Service
project ideas
Service makes academic learning come to life, creates windows
to understanding the community and opens doors to make a difference. Mortar Board chapters are known for their outreach and service to their campus community.
Chapters give back to their alma mater in a way that promotes our Society's ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. So, what does that mean?
It means that, through your chapter's projects, you can encourage and recognize scholarship and achievement in other students. You can draw attention to the significant ways in which the faculty and staff on your campus impact the lives of students. Specific projects might include:
- Host a reception for underclassmen who are part of your institution's honor program, or students with a high GPA. Invite well-known campus dignitaries, such as the president or a dean, to be a part of this event.
- Sponsor a Last Lecture series with well-known faculty
- Honor faculty with an invitation to a special dinner or reception
You can fill a need on your campus. You can support other students, faculty and staff, and the strategic initiatives of your institution. Ideas include:
- Host events during the first week of classes, or find out how your chapter can help with move-in week
- Check out your campus first-year experience (FYE) or student services office to see if your chapter can help support younger students
- Does your college or university support a larger cause within your community? Find out how you can coordinate with your institution on its community service initiatives
- Organize an event that pairs students from your university with the larger community. This can be a great way to promote your university. An example might be inviting well-known athletes from your campus to read to students at a local elementary school
- If national events such as Relay for Life or Dance Marathon are big on your campus, be a part of those activities
You can take a cause that is important to your chapter, educate your campus community about that cause, and involve them in making a difference. Ideas include:
- If literacy is an important cause for your chapter, organize an awareness campaign around the issue of illiteracy. Host an event and invite a faculty or staff member to speak on the topic. Hold a book drive in conjunction with the lecture to benefit a literacy organization or school in your local community.
There are endless ways your chapter can engage in service to your community. Off-campus projects might include volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, conducting a food drive for a local food bank, hosting a blood drive, volunteering at a nursing home or completing a clean-up project at a park.
Check out these award-winning chapter projects for even more ideas and inspiration:
2010-2011 Project Excellence Awards
Previous Project Excellence Awards
