Site Leader Toolkit
Thank you for being a part of the University of Rochester’s Global Days of Service this September. This worldwide program is an opportunity for alumni, families, and friends to make a difference in communities across the globe.
As a service site leader, you can organize an in-person OR independent service opportunity. This toolkit, along with support from the Office of Alumni Relations, is a resource for planning a successful project site. All projects will be reviewed prior to approval and inclusion on the Global Days of Service website. Thank you for your leadership!
Site leader responsibilities
- Be the point of contact with the organization/service opportunity and organize your service project from start to finish.
- Coordinate with your staff liaison to include your service information on the Global Days of Service webpage.
- Spread the word and recruit fellow alumni, families, and friends to register and participate.
- Communicate service details for your site/project to registered volunteers prior to the service project date. Your staff liaison will be happy to provide templates for email communications.
- Lead and coordinate volunteer efforts at the event.
- Post on social media about Global Days of Service using hashtag #URServiceDay.
In-person projects
The project must take place in September and be free for Rochester alumni, parents/families, and friends to participate.
Ideas for service projects
- Outdoor clean-up sites such as a community parks, beaches, etc.
- Assist food banks/pantries with sorting, packing, and distributing.
- Tutoring sessions with local after-school or weekend programs.
- CV review or interview practice.
Independent Projects
The project must take place in September and be free for Rochester alumni, parents/families, and friends to participate. These service opportunities are coordinated by a lead volunteer, but participants complete the project independently on their own time during the month.
Ideas for independent projects
- Card/letter writing to vulnerable communities.
- Expertise sharing over webinar or virtual meeting platforms.
- Transcription projects for libraries or museums.
Pre-event
- June/July: Identify and contact your in-person or DIY service organization. Collect and finalize service details and send them along to your staff liaison by Friday, July 12.
- August: Recruit alumni, parents/families, and friends to register and participate. Confirm you have all final service site/project details ready to pass along to registrants.
- September: Work with staff liaison to get final registration list for your service site/project. Email participants to verify details and provide your contact information.
During the event
- If your service opportunity is in-person, you will receive a small box of event supplies and GDOS goodies to distribute to all participants who join your service project.
- Photos! Take them. Share them. Post them. Make sure there is ample documentation of your service site and share on social media, tagging @uofralumni on Instagram and @URAlumniRelations on Facebook, and using the hashtag #URServiceDay. Or share your fun photos and memories right to our dedicated Global Days of Service 2024 album.
Post-event
- Share participant names, feedback, pictures, and impact with the Office of Alumni Relations after your experience. We rely heavily on project coordinators to report who attended events to maintain contact lists and calculate overall program participation. Please send your final lists to your staff liaison within two days of the project’s completion.
- Please make sure to send a word of thanks to all the participants at your service event AND to the hosting organization. These notes will help maintain relationships and build goodwill for future engagements.
Additional guidelines
- Your staff liaison will provide templates and tools for communicating with volunteers and will help promote Global Days of Service projects.
- Projects can include donation of goods and services, but fundraising is not permitted.
- The University cannot provide any funding or any project materials.
If you have any questions about serving as a site leader for Global Days of Service, please contact brianna.alicchio@rochester.edu.