Veterans and Civic Leadership

1. Veterans and Civic Leadership Psych 190 Dr. Elena Klaw

2. Goals for Today Community service and you Vets and community service The Mission Continues Satisfaction findings Effects What now?

3. Partner Interview Activity What role has community service played in your life?

4. Discussion Questions What unique strengths do veterans bring to community leadership roles? How might veterans benefit from community (civic) involvement ?

5. The Mission Continues The Mission Continues is a transition program for post-9/11 vets that aims to leverage military experience, leadership skills, and service orientation. The Mission Continues Fellowship Program provides veterans stipends to serve as volunteers at nonprofit organizations for a period of six months. It is a nonprofit organization that challenges post-9/11 veterans to continue to serve their country and communities after their military service has ended.

6. The Mission Continues(See Mathieu et al., 2013) Participants serve as a volunteer at a nonprofit organization in their local community for 14-28 weeks, typically at social service, youth, or veteran’s organizations. Mission Continues Fellows were all United States military veterans, discharged after September 11, 2001, and reported having a service- connected disability. Most were mostly younger than 35 (67%), Caucasian (67%), and male (83%).

7. Satisfaction Findings (N = 27 of cohort of 52 post 9/11 vets) 95% of fellows reported high levels of satisfaction with providing services to the community and learning about their organization. Although slightly more than 20% of Fellows reported that participating in the Program was stressful, 100% reported that it was a worthwhile experience. Fellows reported that the fellowship helped them to improve their chances of finding a job (82%), improve their performance on the job (91%), improve their chances of getting a promotion (82%), and make a career change (77%).

8. Effects of the Mission Continues Program on Participants Personal growth through civic service 82% of participants reported that the Program exposed them to new ideas and ways of seeing the world. 64% reexamined their beliefs about the “real” world. 46% did things they never thought they could do. 64% changed some of their beliefs and attitudes. Self-truths: Values and beliefs 81% feel that they have had a good influence on the lives of many people. Nearly all program participants report that others would say they have made a contribution to society.

9. Effects on Future Community Involvement As a result of completing the Mission Continues Fellowship Program, 100% of Fellows reported that they will probably or definitely stay involved in volunteer activities and public service in the future. Participants valued networking opportunities and a “sense of purpose.”

10. Social Impacts Reported All participants stated that The Mission Continues Fellowship Program allowed them to make a contribution to their communities. Over 75% reported that they felt like part of a community, and 100% said they believe they made a difference in the life of at least one person. 68% stated they are aware of what can be done to meet the important needs in their community, and 76% try to make a positive difference in their communities. 68% reported a strong attachment to their communities.

11. What Now? What about domestic national service as an option for those who want to serve? Service-learning as mandatory or available to all college students? Can we provide an an infrastructure and support for national service that is as impressive as the structure of the military ?