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Service Learning @ TCC
Serving Smart: Tips for Risk Management
Whenever you enter a community with which you are unfamiliar, some risk is
involved. Here are some Basic Guidelines For Getting Started.
| Know your site supervisor |
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Ask him/her questions about the area. Solicit
his/her advice on what precautions you need to take to avoid difficult
situations. |
| Familiarize yourself with the area |
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Get to know the location of phones, 24-hour stores, police
stations, fire stations, agency staff, other area service agencies and
local businesses. |
| Know the rules of the site |
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These rules are in place to insure the most efficient functioning
of the operation. Rules about training requirements-such as background
checks, confidentiality pledges, or immunizations-are intended to protect
both you and the people with whom you are working. |
| Be accessible |
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Give the phone number of your service site and a schedule
of your hours to a relative or friend before leaving to do community service.
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| Work in pairs |
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Try not to be alone with clients without adequate supervision.
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| Stay informed |
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Stay in touch with your fellow agency workers and keep up
with incidents and issues affecting the area in which you serve. |
| Trust your instincts |
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Sometimes the only indication you will have about impending
problems is your "gut feeling." These feelings are enough of
a signal to take precautions or simply suspend your activity-but be sure
to explain them to your supervisor. |
| Do what feels right |
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If you do not feel comfortable or safe participating in
a certain activity; do not hesitate to share your feelings with your site
supervisor. You are not required to participate in any activity that makes
you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. |
(Adapted from The University of Richmond 's Service-learning Student Handbook)
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