Frecuently Asked Questions
Student Eligibility Questions
INELIGIBLE for a Student Organization Office?
The Dean of Students Office notifies you that you are ineligible to hold an office in a
student organization. What can you do?
General:
How do I join the CLS?
There are many ways to be involved with the CLS. Please visit our programs section and find the programs that interest you most. Our groups recruit at different times of the year, so make sure to take note of the recruitment period.
My organization would like to cosponsor an event with the CLS. How do I do this?
The CLS encourages collaboration and the sharing of resources! Submit an email to the CLS (CLS@leadershipandservice.ufl.edu) with the mission of your organization, an explanation of the program or event, and an explanation of how this event will benefit students. Also specify what kind of support you seek from the CLS.
What is an MOU?
A Memorandum of Understanding is a legal document of communication between the CLS and a volunteer service site. This document assures that we will both work to provide the volunteer with a safe, supervised environment as well as other service-related assistance. We do not recommend students to volunteer with a site that does not have a current MOU on file with us.
Volunteering Basics:
Where can I find a list of places to do service?
You can find a list of our current community partners (service sites with approved MOU's) at sweatmonkey.org.
How do I find out about upcoming opportunities?
You can check the CLS website at http://www.leadershipandservice.ufl.edu/. Make sure to take note of our calendar.
I want to volunteer abroad. How do I do this?
The CLS will offer 1-2 international service trips over spring break through Florida Alternative Breaks (FAB). If you would like to volunteer internationally, you can also check out the International Center or programs available through your college. Many of our Student Government sponsored student groups also organize international service trips (Recurso, Children Beyond our Borders, etc).
Are there service-oriented student organizations at UF?
Yes! In addition to our service programs, there are many Student Government sponsored student organizations that are actively involved in serving the community. Visit http://www.union.ufl.edu/involvement/search/ and select the "Service" category.
How do I start a student service organization?
First, you should meet with the CLS Director Dr. Reeves to determine where your program/group would fit best. Your organization may be integrated into CLS programming or it may be better off as a student organization. In this case, you will need to visit the Center for Student Involvement. You can find out more information about this process at http://union.ufl.edu/involvement/studentOrgs/faq.asp#start.
Fulfilling service/practicum requirements for a course:
Do I need to log my volunteer hours? How can I do this?
There is no general service requirement for the University. However, many students volunteer to fulfill requirements for scholarships, honorary organizations, or for service learning classes. We recommend tracking service by using the following forms... Make sure to also fill out the necessary forms required by your respective groups. Forms verifying service should be signed by the volunteer coordinator at your volunteer site.
I will need to fulfill service hours for a course/scholarship/organization. Do you have any suggestions?
Start serving as soon as you can. Students who put off service until closer towards their deadline frequently have difficulty finding available service projects.
I need to fulfill a practicum for my major. How does the CLS fit in?
Before you can volunteer with your practicum site, you must contact us to verify that they have registered with us. If they have not, they will need to complete a Memorandum of Understanding and return the original signed forms to our office.
Student service organizations:
I am registering my organization as a service organization. How can I have my form signed?
Bring your form (from the Center for Student Involvement) with the initial signatures completed to 202 Peabody Hall. Give the form and your organization's most recently updated constitution to our Executive Secretary.
How do I do a fundraiser?
When you fill out a program permit for a fundraiser through the Center for Student Involvement, they will require a fundraising form to be filled out and turned in to the CLS. This form ensures safe money handling and allows us to track and tabulate how much Gators raise for good causes!
How do I set up group service projects?
There are two ways to do three possible scenarios for setting up group service projects.
1) If you are volunteering with a small group, we recommend setting up a 'Desserts for Change' event with Service Ambassadors. In this case, 1-2 Service Ambassadors will work directly with your group's community service chair to find a relevant project and plan reflection (and dessert) for after the project!
2) If you are volunteering with a large group, you can call the CLS to see if there are already large-scale projects going on that your group can participate in.
3) If the CLS does not already have a large-scale service project that can accommodate your group, you can visit our agency list to set up a project on your own. You can come into the office to talk with our student leaders about their recommendations for the agencies on this list.
How can the CLS help me advertise my service/leadership event to students?
You can submit leadership and service related events to the CLS online calendar at www.leadershipandservice.ufl.edu/calendar/. You can also send an event blurb to CLS@leadershipandservice.ufl.edu and request that it be added to our weekly service/leadership update that reaches over 1,400 students.
Leadership Basics
How do I get a leadership minor?
You can learn more about the requirements for a leadership minor at:
http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/programs/minors/leadership.html.
What leadership workshops are offered?
Currently, our leadership group LEADUF offers workshops dealing with Leadership Styles, Group Development, Personal Development, Diversity, and UF's Leadership Values Statement. Workshop request forms can be found on the LEADUF portion of the CLS website or you can contact LEADUF at leaduf@leadershipandservice.ufl.edu.