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 Mondays. To ensure a Monday 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 Elsie Sheidler.

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 Elsie Sheidler.)

I submitted my proposal! Now what? 

Once your proposal is submitted and received, Pace staff advisors will come together to review your proposal. Staff review proposals on Mondays. To ensure a Monday review, your proposal must be submitted by 5:00 pm the Thursday prior. Within one week of this review, 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 (Elsie Sheidler). 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.

 

 
Tell us more about your new service group idea.
BACKGROUND. The following questions provide background on your idea for this new group.
 
NAME.  What is the proposed name of your new group? 
Considering the explanation and description of the service group models noted above, which of the models do you think best fits the model of your new service group? *
Have you already started this service group? *
Is your group currently recognized and/or sponsored by a University department/unit/center? *
 
VISION. The Pace Center aims to foster a culture of social responsibility that inspires students to create systemic change in order to build an equitable and just world. What is the vision for your group? 
 
In developing your response, you might find it helpful to review the Vision and Alignment activity on pg 12 and 13 of the Field Guide to Service. (Print copies of the Field Guide are also available for you and your group's participants; just drop by Frist 201D to pick up some copies!)
Are you proposing your new service group to be a Princeton chapter of a larger (national/international) organization? *
 
LEARNING.  The Pace Center has three overarching learning goals for students engaged in service. These goals are: 1) cultivation of relationships; 2) value alignment; and 3) social responsibility. What do you want students to learn from participating in service with your group?
 
In developing your response, you may find it helpful to review the Learn While Serving activity on pg. 26 and 27 in the Field Guide to Service. 
 
COMMUNITY.  The Pace Center believes that when we connect with others in a meaningful way, we begin to understand community need, by listening to community, by learning from community and by serving alongside community.
Do you have a community partner organization that you are currently working with aligned with your new service group? *
Do you want to work with a community organization? *
A Pace staff advisor can help in identifying a potential community organization to partner with your new service group. We will set up a time to meet and discuss next steps once your proposal has been reviewed.  
 
LEADERSHIP.  Students doing service lead in ways that go beyond position, title or role. What will your group's leadership look like, and how will your group be sustained when leaders transition out? 
 
In developing your response, you may find it helpful to review the Building Your Team activity on pg. 14and 15 in the Field Guide to Service. 
 
INCLUSIVITY.  Diversity is reflected in service through Pace Center students, service experiences, practices and staff.  What will your group look like? How will you recruit a diverse group of participants? How will being a member of your group enhance the student experience around diversity and inclusion? 
 
RESOURCES.  To do service well, students need the proper resources. What resources do you think you will need for your new service group? 
 
In developing your response, you may find it helpful to review the Resources section of the Pace Center's website.  
 
Tell us about you.
Preferred Gender Pronouns *
 
All students participating in Pace Center-sponsored service activities are required to be in good disciplinary standing. In submitting this proposal for a new service group, I permit the Pace Center for Civic Engagement to inquire about my student disciplinary records at Princeton, and I permit the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) to release such records to the Pace Center. Information from other offices at Princeton, e.g. residential colleges or others, may be requested as part of the review process to ensure that all students have a safe and productive experience. I understand that any information received by the Pace Center will not be released to other students or any third parties. *