1. 
Your Philosophy of Service
Emerging Leaders Level I 2012

2. Purpose
 This exercise will allow you to identify what service
means to you, to understand how individuals define
service differently and have different assumptions
about what constitutes service.
 Does it have to be a particular kind of activity or
work?
 Does it have to serve a specific group of people or
classification of organization?
 Does it have to have a distinct, identifiable goal or
purpose?

3. Activity #1
 Jot down some notes about your personal criteria
for calling something service.

4. Activity #2
 Study the list of 18 examples
of Service carefully and place
a “1” next to the action that
most closely fits your personal
philosophy of service. Place a
“2” next to the action that is
the second best fit, and so on,
until every item up to 18 (or
more, since there are blank
lines included for additions)
has a ranking.

5. Activity #3
 In your group, compare each
member’s rankings and discuss
the differences and similarities.
Develop a consensus on the
rankings and a definition of
service that is acceptable to
each of you given your
personal philosophy of service.
In your discussion, consider
how each member responded
to the three questions listed
above.

6. Service Categories
 Activism/Advocacy(e.g. organizing a petition, a protest, or operation for a cause)
 Direct Services and Assistance(e.g. tutoring, preparing dinner at a shelter)
 Lifestyle/personal gestures(e.g. giving blood, adopting)
 Charity/Philanthropy(e.g. monetary and other donations)
 Religion/Spirituality(e.g. serving on a committee at a religious institution)
 Citizenship(e.g. voting, running for city council, joining the armed forces)
 Vocation/Calling(e.g. choosing work that makes a difference)
 Social Entrepreneurship(e.g. micro-lending)

7. EL Service
 You are required to complete 8 hours of service as part of the EL Class
 This service must be completed by March 30
 You must confirm your service location through the completion of a Service
Placement form by March 9
 Service should be personal and also expand your experience (i.e. step out of your
comfort zone and go somewhere you have never been)
 Service must be at an approved site for safety reasons, see Blackboard for sites
 Alternative Spring Break service (transportation provided) is available, see sign-up
sheets
 You must also complete a Service Interview by March 30, see the March 30 folder
in Blackboard