Service Learning Orientation Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with non-profit organizations (community benefit organizations or CBO’s), develop your understanding of Service Learning and its role at CSUF, and acquaint you with resources that may be helpful in completing your service learning project.

Read and review the information from resources below, then answer the questions that follow.

1. Read the two articles which may be found on the SL Website

  • Eight Characteristics of Non-Profit Organizations
  • Service-Learning, Everybody Wins

2. Watch the video featuring the Director of the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning:

3. Visit the Richter Center’s website:

  • Review theinformation on the home page
  • Review the mission and history of the Center (found in the drop down menu in theabout tab).

4. Visit the Student Section of the Richter Center:

  • Review the information on the page
  • Go to the right side of the page, download and read the “Student’s Guide to Successful Service Learning.”

Answer the following questions.

1. About non-profits:

  1. Briefly describe what type of organization qualifies as a “non-profit” or community benefit organization.
  2. How does society benefit from having a healthy community of CBO’s?
  3. Describe two specific challenges CBO’s face that are not typically present in the for-profit realm.

2. What exactly is service learning? Explain how service learning is different from Volunteerism and Community Service. Provide an example for each of the three activities.

3. How will students benefit from engaging in a service-learning experience? How might the experience help achieve career goals?

4. How mightcompleting a service-learning project provide a student with more awareness of issues related to cultural andethnic diversity within their community?

5. What is the Jan and Bud Richter Center and what is their mission? Why do Fresno State and the Craig School incorporate service learning into course curricula?

6. What steps can you take as a student to ensure you and your team have a successful service learning experience?

What is the value of a volunteer? (Everybody Wins)