Idaho State University public relations students present Serve Idaho campaign to Lt. Gov. Brad Little at State Capitol Building

After teaming up with Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, the group of seven developed a campaign emphasizing the message that people who volunteer are 27 percent more likely to find employment after being at work compared to non-volunteers.

The group received praise from Lt. Gov. Brad Little, and Ken Edmonds, the director at the Idaho Department of Labor. Their campaign will serve as an ideal model for future volunteer opportunities at the Idaho State campus and each member of the team received a certificate from the Governor’s office for their hard work.

“These students were absolutely phenomenal,” said Karen Hartman, an assistant professor in the communication, media, and persuasion department at ISU who teaches the public relations campaign class. “Their performance in Boise was indicative of the tremendous amount of hard work and dedication they exhibited all semester. I couldn’t be prouder of this group.”

The students hosted a volunteer fair and club competition during their Student Activities Board’s Service Saturday event on April 16, which consisted of service projects on the ISU campus, downtown Pocatello and Zoo Idaho. Additionally, the students increased awareness of the Serve Idaho campaign and the 27 percent statistic by 25 percent.The group operated on a $750 budget but was also able to generate more than $350 in prize money and advertisements with value equivalency of $373.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Idaho ranked second in the nation in volunteering two years in a row with 35.8 percent of the population volunteering in 2014. The report also showed only one in five people age 18 to 24 volunteered in 2014, and Serve Idaho is working to increase that number.

A survey of 200 ISU students of varying class level showed 80 percent are unaware of this statistic. Seventy-five percent of those students are more inclined to volunteer after learning it could benefit their career development.

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Idaho State University, a Carnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution founded in 1901, attracts students from around the world to its Idaho campuses. ISU offers access to high-quality education in more than 250 programs.

The James E. Rogers Department of Communication, Media, and Persuasion is driven by a commitment to creativity, innovation, and relevance. Our strategically integrated curriculum, engaging coursework, and supportive instruction and feedback offer educational experiences that equip students for lifelong success. For more information visit: http://www.isu.edu/cmp/