Passing Along Wisdom
Encouraging reflection and providing continuity year to year
"Passing the torch" from one group of members to the next serves a number of purposes. It helps the departing group bring closure to their experience and reflect on lessons they've learned that will be valuable to someone else. It gives new members some real-life experience to draw on and hopefully helps them avoid potential mistakes. It also is a way to provide continuity from one year to the next.
There are lots of ways to create opportunities for passing along wisdom:
- One Washington Service Corps group made a series of posters with words of encouragement to hang in their program office.
- Another created a videotape with parting messages of "graduating" members; it was shown to new recruits during orientation.
- Each of the Washington Service Corps programs has a "sustainability binder." In the notebook are personal letters from former members to current members, telling them how the year went and offering advice.
- Some programs ask members to write the letters on their own time while others incorporate it into an end of year, reflection exercise.
Go on to Helping Members Stay Connected
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