This is Community Service Season!

Let’s talk community service.

Every fall, the new FBLA leadership team is tasked with cleaning the back office. It’s not a very big space, but we manage to fit a whole lot of stuff in it at once. Sometimes there is even room to walk into the space! So they go through all of the snacks to find out what has expired and what is still good. They organize all of the different types of clothes we have, and put everything neatly by size so we can give away t-shirts at meetings or replace one if someone loses it. They catalog anything and everything they find, so we know exactly what we have and don’t need to purchase for this year.

This year they found a big, unopened box. This was an odd thing for them to find, because I’ve been there for three years now, and I thought I’d gone through everything during the great Covid teaching exercise that was 20-21. So, they opened the unlabeled box, and were absolutely thrilled with the contents! It was an entire box of small stuffed animals! Our Valentine’s Day fundraiser was a huge success (we sold out two days early!) when we bought stuffed animals and attached little “By My Valentine” notes and delivered them to people’s classes. We made some good money, and those types of fundraisers are a lot of fun—and relatively short—to do. 

“This is awesome!”

“So cute! We don’t need to buy them this year!!!”

“We can use these for Valentine’s Day!”

Uuuuummmmmmm…no. Look at the label, kids. These stuffies were March of Dimes items that we purchased for resale—to donate the profits to March of Dimes. 

So their excitement didn’t fade at all, but the entire project took on a different tone. It’s community service season. 

Getting Your Leadership To…Well…Lead

FBLA—all of the CTSO’s—take community service very seriously, and feel quite passionately that current students should do everything in their power to make the world a better place. They need to have compassion and empathy and participate fully in as many community service opportunities as possible.

This is our greatest calling as Advisers. 

It deserves a Vice President!

Many of the organizations on campus have an element—or their entire focus—on doing good works in the community, so it is extremely easy to find someone to take the lead in creating and supporting community outreach for your organization. One of my students, for example, completes community service for FBLA, DECA, National Honor Society, Key Club and National Business Honor Society—and those are just the ones I know about through school! 

Our Vice President of Community Service is also quite active in her church youth group in addition to everything at school, so she has a deep well she can dip into to find opportunities for our students to serve. I’m quite proud that her call for volunteers for our upcoming food drive brought almost two dozen students—mostly freshmen and sophomores—to an after school meeting to decorate the boxes for collection. 

The Best Ideas Are THEIR Ideas

This is our second annual fall food drive for a local organization. We were quite successful last year, and the best thing that came out of it is the kids’ desire to do even better this year! It’s great when they can gently race against their own success and have it benefit other people. Food drives are a great way to get started with community service.

Over the years, I’ve realized that the most successful years are always led by a strong leadership team. When we have students who are not only mature and responsible, but are also dedicated to the organization and serving the members, we always have a great year—no matter what happens at State and National competition. The most important key to that success has always been letting the students have ownership over the organization. They need to feel that their ideas and suggestions are taken seriously, and that the organization can be flexible enough to accommodate different opinions and ideas. 

I’ve never said no to a community service idea that came from a kid. I’ve changed it, focused it, assisted with it. But I don’t say no. How can I say no when a kid comes to me excited with eyes bright and shiny because they’ve come up with a way to improve or assist our community members? 

You do everything you can to make it a successful campaign. 

But, Patti, We Are A Small Club!

I have absolutely been there! Maybe it’s your first or second year, or you’re in a rural school, but for some reason you are a small group of dedicated and devoted people. We can find community service you can do!

Every can counts

If you’ve got only five members, and everybody donates just one can, you have provided a meal to someone who would have gone hungry. That is worth celebrating. So, even if you have a very small group, or a small school, it is still absolutely worth it for you to do a food drive for non-perishable foods. Even though your group is small, your class rosters aren’t, so extend the invitation to participate to as many students as you can. I’m not saying extra credit is a good thing…but good things are worth extra. 

Every dollar makes an impact

Does your school call it a “Miracle Minute” or “Money in a Minute” or something even cuter? Either way, I’m sure from time to time they advertise a quick, one-minute timer for everyone on campus to donate to an organization or a cause. This could be your cause! In terms of planning, this one is great because it’s minimal and very fast. The hardest part is separating and counting all of the coins! Comment below if you need specific directions to make this a successful campaign—it’s a great way for a very small group of kids to have fun and make a nice impact on a specific organization.  

Every hour is appreciated

Looking for something with a little group bonding, a little laughter, and some time outside? How about a park clean-up on a Saturday morning? Getting the small group together for a few hours is a great way to bond your entire team together while doing good for the community. If everyone brings a picnic lunch, you can make a day of it at the park after your clean up with lunch and maybe a pick-up game of kickball. 

Every thought is welcome

If you read my other blog topics, you know Mom is in The Facility, and unfortunately, some people don’t seem to get any visitors or mail. How about fixing that problem by making holiday cards for a nursing home, hospital or facility in town? All you need is an hour, some cardstock and markers and your small group of kids could have a very important and powerful impact on senior citizens in their own community. 

But, Patti, We Want To Do A Local Organization!

I couldn’t agree more!!! While we enjoy participating in national community service organizations, there is a special kind of connection when you do something that will have an immediate impact on your neighborhood. I’m positive you and your kids can find multiple worthy organizations in your area, and I’m just as certain they will appreciate any help you can give them. 

This is the perfect job for your new VP of Community Service—have them reach out to three or four organizations, research them, and present them to the entire team for a vote. Then keep the rest of your list for your next project!

Hey, Patti, We Are Big And Want To Make A Big Impact!

I applaud those organizations that can raise thousands of dollars for their community service partners. If you have the manpower, I’d consider a Fun Run or carnival to raise a significant sum of money that can be donated. 

No matter what, get started…

• Who do you know? – Your kids have more contacts than they give themselves credit for, so have them think hard and reach out to adults and organizations they know so they will have a connection with the cause. 
• Advertising is key – Even the smallest group can generate a lot of nonperishable food by advertising throughout your entire school. Don’t keep your good works secret! Advertise on the announcements, as well as in the halls. Even better, encourage fellow teachers to get on the bandwagon and promote the campaign in their classes.
• Extend your reach – Your small club might grow after your event. Once people on campus see that your “fun club” is actually doing things that are important and productive with their time, don’t be surprised to start to have more members. These members who join following community service campaigns will not only be fun and interesting members, but will bring with them even more contacts with community service organizations, too. 

For us, we will indeed sell the stuffies for Valentine’s Day, and will donate to March of Dimes. Not because we said we would do it years ago, but because it’s the right thing to do. There is so much good that can be done in the world. 

And it all starts with one can of tuna fish dropped in a decorated box in the B hallway. 

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR

Wow, thank you for reading about community service!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out the “wh-” questions I have for advisors, here, and learn how to celebrate with students, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite lesson of mine was! How’s your student organization operating? What are your freshman orientation tips?

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