Student Service Above Self Program

Community Service & Community Engagement
Sponsored by Columbus Rotary in partnership with Columbus City Schools (CCS)
SSASP is a vehicle for our future leaders to engage their minds, hearts,
talents, energy, and voice in "making the world a better place" for everyone.
 
 
2019 High School Fair
 
 
 
Created in 2003 by Columbus Rotary to:
 
Assist CCS in fulfilling its mission: Each student is highly-educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success
as a citizen in a global community.
    
  • Promote and reinforce the link between students’ classroom learning and community service activities.
  • Use SSASP activities and visibility to inspire other students and highlight the values of service, civic engagement, and leadership.
Enhance quality of life through student-led community service projects that impact students, schools, families, Columbus communities, and beyond.
 
  • Assist student teams from every CCS high school and middle school,  faculty advisors, and community partners as they conduct student-led service activities that maximize the impact of students’ experiences, minds, hearts, talents, energy, and voice.
Reinforce community service and civic engagement as opportunities for students to learn and/or refine vital skills for career and college success including:
 
  • leadership, goal setting, collaboration, critical thinking, communications, creativity,  planning, organization, teamwork, verbal and written communication, marketing, measuring results, handling anticipated and unanticipated challenges, empathy, advocacy, perseverance, and more.
Recognize and honor participating students and their community service projects at the annual Middle and High School Fairs attended by 600+ CCS students, CCS staff, Rotarians, and other community leaders. Also by activating other recognition venues throughout the yea
 
Exemplify Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.
                 
Every year, hundreds of students in all CCS middle and high schools
devote thousands of hours to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” Shirley Chisholm.
                     
Through their community service and civic engagement,
students build important values, attitudes, and skills.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi.
 
Project Operations
  • Oversight – provided by Columbus Rotary’s Board and Student Service Above Self Program Committee along with CCS-designated administrators
  • On-going operations – conducted by the Program Coordinator who is selected by Columbus Rotary, reports to the Rotary Board and Program Committee and collaborates regularly with CCS.
  • Funding and in-kind support – provided by the Program sponsors and corporate, and individual supporters.
 
Opportunities to Support the Student Service Above Self Program
  • Community Organizations. The Student Service Above Self Program encourages partnerships between student project teams and community organizations. These partnerships strengthen student learning and skill building as well as the impact of the students’ work.
  • Businesses and Individuals. Businesses of all kinds/sizes and concerned individuals are invited to provide funding to support overall Project operations.
  • Contact Rick Studer, Program Coordinator, 614-915-8149 or rickstuder@columbusrotary.org