As sophomores begin their experience with HOBY, most identify themselves as members of the community, and possibly have been involved in volunteer service. Our goal with HOBY is to push them into becomingconscientious citizens during the seminar, encouraging them to think critically about society’s issues. The skills they learn at the seminar will further push them beyond simply thinking about the issues, and into the status of an active citizen where they are continuing to be involved in the education and action process.

In service-learning, there is a mutual benefit to the person serving and those individuals he/she is serving. The community organization serves as an educational vessel for the person serving by educating about issues, funds, sources, reasons the organization exists, etc. However, the person serving is also providing a service to the organization by working on a significant project with the organization, but also taking the knowledge gained and continuing to be involved in learning about the issue and doing something about it. (This could be reflected in their voting practices later on, their continued volunteerism, or other means of social advocacy for the issues.)


Pre-Project Transformation


Prepare students for service-learning experience and provide basic education about project-specifc societal issues.

Define the issue

Identify the cause(s) of the issue

Discuss organizations tied to the issue(s)

List expectations of project/involvement

Project/On-Site Transformation


Encourage students to look critically at the root causes of social issues and challenge them to evaluate the role they play in the community

Orientation to the specific activities and further orientation with the organization

Challenge deep thinking about the social issues present with the project

Interact/conduct service project with the organization


Post-Project Transformation


Help students find avenues for continued community involvement and support participants’ efforts to take the next “action steps.”

Reflect on project and the student’s role with the project

Further education on issue(s)

Determine impact of project on the community and on the students

Identify future potential projects, including projects related to the issues they encountered

Discuss solutions to problems and identify the effects on the stakeholders

Challenge for students to complete an additional 100 hours of service in the next year

SMART Goals session focusing on how they are going to complete service hours to a cause