The mission of Eastfield College is to provide excellence in teaching and learning.
Through a courseMany professors offer service learning opportunities as part of their courses, either for the class as a whole or as extra credit or substitute assignments. Check with your instructors to see if Service Learning is a component of their courses.
Student organizations, such as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Rotaract, Student Government, Communications Club, and others are involved in community service in a variety of ways. You can participate in Service Learning as a member of a student club. Visit the Student Life office for more information about student organizations.
You are welcome to participate in Service Learning on your own. Talk to the Service Learning Coordinator about receiving Service Learning credit for your community service activities. If you are already volunteering with an agency, you can make the experience even more meaningful through the Service Learning Program. If you are interested in engaging in community service, but don’t know how to get started, the Service Learning Program can help.
The Service Learning Program in partnership with Student Life offers service activities on one Saturday per month each long semester. On Service Saturdays, Eastfield College students and employees may participate in various service endeavors. Professors may offer credit to students who participate or may encourage entire classes to join Service Saturday projects. Some of these projects require pre-planning and research before the date of the event and follow-up after the Service Saturday date, so you can be involved throughout the semester. Please contact the Student Life office or the Service Learning Coordinator for information on how you can participate in Service Saturdays.
If you are participating in Service Learning through a course or a student organization, you should receive information about how to enroll in the program from your professor or your advisor. You may also contact the Service Learning Coordinator for assistance.
If you are participating as an individual, your first step is to complete the online sign-up form and sign the liability waiver form. For more information, contact the Service Learning Coordinator.
For Service Learning projects through class assignments or club activities, your professor or advisor will provide information about approved agencies with which you may perform your service. These assignments and activities may be part of Service Saturdays.
For individual participation in Service Learning, you may volunteer at an agency of your choice or through Service Saturdays at Eastfield. Make sure you have your service site approved by the Service Learning Coordinator.
A list of available agencies can be found on the DCCCD Service Learning Website.
When you report for your service, remember that you are there to learn and to serve your community. You should dress appropriately and behave in a professional manner. If you are performing your service individually, report to the supervisor on your first day to receive your instructions. Refer to the student roles to understand your responsibilities.
Each time you report to your agency, fill in your time sheet and be sure someone from your agency signs it. If you are participating in Service Learning with your class and your professor is present, he or she can sign your time sheet for you.
Structured reflection is a critical part of the Service Learning process. It enables you to examine the critical issues related to your service, connect the service experience to your course of study, examine your civic engagement and values, and find relevance in the work you perform.
If you are participating in Service Learning as part of a course, your professor will provide instructions on your reflection process.
If you are participating as part of a student organization, reflection may be incorporated in the service project.
If you are participating in Service Learning as an individual or if you do not have another means of reflection, you must complete the Reflection Survey by the assigned date near the end of the semester.
All paperwork—time sheets, final reflection, and post-service questionnaire—are due before final exam week. If you are unsure about the due dates, check with your professor or the Service Learning Coordinator. Use the Service Learning Checklist to make sure you’ve completed all the components of your Service Learning experience.
Complete your Co-Curricular Transcript
Consider keeping an ePortfolio to showcase your achievements during your college career. You can share your ePortfolio with prospective employers, university admissions and scholarship programs, your friends, and family members.
If you are working with children or teenagers, you may need a criminal background check. Ask the contact person at your service agency about special procedures for working with minors.
Many agencies offer orientations or training sessions on specific dates. Work with your agency supervisor to make sure you receive the proper orientation. The agencies who partner with Eastfield understand that you are students and you must attend your classes, but you need to let them know your availability.
Some service activities are available on the Eastfield College campus. Some of these activities involve volunteering at Common Book events, Student Life sponsored programs, or through specific campus departments. Some of the Service Saturday programs will occur on campus. Contact the Service Learning Coordinator for more information.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award: The United States President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.
Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
Volunteer Center of North Texas: This year the Volunteer Center of North Texas turns 40! Through our 40 For 40 Campaign, their birthday wish for 2011 is for volunteers to donate $40 or pledge 40 hours in volunteer service to their community between April 1, 2011 and February 28, 2012.
Their goal is to have volunteers commit to 100,000 hours in service and $100,000 in donations. Click on the information below to participate in our year-long birthday celebration! All participants will receive an "I Am A Volunteer" t-shirt for their donation or pledge of service.
