Leading Reflections for One -Time Service Events

1. Leading Reflections for One -Time Service Events Making Service a Meaningful Experience Presentation by: Sam Hanson & Caitlin Froemming From St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI

2. Who we are… • The ALIVE Team • Active Leaders in Vocation Exploration • Peer Ministry • Provide One-Time Service Opportunities for Residents

3. Why Reflect? • People identify why they are serving. • Look at whom they are serving. • Look at the bigger picture (hunger, poverty, homelessness, caring for the poor and vulnerable, etc.) • Address Stereotypes: • Voice concerns and stereotypes prior to service work. • Debrief afterward; Were stereotypes reinforced? Struggle overcoming stereotypes? Etc…

4. Pre - Reflections • Immediately before the service event • Education • Where are you going? What does the organization with which you are working do? • Who are you serving? • Why is this kind of service important? • Reflection • Participants’ expectations and hopes • Any Pre-existing stereotypes / concerns / worries?

5. Post - Reflections • Immediately after the service event • Reflection • Participants’ reactions • Debrief any negative experiences • What did we learn / gain? • Impact of service • What now? • Possibility: Examine broader social justice issue

6. Methods of Reflection • Discussion • Share experiences with the group; best moments, challenges • Discussion/reflection questions are to be used to guide, but not constrain the discussion. • From surface questions to deeper ones. • Prayer • Prayer books, silent reflection followed by prayer, prayer based on area of service, etc… • Movie clips

7. Methods of Reflection (cont’d) • Journaling • Very useful reflection method. • Gives time for personal reflection as well as something to look back to and reflect on a later date. • Provide questions as guidelines if needed. • Quotes • Bring several quotes on strips of paper. • Participant chooses one that speaks to them. • Poems • Play – Doh • Music

8. Discussion/Reflection Questions • Descriptive • Emotive • Interpretive • Self Reflective • Considering Broader Societal Issues • What Can You Take Away? *Center for Community Service and Justice at Loyola in Maryland

9. What has worked for us… • Structure • Do service on the weekend. • Keep the students off campus! • Provide food as part of the post reflection (Pizza, coffee, cookies, etc...). • If there is a large group, break into small groups. • Keep people on the same level. • Come with a plan, but be flexible. • Collaborate with RAs.

10. What has worked for us… (cont’d) • Methods of Reflection • Share information about the service site; their mission, what they do. • Have a representative from the organization meet the group and introduce the site. • Allow enough time for personal reflection. • Choose questions based on your audience. • Spiritual dimension • Include evaluation after reflection.

11. Small Groups • Please break out into groups of 3 or 4. • Brainstorm a reflection for a Service Project. • Environment/setting • Structure • Methods of reflecting • Types of materials to use in reflection • Length of reflection

12. Possible Resources for Reflections • Movies That Matter. Richard Leonard, S.J. • Great Quotes from Great Leaders. Compiled by Peggy Anderson. • How Can I Help? Ram Dass & Paul Gorman. • Light One Candle Quotes for Hope and Action. Compiled by Arrington Chambliss, Wayne Meisel, & Maura Wolf. • Prayer Without Borders. Catholic Relief Services. • Radical Compassion: Finding Christ in the Heart of the Poor. Gary Smith, S.J. • Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life. Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. • A Simple Path. Mother Theresa. • The Holy Bible. • This PowerPoint and other Resources can be found on http://www.snc.edu/ccsl/reflection.html

13. Questions or Comments?? For additional Questions, e-mail: sam.hanson@snc.edu caitlin.froemming@snc.edu

14. Thank you!!!