We Belong to the Community. This theme is the driving force behind Project
Graduation 2004. Project Graduation extends the reach of community colleges
into their community by providing needed resources to organizations fighting
hunger and illiteracy. Hunger and illiteracy are social problems that
not only affect the livelihood of the individual, but also have a profound
negative affect on communities. This affect should not be minimized - your
chapter's successful Project Graduation efforts have an impact on individuals
and the quality of life in your community. But how do you increase this impact?
Involve the Community
First, remember that this
service project is community oriented. Involvement should not be limited
solely to your chapter and college. The best-proven way to increase the
impact in your community is to involve the entire community. How do you do
this? Your chapter should basically mobilize the entire community to address
the hunger and illiteracy issues. The more people contribute, the greater
the impact. Imagine this: people contributing to Project Graduation not
only at commencement ceremonies, but in the student union, the hallways
of your college, at local grocery stores, bookstores, at local high schools,
and at places of faith. Think outside of the box and do not let graduation
itself confine you. The idea is to capitalize on the spirit of graduation
and giving by making an impact that will be lasting and significant to those
in need.
Aim High
Now, set a goal. It is essential
that as you begin planning Project Graduation to set a goal for how many items
you would like to collect. It may be a good idea to have a conversation with
literacy and hunger organizations in your community to determine how much
they need. Remember, be ambitious and set your goals high.
The chapter
at Independence Community College in Kansas aims to surpass their donations
from last year by approaching the media early. An article about their upcoming
Project Graduation event has already been published in the college newspaper.
Plus, the chapter approached its college for support and promotion to engage
the entire college and community in their efforts.
Spread
the Word
Chapters are getting the word out to their chapter members.
Encouraging chapter members to participate is easiest, yet still an essential
part of your Project Graduation success. But do not stop here; extend the
reach. Get the word out throughout the college by hanging posters around
campus, placing slips in graduation packets, writing articles in the campus
newspaper and appearing on the campus radio station. In the end, every single
member of the faculty and staff and all your fellow students should know
exactly what Project Graduation is and how they can help feed a body and feed
a mind.
Now, keep going - remember, "We Belong to the Community." Get
the word out about Project Graduation through the local media, at grocery
stores, religious institutions, civic organizations, libraries, firehouses,
and police stations - the list is limitless. People want to be involved,
but they have to know about the cause and how they can easily contribute.
That is key; make it easy for them to contribute. Have chapters set up off-campus
drop-off spots and follow-up by collecting the items.
Make
an Impact Together
Project Graduation is an innovative, yet
practical way to make your community a better place. Chapter success is
measured by how many people who hear about Project Graduation are inspired
to act by bringing donation items to designated drop-off locations. The
most successful chapters take advantage of the grassroots nature of this
noble cause and involve not only the chapter and the college, but also the
very community that they are serving. We do belong to the community. Together
you, your chapter, college and community can make a difference one can of
food and one book at a time.
Enroll
your chapter in Project Graduation 2004 to impact your community. Chapters
enrolling receive a Project Graduation Resource Packet containing planning
guides and posters to help promote your event. For additional information,
contact Public Relations Specialist Dana
Van Deman at 601.984.3577.
