Community Action Projects

1. Service Learning Community 2010 Community Action Projects

2. What is a CAP? • Community Action Project • Culmination of what is taught at the service site and what is needed by the service site • SLC students will use their resources and expertise to implement a program or project by April • All students must complete a CAP to pass SLC

3. Type 1: CAP for Community Partners Designed to meet a specific need identified by the community partner Students will use the expertise and resources available on campus or research skills and energy to find the best way to address the need or problem

4. Type 2: CAP for the Villanova Community Implement an educational program at Villanova about an issue students have become aware of, and passionate about, through their service experience

5. Guidelines • The program must be designed so the CAP can be implemented before the end of Spring Semester. • Completion of the project and implementation must be by April 15 • Each group will be given funds to support the project, not exceeding $100. Fundraising for more expenses is allowed, with supervision.

6. CAP Groups • Your van to your fall semester service = your CAP group • CAP project groups will meet every other week (in the van) with additional meetings as needed • Each CAP group will have a leader, who will report progress to the CAP mentor, call meetings, keep small groups on tasks and resolve problems in the group to continue improving and progressing on the project.

7. CAP Group Members • LeaderCalls meetings, keeps meetings productive and on task. Report students who fail to show up for preparation meetings. Sets up a meeting once a month with the instructor assigned to your CAP group. Resolves problems in the group as they arise. • Community Partner Liaison (1-2 people)Deals directly with the Community Partner and is a link between the CAP group and the service site • SecretaryWill take notes and send out minutes with assignments. Minutes are to be sent to the student leader AND CAP mentor • Implementation TeamIn charge of implementation. Ensures that all funds are secured for supplies, a date is set with the Community Partner and a team is ready for implementation

9. “Many parts, one body.” • Each one of you has unique traitsand talents which make your team stronger • Teams will be divided according to abilities and preferences so that each person has a specific role

10. Put your all into that role in order to contribute to your team and work cohesively • Eachpart is vital to the body’sfunctioning as a whole– everyone should be included and appreciated as such

11. For example… • Ears – There is often a group member who is great at listening and taking it all in, interpreting the many ideas that are thrown out there and compiling them into a unified plan. • Mouth – One group member might be able to articulate ideas well and delegate tasks or disseminate information. Often it is this person’s job to send out the emails and keep everyone in the loop. • Brain – This person often finds the solutions to tricky problems, good at getting the team out of a jam. This individual also is great a turning mixed signals into a logical approach. • Feet– Takes the group where they need to go, always pointing ahead and carrying the group to one goal. Keeps people on track (makes sure everyone shows up to meetings, ensures that deadlines will be met and work is on schedule, etc.) • Hands – This person is a “doer”… likes to always stay active and have a project to work on. Could also apply to the team scribe/secretary; a person who is organized and likes to compile ideas on paper.

12. Steps to the CAPs

13. September - OctoberStep 1: Set up groups • Your van group = your CAP group • Groups of 5-12 – some van groups may need to combine • Establish roles and responsibilities in the group • Select a team leader • Know your CAP mentor

14. October – November – DecemberStep 2: Identify a need with your Community Partner • Set up a meeting with the Community Partner to discuss the needs that could be addressed over the course of a semester • As many students from the group as is possible should be in attendance • If there are a lot of students in a particular group, a representative team from each of the CAP groups can meet and identify several possible ideas from your community partner • Notes mustbe taken so that when students return to their CAP group, they are clear on the needs expressed by the Community Partner

15. October – November – DecemberStep 3: Identify Realistic Action CAP groups will meet and discuss how they will implement a project for the Service Site

16. October – November – DecemberStep 4: Define Your Project • Brainstorm possible actions to address the need expressed by the Community Partner, or other ways in which you can implement the project given by the Service Site Liaison • Create a Research and Action Plan • What are the underlying issues related to the identified need? • What questions do you have about this issue and how can the need by addressed with the population? • Research assignments are delegated among group members

17. October – November – DecemberStep 5: RESEARCH! Each member of the CAP group will research the need presented by the Community Partner and come up with three ways of addressing that need. Seek out experts as resources or guides to resources and research!

18. December – January – February – MarchStep 6: Submit a Proposal • CAP Groups will decide what they want their project to be • The Secretary will write up a proposal to be approved by the CAP Mentor, Instructor and Community Partner and have each member of the group sign his or her name to the project • Once the proposal has been approved, CAP groups may move forward on their project

19. December – January – February – MarchStep 7: Complete Project Design • GOAL: BEFORE SPRING BREAK!!! • CAP groups will make a final plan for implementation, including: • A title for the project • Delegation of roles in the group • Gathering materials • Practicing • Securing a date for implementation through the Community Partner • Email date of implementation to Noreen Cameron • Design a three-slide PowerPoint presentation for the Celebration Dinner and elect a Spokesperson

20. April 1-15Step 8: Implementation and Reflection • If suitable, you may implement your project during Community Partnership Day • Your project must be implemented by April 13 (Community Partnership Dinner) • Reflection: • What did you learn by doing this project? • If you were to go one step further and had no resource limitations, what would you like to do about this issue/problem? • Would you like to see the continuation of your project at the service site?

21. April 13, 2011Step 9: Presentation at the Celebration Dinner • CAP groups, or an elected spokesperson, will give a 3-minute overview with 1-3 slides that explain the goal and outcome of your project • The PowerPoint presentation should include: • The title and purpose of your CAP Project • The need that was addressed • What you learned

22. Please wait for instructions! Split up into Service Site groups!