1. Start Out Small

Be willing to start out with a small project and let it grow. Don't assume that you need a large group of volunteers to undertake a project. Even a small amount of service is important, and it only takes one person to make a difference.

2. Broaden The Scope

Seek volunteers from high schools, parishes, businesses, organizations, family, and friends. Choose a project that appeals to as many people as possible and is a reasonable undertaking for your chapter. The important factor is service to the community.

3. Utilize National or Local Service Agencies

Creating a project doesn't have to be difficult or too time-consuming. Instead, contact a community resource center in your area and join an existing program. Make use of the resources provided by national or local service agencies, such as Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Easter Seals, or Goodwill Industries.

  • www.volunteermatch.org   Find volunteering opportunities with nonprofit organizations by location and interest area.
  • www.thevolunteerfamily.org   The Volunteer Family facilitates family volunteering.
  • www.catholiccharitiesusa.org  The national office for over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies nationwide.
  • www.svdpusa.org  The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis.
  • www.specialolympics.org  Special Olympics sports provide a gateway of empowerment, competence, and acceptance to those challenged with disabilities.

4. Consider Comfort Levels

Consider the different comfort levels that your fellow alumni might have. Until you have some understanding of who will be participating in your chapter’s projects, try and plan more broad based and inclusive service projects.

5. Think about the Long Term

Another option your chapter may explore is to start a monthly service project. Pick an organization or charity and plan regular visits. A project like this can help make service to the community a regular feature of your club and ease the planning process for the club coordinator.

6. Follow our Project Preparation Checklist

It is crucial that you prepare your group for each service experience to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes for both community members and alumni participants. Below are some guidelines to help arm your alumni volunteers with the right information: Project Preparation Checklist