SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECT REPORT KIRKPATRICK SIGNATURE SERIES Entry 1: "Selection of the Service-Learning Project.” I have chosen the "American Red Cross for my service-learning project." I have chosen this project because I am interested in saving lives. In addition to being a non-profit organization in America, the Red Cross also aids needy communities worldwide. I am focusing on one of the Red Cross's many services for my service-learning project: blood donations. Organizations like the Red Cross contribute to our society positively. Furthermore, they provide citizens with the opportunity to engage in the community. As a result of this organization's ability to save countless lives worldwide, I decided to pursue this project. People from various racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds have united for a common cause of creating a better society and saving lives. There is a global network of humanitarian organizations. Religion, race, or ethnicity have no bearing on the Red Cross. Donations and volunteers are what enable the Red Cross to function. My service assists organizations such as the Red Cross, an honor. An organization of this kind touches so many lives and helps ease the suffering of a family, community, and world. By supplying aid and emergency help like shelter, food, and emotional support during disasters, the Red Cross relieves pressure on society and helps the government. By taking part in this project, I am positively contributing to society. I can see how the community takes care of each other through the SLP. Furthermore, the SLP will equip me with many communication skills and teach me the importance of engaging citizens in society. I dream of living in a community where all members care for one another. For our future generations to come, this is how I would like our society to be. In his view, Adler says that it is up to everyone what kind of society they want to live in and prove for future generations. Red Cross has a similar belief to Jefferson's statement that "all men are created equal," which I have chosen this organization (Jefferson, 1776). According to Adler, people do not have rights to what they want but what they need (Adler, 1981). Red Cross provides the people with what they need- shelter, food, and blood in times of emergency. Entry 2: In comparison to the course goal, this project goal stands out. Participating in this project allows me to fulfill my duties as a citizen organization member. The first thing we see is how many people need our aid. "Truth can only be pursued in the realm of doubt," says Adler, which means people must be willing to doubt their correctness to uncover what truth is. The organization finds the problem in society. Our community needs blood to help those in need recover and save lives. Without it, a family would suffer. Patients with dreadful health conditions are given hope by it. As part of our community's response to emergencies, this organization significantly supplies blood products to hospitals. The organization helps us understand how collaborative efforts can save many lives and help needy families. According to Adler, the natural law puts us into three obligations: 1. First, seek good and avoid doing evil, the second is to do right and not wrong, and the third is for the community's common good and welfare (Adler, The Domain of Justice, 1981). Red Cross is the organization that follows all the three principles of Adler's natural law of obligation. 2. It looks to save lives and helps communities that are in crisis. It puts its vision into action through many services and volunteering services. 3. It supplies its services for the common welfare of society. Entry 3: Even though volunteering programs have been beneficial, men and young people are not attracted to them. When considering volunteer opportunities, it is crucial to consider the benefits. Through volunteering, one can develop self-confidence and gain a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, I have found that volunteering has taught me how valuable it is for people to contribute to their communities and meet new people. Taking on new challenges and discovering new talents can be found through volunteer work. In "Explaining the Social Contract," the article describes the social contract as a mechanism that illustrates how people interact with society. Although it is not prescribed anywhere, people have learned what is acceptable and unacceptable in society. The community and its members handle deciding acceptable and unacceptable behavior. American citizens should use the social contract to decide what their obligations are. Societies are referred to as mirrors of human behavior and governance in the United States (Galusha, 2022). As described in the article, I was able to reflect on society's behavior from my experience volunteering with the American Red Cross. People are expected to learn what is right through the practice of the few; therefore, other people will be motivated to join and work together. In the future, volunteering will become a norm in society. The following article is the "I Have a Dream…" speech by Martin Luther King. The address has prophetic messages about the freedom and liberation of the people and the country. He says that he had a dream that the sons of the enslaved people would be together at the table of brotherhood. A person's character, not their color, would be judged. His visions were that a day would come when white children boys would interact freely with Black boys and girls (King, 1963). In Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, one can infer that his dream would be realized through volunteering. Volunteering at a local business provides Black and white individuals with the opportunity to socialize and share a common goal of helping others. His vision includes providing volunteer opportunities so that people with less privileged backgrounds can meet the elites, share common dreams, and help each other. Entry 4: There is a divide between the rich and the poor in