Intro to Community

Engagement
Applying education to the greater good and responding
to community-identified needs in meaningful ways.
Community Engagement Pathways
Community Organizing and Activism

The process of involving, educating, and mobilizing Examples:

individual or collective action to influence or
● Educating others via social media platforms
persuade others.
about an issue that speaks to you
● Rallying others to attend a public hearing to
speak out for or against a proposed
development
● Organizing an awareness campaign about the
challenges senior citizens face
Community Engaged Learning and Research

Connecting coursework and academic research to Examples:

community-identified concerns to enrich knowledge
● Volunteering for the annual statewide count of
and inform action on social issues.
unsheltered individuals
● Assisting an organization with a research
project to determine the inclusiveness of their
programs or services
● Conducting research on a social issue that
interests you, and seeking opportunities to
share the results in an educational setting
Direct Service

Working to address the immediate needs of Examples:

individuals or a community, often involving contact
● Coaching a local youth sports team
with the people or places being served.
● Volunteering at a local library, park, or other
municipal venue
● Teaching a financial management class for
future homeowners
Philanthropy

Donating or using private funds or charitable Examples:

contributions from individuals or institutions to
● Putting up a “challenge grant” that allows a
contribute to the public good.
homeless shelter or other organization the
opportunity to match your grant
● Conducting an in-kind donation drive for a
local senior center
● Holding a food drive for a local food pantry
● Contributing to a local organization that works
on social justice issues
Policy and Governance

Participating in political processes, policymaking, Examples:

and/or public governance.
● Serving on the board of directors for a local
nonprofit organization
● Becoming an election observer
● Joining a committee or commission devoted to
advising policy to safeguard physical or
mental health
Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility

Using ethical business or private sector approaches Examples:

to create or expand market-oriented responses to
● Starting a business that trains and employs
social or environmental problems.
low-income individuals as a means of lifting
them out of poverty
● Creating and selling a product in which all
proceeds are given to causes that protect
wildlife
● Organizing an employee giving program to
raise funds for civil rights issues
Identifying Community Assets and Resources
 What is High-Quality Community Engagement?
Engagement. The community engagement or service should meet a public good as determined by an open and thoughtful
collaboration between the university and community partners.

Reciprocity. Everyone involved in a project – student, faculty, community members – acts as both teacher and learner,
and everyone regards one another as equal colleagues. This ensures good communications and planning, maximizes active
learning, ensures mutual impact, and empowers community voice.
Community Voice. Community members should be involved in every stage of the project, when possible. It is important
to encourage and support community involvement in project planning, student orientation, site visits, class discussions,
final presentations, and project evaluation. Not only does this permit greater cultural understanding and ethical development
(do no harm), but it ensures deeper community partnerships and more impactful projects.
Public Dissemination. To guarantee community engagement and impact, the results of the project should be shared with
the partner, if not with a larger public such as the campus and public communities.
Reflection. A mechanism for linking community experience to course content/learning, i.e. journal, portfolio, group
discussion.
Discover what Community Engagement Pathway best aligns with
your interests and personal attributes

this will give the insights and skills to begin serving your community or continue current
community engagement in a deeper way. (Mini Pathway Survey)
Scenario Example/Prompt Activity

1. Stand up and stretch your legs

2. Left side of the room = Very Likely
3. Right side of the room = Very Unlikely
Based on your interests and skills (that you have, or want to
have), how likely are you to….
● Gather supplies to help a population you care about
● Survey neighborhood residents regarding the effects of an issue you care about
● Volunteer your time to help on a local project you care about
● Sell items and donate a portion of your profits to support a cause you care about
● Serve on a student government association or council
● Organize your peers through social media to participate in an issue you care about
● Participate in a walk-a-thon for an issue you care about and ask friends to sponsor you
● Evaluate the effectiveness of a program that was created to address a local need
● Create a petition for an issue and work to get others to sign it
● Attend or organize a debate, forum, or town hall
● Work with a tech company to design a mobile app that helps a population you care about
● Write an editorial or blog post about an issue you care about
Group Discussion (Checklist)
Resources Within CCE

https://www.usu.edu/community-engagement/
USU Center for Community Engagement
2023 Fall Workshop Series
Wednesday, October 11 from 5-6PM
Food Security & Sustainable Food Systems
Taggart Student Center Aspen Room #221
In this workshop, students will learn about hunger in our
community and how USU food recovery and fruit tree
gleaning programs are addressing food waste and food
insecurity. In addition, students will learn how reducing food
waste and meat consumption can help curb greenhouse gas
emissions, reduce deforestation, and save money!
Wednesday, October 18 from 4-5:30PM
Is there a Future for Civil Discourse in Politics?
Taggart Student Center Aspen Room #221
Engaging in conversations across political divides helps us
find common ground and move our country toward a stronger
democracy. In this workshop Utah State Representative Dan
Johnson (Republican) and Patrick Belmont (2022 Democratic
Candidate) will share their personal experiences engaging in
respectful discussion of issues to find mutual understanding
and make informed decisions for the greater good. This
workshop is c0-sponsored by the USU Heravi Peace Institute
and the Center for Community Engagement.