Upon completion of
this second module, you will have an understanding of:
- How to meet expectations.
- Fundamentals in professionalism.
- How to manage conflict and discomfort.
- Lessons in self-care.
Approximate completion time: 60 minutes
Fundamentals in Professionalism
In order to gain placement at your community partner site you might be expected to complete additional training, or to complete a criminal background check. This is all part of your professional development. Once you have gained placement, it is important to remember that even though you are not getting paid for your work, volunteers are still very much depended on. Please understand that you are making a commitment, so be sure to only commit to what you are able to deliver on and establish clear boundaries.
Certainly life happens and things will come up. You might feel under the weather, or you may have a family issue to deal with. In such a situation, you should reach out to your site supervisor to stay connected and communicate anything that would prevent you from following through on your commitment. Time management plays a big part in ensuring your dependability. Certainly plan ahead and map out your time.
When you are on site, please be completely present. This means that unless you absolutely have to, you shouldn't be spending time on your personal cell phone. You are there to make a difference, and you have the opportunity to show up and give your best.
Professional Attitude
It will be important that you approach your experience with an open mind and a grateful heart. Remember, you certainly cannot control all the circumstances that you will experience, but you can control the way in which you approach them. Sometimes this means that you will need to reframe your perspective and widen your focus.
Professional Decision Making
It is critical that you adhere to all guidelines and employee expectations of your community partner site. If you are not clear on expectations, please ask! Expectations are usually articulated in a volunteer or employee handbook. If you are not given such a document, ask your site supervisor, so that you can be clear on organizational policies and requirements.
Be mindful of who you represent:
- Yourself
- PSU
- Your community partner organization
All decisions that you make should represent a high ethical standard.
Professional Commitment
In order to gain placement at your community partner site you might be expected to complete additional training, or to complete a criminal background check. This is all part of your professional development. Once you have gained placement, it is important to remember that even though you are not getting paid for your work, volunteers are still very much depended on. Please understand that you are making a commitment, so be sure to only commit to what you are able to deliver on and establish clear boundaries.
Certainly life happens and things will come up. You might feel under the weather, or you may have a family issue to deal with. In such a situation, you should reach out to your site supervisor to stay connected and communicate anything that would prevent you from following through on your commitment. Time management plays a big part in ensuring your dependability. Certainly plan ahead and map out your time.
When you are on site, please be completely present. This means that unless you absolutely have to, you shouldn't be spending time on your personal cell phone. You are there to make a difference, and you have the opportunity to show up and give your best.
Professional Communication
Communication Should Be:
- Clear
- Sincere
- Authentic
- Honest
- Continuous
Be sure to keep all client information confidential and create healthy boundaries with clients. Please remember that using personal social media accounts is not usually an effective or appropriate way to communicate with clients.
How can you communicate authentically? Reflect on this as you view the following video.
How can you communicate authentically? Reflect on this as you view the following video.
Non-Verbal Communication
Your attitude towards your work and those around you is directly linked to your performance and success. You can feel the energy of a person when they walk into a room, long before they ever open their mouth. Think of a time when someone’s attitude negatively impacted you. What did that feel like? What did it do to your attitude? Understanding how your presence contributes to either a positive space, or a negative space helps you to be more self-aware. It also helps you create strong positive relationships and gain happiness in your role.
There are many ways that you communicate without speaking. You send all kinds of messages through your body language and appearance. It is expected that you dress professionally when on site. How can your appearance communicate, "I respect myself, and I respect you," without infringing on self expression? What messages does your non-verbal communication send? Reflect on this as you view the following video.
There are many ways that you communicate without speaking. You send all kinds of messages through your body language and appearance. It is expected that you dress professionally when on site. How can your appearance communicate, "I respect myself, and I respect you," without infringing on self expression? What messages does your non-verbal communication send? Reflect on this as you view the following video.
Relationship Building and Managing Conflict
Relationships are vital to your personal and professional self. Sometimes, however, relationships are difficult to manage and conflict is a part of any working environment. How you approach that conflict in a way that builds relationships instead of breaking them down, says a lot about who you are and the kind of community that you wish to build. Reflect on this as you view the following video.
It can be really uncomfortable to experience something entirely new. That feeling of being uncomfortable is okay. In fact, it is great, because it is a sure sign that you are growing. It is in those moments of discomfort when we learn about ourselves and about those around us. You will most likely work with people with very different life experiences. If you can move through the discomfort, the anxiety, and the fear, you will find those things that will connect you, ground you, and teach you lessons that you need to learn.
Self-Care
Reminder that being at your best and giving your
best requires you to take care of yourself first. It also requires that you always feel safe on site. Processing your concerns with your site supervisor is important for you
and for your clients. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out and discuss challenges. In fact, there are organizational protocols that provide a
framework for how to navigate issues. This is why it is
critically important for you to discuss such situations with your site
supervisor in efforts to work collaboratively to have greater impact.
Please click the Module 3 tab to continue this training.