society today. Many rich people volunteer their time. Members of the community have also begun to take part. Traditionally, this practice has been seen as an ethically acceptable norm and aligns with society's values. In this sense, volunteering has come to be viewed as a right one can exercise whenever desired, supplied the task at hand is comfortable and physically possible. Volunteers select functions compatible with their skills and individual goals and motivate others to take part. "Rights vs. Responsibilities" is an article that compares the rights and responsibilities of an individual (Lloyd, 2001). As the author points out, with so many rights granted to people today, it is easy to overlook the other side of responsibility that today's society faces. According to the article, all are born free and equal in self-worth and privileges. Considering their equality, the author asserts that they should act brotherly towards one another. It is also a responsibility to fight for the rights of others along with one's own. A goal of the project is to ensure that local rights are protected, as said in the article. Access to employment is likely to be one of the rights the project will safeguard, such as food and shelter. According to the report, people should treat each other as brothers. Therefore, the volunteering project is designed to help and serve others. According to Oldenquist, the article "On the Nature of Citizenship" claims that the spirit of citizenship should enhance group loyalty between disparate groups, especially between Black and poor white neighborhoods (Oldenquist, 1980). As suggested in the article, for one to be considered a member of a moral community, one must share the common good with the institutions that compose the structure of the community. Historically, the common good was defined as the success of society due to treating everyone equally. The article discusses the importance of volunteering as the American Red Cross shows exemplary citizenship by enhancing loyalty among races and between the rich and the poor. As the report suggests, members must have a shared goal for a community to be moral. Volunteering for this project means everyone is working towards a common goal; the project also looks to treat everyone equally, thus illustrating the community's success. Entry 5: Volunteerism is defined as individually or collectively offering services freely to help another individual, a group, or even a charitable organization—this financial or social gain. The most effective way to improve society and prove the goodwill of the people is to take part in volunteer activities. In most cases, Red Cross projects help the marginalized and less privileged members of society. It will describe how different articles related to volunteering. The fourth chapter on Values and American Exceptionalism examines some relationships between wealthy nations and religious values (Chapter 4. Values and American Exceptionalism, 2007). It also describes the differences between the United States and the citizens of other wealthy nations. According to the article, most affluent nations, except for the United States, are less aligned with religious values than developing countries, which are more spiritual. The importance of volunteering has nevertheless been recognized by religions worldwide, with many encouraging their followers to volunteer. This article seems to affect people willing to volunteer for the Red Cross. It portrays the Americans as highly individualistic, emphasizing individual responsibility, setting America apart from much of the world. According to Americans, success is decided by factors beyond one's control. As we can see from this example, the volunteers are outside elements out of one's control. Therefore, volunteers' efforts will result in more people volunteering because of their efforts. The following article presents a letter addressed to the Danbury Baptists by Jefferson (Jefferson, Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptists, 1802). Jefferson acknowledges his role and responsibility to his constituency in the letter and is pleased to serve them. On the same note, Jefferson also recognizes that no individual has the natural right to oppose their social duties. In Jefferson's letter, the Red Cross is closely related to the volunteer work he performs. A leader oversees the project whenever volunteers work together and motivates them to help others. Jefferson portrays the same spirit of leading others and being pleased with what one does in the letter. Consequently, it should be noted that everyone has a social duty, which translates into working toward a social course, one of which is volunteering. Entry 6: An American Red Cross project helps the community financially and reflects the morality and norms of society and the people involved. As a child, we are taught to help others, but we do not always act in this manner as adults. Together with others and in a group, we must adhere to a moral standard acceptable to all and considered ethical to achieve a common goal. As part of the analysis, we will examine different articles on ethics and morality and discuss their basis for a volunteering project. The first article is entitled. What is morally acceptable? Jacob Poushter has published a study titled It depends on where you live. He examined whether undesirable issues are morally objectionable in various countries (Poushter, 2014). The article discussed the ethical acceptability of same-sex attraction, adultery, divorce, gambling, and abortion, among other topics. Those questioned seemed to have different answers, with the results from one geographical area being different. In this article, opinions on controversial issues have been examined, with some supporting the action while others describe it as immoral. However, volunteering has not drawn any divergent views in society, with everyone supporting the act of helping and offering services for free to help the community. The American Red Cross will help create employment in a district, a moral action. Secondly, we have