Tatum Terrell

I was told to arrive at 10:00am to begin setting up. the hayride started at 12:00 noon. I was given a break at 3-4pm and then stayed until 7:30pm to finish picking and cleaning up.

1. How did this experience challenge your problem-solving abilities?
- Volunteering at the farm challenged my problem-solving skills by requiring me to navigate cultural differences and adapt to unfamiliar environments. It pushed me to find common ground and work effectively with others in a setting outside my comfort zone.
2. What did you learn about the community or environment you served?
- In that particular part of TN, there were many many people who made it clear that it is a "red state", yet when Mr. Greer (an older black man) invited them to his annual hayride, they showed up and were so kind. This community, despite the drastic differences in political views, came together to celebrate!
3. What new connections or relationships did you form during your service?
- I connected with individuals from different backgrounds, fostering mutual understanding despite cultural and political differences. These interactions helped build bridges and deepen my perspective on community and collaboration.
4. How did the organization support or guide you during your service?
- There were times when I had no idea what I was doing or how to do something. The staff there were more than happy to show me how to do hit and to help me do it!
5. Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why? or why not?
- Yes! I have done this since my first semester and it always such a great experience and they are so kind!
6. What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- There was one or two ladies who did not like the way I was setting up one of the food tables. I was just doing it the way I was told by Mr. Greer. I brought that to his attention and he a conversation with the ladies.

1. How did this experience challenge your problem-solving abilities?
Volunteering at the women’s homeless shelter challenged my problem-solving skills by requiring me to find practical solutions to immediate needs, like providing support in a crisis or managing limited resources.
2. What did you learn about the community or environment you served?
I learned that the community at the shelter is resilient, but many face deep-rooted challenges, including economic hardship and lack of access to resources. The environment is one of mutual support, but also a reminder of the ongoing need for compassion and assistance.
3. What new connections or relationships did you form during your service?
I formed connections with both the residents of the shelter and my church family, strengthening my sense of community and understanding the diverse backgrounds and struggles that shape people’s lives.
4. How did the organization support or guide you during your service?
The organization provided clear guidelines, support, and training to ensure we were equipped to serve effectively, while offering a safe environment to work through any challenges we encountered.
5. Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization? Why? Or why not?
Yes, I plan to continue volunteering because the experience was rewarding, and I feel a deep connection to the mission of supporting women in need. It has inspired me to stay involved and contribute more to the community.
6. What unexpected challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
One unexpected challenge was seeing the emotional toll on residents and trying to balance offering support without overstepping boundaries. I overcame this by listening more and focusing on providing consistent, respectful help when needed.

I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering for MAS. This was my first time volunteering with them, and it was a very positive experience. I've volunteered at several other shelters before, and you can see how much the volunteers truly care about the animals they look after. My task for the day was taking a dog on a field trip to give them a chance to spend time in the community and interact with others, aiming to boost their chances of adoption. I went with Amery!! I worked with Frick, a sweet little dog with one of the best temperaments I've ever encountered. He was sociable and kind towards other people. Volunteering for MAS made me feel like I was truly making a difference. Being able to work with them and give a dog a great time was a way for me to contribute positively and improve the shelter's reputation while helping lovely Frick. I would love to volunteer for the animal field trip again and take another dog out for a fun day

How did your direct service benefit members of the broader community?
- My service can be viewed as hopeful for older members of the community. The farm that I volunteered at is ran by an older man and all of his neighbors are older as well. I think that my service has shown him that he has the ability to ask for help from younger people when he needs it!
Describe your service.
- I did service three times already here. Once last semester and two this semester. This specific time there lots of debris of past storms to be picked up all over the property. We also worked on a fence that was down.
What did you learn about the community or environment your served?
- At first, it was little repetitive from the last two times I volunteered, but he ended up telling us about the fish marine life that live and around in the several ponds on his property.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization?
- YES, I do. Just not this semester lol
Did you work individually or as part of a team during your service?
- I worked as part of team and I am so glad I did. I met different people, and it made the work so much easier.

Did your service align with your personal values and beliefs?
- Yes! I love nature and I love being able to clean it up for the people and animals that live there. The animals that live there deserve good things too!
Describe your service.
- Mr. Greer had us in the mud... but its okay bc it was spring break! I specifically, worked with some of the cows. I laid out hay for them and picked up older hay too. Some other people were working on tagging some cows. but he let me feed them which was cool.
Who was the person overseeing the service opportunity?
- Mr. Greer and his wife and daughter. Mr. Greer was not the best at giving instructions but his daughter stepped in and explained a little further.
Do you plan to continue volunteering with this organization?
- omg ofc

1. Were there instances during the event where you encountered differing opinions? How did you respond?
- Yes. The kid I was working with wanted to draw with purple and I wanted to draw with green. We compromised and drew with both.
2. How well did you listen to speaker and other participants during the event? Did you engage in meaningful discussions?
- I listened very well and was quiet when the children's book was read and helped quiet down some of the other children. I did not engage in any meaningful discussions, but I did give a kid a hint to one of the questions.
3. How did you ensure that your interactions and discussions during the event were inclusive and respectful of diverse perspectives?
- I tried to be as polite as possible to all the adults and the children as well and I tried to let some of the kids who were not really engage with other kids color with me.

Me giving blood helped the broader community because my blood can used for any good they can put it to. As scientists, they use it in trials or anything of the sort.
There was a blood donation truck on the campus, and I decided to give blood, at the time I didn't know that it could be service hours.
My service did contribute to the overall mission of the organization. The organization was made as an easier way for science to advance and I am now a part of that.
I did give blood individually. I was by myself, and no one forced me to do it. I think that impacted my experience by making me 'grow up' a little bit. I made the choice to go through with it.
I do plan on continuing to give blood with them. The staff was great and so nice. It was a great experience!

1. How did you ensure that your interactions and discussions during the event were inclusive and respectful of diverse perspectives?
- We were working with kids for the most part and we had to make sure that each kid felt included in what they were doing. I was over the little kid bounce house with Hannah and there were times were a smaller (maybe not younger, but quite smaller) kid was not getting a chance to use the big kid bounce house so we would let them use the little kid one.
2. How well did you listen to speakers and other participants during the event? Did you engage in meaningful discussions? Describe.
- I was very respectful when I talked to the children and when I talked to any older adults. I did engage in a discussion with a significantly older lady. We talked four like 15 minutes just about her life and how having kids was so impactful for her.
 3. Were there any moments where you had to adapt or be flexible in your approach to fully engage with the event's activities? Describe.
- Yes. There was one kid that was very scared to jump in the bounce house so I jumped with him. I actually don't like bounce houses but I did it for him because he was scared.