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Community Partner Toolkit

Welcome to Service-Learning at Boise State University! As a community partner, you are also a co-educator for service-learning students. See below for the steps and resources to begin your partnership with our program.

Step One:

If you have not already done so, please complete the Community Partner Interest Form. This form helps identify a good match and outlines our shared responsibilities as community partners.

If your project requires direct service from a student, you will also need to enter into a Direct Service Agreement with the University. The Service-Learning Program Office will contact you to complete this requirement.

Step Two:

This is where you start planning the details of your project. The Service-Learning Program will help you connect with an instructor to plan for your upcoming partnership. This conversation typically clarifies important details to help the project run as smoothly as possible.

Some details to discuss:

  • What are agency goals and potential projects that might connect to course goals?
  • What does success look like?
  • What are the course goals?
  • What student experiences would meet both course and community partner goals?
  • What capacity is typical of students enrolled in this course (what skills & knowledge can students contribute to a project)?
  • How many students will be available? Could students work as a group or individually?
  • What are the project’s scope and parameters (desired outcome, tasks, # hours, timeline, location, and evaluation)?
  • What schedule will suite students and the community partner? Are there busy times, breaks, or deadlines that might impact the project?
  • Does the instructor have any specific expecations? This can include visits to the classroom, meetings with students, instructor visits to the site.
  • What does student preparation look like? Are there training requirements, onsite orientations, supervision, any safety issues?
  • What is the preferred method/frequency of exchanging feedback between the instructor and community partner?

This list is by no means exhaustive. As the expert of your own organization and work, use this process to advocate for your goals as a community partner and educate the the stakeholders on your needs, ideas, and hopes.

Step Three:

Prepare yourself to host the students. All service-learning students are required to attend an agency orientation. See below for resources you can use/edit to meet your needs.

Step Four:

Stay in touch!

Throughout the semester, you can receive support, just-in-time information, helpful tips, and networking and professional development opportunities via newsletters, LinkedIn, and the Community Partner Collaboration Hub.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. SL staff will be in touch at the end of the semester to evaluate your service projects and plan for the next semester.

Step Five:

For a comprehensive guide to Service-Learning, please review our Community Partner Handbook.