S.O.S. = students on service (part 1)

Sooo, remember that time I conducted a bunch of interviews with students before the ServiceNation candidates' forum and promised to post them? Probably not, because I promised it three weeks ago, and we all have memory spans attuned to a fleeting digital age. :)

That said, there's no better time for a reminder about all the ways Millennials are serving on- and off-campus, particularly as the ServiceNation event hoopla dies down, and the real work of a movement begins. And Social Citizens is doing its part by featuring a series of posts this week that highlight the students, organizations, and causes they dig at Columbia University.

I recorded these on-the-go mini-sessions on Sept. 11 while on the prowl through the student activity fair near Low Library. I did my best to hit on a wide array of missions, program structures, ethnicities, political orientations, and religious views in my interviews.

Note: For all the usual legal reasons, we're simply presenting and reporting on these views, not endorsing, condemning, or otherwise qualifying them. Feel free to leave respectful comments sharing what you think!

Also, I know we're only representing one university at the moment -- a result of time and promixity, not preference, I assure you. But if you guys like what you hear here, and think your college has a compelling story to share, let me know!! The more ideas and discussion, the better. We'd love to chat.

Ok, enough with all the level-setting. Time for the fun stuff!

Our first organization, Columbia Community Outreach (CCO) is a student-organized, student-run undergraduate service day that promotes community service on campus while bringing together the Columbia University community. Their goals include raising awareness of opportunities for long-term service and forming mutually beneficial relationships with the Harlem and Morningside Heights communities. Something must be working, because every year, over 1,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni volunteer for a day and go out into the city to work alongside community members and non-profit organizations!

Listen to CCO representatives discuss what service means to them.

Artists Reaching Out (ARO), our second organization, believes in empowering children through arts education. The college volunteers plan the classroom curriculum in which they use art as a means of inspiring creativity, building confidence, and sparking passion. They focus on building relationships with elementary school students at P.S. 125.

Listen to ARO participants discuss how ServiceNation might impact their work.

Stay tuned for more interviews later this week!