Service Wellness

Problem: Your volunteer engagement doesn't fit within the category for which you submitted.

Fix: Pay close attention to the 8 Service Wellness Behavior requirements before submitting. In fact, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with them prior to serving!

Problem: Your reflection doesn't meet the 50 word minimum requirement.

Fix: Resubmit with a more robust reflection. Consider how the service experience impacted you and give us details!

Problem: You submitted another reflection submission for a behavior for which you have already received credit.

Fix: Consider if this volunteer engagement might fit within another service wellness behavior category, and resubmit using that form. We aim to diversify the way we are investing and engaging with our communities. Get creative!

Problem: You submitted too many credits (Path Items) for one experience.

Fix: All behaviors count for one credit each (except Regular Volunteering and Service-Learning which each count for 2 credits). Resubmit with only the appropriate amount of credits at the end of the form. 

Note for BOLD students - you must submit a separate BOLD form for BOLD credits. 

Problem: You have not completed the requirements for the behavior.

Fix: Refresh yourself on the specific requirements for the Service Wellness Behaviors. The detailed descriptions will give you information and examples for what counts.

Some common mishaps are Civic Engagement (which requires one to engage with the civic process), Regular Volunteering (which requires consistent volunteering and hours logged & approved on Get Connected), and Reflection (which requires a formal reflection session hosted by an org or group)

Problem: You submitted your hours using the Service Hours feature on BruinLink OR on Get Connected.

Fix: We don't use the Service Hour forms on BruinLink (we know, it's confusing). Instead, use the Experiences tool to submit your reflection. See the video below for how to find it.

Learn from someone you are serving

Engaging in service with humility and curiosity allows us to work from an asset-based model of mutuality ("we all have something to bring") rather than a power-over deficiency model ("I'm here to help you").

Participate in the civic process to make your voice heard so that all people & communities flourish

Civic engagement might include:

• registering to vote and making a voting plan, voting in a recent election, volunteering to help others register to vote, giving rides to the polls during election season, volunteering as a poll worker
• participating in a march or rally for social justice causes, contacting an elected official about a cause that is important to you
• getting involved in your local neighborhood association or school board, attending local council meetings or community forums

Volunteer with a non-profit or community organization who serves a population different from you

We mean different in any sense of the word!

Participate in a session for reflection on the meaning of service

Experience alone does not automatically translate to learning. Reflection upon an experience does. This wellness behavior gives credit for engaging in reflection in a structures and communal way. Sessions might be led by non-profit partners you served with, a campus group or organization, a faith community, or other group.

**The Office of Service-Learning hosts monthly Service Wellness Reflection sessions on-campus. Check BruinLink events for upcoming dates and RSVP!

Volunteer regularly with a community partner

Regularly = at least 4x/month or 8x/semester

* All volunteer hours must be logged and approved on Get Connected prior to earning these credits!

Partner with a friend, campus group, or residence hall to serve together with a non-profit agency or organization

Consider how serving together changes the impact of your engagement!

Complete a service-learning course or other service-based learning initiative

Enroll in a Belmont service-learning course for a semester to incorporate serving into your course curriculum as a vital way of learning. These courses include intentional tools for pre-reflection, direct service, and post-service reflection for a holistic experience centered on both service and learning.

* All volunteer hours must be logged and approved on Get Connected prior to earning these credits.

Participate in a training or workshop on service by a non-profit organization

Trainings or workshops could include:

• learning about community disparities, policies, and issues most prevalent to the population an organization serves through poverty simulations, panel discussions, or other contextualized experiences
• skill-building trainings or orientations (e.g. Get Connected Orientation or Service Wellness video on Canvas)