Community Partner Proposal - Bennion Center

Dear Prospective Community Partner (CP):

Thank you for your interest in working with the University of Utah’s Lowell Bennion Community Engagement Center through the Community Partner Programs (CPP). Community Partner Programs mobilize students to strengthen local communities in cooperation with our partners. Students have the opportunity to choose an area of engagement that matters to them and become an advocate of justice as they work alongside community partners. Community Partner Programs offer volunteers access to understanding about specific community issues, professional development opportunities, and connections to other volunteers with shared interests.

Our Community Partner Programs are organized into six issue areas: Advocacy, Arts & Recreation, Education, Health & Wellness, Mentorship, and Sustainability & Food Justice. Please complete our application if you think the Bennion Center’s Community Partner Programs are a good fit for your organization. A committee will review your completed application within four weeks of receipt. A member of the committee will contact you during the review and selection process if further information is needed regarding your application.

Our strongest applications include a student, already involved with your organization, who is interested in serving as the founding partnership liaison. If you do not already have an interested student and your application is accepted, we will post the liaison opening and attempt to fill the position. This process can be lengthy: finding the right student leader for your program can take time.

Applications for student leaders are accepted on a rolling basis although the primary recruitment and transition process takes place in February.

Thank you for considering the Bennion Center for your volunteer needs. If we may be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Staff Partners,

Sabita Bastakoti, 801-585-1508

If You Answer “Yes” to Each Question Below, Please Proceed with Application

Does the Community Partner Program (CPP) focus specific action on a clearly identified need in the community (that is not being fully met at the present time) and directly relates to the community partner’s (CP) mission?
Is the CPP manageable in terms of cost, time, capabilities of available personnel and desired volunteer skills?
Is the CP familiar with the University of Utah’s academic calendar and ready to anticipate a decrease in volunteer engagement during school break and exam periods?
Does the CPP provide volunteers with an opportunity to carry out significant tasks and to engage in meaningful work?
Will the CP provide community impact metrics each year?
Will the CP meet with the BC team at least three times per year to create and review the Community Partner Agreement?
Will the CP comply with risk and liability standards and assure safety of all volunteers?

Community Partner Information

Your Organization's Name

Address

City

State

Zip/Postal Code

Office Phone

(e.g. xxx-xxx-xxxx)

Cell Phone

Your Name

Do you have a University of Utah student interested in serving as the program director on behalf of the Bennion Center?

YesNo

Student Program Director Information

First Name

Last Name

Program Information

Describe the community need or problem the program addresses.

What are the goals and objectives of the program and how are they achieved?

How is the effectiveness and impact of the program evaluated?

The Bennion Center upholds the core values of hope, integrity, collaboration, and action, and we envision inclusive, healthy, resilient, and just communities. As a community partner with the Bennion Center, can you commit to upholding these same values?

YesNoUncertain

List and describe the volunteer activities and responsibilities.

We think of our community partners as co-educators, as they provide valuable experiences to our students outside of the traditional classroom. What can a volunteer expect to learn or gain from volunteering with your program?

Explain the weekly time commitment and the minimum length of the time required to volunteer (if any).

List and describe the responsibilities and duties of the Bennion Center student leader.

Please attach a letter of support from the agency director, executive director or school principal.

Files must be less than 2MB and have one of the following file extensions: doc, docx, rtf, txt, pdf.

Community Partner Application