volunteer programs

FSILG&D Challenge

Criteria

Award Criteria

10% Year-round community service
20% Quantitative results
35% Demonstration of learning
35% Impact on the (external and internal) communities

Year-round community service - 10%
How involved is the team in community service outside of the February 13-April 10 duration of the Service Challenge? Judges will consider other projects completed this academic year and projects that are being planned for after April 10.

Some tips:

  • Teams who have created a culture shift in their organization or further integrated community service into their group's activities will be given advantage over those who are completing service that is typical of their group each year.

Quantitative results - 20%
How many teammates were involved in community service during the challenge? How many hours were contributed? How much money was raised?

Some tips:

  • Community service that is engaged in as a group will be given higher preference than individual contributions, because it reinforces the bonding goals of the Service Challenge.

Impact on the (external and internal) communities - 35%
How has the team affected the external communities they've served? Did they select one issue area on which to focus their community service, allowing them to have more in-depth impact? How has participation in the Service Challenge impacted the sense of community within their organizations?

Some tips:

  • Community service that has a long-term impact in the community is preferred to activities with a temporary impact.
  • Time volunteered in the external community will be given preference over volunteering at MIT. For example, tutoring a child at the Margaret Fuller House is preferred over tutoring an MIT classmate.
  • We encourage teams to be thoughtful and deliberate about their service. Teams who select and carryout activities around a central social issue theme will be given higher preference to those engaging in a random assortment of community service causes.

Demonstration of learning - 35%
Did the team demonstrate learning around the social issues on which they volunteered? Did the team challenge their status quo during the Service Challenge? Did members learn how to identify external community service opportunities and coordinate service events? Did members gain a deeper appreciation for service that will be applied in the future?

Some tips:

  • Teams who take the time to submit a thorough, thoughtful, and well-written team submission will be given a slight advantage.
  • Hands-on engagement with an external community organization will be given preference over indirect philanthropy or fundraising efforts.