Incorporation into Class Syllabi

Finding key faculty, who are on board with the fundamentals and pedagogy of Service-Learning will be your greatest asset. Once they "buy-in" to the idea, the next step is to incorporate service projects directly into their syllabus. This will lay the groundwork for sustainability of your programs.

Examples of course syllabi will be posted on www.nyccvista.org by 10/3/08.

I've had some success with this. What I found that really helped is that especially if it is a first-time thing that service-learning has been put into the course, you need to extend your hand and be willing to help with it. I was able to provide many resources and materials and information to a faculty master involved in a learning community here at Binghamton University campus. I made time to do a quick presentation to the class, helped him prior to the semester began with logistics and ideas, and have remained as a resource to him in case he needs me again. Once you get through this hand-holding process with faculty, they will feel much better when it is time to "leave the nest" and go off on their own. Sometimes it takes a little push and a little extra work on your part to ensure that someone starts these projects. Some questions you ma like to ask these faculty:

Would you like my help? What kind of help can I give you? Do you need anything of me that will assist you? What do your students need? Can I help with the course?

Any of those are fine, and remember. Never doubt the power of a personal ask. Recruiting faculty can almost parallel the recruiting of students/volunteers.