ONE-TIME SERVICE

What is one-time service?
Questions for planning one-time service projects
Weekend Service Council

What is one-time service?

One-time service:

• is generally, a very specific activity or project,
  
• which can be done in a specified block of time (a morning, an afternoon, an evening, during the week or on the weekend)
  
• is designed to meet a specific community need, and
  
• should be determined by persons in the community in which the activity will take place.
  
• is an entry point to community service,
  
• begins with preparation - a planned activity or discussion that prepares the individual or group for the experience they are about to have (may be done prior to the day of the activity),
  
• concludes with reflection - a planned time to debrief or process the experience and to identify learnings, raise questions or if desired, determine next steps.

Target participants:

• those who are new to service
  
• individuals or groups with very limited time availability
  
• Anyone else who wants to participate
  

Questions for Planning One-Time Service Projects

• Has my organization participated in community service in the past? If so, what was the nature of the service? How was this experience?

• What goal(s) am I hoping to accomplish from this service project?

• How many volunteers can I reasonably secure?

• What type of time commitment am I able to secure from my volunteers?

• Who in my organization would be the best person to coordinate this service project considering availability, experience, and relationships with the community?

• Do members of my organization posses special skills? Would community organizations be able to put these skills to use?

• What issues or causes interest my group the most? (i.e. working with specific populations, environmental work, housing rehabilitation, etc.)
  
• What resources do I have available to me (contacts, transportation, supplies, etc.)?
  
  
  To organize your own one-time service project:
  
• First check our quick list of one-time-service community partners for ideas.
  
• Search our community agency database to find local organizations who are looking for volunteers.
  
• Sign up for Civic House's weekly Volunteer Opportunities listserv by sending your name, class year, and e-mail address to civic@dolphin.upenn.edu. Here you will find an array of service opportunities from which to choose.
  
• Stop by Civic House during working hours and a staff member would be glad to assist you.
  
  

Weekend Service Council

The Weekend Service Council (formerly the One Time Service Council) was created in Fall 2006 to raise awareness of one-time service on Penn's campus and in the local community. The Council organizes several service projects per year. This year's projects included including packaging meals at MANNA for people with terminal illnesses, planting trees in Fairmount Park, and organizing donations at AchieveAbility, which provides housing and supportive services for low-income families. Next year's projects depend on YOUR input! To learn more about the Council, including how to get involved, contact PennWeekendService@gmail.com