By Colin Burns-Gilbert

I would be happy to visit your classroom to give a presentation on a range of topics. In the past, I have demonstrated how to utilize the UGetConnected software so students can begin using the tool early. I have also introduced the concept of Service Learning (and how that’s different from volunteering). I am able to share about Service Saturdays and other opportunities to engage with the local community. Past presentations have lasted from 15–60 minutes as I can adjust for what the instructor and students need. Let me know as soon as possible if I am able to join your class and which days/times would work best for you.

Here are more details on possible topics:

UGetConnected: Software Allows Viterbo to Connect with Community Needs

UGetConnected is a software program that houses agency contact information for more than 160 local agencies in the eight surrounding counties. Agencies are continuously posting volunteer and service needs, with upwards of 300 active needs at any time. This is a great tool for students (and Viterbo employees) to use if they are looking to find community engagement opportunities. Last semester there were 4,717 total hours logged in UGetConnected from 236 unique users, contributing an impact value of $119,967.30 back to the community.

Service Learning Module: Consider for Your Course

This tool allows instructors and students to have an individual course section on the UGetConnected software. Students can easily connect volunteer needs to their section, instructors can have a one-stop shop to track hours and implement common reflection questions, and we can more intentionally collaborate with local agencies or create our own in-house projects for tracking. The fall 2019 Service Learning Module groups (Cameron Kiersch-GERO, Enoch Antwi–MGMT374, and VSNA–Student Org) captured 573 entries, 1,566 hours, and tallied an impact value of $39,835.33. 

If you would like to integrate this service learning module into your course, contact me. I want to learn more about the vision for your specific course and how we can best use this tool to meet our students’ needs and your needs as an instructor.

Class Travel Support: Complete a Travel Request Form Two Weeks in Advance

For any class-wide service-learning experiences that require travel outside of the city of La Crosse, I can assist with coordinating medical and emergency contact information for your students. 

Click here to access the travel form that should be submitted two weeks in advance of travel. I’ll be able to pull reports and create a document that includes medical/emergency contact information in one convenient, accessible location. Students need to complete a Viterbo Liability Waiver and update their Emergency Contact/Medical information in VitNet at least two days before travel. 

Service Saturdays: Open Invitation to All Viterbo Students, Employees, and Community Members

All of Viterbo’s Service Saturdays dates have been set for the year. I encourage you to include these dates in your syllabus/calendar as Service Saturdays are a great way for all Viterbo students, employees, alumni, and their guests to connect with each other and our local community. I encourage you to show this video in your classes, which does an excellent job of highlighting the Service Saturdays story and experience. 

In the future, I’d love to be able to integrate specific projects and/or agencies from our VUSM curriculum into a Service Saturdays event. Let me know if you have questions about Service Saturdays or ideas on how we can better partner. 

President’s Day of Service: Adopt a Service Project

This Viterbo tradition will continue on Saturday, April 18. Viterbo will be promoting this day widely to celebrate another successful year of service and community engagement. We already have 16 agencies/projects confirmed with space for about 200 people to participate.

Email me if your course, group, or department would like to commit to adopting a service project on this date. Adopted sites are responsible for recruiting the minimum amount of people required by the agencies for the project. Service is from 9 a.m.–noon with breakfast starting at approximately 8 a.m. and reflections wrapping up around 1 p.m. after lunch at 12:15 p.m. Some locations are completely indoor, some completely outdoor, and some are flexible. Groups adopting a project would be able to share preferences from available options and we’ll do our best to meet those preferences.