences.

Performance Evaluation A letter from the volunteering organisation with an outline of the participant’s duties and responsibilities and an evaluation on their performance.

Volunteering Placement Criteria ● Minimum 50 hours volunteering ● Volunteering work must be outlined and agreed in Volunteering Plan ● Volunteering organisation must have charitable status ● Garda clearance must be completed in advance

Dates/Schedule The programme will commence in September You must be able to attend Preparatory seminars - during Semester (2 - 3 hours max)

Programme Eligibility 2016/17 Full-time students (from second year only) Staff in ITT Dublin No fee The Certificate must be completed in the academic year 2016 / 2017

Programme Application Details Send an expressing your interest in the Volunteering Certificate to Application deadline: Friday May 13th 2016 There will be representation sought from each school / department in the first instance. Quotas will be in place.