Service Project Frequently Asked Questions

In what ways do neighborhood associations, business associations and non-profit organizations at other institutions participate in Welcome Week?

The projects that community partners host at other institutions vary with the mission and goals of each organization.  Some examples from our peer institutions are:

·         - Assisting with projects specific to Non-Profit Organizations

·         - Working with neighborhood associations to help the elderly with painting, yard work, etc

·         - Neighborhood beautification

·         - Cleaning up commercial districts, picking up liter, painting garbage cans, scrubbing graffiti

·         - Creating first aid kits and tying blankets for those in need

·         - Participating in projects that assist under privileged children or victims of domestic abuse

·         - Closing down community camps or parks at the end of the season

Please remember that there are many ways to get students involved in your association or organization.  This may be a great opportunity for a large or small-scale project to be started or completed while teaching new students what it means to be a part of the greater Minneapolis & St. Paul community.

Why should my organization participate in Welcome Week?

As an institutional initiative at the University of Minnesota, Welcome Week is a way of teaching students about the many different communities that they are a part of when they come to the university.  One of the goals of Welcome Week is to create an awareness of responsibility and a passion for civic engagement in our students.  To make this component of Welcome Week a reality we need your expertise in helping us facilitate projects for students.

What is the benefit for my organization?

Sponsoring a service project during Welcome Week is a great way to get new students interested in volunteering or interning with your organization later on in their collegiate career.  You would be able to share your organization with new students before they even begin classes.  You can help students realize why they should support local businesses, respect the local neighborhoods that they live in, and get involved in non-profit agencies that are vital to the betterment of the Twin Cities community.

How will my organization be recognized?

The University of Minnesota and the office of Orientation & First-Year Programs is dedicated to making Welcome Week a community initiative.  Your organization will be recognized in various forms of media to new students, their families, the university community and the greater Twin Cities community.  For specifics please contact Orientation & First-Year Programs at ofyp@umn.edu.

What is the time commitment for the project?

Prior to Sunday, August 31, 2008 the only time you would need to commit would be to write a project proposal, and to have a few short phone conversations during the spring and summer to solidify the service project.  The time allotted into the Welcome Week schedule for service projects is between 1:00pm and 5:00pm.  We are willing to work with organizations that may need a longer period of time, but no organization should feel like they need the volunteers the entire time if there is a shorter project.  On the day of the project we ask that some staff from your organization are available to work with and direct the volunteers with the project.

How many students will be volunteering on my project?

When you fill out your project proposal please include an approximate number of volunteers you need to successfully complete your project.  As students begin signing up for projects, your project will be capped at whatever number you wish.  That means you can have as few as 10 volunteers or as many as a few hundred.

How will the students get to the assigned location for a project?

Orientation & First-Year Programs will coordinate transportation to/from the service sites via public transportation or contracted buses.  If you are able to provide transportation please let us know in your program proposal.

What if we need supplies or assistance with the project?

There is limited funding available to assist with service projects aside from transportation.  In your project proposals please plan to utilize tools or materials that you may already have available.  The office of Orientation & First-Year Programs is willing to work with an organization that may need materials or supplies donated for a service project.  Please include any assistance needed in your project proposal.

We are interested in helping the University of Minnesota by hosting a service project, what are our next steps?

Complete the program proposal available online at http://welcomeweek.umn.edu.  After your proposal is submitted the office of Orientation & First-Year Programs will be in contact with you about the feasibility and specific logistics with your project.

What should I include in a project proposal?

Follow the guidelines on the online program proposal at http://welcomeweek.umn.edu/Projectproposal.html.

What should I do if I have more questions or concerns?

Please contact:                                     

James Liberman                                   

(612) 624-1979                                  

ofyp@umn.edu