Service learning can be one of those hard-to-define concepts in volunteer management, and it definitely has its own set of challenges and benefits. In this episode, Tobi welcomes guest Brian Halderman for a deep dive into what service learning is and how it can benefit your organization.  Service Learning is... To understand how service learning can contribute to your nonprofit’s mission and goals, you first need to understand what it is and how to approach it successfully.  Tobi and Brian discuss the history of service learning along with the changing face (and names) of this field of work. Some might call it community-engaged learning, while others call it critical service learning, student service, or something else entirely.  Whatever label you use, Brian gives you some common identifying features to help define the purpose of service learning and better understand the kind of value this type of service can provide to your organization.  Service Learning - More Than Just Mandatory Volunteer Hours Brian examines the differences between successful and unsuccessful service-learning partnerships with specific research, tips, and examples from his own experience.  He shares some effective ways on how to approach educational institutions to explore potential partnerships, and he gives practical advice on how to set realistic timelines and expectations.  Brian also shares ways to successfully engage your student service-learners, and how to potentially convert those short-term service learner into a long-term dedicated volunteers.   Service Learning – The Potential for Social Change Tobi and Brian look at the ways that service learning can contribute to the overall worldview of the students who participate, and how those opportunities can become a catalyst for wider social change. They share their own early experiences with volunteerism and how that affected their career choices, as well as ways it changed their outlook on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Service Learning – Pros and Cons Tobi and Brian take an honest look at the pros and cons of service learning and what is really required to effectively welcome student volunteers onto your team. They address the concerns of organizations who may have had a negative experience with service learners, and they give some helpful ideas on how to improve future service-learning collaborations. Brian shares some red flags to look out for when building and recruiting for your program. He also gives you some key questions to ask at the beginning to make sure a service-learning partnership will be beneficial to the student, the school, AND your organization.  Service Learning – Building for the Future While service learning does present some unique challenges, it also carries incredible potential for the future of volunteerism and nonprofit work.  Exposing students to diverse people groups, social injustice, and economic need early in their professional trajectory can have a lasting impact on the careers they choose, the organizations they decide to support, and the compassion they feel for the people and the world around them.  At its heart, service learning is truly training up the next generation of volunteer and civic leaders, and it is both the responsibility and the privilege of those in the trenches today to show service learners how to become those future leaders successfully.