I have an idea for a new service group!
The Pace Center helps motivated students move their ideas into action and identify their place in the Princeton service landscape. Whether it is a sustained service project working in the local community or a group of students committed to organizing and advocating for dialogue and change around a social issue, the Pace Center can support the exploration and development of your new service group idea.
What are the criteria for a service group?
Please read carefully the information presented here, as well as review the proposal form in its entirety, before completing and submitting the form. New Service Group Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. (Proposals received during the summer will be reviewed at the start of the fall semester.) Staff review proposals on the first Monday each month. To ensure a review, your proposal must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the Thursday prior. If you have any questions as you develop your idea and proposal, email Evan Schneider.
The basic criteria for all service groups supported by the Pace Center, include:
- Alignment with Pace Center mission. The Pace Center makes service and civic engagement part of the Princeton student experience.
- Alignment with Pace Center core values. Engaged discovery; community focus; impactful programs; student leadership
- Inclusive and accessible to all students.
- Accountable and sustained leadership.
Successful service group models supported by the Pace Center, include:
- Sustained Service Project. This is a student-led project developed in direct response to a need identified by a local community. The project is accessible to other students and provides regular engagement with the community. Sustained service projects are affiliated with the Community House or Student Volunteers Council program and supported by their respective student leadership boards. (The staff advisor for Community House is Charlotte Collins. The staff advisor for SVC is Dave Brown.)
- Advocacy Student Organization. This is a student-led group of students who have come together to organize, dialogue and advocate on behalf of a specific social issue or community. Student organizations may or may not incorporate a service component and/or a community partner to move their ideas into action. (The staff advisor for student organizations is Evan Schneider.)
I submitted my proposal! Now what?
Once your proposal is submitted and received, Pace staff advisors will come together to review your proposal, then one of three things will happen:
1. Additional questions, comments and/or other thoughts to help in clarifying your idea will be shared with you.
2. An invitation will be extended to meet wtih a Pace staff advisor and/or Pace student board leadership.
3. A recommendation will be made for the best service group model fit, signifying that your idea is approved to be a new service group with the Pace Center.
My group is approved! Now what?
- All New Service Groups. All service group participants are asked to attend Volunteer 101 during the academic year. Leaders of service groups are asked to attend the annual Spring Leader Intensive training.
- New Sustained Service Project. The respective student leadership boards of Community House or the Student Volunteers Council will be in touch with orientation/onboarding, trainings and other specific program requirements.
- New Advocacy Student Organization. One of the leaders of your organization must schedule an onboarding with the Pace Center staff advisor (Evan Schneider). As necessary, Advocacy Student Organization officers will be asked to attend relevant ODUS student organization trainings/workshops. Other more specific requirements of Advocacy Student Organizations will be addressed in the onboarding.