Describes a program to reinforce the art-history curriculum; establish a volunteer habit; and impact students' self-esteem, communication, and leadership skills through service learning. Discusses student training and service as docents at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Texas), and comments on the skills that they acquire through the…

Asserts that lack of seriousness in recruiting board members for child care agencies can create problems with organizational effectiveness. Addresses the following: (1) Do we need more board members?; (2) What do we need from new members?; and (3) How do we begin recruiting? Provides resources, such as the "Child Care Agency Board Skill…

According to natural-language theory, reading and writing are learned from whole to part, in meaningful contexts. Strategies based on this theory for literacy tutors to use include Characteristics of Good Readers; Apperceptive Interactive Method; Prime-O-Tec (repeated readings); Knows, Wants, Learned, Confused; and List It and Skip It. (SK)

A few years ago, the Williamson County (Tennessee) School District developed a strategic plan to encourage volunteers' participation. The plan includes a vision, goals, and objectives; strategies for increasing community involvement; recognition for all volunteers (via the Shining Apple Award); and program evaluation. (MLH)

A survey of cooperative education coordinators in Canada (96 of 130) found that more than half had positive attitudes, philosophically and practically, toward volunteer/unpaid positions for co-op students, especially among coordinators of mandatory programs. They had extremely positive attitudes toward entrepreneurial positions. (SK)

At southwest Virginia's new Appalachian School of Law, students volunteer 25 hours each semester on community service projects. Projects fall into two categories: pure service by sharing a skill or interest, and service that draws on legal skills, such as presenting legal seminars to senior citizens' groups or conducting conflict resolution…

The Edgecombe County (North Carolina) Schools have successfully adopted HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed), a nationally recognized language-arts program that uses individualized, prescriptive learning through one-to-one mentoring by teams of volunteers. HOSTS begins where Reading Recovery leaves off and helped 240 low-performing students improve…

School districts must properly manage volunteers to protect children from negligent behavior. Districts can reduce the risk of using volunteers by developing volunteer-management policies and procedures; maintaining adequate liability insurance; developing descriptions of volunteer responsibilities; screening interested persons; and providing…

The Make a Difference model transforms community service from free labor and low-level tasks to efforts yielding genuine community improvement and enhanced academic performance. Students study the organization they work for and/or the chosen problem. California middle-school students conducted interviews, located primary sources, and created a…

In India development strategy is shifting toward recognition of the importance of initiative and the role of nongovernmental organizations. Revival of communitarianism (community volunteer action) is playing a major role in improvement of the rural environment. (SK)

Describes the use of docents at the Denver Public Library and explains how to develop a successful volunteer docent program. Discusses their educational background; duties, including training patrons in computer use; cooperation of and acceptance by the professional staff; administrative support; and improved customer service. (LRW)

Monday Creek Restoration Project is a collaborative effort of 20 organizations to clean up an Appalachian Ohio stream fouled for generations by acid mine drainage and industrial waste. The grassroots effort has involved state and federal agencies, VISTA volunteers, community volunteers, and college students who monitor the watershed and share…

Introduces service learning for those who teach health or the methods of health promotion, tracing the development of service learning, identifying two schools of service learning practice (the service-first orientation and the learning-first orientation), and proposing a definition of service learning that is broad enough to include both schools.…

Reports on a survey of 111 classroom volunteers in nine Catholic elementary schools. Finds that most volunteers: (1) were female, age 36 or older; (2) worked between 80-200 hours each year in a first grade classroom; and (3) were not employed and had earned at least a bachelor's degree. (CJW)

Describes use of a "curbside critique," a weekly assessment by community volunteers and school leaders to maintain an appealing appearance of the schoolyard and building exterior. (PKP)