How to establish a service-learning opportunity.

1. do some soul-searching and decide if you want to work with real people or focus on office and research work

2. prepare or revise your resume, and c.v.

3. get clear on what you think your strengths and weaknesses are, i.e., what is it that you will be able to offer an SL site.

4. decide on a few possible sites.

5. call them:

Hi, my name is xy, I am an undergraduate student at Willamette University here in Salem, and as part of one of my political science classes I have the opportunity to undertake a service-learning experience.

The class is an ethics and public policy class, and focuses on issues and cases that include health care, end of life issues, prevention of fatalities and so on.

I’m calling to ask if your institution might be able to supervise an unpaid service-learning opportunity.

I would be able to provide about 25 hours of on-site involvement during this semester, from now until the end of April.

Based on my course schedule, the following chunks of time would be most feasible:

If you think this is a possibility could we meet in person to discuss what sort of roles and work I might do for your organization. I will also bring a resume and a ‘service-learning agreement’ provided by my professor to help specify what the service learning experience might involve.

Can I get your name, title, contact information.

My name and number are: …

My professor, if you want to contact him in the meantime is:

Sammy Basu, Associate Professor of Politics, 503.370-6264, sbasu@willamette.edu