Super simple. You just have to organize at least one community service event for the semester and make sure people go, like go around the house and tell people to get their ass downstairs to head out for the community service event.
Start planning events early!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough, if you try to plan an event like 3-5 days before it happens it will just not happen, so start planning immediately! Think of things that could happen later in the semester (Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities, Boston Marathon, Earth Day activities, etc.), so that you'll already be prepared when those roll around.
I piggybacked off a UA river clean up event and signed everyone up by emailing the event organizers. Originally wanted to get us into the Boston Marathon to volunteer and get the spicy merch but didn't work out. Honestly, just be proactive in contacting whoever you need to to make the event happen and try to prepare multiple events throughout the semester so that everyone can at least make one of them.
My advice to future Community Service chairmen is to make sure to pepper small community service events throughout the semester. You can be tempted to throw one or two really big events, but realistically there will also be some number of outliers and you should make sure they have ample opportunity to fulfill their requirement. Also, many brothers simply want a chance to serve their communities, and the more opportunities you offer, the more they're able to do. An important future contact for community service efforts can be the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, which is beginning a joint Harvard-MIT Youth Homeless shelter in which theta xi is taking an active role next semester.
Abe, do this, you fucker!
No, Fuck you, Yo.
One of the major characteristics that works as Community Service Chair is being very adamant about doing community service and consistently reminding brothers to do their 5 hour commitment. I did not do a very good job of that this year and I think it was because I got burnt out by the position. I suggest that Community Service Chairs remain service chairs for only 1 semester so that the position will always be filled by someone new and (hopefully) energized to get community service done.
Also, one more thing (as I echo what I posted in the 2012 community service update in this wiki) is that the Habitat Build is never effective. We had slightly more participation this year, but it was like pulling teeth to get people to volunteer.
ONE MORE VERY IMPORTANT THING THAT I DID NOT DO BUT I SHOULD HAVE DONE!!! During Quarter Mile, I set a precedent for online donations. Please Please Please remember to SEND OUT THANK YOU CARDS to the donors. It is classy, professional, and makes the donors feel appreciated. It also makes them more likely to donate in the future.
When organizing events, the community service chair must be extremely proactive. Brothers are often willing to perform community service only if it is required and/ or is related to a particular hobby or interest. Here is a list of events that worked well this semester:
-American Cancer Society Relay for Life
-ESP Spark
-Theta Xi Quarter Mile