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Human-to-Human Inspiration

 End –of –Term Integrated Project

Fall Term, 2002

letter to parents

 What inspires us?

Most of the time it is others. 

Their lives, their words, their works.

Some, such as Gandhi or Martin Luther King, seem larger than life.  

Others are simple everyday people:  your grandparent, your neighbor, your friend, yourself.

But regardless of who it is,

humans inspire humans.

For this end-of-term project you will be developing and carrying out a project that is designed to inspire and give hope to others who, for whatever reason, have encountered personal hardships and obstacles.

Through your ideas, your actions, and your words, you will give inspiration to others and to ourselves. 

Preparation Phases

Execution of Project

Reflective Presentation

Preparation Phases 

Effective preparation for your project will be the key component determining whether or not it is successful.  You and your group will have to keep detailed records of your work.  Everyone in the group will be called upon to demonstrate flexibility, reliability and solid communication skills. 

Phase I 

q       Choose your groups and assign group roles.   

• Border Collie:  This person must be able to successfully motivate and organize people. 
• Stop Watch: this member is the timekeeper, makes sure people are aware of dead lines, and helps keep them on track using class time. 
• Archivist:  The record keeper.  The archivist manages the groups folder, be sure this person is good at details and keeping stray pieces of paper in order! 
• Gopher:  A member who is flexible, versatile and able to help out in any area should take on this role.  From day to day, you just never know what the gopher might need to help out with.

q           Set up your group folder with the following items: 

    1.      Completed Needs Assessment/Rationale for Project

    2.      Phone log

    3.      Planning Grid 

q       On your very first day together you must decide on your top three potential projects.  Remember the theme is human-to-human inspiration.  Rank them from first choice to last choice.  Brainstorm a few ideas, let each member explain why they want the group to support their project and then try to reach consensus on your number 1 choice.

q       Make your first phone contact with your number one project site and establish a contact person.  Take good notes on your phone log sheet.  Nothing makes us sound worse than making a phone contact, arranging a service project, and then not knowing who the contact person is when we call again or show up at the site.  Make sure they have a need for your volunteer work.  You will practice this call with your advisor before you actually make the call. 

q       Report to your advisor on your progress, make notes as necessary in your folder and file your folder with your advisor. 

Phase II 

During phase two you will complete the following documents:

      q       Trip Information Plan  (turn in to advisor)

q       Press Release  (advisor reviews, group turns this in to Tom)

q       Parent Notification Letter  (turn in to advisor, pending approval mail this home)

q       Equipment and Supply List  (turn in to advisor)

Also during phase two you will finalize and confirm your plans with your site and the site contact person.  Communication is critical to the success of your project.  You must confirm that the site and the site contact are expecting you on the day you have scheduled.  A call to remind them one day before you go is required.  Upon completion of this phone contact, tell your advisor directly that you have confirmed your visit.

scoring guide for preparation phases

Execution of Project

1.      Dress for success.  If you wear jeans, wear a dress shirt and shoes.  There is nothing wrong with dressing informally as long as it isn’t shabby.  Do Not wear t-shirts.  You must also tell your advisor what you will be wearing before going on your service project.

2.      Keep in mind you are representing the school.  Act in accordance with school policy and know your behavior is a reflection on all of us.  Some helpful manner reminders are: 

a.      Realize that sights and sounds and smells may not be what you are used to.  Do not blurt out inappropriate words (ex. “This place smells bad!” Or “Look at that old man with the cane!”)

b.      Do not run and yell in quiet places (i.e. Retirement homes, schools, etc.)

c.      Be polite and ask questions only when appropriate.

3.      Remember that you are serving the community.  This is not about you; it’s about the people you are serving. 

4.      Be punctual.  Have a plan if someone in your group is sick or late. Know exact times for any appointments, where and when you are meeting, and the responsibilities each team member has.  Develop a phone tree for your group and advisor so everyone can be reached in an emergency. 

5.      Document the work: delegate responsibilities to team members as you tell the story of your adventure and answer all questions on note taking sheet.

a.      Remember to bring if needed:  camera, video equipment, recorder or any necessary equipment used in info gathering.

b.      Practice with all equipment before actually going to the site.

c.      Documentation of work should include introduction, body and conclusion format. 

6.      Have completed and/or bring all forms of permission and liability.  Ride the city bus and plan accordingly – check the schedule before you ride. 

7.      Journal promptly after your visit.  Focus on what you learned, what you’ve seen, stories for reflection and presentation.   

8.      Thank you in person and follow up thank you note or letter.  (Thank you note or letter will be turned in to advisor) 

Reflective Presentation

 Upon completing the Service Project, you will be required to complete a reflective presentation that documents your group’s experience.  The presentation may take any one of the following forms:   

Each presentation must include the following information:  

q       An introduction that reflects the relationship between inspiration and your group’s service activity.

q       Reasons why your group chose to create and carry out the service activity.  

q       An explanation that details how your group planned the service activity. (Make sure you describe the responsibilities that were designated to each member of the group)  

q       Sequential visual/written documentation of the actual activity.  

q       A description that expresses how the group’s service activity may have impacted (inspired) the targeted group.  

q       A reflection from each member of your group.  The reflection must describe each member’s personal reactions to creating and completing the service activity.  Group members need to explain ways in which the activity did or did not serve as a source of inspiration.  

q       An explanation describing what you would do different if you had another opportunity to complete the project.  

q       How you resolved conflict within the group.

contact: school@communityschoolhouse.org