COMMUNITY SERVICE GUIDEBOOK First Presidency Message Dear Fellow Members, In response to the question from the lawyer who asked, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), Jesus taught the parable of the good Samaritan, which illustrates for each of us that our neighbor is anyone in need, even the stranger (see Luke 10:25–37). In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin instructed his people, “Ye . will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need” “that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 4:16; 2:17). From the earliest days in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been encouraged to engage in service beyond the walls of our homes and chapels. As God’s children we desire to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for His abundant blessings. Each of us would like to reach out in Christlike service to share those blessings with others, but we may not know how to start or where to go. JustServe.org is designed as a resource to help us as individuals, families, and groups find opportunities near our homes to help those in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. As members of the Church and others who are not of our faith reach out in an effort to minister to people in need, we create a spirit of love and cooperation that transcends differences and connects us as children of God. May the Lord bless you in this effort to give selfless service as your time and circumstances permit. The First Presidency ii President Russell M. Nelson “. Our highest priorities in life are to love God and to love our neighbors” (“Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 69). “A hallmark of the Lord’s true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families” (“Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 69). Contents 1. JustServe: An Overview 1 2. JustServe Introduction and Stake and 2 Ward Implementation 3. Stake JustServe Committee 4 4. Checklists for Implementing JustServe in 5 Stakes, Wards, and Missions 5. JustServe Supplement: 8 Successful Practices for Implementing JustServe, Missionary Community Service Guidelines, Desired Outcomes, and Frequently Asked Questions iii 1. JustServe: An Overview What is JustServe? JustServe is a community service initiative to help Church members follow the Savior’s admonition to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39) by providing a platform where members and missionaries can find voluntary opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. This is not intended to be a burden on the time and resources of members, nor is it a “duty” about which one should feel anxious or guilty. It is truly voluntary for those who seek a way to give such service. Because this is a volunteer effort there are no quotas or record-keeping requirements for members. How can I find service opportunities? To help organizations find volunteers willing to help, the Church has developed a website: JustServe.org. The Church is providing this website as a service to the community without cost or obligation. How will JustServe be implemented? Stake presidents should organize a JustServe committee comprised of members of the stake council and others (see section 3, “Stake JustServe Committee”). Using the general guidelines on page 2, the committee members counsel together to identify and evaluate volunteer needs at faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations and post those needs on JustServe.org. Members may volunteer through JustServe.org as individuals, families, quorums, Relief Societies, classes, and wards. With authorization from the mission president, missionaries may be invited to participate in JustServe projects. As JustServe becomes established, faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations will be invited and authorized to post their own volunteer needs. Everyone is welcome to use the website to find and submit volunteer opportunities. 1 When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. 2. JustServe Introduction and Stake and Ward Implementation General Guidelines 1. The best service opportunities are collaborative—working side by side with others in faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations. 2. Community service opportunities should enhance the quality of life in the community and assist the poor and needy. 3. JustServe projects should not have a political or advocacy focus, be for-profit oriented, or directly involve volunteers in fund-raising or other prohibited activities (see JustServe Supplement: “Frequently Asked Questions”). Guidelines for Leaders, Parents, and Members 1. JustServe.org supports parents and leaders in their responsibilities to teach principles of Christlike service and to plan service activities that bless others and build community relationships. 2. Church members and missionaries volunteer in the community for the sole purpose and pure desire to help others in need, regardless of their beliefs. These are not proselyting ventures. 3. Neither the Church nor its website JustServe.org discriminates based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation to screen projects for posting or volunteers who may sign up to serve. 4. Not all projects posted on JustServe.org may be appropriate for Church-coordinated volunteers or families. To ensure that opportunities are suitable, read the project description carefully before volunteering. 2 5. “Church leaders need to be careful not to overwhelm families with too many Church responsibilities” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 1.4). JustServe.org is a resource that makes it easier for Latter-day Saints to do what they desire to do, to care for those in need and improve the quality of life in their communities. When members want to give service, JustServe.org provides a way to quickly find opportunities nearby. 6. JustServe committees should identify a variety of recurring service opportunities appropriate for individuals, families, youth, single adults, missionaries (see Missionary Handbook, 39–40), and other groups. Implementation 1. Create a Stake JustServe Committee. Under the direction of the stake president, a committee is organized from members of the stake council and others. The chairman is the stake president or the member of the stake presidency over public affairs (see page 4, “Stake JustServe Committee”). 2. Counsel Together to Populate the Website. The stake JustServe committee identifies service opportunities at faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations that meet JustServe guidelines. As a general rule, the stake director of public affairs or JustServe specialist takes the lead in contacting organizations and populating the website, although other committee members may assist. Initially, all projects should be approved by the committee before posting. To maintain a viable and sustainable website and to provide a variety of volunteer opportunities to meet the interests and skills of Church members and other volunteers in the community, a minimum of 15 to 20 recurring projects should be maintained within the boundaries of the stake. Until the stake JustServe committee has posted the minimum number of opportunities for posting on JustServe.org, committee members should meet frequently. When core projects have been established, the committee meets as needed and focuses its efforts on introducing the website to members and nonmembers and on working to maintain good relationships with other faith-based, nonprofit organizations and local officials. 3. Invite Members to Serve. Stake Relief Society presidents take the lead in introducing JustServe, teaching members to register and use the website, and encouraging participation in community service. Invitations to less-active members, converts, friends, and investigators are appropriate for JustServe opportunities. 4. Share Positive Experiences. Encourage JustServe participants to share their positive experiences in Church meetings, leadership meetings, and classes, and through social media. 3 The stake JustServe committee is led by the stake president or the member of the stake presidency over public affairs. 3. Stake JustServe Committee The stake JustServe committee is led by the stake president or the member of the stake presidency over public affairs. Committee members should include the stake director of public affairs and/or JustServe specialist (see Handbook 1, 1.1.8 and Handbook 2, 15.5). Other members of the committee include a member of the stake Relief Society presidency, the high councilor responsible for missionary work, full-time missionary zone leaders, one stake Young Men leader and one stake Young Women leader, young single adult and single adult representatives, and others as needed. Each bishop designates a counselor to be responsible for JustServe in the ward and the primary contact for the stake JustServe committee. The designated counselor should become aware of JustServe opportunities but should not be asked to attend all committee meetings. Responsibilities 1. Identify and reach out to faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations to determine their volunteer needs. Using the general guidelines on page 2, evaluate the opportunities and then post 15–20 recurring projects on JustServe.org. Try to offer opportunities within the boundaries of each ward (see JustServe Supplement: “Successful Practices for Implementing JustServe”). 2. When approved by the mission president, invite full-time missionaries to participate in recurring JustServe projects. 3. Teach members the purpose of JustServe and how to use the website. 4. The stake director of public affairs should frequently review and update the JustServe projects and maintain contact and cooperative relationships with community service organizations. 5. Encourage JustServe participants to share positive experiences in Church meetings and classes.