OB 321 Organizational Effectiveness: Out of class group service projects

Set up meeting immediately with your group and go over project list together during the first week of class.

Using the list, discuss what the types of projects fit with your group’s goals and asset pool. Choose a couple of projects that fit as close to your group’s interests and abilities as possible. This will make the project more enjoyable to you.

Contact the corresponding agencies immediately and ask questions about the projects in which you are interested. Based on the information you receive and your group’s interest, choose your group’s project.

Attend your agency’s orientation meeting. If your agency doesn’t have one listed, you need to set one up. This should be done the second week of the semester.

Ask specific questions when you meet with your agency contact to make sure you are clear on the project requirements. Find out the criteria on which your agency will be evaluating you. It’s best to not be surprised at the end of the semester.

At that meeting, break down the project components and calendar out deadlines for each component of the project.

Set up a specific time each week to check in with your agency contact—this will keep the group on task and help clarify points along the way.

Before you leave your meeting, distribute responsibilities among your group members.

Keep a journal or take notes on how concepts from class apply to your project experience, including your interaction with team members, the agency and the agency’s clients. This will help you write your final paper at the end of the semester and help you to connect the classroom to your consulting/service project.

Do not get involved in projects that require you to handle money. Past experience has shown that the risk and liabilities associated with handling money have outweighed the project benefits. Planning fundraising events is fine as long as students do not collect or handle the money or acquired items. Please be aware that if your group does get involved with a fundraising event, the event should be supervised and coordinated by the agency. Also, please be aware that the University does not permit solicitation for items (food or otherwise) on campus.

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