Breadcrumb
Orientation
Set students up for success by providing an overview of your organization, service expectations, and safety practices BEFORE the student begins service. A thorough orientation should answer students’ questions such as: Where do I fit in? What is expected of me? How do I get help if my Site Supervisor is unavailable? What do I have to learn? How will my service contribute to the organization, mission, and community needs?
Share overview information about your Community-Based Organization
- Share the organization's mission/purpose, as well as vision, cultural climate, or core values statements.
- Share information about the organization's clients and community needs.
- What programs/services does the organization offer to address these needs?
- Reinforce the impact the student can make at your agency. How will the student’s service contribute to the organization's mission and community needs?
Site physical and safety orientation - on or before the first day of service
- Tour of site - location of restroom, break room, and where to safely store personal belongings.
- Emergency Contact Information - be sure to collect this information from the student, whether you collect it on your own, or make a copy of the Cal Poly Humboldt Student Learning Plan, the student may ask you to complete (it depends on faculty requirement).
- Introduce students to other staff, volunteers, and students at the agency.
- Review the safety rules of the site, the location of emergency exits, and emergency procedures.
- Review accident procedures at the site and what to do if a student or client is hurt.
- Give location and directions to the site via public transportation or personal vehicle, along with
parking information. Note that the students are not allowed to drive on business for the organization. - The student may ask you to sign off a Cal Poly Humboldt Student Timelog (it depends on the faculty requirement). Review any timelogs required by your organization and where they are kept.
Review information specific to the student’s site supervisor
- Review the level of supervision, and by whom, with contact information.
- Share where and with whom the student checks in on their first day of service.
- Explain what students should do if a problem or harassment occurs. If students have questions or concerns about the placement, they should contact their site supervisor, and the faculty for the course. If the problem is with their site supervisor, is there another agency staff member the student can approach? If faculty cannot be reached, contact the Center for Community Based Learning at ccbl@humboldt.edu.
- Talk about the importance of the student showing up to their planned service time (and
repercussions if they don’t). Share how/with whom the student should report if they can’t make it in due to illness, etc.
Review information specific to the student’s service position
- Provide the student with a position description detailing the work they will do. Explain the types of activities that are outside the scope of work.
- Discuss how activities might meet the student’s course learning objectives (these can be found on the Student Learning Plan if shared by the student; or general discussion can ensue).
- Share specific policies and procedures related to the service placement.
- Discuss training requirements, opportunities, and outcomes.
- Review any screening or proof of eligibility needed (fingerprinting, background check). Who will cover the cost? When will this need to be completed? Currently, Live Scan services are offered by the Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department.
- Talk about the student’s service schedule. Also, discuss the beginning and end of the service. Students should not volunteer outside of scheduled hours unless their course requirement is complete.
- Discuss appropriate attire and respectful behavior.
- Does the CBO have any statements or expectations around issues of inclusivity and diversity?
- Review confidentiality rules for the site. Are pictures or videos allowed?
- Review any risks associated with the placement. Risks should reflect those listed in the position
description.
At the end of the performance period
- Does the organization conduct an end-of-service evaluation or exit survey about the student’s efforts and experience? A good practice is to review the position description with the student, to make improvements or plan for future students. Evaluation practices differ among Cal Poly Humboldt courses. There is also a brief evaluation on the student’s performance that the site supervisor can complete at the bottom of the Student Time Log.
- Ask for feedback from the student on the experience, suggestions on improving programs, etc. And be sure to thank the student for their efforts!