Today's students pack not only heavy backpacks, but heavy schedules as well. Studying, jobs, memberships in student organizations, and sports can take up so much time that it may seem impossible to spare any more. However, you may find that taking a few minutes or hours out of your day to participate in civic activities will help you to gain as much as (or maybe even more than) you give.

Here are just a few examples of what civic participation can do for you:

• Give you a sense of pride and accomplishment
• Allow you to voice your concerns
• Affect government policy
• Gain experience in your chosen field of study
• Show potential employers that you are able to juggle numerous activities simultaneously
• Provide a social outlet and an opportunity to meet new people
• Provide an opportunity for you to make a real difference in the lives of others
• Help you to learn more about government, policy issues, and solutions to social problems while learning more about yourself

Below are some resources for getting involved in politics at the state and local level:

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The U.S. State and Local Gateway provides a wealth of links and information on current issues such as sustainable communities and welfare reform.

Visit the House of Representatives home page to contact your representative and get up to speed on current legislation.

Go to the Senate home page to contact Senators and learn about legislative activities.

Visit home pages of political parties to learn more about party platforms and opportunities for involvement at the state and local levels:
Democratic National Committee,
Republican National Committee
Libertarian Party
Green Party
Reform Party of the USA

Go to Project Vote Smart to obtain information on candidates and learn how to contact elected officials.

Visit the official Rock the Vote site to learn more about issues facing young adults and for information on registering to vote in your area.

Visit Moveon.org, a site that primarily focuses on education and advocacy on national issues

Visit home pages of your local political parties to learn more about party platforms and opportunities for involvement at the state and local levels:
Democratic National Committee
Republican National Committee
Libertarian Party
Green Party

Reform Party of the USA

Get connected to your local State Legislatures and Assemblies:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Below are some links to opportunities for volunteering and/or service learning. If you see something that sparks your interest, but is not currently available where you live, you can always take the initiative of bringing it to your own neighborhood or helping out at a similar organization. The following list is just a microcosm of the world of volunteering possibilities - please contact the organizations for additional information and use the web to explore your own fields of interest.

Volunteer Networks

VolunteerMatch provides a list of one-time and continuing community level volunteer opportunities.

VolunteerMatch VirtualVolunteering allows you to use your computer to volunteer from remote locations.

At the Volunteer Center National Network, you can click on a map of the United States to find volunteering organizations in your area.

SERVEnet allows you to search for volunteer opportunities in your area by zip code.

The Center for Civic Education and Service at the University of Florida provides listings of Florida volunteer opportunities and provides a useful list of related sites.

Learn about long-term volunteer opportunities with Americorps.

Volunteering with Children

Big Brothers / Big Sisters: Serve as a mentor and spend quality time with disadvantaged children. If you don't have time to be a big brother or big sister, you can gather family and friends to raise money for the organization through its bowling or golfing marathons.

At The National Mentoring Partnership, volunteers help at-risk kids with homework, encourage them to explore career options, and chaperone them on outings.

Learn about how to apply for the Teach for America program that seeks to provide excellent education to all children in the United States.

YMCA is the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America. YMCA stands for Young Men's Christian Association, but welcomes people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. ?

Volunteering for the Environment

Every national park needs volunteers; activities can range from guiding ecology tours to maintaining flowerbeds.

Sierra Club volunteers can lead hiking expeditions to clean up beaches and parks.

Keep America Beautiful by joining the Great American Cleanup to plant flowers, pick up recyclables, and clean up your community.

Volunteering Internationally

The Peace Corps was created to allow volunteers to contribute the skills needed to become self-sufficient in developing countries.

Global Volunteers offers short-term service opportunities on community development programs in host communities abroad.

Social Service Organizations

The American Red Cross provides emergency supplies and food to help those who have been affected by disasters and provides support to relief staff.

Habitat for Humanity allows volunteers to help the poor build low-cost homes that they can buy for themselves at no profit and no interest. Opportunities exist all over the United States; as well, there are over 60 projects abroad in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands.