SIGNING UP FOR SERVICE & TRACKING YOUR HOURS



Finding Great Service Opportunities

  • Our community partners post their needs on Get Connected and they appear on the Service Opportunities list. Check back often as new service is added every week!
  • Students can also do service with organizations that are not listed on Get Connected! Please fill out a Community Service Pre-Approval form before doing any service not listed on Get Connected.

 

Signing Up for Service on Get Connected

  1.  Search on the Service Opportunities list to find a service opportunity that you would be interested in volunteering for. 
  2. Click Respond in the upper right corner to start your sign up.
  3. Add any optional notes in the Additional Volunteer Information field.
  4. Click Submit Service Opportunity Response to finish signing up!

Visit the Planning Service as a Group page to learn how to organize service with your Club or sign up for service as a "team."

Our community partners rely on Alvernia student volunteers and slots can be limited for each opportunity. If you must unregister from an opportunity on Get Connected, please strive to do so at minimum 72 hours in advance so that we, and our community organizations, have time to fill the vacant slots. 


Tracking Your Hours

  1. Sign in to your account using the yellow Student Login button.
  2. Click on your profile drop-down and select Track Hours, or click Submit Service Hours on the menu to the left.
  3. Click Add Hours (located under the Volunteer Hours heading).
  4. Under Hour Type - 
    1. If you signed up for a service opportunity on Get Connected, select Yes. 
    2. If you filled out a Pre-Approval Form to volunteer with an organization not on Get Connected, select No and fill in the Individual Details.
  5. Complete all applicable fields under Individual Details, Hour Details, and Description.
  6. Click Submit Hour Entry!

Hours must be submitted according to the following deadlines and will not be accepted late:

  • Hours completed in the Fall Semester are due by January 15th
  • Winterim hours are due by February 15th
  • Spring Semester hours are due by May 15th
  • Summer hours are due by September 15th 

You must log your own service hours, completely fill out the form and complete the reflection even if you signed up for an opportunity on the Get Connected site. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they record hours after performing service. 

Hours are updated on student transcripts on a monthly basis. Your Get Connected account has your most up-to-date record of community service hours.

 

Writing A Reflection

This prompt is meant to help students write their reflection when they submit their service hours on the Get Connected page. You are not required to use any of these questions. This is simply a guide for those who may be struggling. If you have questions or need help submitting your service hours, please email holleran.center@alvernia.edu. 

  • Why did you choose this service opportunity?
    • I chose to volunteer with (organization) because...
      • Did you think it would be easy?
      • Is it a passion of yours?
      • Have you served with them before?
  • Did you like this service opportunity? Why or why not?
    • I liked volunteering at (organization) because...
    • I did not like volunteering at (organization) because...
  • How did you feel when arriving at the place of service?
    • Did you feel excited, anxious, annoyed, or happy?
  • What did you do with your organization?
  • Would you participate in the organization again?
    • I would volunteer with (organization) again because...
      • I like their mission...
      • They serve a large portion of the community...
      • I have a personal connection...
    • I would not volunteer with (organization) again because...
      • It was very much unorganized because...
    • It was not what I was expecting...
  • Who did you interact with?
  • Did you have any interactions that stood out?
  • Did anything significant happen?
  • Do you feel there was something valuable in the experience related to your major?
  • I learned a lot about... (topic).. and it will benefit my career or future because...
  • Did anything surprise you?
    • I never knew...
    • They ran solely on donations...
    • That so many people needed their services...
    • That I would like to participate so much...
  • Will you stay involved with the organization even after meeting your service hours?
  • Has this experience changed your mind about volunteering your time with a non-profit organization?
  • Will you share this experience with your family and friends?
  • Will you encourage others to volunteer for this group or in general based on this experience?


Please note: You must log your own service hours and complete the reflection essay even if you signed up for an opportunity on the Get Connected site. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they record hours after performing service.