Guidelines offered for working with college alumni volunteers in student recruitment efforts include enlisting local alumni leaders' help; communicating expectations and procedures; requiring up-to-date records on local schools; prompt response to volunteer communications; and recognizing volunteer contributions. (MSE)

The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

In Danville, Kentucky, the community cooperated in converting a neglected stream into a walking trail and park network, resulting in increased community pride, environmental awareness, community revitalization, and public-private cooperation. The local middle school regularly tests the water, and the local college's annual clean-up party earned an…

Explores the concept of school-based youth community service as a means to help students connect to their communities. Lists resources in service learning. Discusses ways to help service learning reach its potential. Presents arguments for and against having such a program, and addresses the debate about mandatory service. (DLH)

A survey of 52 volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program revealed that frequent family contact was associated with life satisfaction, especially among rural elders. Minorities are a fast-growing cohort of the aging population. Recognition of elder needs and creation of a culture of connectedness are ways to recruit and retain foster…

Explores the motivations of college student volunteers in an urban location, where social needs have grown exponentially in the last decade. Discusses how student affairs professionals might apply findings. Proposes that volunteer activity serve as a conduit between academic learning and life experience to produce good citizenship skills. (MKA)

Reports that, at Sts. Peter and Paul School, parents are assisting with classes such as music, science, reading, Spanish, physical education, and art. States that family involvement is key to the success of a child and that the future of both children and schools look promising because of the volunteer work that is done by parents. (CW)

Princeton, Illinois, is a case study for districts that might be considering setting up education foundations. Interest from a permanent funding base in excess of $120,000 provides funding of grants made to the community's single high school. Consideration is given to initiatives that generate enthusiasm for learning and include the greatest…

Jeremy Rifkin argues that machines are mainly responsible for growing unemployment and should be countered by having people do volunteer work. Providing educational services is among the types of work he suggests volunteers should undertake. Education should also prepare people for volunteer work in this proposed "third sector" of employment. (SLD)

An 18-volume series on service-learning in the academic disciplines provides a rudimentary map to a renewed vision of American higher education by opening classroom doors to real-world experiences in workplaces and communities. Discusses: the series background; inclusiveness and disciplinary legitimacy as guiding principles; variations on a theme;…

The Open College Network and community voluntary agencies in Britain cooperated in a project to provide accredited training for volunteers, part of a larger initiative for widening participation in education. The community-based project provided qualifications for people unable to access traditional training; 259 students completed 767 Open…

Reports that, on average, one out of three catechists is replaced every year due to attrition. Proposes methods for recruiting and retaining catechists, asserting that recruiting should be looked upon as a year-round job, and those who are growing in faith and are healthy-minded should be sought. (CJW)

Interest in ecological restoration is increasing. A pioneer in the field discusses the value of restoration projects; deciding what state of the landscape to restore; how to educate people about the importance of reintroducing species, especially large predators; why people are so willing to volunteer and sacrifice for restoration projects; and…

Critically examines the suggestion that unemployment could be reduced by creating jobs in nonprofit organizations, observes trends in the sector's employment and resources, and discusses the conditions in which nonprofit organizations provide social services more efficiently that government and for-profit enterprises. Concludes that this is not a…

Discusses issues in designing and building a new playground, including age groups, safety, the Americans with Disabilities Act, site selection, and landscaping. Also touches on parent-volunteer building and equipment designed by kids. (EV)