Day of Service

Springtime is here!
What better way to reunite with Southwestern friends than by devoting a day to serving your community?

ONE DAY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

What is Day of Service?
Day of Service is a day designated annually for Southwestern alumni and friends to gather in their local communities and work side by side on a service project that benefits humanity and/or the environment.

To see Day of Service projects being planned for this spring, click here.

Why participate in a Day of Service?
Participating in a Day of Service in your hometown helps to foster friendships, promote service and leave a positive imprint on your community.

What projects have been coordinated in the past?
Alumni in different areas throughout the country have coordinated and participated in Days of Service.

For a list of past Days of Service, click here.

I want to plan a Day of Service. What steps do I take?
Days of Service requires at least three months of planning which includes publicizing the event.  Take a look at the steps we have provided below and contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

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Step #1: Select a project.
Identifying a service project that is interesting to a variety of people will enhance participation.

• Determine two or three dates that are available for a Day of Service.  (Typically, weekends work best.)
• Choose a project that requires minimal training and can be completed in a day.
• Call several community service agencies and tell them about Day of Service.
• Visit the volunteer site and discuss the organization's needs.

Step #2: Contact the Alumni Office.
The Office of Alumni Relations can provide a list of alumni residing in your area and promote your event.

•  Determine your guest list (such as alumni and current Southwestern parents).
• Ask the Alumni Office for a list of people living in your area.
• Provide the Alumni Office with a brief description, the date, the time and the location of the Day of Service.
• The Alumni Office staff will send out a "Save the Date" e-mail to the guests you have selected. (This e-mail will be sent out two months prior to the event.)
• Recruit people (a small committee) from the list to help you contact area residents.

Step #3: Collecting RSVP's and promoting D.O.S.
Keeping track of who attends the event may help you delegate different aspects of the project. Plus, it is just fun to know who you can expect to be there!

• Notify the Alumni Office about details (such as tools to bring, clothes to wear, directions, whether or not a snack/meal will be provided, etc.). The Alumni Office will use this information to send a formal invitation six weeks prior to the event.
• Let the Alumni Office know who you would prefer to keep track of the RSVP's.
• Using the list the Alumni Office has provided, you and your committee can start calling people on the list to personally invite them to attend the D.O.S.

Step #4: Confirming your plans.
Confirming your plans with the service organization will help them prepare for your project.

• If the project will take place outdoors, be sure that there is an alternate site in case of inclement weather.
• Notify the Alumni Office of any last minute details.
• The Alumni Office will send a reminder e-mail two weeks before the event.
• The Alumni Office will send a box of goodies (sign-in sheets, directional signs, and name tags) to you.

Step # 5: Your Day of Service has arrived!
Enjoy reconnecting and/or meeting Southwestern friends in benefiting your community.

• Post directional signs at the location.
• Ask participants to sign in and update their contact information.
• Give a brief alumni orientation and assign specific tasks for the day.
• Take lots of pictures.
• HAVE FUN!

Step #6: Wrapping up the Day of Service.
Now that you have enjoyed a day with old and new friends, you can sit back and relax and take pride in the fact that you have provided an invaluable service to benefit humanity or the environment.

• Return sign-in sheets to the Alumni Office.
• Send the Alumni Office pictures from your Day of Service (who knows...you might end up being featured on the Web site!).
• Send the Alumni Office recommendations for future coordinators and/or Day of Service projects, and any ideas for program enhancements.

Current Days of Service

Past Days of Service

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations.