The document emphasizes the importance of community engagement and volunteerism in youth development and active citizenship. It outlines benefits such as skill development and interpersonal growth, while encouraging youth to explore various avenues for participation in their communities. Additionally, it provides resources for finding volunteer opportunities and suggests activities to encourage young people to create their own organizations and missions.

1. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
& VOLUNTEERISM
HOW TO BE AN ACTIVE CITIZEN

2. • COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM is key to
youth development and active citizenship.
• YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM is on the rise, especially since
youth play a role in governance, decision making
processes, and provide a platform for youth voices to be
heard and represent their own interest.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT provides leadership training
for youth and provided partnerships between adults and
youth.
• According to Community Southwark, active citizenship is a
term used to describe the involvement of individuals in
public life and affairs: this can take place at local, national
and international levels. This briefing outlines the different
ways that people can be active in their local community
and reasons why people might want to be an active citizen.
• https://communitysouthwark.org/sites/default/files/image
s/Introduction%20to%20Active%20Citizenship.pdf
WHAT IS IT?

3. THE BENEFITS OF
GETTING INVOLVED
• Gives you time to develop a skillset
• Helps you enhance your interpersonal and
team-building skills
• Looks great on your resume
• Gives your life perspective by assisting a
cause that is greater than yourself
• Allows you to build strong and meaningful
relationships with new people
Getting involved in your community not
only makes you feel good inside but it
also…

4.  Youth service - volunteerism, community service, and service learning.
 Youth leadership - often developmental in nature, helping youth acquire skills to understand and address
issues affecting them.
 Youth decision making - youth in governance or other roles that lead to decision making in a community.
 Youth philanthropy - giving of one’s time and resources for the benefit of others.
 Youth political engagement - youth in civic and political affairs.
 Youth organizing - community organizing and advocacy
WAYS TO ENGAGE

5. WHAT’S THE CAUSE?
When deciding where to volunteer, consider the
following:
• Your purpose or passion
• Your interests and hobbies
• Availability
• How do you want you impact others?
• What is your skillset?

6. THINK ABOUT IT…
• Would you mind working for free?
• Why do you think volunteering is so important?
• What benefits can come from volunteering?

7. ACTIVITY:
Interns will use their creativity to develop a mission statement and organization that needs volunteers
DIRECTIONS:
Create a mission statement for an organization of their own making
Develop promotional material meant to target potential volunteers for their “new” organization.
ACTIVITY: CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

8. WHERE CAN I START?
• Explore https://www.volunteermatch.org/ to
find volunteer opportunities that could be a
good fit for you!
• You may also find opportunities at:
• Your school
• Boys and Girls Club
• YMCA
• Library
• Food pantry
• Veterinarian hospital or pet shelter
• Sports teams
• Your place of worship
• Community –based organizations, etc.

9. Thank you!