Tips for Coordinating a Community Service Opportunity

Assess the Need
Reinventing the wheel can be stressful on all parties. Determine an issue or focus of interest for the service that you would like to do. Check out what types of community services are already going on in the community and see if you can join or expand upon these existing agencies. If you’re not sure what work is available, ask. There’s always something to be done.

Gauge What Your Group Can Do
Find out what the strengths and limitations are of the group you’re working with ahead of time. This may include interests, dates and times available, transportation needs, or health risks.

Communication
Before making commitments, make sure your group or enough of your group can participate. Don’t make assumptions. Make community partners aware of any particular needs/request you may have ahead of time (materials, equipment).

Use the CSRC
The CSRC can help you with all of the above. Contact us to get information about setting up service, contact info for over 250 non-profit organizations, assistance with transportation, and additional materials for setting up community service. Also check out the CSRC's Balanced Guide to Community Service.

You can also use the Virtual Volunteer Fair, our online listing of community organizations, look at volunteer opportunities on the online classifieds, or come into the CSRC and use any of the materials in our library.