Community Partners Lunch & Learn Office of Civic Engagement Southwestern University

Community Partners Lunch & Learn Provide a civic engagement framework Introduce the idea of partnerships Panel: University-Community Partnerships Consider best practices for engaging SU student volunteers

What is civic engagement? Civic engagement is acting upon a heightened sense of responsibility to one’s communities. Civic engagement encompasses the notions of global citizenship and interdependence. Through civic engagement, individuals—as citizens of their communities, their nations, and the world—are empowered as agents of positive social change for a more democratic world.

Civic Engagement at Southwestern Volunteerism Days of Service Activism Internships Co-Curricular Service Community-Engaged Research Community-Engaged Learning

Volunteerism / Days of Service Will use our network to publicize opportunities & raise awareness Cannot guarantee volunteer placement EXAMPLES: Rock the Vote – ACL and Fun Fun Fun Fest Austin Bat Cave’s Carnival O’ Madness Cedar Park Library’s Fable Fest Coats for Kids distribution Harvest Fest 5K Student Peace Alliance members volunteering at Austin Bat Cave’s Carnival O’ Madness

Extended Collaborations Multi-visit, sustained over a semester / year / academic career Sustained volunteering or internships (Career Services) SU Community Garden members visit Boys & Girls Club 3 times per week to help revitalize BGC’s Garden Club. EXAMPLES: SU Community Garden / Boys & Girls Club R.O.C.K. volunteers N.E.S.T. intern Literacy Council’s computer lab monitor Family Eldercare’s yoga/tai chi instructor

Community-Engaged Learning A course-based teaching and learning method in which students engage in structured service and action that allows them to apply what they are learning to community-based issues and problems. Students learn while serving, and grow through reflection on their contributions. Relevant and meaningful service to the community Purposeful civic learning Enhanced academic learning Community- Engaged Learning Long-term partnerships (for individual students and between organization & SU) Collaborative process of developing projects that meet learning goals and community needs QEP focus on community-engaged learning Community-engaged learning vs. volunteerism “Out-of-the-box,” capacity-building, marketing campaigns, data collection and analysis, advocacy