Engaging in the Local Community: Best Practices for Vanderbilt Staff

Vanderbilt staff volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank

Vanderbilt Staff Community Engagement

Community engagement gives Vanderbilt staff the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise to address real-world needs, creating deeper connections between the university and the broader community. 

Vanderbilt's mission emphasizes the importance of scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large. By encouraging staff to engage with our local communities, we directly align with this core mission. As an engaged and responsive partner, Vanderbilt encourages staff to uphold our guiding principles for community engagement, which include reflective learning, authentic relationships, impact, continuous work, systems thinking and collaboration.

"Engaging in community service allows our staff to contribute their knowledge and skills to meaningful causes while forging authentic relationships with our neighbors. This supports the university's mission by showing our commitment to making a positive impact and reflecting the values we hold dear at Vanderbilt."

–Nathan Green, Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations

"At Vanderbilt, we believe service is not just an opportunity—it’s a responsibility we share as part of a vibrant, mission-driven community. When our staff lend their time and talents to causes beyond campus, they strengthen the very fabric of our university’s connection to the world around us. Your engagement brings our mission to life and reflects the best of who we are.”

–Sydney Savion, Vice Chancellor for People, Culture and Belonging

Community Engagement Opportunities

There are many opportunities for engaging in the local community including volunteer service, skilled-volunteerism, board service and donation drives. Vanderbilt’s Get Connected platform links students, staff and faculty with volunteer opportunities shared by Nashville-area community organizations.

Please note: External links are provided for informational purposes. Volunteers must comply with organizations’ requirements, including background checks, waivers, etc. 

Volunteer Service

Individuals and teams wishing to engage in community service as volunteers can view opportunities shared by community-based organizations on Vanderbilt’s Get Connected platform. Volunteer opportunities may be one-time engagements or recurring projects, and Vanderbilt staff members may wish to engage as individuals or with colleagues, based on the community organizations’ needs and capacity.

Resources:

  • For larger groups, local community-based organizations that are best positioned to host volunteer groups include: Community Resource Center, Nashville Food Project, PENCIL (Metro Nashville Public Schools service opportunities), and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
  • Additional local volunteer opportunities, including disaster response efforts, are available at Hands on Nashville.

Donation Drives

Students give blood during the Black and Gold Blood Drive during Giving Week at the Community Events Space.

Donation drives to collect food, clothing or other goods can be an effective way to meet community needs.  Like volunteering, donation drives can be held at the department, school, or campus-wide level, and provide an alternative way for Vanderbilt staff to give back.

  • First, please review donation drive opportunities on Vanderbilt’s Get Connected platform.
  • Examples of previous on-campus donation drives include: the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center’s annual Community Resource Center period supply drive, Red Cross blood drives and Vanderbilt Athletics event drives.

Consult with department leadership to determine any needs for space and communication related to donation drives.

Skilled Volunteerism and Expertise-Sharing

Individual staff members and teams can lend expertise, skillsets, and time in service to community-based organizations. Examples include project-based engagement to facilitate:  

  • teaching interview skills or resume-writing 
  • event planning guidance 
  • grant-writing support 
  • providing trainings to nonprofit organizations 
  • consulting on other community needs to build capacity for community-based organizations 

In addition to the opportunities available on Get Connected, Hands on Nashville’s Geek Cause program offers skilled volunteer projects. The Vanderbilt Community Relations team can consult on exploration of potential community partners and collaboration opportunities.  

Nonprofit Board Service

Serving on a board of directors offers a more committed volunteer experience. A board of directors is a group of individuals appointed or elected to oversee the activities and governance of an organization to ensure it is being effectively managed and meeting its goals. In selecting board members, organizations often seek individuals who have consistently engaged in volunteering.

In addition to board service opportunities on Get Connected, there are several local organizations that provide board governance training and/or connections to organizations seeking board members:

Civic Engagement 

Vanderbilt, Let's VoteVanderbilt University encourages staff to participate in civic activities, including supporting candidates and voting. The Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote initiative streamlines the voter registration process through the TurboVote platform and promotes involvement in elections.  

The Division of Government and Community Relations (GCR) offers a guide for effective advocacy, reflecting Vanderbilt's dedication to active citizenship and community involvement.*

*Note that GCR works with all staff who have been asked to engage on a policy matter on behalf of the university, but given state and federal compliance requirements, staff should never position themselves as speaking on behalf of Vanderbilt University as an institution unless officially asked to do so by the GCR team. Learn More 

Helpful links:

This information is provided by the Division of People, Culture, and Belonging, and the Division of Government and Community Relations.  

FAQs

  • What are the benefits of community involvement?

    Engaging with the local community provides benefits for all involved:

    • Benefits for the community:
      • Vanderbilt expertise and resources to address pressing needs
      • Support for community goals and priorities
      • Relationship and mutual understanding between the university and community partners
    • Benefits for Vanderbilt staff:
      • Opportunity to apply skills and knowledge in real-world settings
      • Greater sense of purpose and connection to Vanderbilt's mission
      • Personal growth through exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences
    • Benefits for Vanderbilt:
      • Strong role as an engaged, responsive and responsible member of the broader community
      • Reputation as an institution committed to positive social impact
      • Increased employee satisfaction and commitment, supporting Vanderbilt's ability to attract and retain top talent
      • Enhanced alignment with Vanderbilt's mission to be a leader in scholarship, teaching and service for the greater good

     

  • What are best practices for planning volunteer opportunities and other community engagement?

    Considerations and steps for planning community engagement as a team, department or group: 

    • Discuss opportunities with your department leadership. They may already have existing partnerships or initiatives you can participate in. 
    • Organize a department volunteer event, making sure to communicate the details widely and get buy-in from your colleagues. 
    • Participate actively and encourage others to join. Community engagement is most impactful when it is a collective effort. 
    • Consider the multiple types of volunteer service listed above, including individual and group service engagements, expertise-sharing, and board service. 
    • Encourage participants to wear Vanderbilt branded gear when volunteering. Consider departmental funding for these items. 

    Further considerations for accessibility when planning community engagement: 

    • Check the calendar for religious holidays and observances to ensure that volunteer activities do not conflict with employees' important spiritual commitments. 
    • Be aware of busy periods in the university calendar such as exam weeks or commencement. Staff may be less available during these times. 
    • Ensure accessibility for staff with disabilities and provide necessary accommodation (e.g., select volunteer sites that are ADA compliant). 
    • Be mindful of the physical demands of the volunteering tasks and ensure that they are suitable for all participants. Offer alternatives or modifications as needed. 
    • Consider matching volunteer tasks with staff skills and abilities. Offer a variety of roles so everyone can contribute in ways that align with their strengths and interests. 
    • Clearly communicate the time commitment required for each volunteer opportunity and be flexible with staff availability. 

    If you or your manager have further questions about navigating your local community engagement as a staff member, contact People, Culture, & Belonging by emailing pcb@vanderbilt.edu. 

  • Are there are any staff policies I should be aware of related to community engagement?
    • Vanderbilt’s Conflict of Interest policy is an important consideration when discussing nonprofit and public board engagement. 

    If you or your manager have further questions about navigating your local community engagement as a staff member, contact People, Culture, & Belonging by emailing pcb@vanderbilt.edu.