Introduction

Hello there. This is my first blog, so if I suck at this...well, give me some time, and I'm sure it'll suck less eventually.

This blog is the result of a class I'm taking at Carlow University, called Special Topics in Service-Learning, Community Innovation Through Networking. It's taught by two professors, which is actually kind of interesting for me. First, Cory Maloney, is an IT instructor on course, but other than him and I having radically different politics (from what I hear), I know nothing about him, but he seems very tech savvy, which I can dig that about anyone, regardless of personal politics. The other, Jessica Friedrichs, I've had before in a great public policy class, and I also know her through Carlow's Honors Program. She's an outstanding, and empathetic instructor, and has a good sense of humor. Her and Professor Maloney seem to mesh well, and I'm kind of excited to see how the dynamic of having two professors lead a class plays out.

For all of my political advocacy, I've done relatively no volunteer work in the community. My MO in the past has been either to simply donate money to candidates who support the community programs I support as well, or merely just talk about how a program is done. For me, it seemed to be just as easy to write a check to say, Meals on Wheels, as it would be to actually deliver a meal to someone. I'm sure it's as incredibly fulfilling on some level, as most people claim, but on the other...I'm perfectly content being an anonymous donor, which these programs need more than volunteers. Without cash or political support, these groups cannot do their work.

I hope to keep you all updated on my experience actually getting my hands dirty in community involvement, and learn through this course, what it means to actually serve the community.

Josh :)