ServiceNation Summit: A Staff Perspective

By Amanda Larson

Those gathered at the ServiceNation Summit in New York, September 11-12, understood the unique opportunity we had been given. For the first time in history, both Presidential nominees came together to discuss the importance of service and to give their support for expanding service opportunities; we witnessed an impressive display of strong bi-partisan support for the movement; and we found inspiration through the presence of hundreds of leaders in the service field who shared a similar hope for the people of this world.

While it was impressive and inspiring to have all “service” fields together for a common purpose, I found myself discouraged by the lack of attention given to service-learning and the power of young people — particularly K-12 students — to be the agents of change in their own communities. I was acutely aware of the need to make sure “service-learning” didn’t get lost in the universality of the ServiceNation movement.  

Not once in the two-day event did I hear the term “service-learning.” If mentioned at all, the idea of engaging young people in service seemed to be thrown-in as an add-on, as something that sounds like a good idea. Even in a panel about how we could utilize national service to close the achievement gap, service-learning wasn’t mentioned. This conversation tended to highlight the importance of expanding programs like Teach for America or putting more AmeriCorps members in the classroom.

While I applaud those programs and agree that they can be part of the solution, we have missed a crucial component if we are not asking these leaders to support and create opportunities for their students to serve as part of the classroom experience. The students are the creators, the community resources, the problem-solvers; we need to provide the space and opportunities for our young people to take ownership over their own education and become invested and valuable members of their communities. If we keep seeing them as simply the receivers of information, they will miss an important leadership and engagement opportunity.

As we continue to move forward with the ServiceNation movement to expand national and community service opportunities, I urge you to raise visibility of your programs and highlight the work of the young people you work with. Share your stories with the local media — and anyone who will listen — to demonstrate the importance of seeing youth as resources, and not as the problem or the victim. Work to incorporate the K-12 Service-learning Standards for Quality Practice, (released by NYLC and RMC Research last spring), anytime you organize or participate in a service activity.  These standards ensure that service experiences achieve the learning objectives that are possible in any service-learning experience. They can pave the way to greater incorporation of service-learning across K-12 settings.

And yes, do sign the Declaration of Service, but don’t let your action stop there.

Photograph: The NYLC delegation - (L to R) Amanda Larson, Jim Scheibel, and Jim Kielsmeier.