Community Engagement Assignment Instructions

Objective

To gain firsthand experience in civic engagement by either completing community service or attending a local government meeting. The goal is to deepen your understanding of community dynamics, government processes, and your own civic responsibility. All activities must take place during this semester by the assignment due date. Activities from past years (or childhood) do not count.

Please note that you have a few weeks to create your plan and let me know what you’ll be doing, and then most of the semester to actually complete your meeting or community service. I know everyone has a lot going on, but with a little planning it’s very doable to fit in a two-hour meeting or two hours of service. Start thinking about your plan now so it’s easy to check this off your list!

Step 1: Choose Your Option

You must select one of the following:

Community Service

Complete at least 2 hours with a local, non-religious, non-high school organization.
Examples: City of Corsicana Animal Shelter, Salvation Army, a food bank, a homeless shelter, community garden, tutoring center.
✨ Not allowed: 1- church activities (if you want to do a food handout or delivery, it needs to be through a food pantry, meals on wheels, or community organization, but not through a church) , 2- high school, middle school or elementary school events (like student teaching, lesson planning, coaching of sports, tutoring, high five Fridays, etc.) or 3- For profit businesses like nursing homes, retirement facilities, rehab facilities, or hospitals
If in doubt, email for approval.

Government Meeting

Attend a city, county, or school board meeting (e.g., City Council, Planning Commission, school board).
The meeting must involve decision-making (not just recognition/awards).
Virtual attendance is NOT allowed unless there is a medical or other issue that interferes with your ability to attend the meeting, but keep in mind that all governmental buildings are all ADA compliant so there should not be any issues with this. You have plenty of time to plan ahead and get this built into your schedule.

Step 2: Prepare

For service: Contact the organization and arrange your hours.
For meetings: Confirm the schedule, time, and location.

Step 3: Participate

If you do Community Service:

Complete at least 2 hours.
Have your supervisor sign the Student Community Service Sign-Off Form which is in Canvas in the CEA module.
Take photos of yourself volunteering — you must be visible in them.

If you attend a Government Meeting:

Stay for the full meeting.
Take handwritten notes (minutes) that summarize key discussions and decisions. Google meeting minutes if you do not know what they are!
Submit your notes as photos inside your PowerPoint.
Take pictures of yourself at the meeting and any other pictures inside the meeting room or pictures of the members who will be running the meeting. You need pictures to make the PP interesting.

Step 4: Create a Reflection PowerPoint

At least 10 slides with at least 300–500 words total.
Use complete sentences and paragraphs (no bullet-only writing).
Organize your slides clearly and check grammar.
Address the following prompts:

For Community Service

What organization did you serve with? What is their mission?
What tasks did you do? Who did you meet? Anything interesting or surprising?
How did this change your understanding of community needs? What other needs do you see locally?
What challenges did you face (or might have faced)?
What personal insights or growth did you gain? How did you feel during and after?

For a Government Meeting

What kind of meeting was it, and what topics were discussed?
Who from the community attended?
What decisions were made? What impact could they have?
How did this change your understanding of local government processes?
What insights did you gain about roles of officials and citizens?
What personal reflections or growth did you experience?

Make it creative! Include pictures, forms, notes, and anything that makes your presentation engaging. Minimal effort = minimal credit.

Step 5: Submission

Submit one PowerPoint file only. Include:
- All slides
- Photos of yourself at the event/service
- Signed service form OR meeting notes
Proofread carefully before uploading.
Use first person (e.g., “I volunteered…” or “I learned…”).
No AI tools, Grammarly, or thesaurus programs allowed. Violations = zero, no make-ups.
Submit by the due date listed in Canvas.

Grading Criteria

Completeness of service/meeting requirements
Proof of participation
Depth of reflection and critical thinking
Clarity, organization, and grammar
Creativity and presentation quality
Following all guidelines and deadlines