a piece entitled "A defense of ethical relativism," written by Matti HAyry, which views social systems as communities unified by shared beliefs and practices, integrated patterns of ideas and techniques (HAyry, 2005). It discusses modern civilization as the absolute pinnacle of human achievement and adjustments, such as joy, grief, and anger. From the article's perspective, the concept of the normal is an excellent example of the beginnings of morals and is one that society accepts. According to Matti HAyry, anything within the social system signifies that the people within that community share standard practices and beliefs. Volunteering is a social activity standing for a typical work project agreed upon and accepted by the community. It symbolizes human achievement, and that volunteering brings joy and attachment to people in society. Furthermore, there is evidence in the article that moral and ethical philosophy is reasonable and supported by the community. Therefore, taking part in a work project for the American Red Cross is a decent and honest endeavor society embraces. Entry 7: The benefits of volunteer work extend beyond helping other individuals and groups. They include the opportunity to develop skills and their role in promoting high-quality jobs and improving the quality of life of everyone involved. The mission of volunteer programs, such as the American Red Cross, is to serve the community. The text will stress a connection between volunteer work, constitutional rights, and the fight for liberty. American citizens' rights were the focus of the constitutional amendments. As enshrined in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, the Constitution guarantees the right to life, property, and liberty. It also ensures the right to a speedy and public trial in criminal cases. According to the seventh amendment, civil cases are guaranteed, and the eighth amendment prevents excessive fines, bills, and cruel punishments. The thirteenth amendment prohibits any action that constitutes slavery or involuntary servitude. On the other hand, the fifteenth amendment grants women and men the right to vote regardless of race. Therefore, it is not proper to deny voting to citizens for tax reasons. In contrast, amendment twenty-six allows all citizens over eighteen the right to vote (The Constitution of the United States, n.d.). By studying the amendments to the Constitution, every individual's rights are recognized. By amending the Constitution, all citizens are provided with equality and fair treatment. Volunteering can be characterized by aiding people with less privilege; it can also enhance equality by ensuring everyone has access to necessities in the community. In addition, the amendments recognize all genders as equal, like the situation when volunteering. It is relevant to note that Lincoln's address has a lengthy reflection on the country's liberation. According to Lincoln, the ancestors overseen creating a free nation dedicated to the notion that men are equal. In his view, it was the responsibility of all citizens to ensure that the resolve and commitment of the ancestors would not be lost by providing that all citizens fought for one another and devoted themselves to the remaining tasks (Lincoln, 1863). I gather from the address that the spirit of helping others did not appear yesterday but many years ago. The ancestors liberated the nation by setting up a government and supplying a safe country for the people. In addition to supplying a safe and prosperous society for the next generation, the participants will also be liberating the less privileged in society. By volunteering, the participants will also be aiding the less fortunate in the community. Entry 8: With their time, resources, and talents, volunteers can change the world. Management should guide volunteers so that their skills and passions can be channeled. Researchers assert that organizations that engage volunteers are more effectively managed and led. In addition, employees, and the people around them can receive help from volunteer work by developing professional corporate programs. A volunteer may, for instance, influence marriage-related issues relating to their working environment, thus helping the individuals involved. We will examine the relationships between volunteering and family and marriage issues in two upcoming articles. A volunteer's ability to take part in Red Cross programs is decided by how enthusiastically the staff is willing to support and partner with volunteers. Volunteers should be involved in the process at every level of the organization to maximize their value. It is crucial that volunteer managers continually strive to enhance their relationships with people, not just as unpaid workers but also as consultants. By motivating volunteers, the immediate area will be more productive. In addition, volunteering in the community may be one way they promote solid marriages and family relationships (Support for Same-Sex Marriage Grows, Even Among Groups That Had Been Skeptical, 2017). Unfortunately, most companies engage volunteers only superficially, resulting in a disparity between the services offered and the volunteer's sincere desire and ability to make a significant impact. Families are becoming increasingly popular among health officials worldwide. However, the reasons for this are unclear. Participants were seen and interviewed by Pew Research Center to understand what factors lead to the decline of marriage in a study published in 2018. Americans are facing many social challenges. Researchers found that these challenges and the socio-moral values individuals are influenced by due to religious societies and their parents contribute to why individuals reject marriage. Research conducted by Pew Research Center shows that relationships affect why some individuals choose to remain single, while others may experience distress and frustration. Many factors contribute to the decision to engage in gay relationships or decline marriage. Social work and volunteerism effectively overcome these problems because