Community Service Work
Community service work refers to all the activities done in favour of the people of the community. It is a social service performed without the intention of earning. It provides a sense of happiness and satisfaction to the giver on performing the act of community service. Community services can include any act of kindness done willingly as per the time, knowledge and economic capacity of the doer.
Community service is slightly different from community development. Though the objective of both activities is social welfare, there is a difference in the scales of work. Community development happens on a large scale, usually performed by the government and reaches out to masses. Community service is done on small scale and can concern only a few individuals. In some cases, some individuals are asked to perform community service as part of their punishment or a rehabilitation program.
There are some profiles commonly found in community services
- Community Service Managers: He leads the community services projects. He prepares the project objectives and work schedules as per the details provided by the coordinator. Further, he makes arrangements for the finances required to carry out the projects. He drafts reports, files the documents and ensures all legal formalities are completed, prior to the community service project. He performs the planning and strategizing functions of the project.
- Community Service Coordinator: Community service coordinators can be salaried or voluntary employees. They identify the need for assistance to people from particular community. They accept proposals, evaluate them against the guidelines, choose media platforms, and make note of the services to be provided to the community. Also, they organize the necessary resources and draft the schedule.
- Community Service Volunteer: Volunteers work on field in direct contact with the community public. They provide the supplies or the services as per the project objectives to the underprivileged and ensure their comfort. They perform several activities such as promoting education, creating awareness about health and hygiene, environment issues, fight against domestic violence, neighbourhood security, etc., are few of the commonly performed tasks.
Wok Requirements
Anyone can take up community service work. There are no particular criteria for this profile. High school students, professionals, retired professionals, housewives, etc., can take up community service work. Previous experience in community work acts in favor of the candidate. The skills expected in candidates are:
- Independent, organized and detail oriented individual
- Ability to work with variety of associates from varied economic backgrounds
- Willingness to work selflessly and cater to the needs of the community at large
- Competence in performing activities of set standards and following schedules
- Basic knowledge of accountancy and inventory management
Work Conditions
- Traveling is a crucial part of community service. It is important to travel to distant places to recognize their problems and requirements and provide services at a grass root level. Hence, the work place is a combination of office and outdoor work.
- It is vital to stand for long hours, or walk, bend and stoop to perform community services functions. Besides, coordination can be physically challenging too. Physical activities along with traveling are the common cause of stress and fatigue.
- Community work is in addition to regular work or studies. Hence, it is often performed in late evenings or on weekends. Candidates must take out time from their personal time to participate in community services.
- If the candidates visit rural areas where the hygiene levels are low, the volunteers are susceptible to catch diseases and fall ill.
Career Prospects
The career prospects for community services depend upon the willingness of the general public to cater to the needs of the community. Community service organizations work on the voluntary efforts of the individuals. Few candidates can take up a full time employment job as well and handle the managerial positions. The growth prospects are dependent on the size of community served and the scale of the project.
Follow the details provided here if you dream of making a career in community service work. We hope these details help you balance your professional lives with the willingness to perform community service.
