Community Service Projects
What is a Community Service Project?
It is an activity, event and/or program that a chapter, in relationship with other organizations, undertakes for the purpose of meeting a community need that is congruent with the mission of the parent organization.
However, most importantly, base it on your community and what will help meet your community's needs.
How do chapters get started?
Chapters should:
- Review the mission and strategic plan of Sigma Theta Tau International and the chapter’s strategic plan to ensure that the proposed collaborative projects are consistent with the chosen organization’s purpose and goals.
- Identify organizations in your community (e.g., American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, A rthritis Foundation) that can directly or indirectly benefit from the outcomes of this project.
- Contact the chosen organization’s director and investigate the types of activities sponsored by the organization.
- Determine which, if any, of the activities are consistent with the STTI mission and chapter goals.
- Determine ways ( e.g., monetary support, providing professional expertise, time) in which the chapter can support a specific project.
- Involve the appropriate chapter committees (e.g., Finance, Program, Publicity, Membership Involvement) in the development of strategies for collaborating with the chosen organization.
- Present the community service project to the chapter membership to ensure ownership of the project.
- Select a specific individual or committee to serve as the key contact with the organization and to ensure coordination of the project(s).
What are some examples of Community Service Projects?
1. Florence Nightingale Girl Child Education Fund (FNIF)
This is an international nursing initiative for orphaned girls. The fund will support the primary and secondary schooling of girls under age 18 whose parent(s) have died and who in developing countries. The fund will provide for the cost of primary and secondary schooling. The fund will initially concentrate on countries in Africa , where the need is greatest.
FNIF wishes to build a fund through donations from individuals, and public and private organizations with a special focus on the global nursing community. A contribution of US$200 will guarantee the costs of the primary education of a girl child for one year.
*Find out what steps your chapter can take to actively involve members in service projects by clicking here.
2. International Council of Nurses—Merck Mobile Library
International Council of Nurses (ICN) and pharmaceutical company Merck have teamed up to assemble mobile books for nursing and health in developing countries. Nurses deliver more than 80 percent of health care in these areas of the world and often work in remote clinics with poor or no access to current health care information about the illnesses they are treating. The ICN-Merck Mobile Library, housed in a transportable trunk resilient to environmental damage, is dedicated to closing the gap between the serious need for nursing information and its availability. This unique initiative will deliver knowledge to the field, providing a key resource and tool for the main health workers in developing countries. Chapters and members can support the project by committing the US$2500 required to stock, ship and manage each Mobile Library unit.
*Find out what steps your chapter can take to actively involve members in service projects by clicking here.