the participants can foster relationships. It advises people on the importance of family and the dangers of gay relationships to achieve this goal. I understand that the present and future of volunteer work are intended to be a resource and guide for volunteers. Current social trends have a significant impact on volunteerism. Volunteers play a vital role in the development of communities. Trends and patterns in using volunteers must be reviewed since volunteers must have multiple sources of motivation. The recruitment, training, and design of training programs for volunteers are not accessible. Some individuals are always ready and willing to aid others and listen sympathetically to their concerns. Volunteerism has many benefits. Increasing the public's understanding of the American Red Cross' social significance is one of these benefits. Expense reduction is also a significant benefit. Providing volunteers with the opportunity to interact freely with their immediate clients positively affects household welfare. Entry 9: As I recall my experiences from school before attending university, volunteering always seemed to be a charitable action when someone could do so. However, my childhood experience increased my awareness that people are not as likely to volunteer as I had assumed. In this respect, it is more of a “Christian” duty to use this tool to spread the Christian message. My youth was marked by the sight of people giving of themselves. In an article titled Rugged Individualism, David Davenport and Gordon Lloyd write that younger generations are less interested in politics and engaged in volunteer or community activities (Davenport & Lloyd, 2017). They tend to support liberal causes when taking part in political activities through voting. Mr. Davenport comes from a different worldview than someone who grew up in the deep south. Everyone should take responsibility for their actions and try to make a positive difference. However, I also understand how difficult that can be, especially when it seems that the game we call life has been rigged against us. I have received aid from strangers, and I have also aided strangers who needed it. Nevertheless, I do not usually volunteer on my own unless I am genuinely enthusiastic about the cause. Then, in a disaster, a situation they cannot control, or something along those lines, I would volunteer to help people. Is that an inappropriate response? Do I represent myself as a less engaged citizen? Certainly not. It makes me more involved. So, I think everyone should have the opportunity to support themselves and their families. Rather than volunteering, I prefer to become more engaged in political affairs and learn more about enacted legislation. The topic of validation was discussed and kept an eye out for hidden clauses that may create turbulence in society. The most significant problem I see with all of this is that even if I notice an issue and bring it to your attention, there is no guarantee that it will be addressed. Rather than allowing this to deter us, it is critical to speak out against unjust legislation that aims to preserve class differences and level the playing field. We cannot help everyone, but we can do our best. If society cannot help everyone, how can we decide who will receive aid? How should aid eligibility be decided? More importantly, who should make the decision? What is the best way to ensure the general well-being of our country? Should this be left to the parties appointed? In contrast, one party strives to create an equal society, while the other goes to everyone alone with minimal government support. Entry ten Part 1: Survey 1. The Service-Learning Project helped me better understand the role of engaged citizenship in affecting positive change in American society. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this a ten. 2. I was initially reluctant to take part in the Service-Learning Project assignment. However, on a scale of 1-10, I rate this a six. 3. Overall, the Service-Learning Project assignment was a rewarding experience. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this a ten. Part 2: Summary of SLP I will never forget the beginning and the end of my volunteer work for the Service-Learning Project. At first, I was reluctant to take part in the volunteer work needed for this course but later became more enthusiastic. I am naturally shy, and I have earlier experience working with others. Despite my reserved personality, I felt this volunteer experience would help me overcome my shyness. My enthusiasm was sparked by the prospect of gaining experience with an organization that serves a noble cause. I did not realize my role's importance when I began training with the Red Cross. My training exposed me to many dire consequences. Neither did I realize how important the issue was nor how time-sensitive it was. After hearing this information, my passion for my volunteer role intensified, and I wished to do my best to aid. In addition, I would describe my time spent collaborating with the Red Cross as an inspiring experience. The experience allowed me to learn about each person's character and vulnerabilities concerning specific issues they faced. The struggle I experienced did not prevent me from learning valuable skills, including patience, versatility, creative thinking, communication, and leadership. I found this Service-Learning Project to be a gratifying experience. My experience and that of the Red Cross also made me realize the significance of engaged citizenship in bringing positive change to American society. According to Bellah, the inability to obtain a socially acceptable income has long-term implications for the kind of person one becomes and the life one leads (Bellah & Madsen, 1996) We must never lose sight of the fact that children are the future of our nation. They are our future leaders. While the United States believes in the right of individuals to pursue their versions of happiness (Mascolo, 2016). We should still educate children to help them choose what they want to do with their lives in the future.