Since students are only at the vocational center for a half day, they individually work about an hour and a half to two hours for one or two days. The club members get a pizza party about a week after the newsletter is shipped, and the money is primarily used to pay for the costs of students participating in district and state competitions as well as for club social events. The students really enjoy the experience. We have little or no difficulty getting volunteers - some of them are disappointed when the other clubs get a turn. Our project benefits from having our newsletter prepared quickly and efficiently at below market cost.
Some teachers also tie the experience directly into their curriculum.
While not everyone has a newsletter as large as ours, there are other kinds of shipping and mailing preparation projects that could provide the same benefits. Strategy 2 Minnesota is developing a State STW Student Organization Foundation that will be a public foundation to develop funding source for these outstanding organizations. Plus this new foundation will develop opportunities for collaboration between the organizations. A former student who has successfully accomplished job placement after a vocational program would be a good leader or co-leader. If they are in a community where a local technical college has a work study program, the school may be able to link-up.