Be Considerate of Your Experience and of Memphis
Short Term trips can be amazing. I myself was impacted greatly by going to New Orleans my senior year of college and hearing people speak glowingly about that place amidst sometimes smelly downtown streets. This positive experience in New Orleans was formative for how I would later embrace Memphis.
However, I always want to caution that short term trips can have a downside though if approached with a ‘savior complex.’ Groups traveling to places like Memphis as an alternative to being at the beach is often seen as a sacrificial and giving of yourself. But it should never be approached as “Memphis has solved all of its problems, because I came and put in 15-20 hours of service.” Beyond your time in the city, there will continue to be struggle. Don’t let that discourage your efforts, but don’t think your input as the end all be all.
We partner you intentionally with organizations who are doing great work year round so that you can be extra fuel for them. Non-profit workers are often wearing multiple hats towards an often larger-than-life mission. Do what you can to encourage them and ask them questions. Treat them as the experts. Uplift them.
“Be the kind of house guest who’ll be invited back.”
Serve901 asks that you be fully engaged with your service partners, so do get rest and not stay up until the wee hours of the morning. Give your best attention and efforts to our partners. You represent your group, school, hometown, Serve901, and yourself!