Topic 2

Community Service Project Implementation

Process (I): Planning
Learning Outcomes

By the end of the topic, you should be able to:

1. Describe the importance of learning.

2. Identify the key elements in planning.
3. Use the key elements in the preparation of proposals; and
4. Consider some important elements to be included in
preparing the proposal.
Planning

Good planning to ensure community service project will be

carried out properly and achieved the intended objectives.

Other elements such as needs analysis, systematic planning and

accurate budget estimates and credibility have to be taken into
account by the individual or group.
Key Elements in Planning

a. Identify and select title or community service project to be

implemented
b. Identify clear goals, purposes and objectives to avoid wastage
in terms of energy, money and time.
c. Identify other resources that can support the implementation
of community service activities to be implemented.
d. Identify other parties who can contribute to the
implementation of community service activities.
e. Organise and specify the implementation during the meeting
of the committee concerned.
f. Provide a checklist of tasks and equipment as well as other
support needed to efficiently run the community service
activities.
g. List and delegate tasks according to the skills and abilities of
individuals who participate in community service.
h. Determine the method of information gathering and
documentation before, during and after the activities are carried
out.
i. Determine the financial resources for project implementation;
and
j. Other planning which will ensure that every community
service activities can be carried out prudently, with discipline
and achieve the goals and objectives that have been set.
Key Elements in the Preparation of Proposals
Community project proposals should contain:
a. Theme
b. Introduction/background of the programme
c. Objectives of the programme
d. Proposed venue/time/date
e. Estimated expenditure/financial implications
f. Tentative programme
g. List of members of the implementation committee
h. Gantt chart; and
i. Groups and the total target audience
Elements that need to be addressed and considered:
a. High Impact
Should bring high impact to the student, group members and
community
A high-impact community service project could display social
responsibility in its implementation among group members and
the community
Values like accountability, cooperation, support, integrity,
respect, etc could be viewed in high impact community service
projects
b. Low Cost

Expenses should be looked into thoroughly

Two aspects to be addressed in cost cutting measures are integrity

and rationale.

In terms of integrity, every expense should ne transparent without

any conflict of interest between group members or the target
group.

The second aspect of the implementation is the rationale. Cost

savings are important so that the project does not burden the
group members.
c. Rapid Execution
Efficient implementation needs intensive planning.

Rigorous planning requires effective discussions between group

members. Each member of the group should work as a team to
ensure the success of the project implementation.

“Together, we are strong, divided we fall.”

Cutting –Edge Technology, communication aspect as one of the

decisive aspects in carrying out the project quickly. Use SMS,
Whatsapp and others for speedy communication among team
members.
d. Cross agencies

Each project should be implemented across the agencies,

For example, when carrying out the activity of cleaning the

recreational area, permission must be obtained from the district
councils, members of the village committee or the residential
areas involved.
e. Sustainability

Sustainability can be defined as a description of any human

practices related to the use of resources planned to ensure it
is always sustainable without triggering adverse impacts to
humans and the environment (Mohd Azlan Abdullah et
al.,2012).

This factor needs to be taken into account.

f. Creativity
Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognise
ideas and alternatives or possibilities that may be useful in
solving problems, communicating with others and
entertaining ourselves and others (Franken, 2002).

Creativity in developing community service projects include

maintaining the sensitivity of the local community and of the
group members, respect the views of the group members to
successfully implement the community service projects and
others.
Study Questions

1. List out the things that need to be considered when

planning a project to beautify the recreational park.

2. Discuss the elements that need to be considered when

preparing proposals to carry out a communal work campaign
in your village.