Introduction to Service-Learning

Partnership Process

Connecting with Boise State Service-Learning starts with initiating a partnership and determining if a partnership will be mutually beneficial. This process helps us understand each other’s needs, identify a course pairing, and clarify our roles and responsibilities of partnership.

Step 1: Learn about Service-Learning

What is Service-Learning?

Service-Learning is an educational approach that pairs classroom education with community service. You share your need, and together we co-design an opportunity for students to contribute to your work while gaining invaluable experience.

If Service-Learning feels like it could benefit your work, move on to Step 2. 

Step 2: Review Partnership Guidelines

Review both the Partner Criteria and Mutual Expectations to determine if your organization qualifies and would like to consider a partnership with Boise State Service-Learning. These documents contain the basic criteria needed to qualify for partnering in service-learning and the general expectations associated with working in a partnership.

After reviewing these documents, if you would like to move forward with the partnership process, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Register your Organization

Partnerships are initiated on a rolling basis and scheduling service-learning projects largely depends on identifying the right fit with an academic course. Although we try to match organizations with courses that will address a high priority need, we cannot guarantee any specific partnerships or timelines. 

Due to the nature of the academic calendar, we typically organize service-learning projects a semester in advance, meaning if your partnership is initiated in the Spring semester, we will likely be planning for a service-learning project to occur in the following Fall semester at the earliest.

Boise State provides a template community partnership contract. Depending on your organizational needs, you can enter into the agreement as-is or request revisions to the contract. A community partnership contract must be in place prior to service-learning students serving at your location, engaging in service off campus, or having contact with clients. 

Step 4: Initial Conversation

After registering your organization with the Boise State Service-Learning Program, your materials will be reviewed, and an initial conversation (via video conference or telephone) will be scheduled to introduce service-learning in more depth, discuss your organization and its needs, and explore opportunities to collaborate.

These Initial conversations are important to gather nuanced information to identify potential projects and service-learning course pairings.

Step 5: Schedule a Site Visit

Following or in combination with the initial conversation, a representative from the Boise State Service-Learning Program will schedule a site visit (if students may be serving on site) to better understand the needs of your organization, any risks associated with service, and the best way to orient and train students to meet your needs.

 Next Steps

After completing the partnership process, the Service-Learning Program will reach out with potential course pairings that may be a good fit. Keep us updated if your needs or bandwidth change, so we can identify the most impactful ways to support your work.

In the meantime, you can also visit the Service-Learning Marketplace to see ongoing service-learning opportunities and review our Community Partner Toolkit to help prepare to host students when a project is identified.

We look forward to learning about the important work you’re doing in the community and exploring ways we can support that!