Community service-learning

One of the fundamental reasons for the growing success of alternative breaks here at JMU is the student leadership that you, the JMU students, provide. This letter will hopefully explain the process for next year and the responsibilities of becoming an alternative spring break leader and planning a break.

As a break leader, you will be an ambassador for the Alternative Break program and are expected to help us communicate the mission and goals of the program to students and community members. Alternative Break Program is a weeklong group traveling, community living, alcohol and drug free, service experience. The Alternative Break Program partners JMU students with communities in need around the world to improve the quality of life, understanding, and learning for all involved. Students who participate in this program cultivate social responsibility, leadership, and life-long learning; thereby fostering a generation of leaders committed to positive social change.

Leading an ASB is very demanding and requires a huge time commitment as well as intentional planning and a strong commitment to group building. We want to select the most capable leaders for each of the breaks. For next year we will make selections for leaders based on the best combination of skills, experience and familiarity with the issue you’ve selected. While we are open to receiving applications from two students interested in co-leading a break, we will review them individually and select the best two leaders for that break. We will be very glad to discuss our selections with you. In order to set aside time for an intentional planning process that will result in quality breaks, we need to have an early application process. We want to support breaks to communities where we have already been and have connections, but are also open to the possibility of new sites. If you are interested in proposing a new site, there is a new site proposal that must be submitted with your application.

The training component of our program is 15 two-hour classes, meeting every Monday night 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm, for the fall semester, as well as a retreat (all dates below). It is vital that you attend all of these. Being a break leader does require a time commitment, but the experiences you will gain are well worth it.

International: The number of international breaks will be limited to approximately six for Spring Break. We prefer that all international leaders have had JMU AB experience, at least as a participant but preferably as a former break leader. At a minimum, we prefer that you have had international travel experience. These preferences ensure we have the most experienced and qualified leaders so that our attention and energy can also be directed to a quality planning process.

Domestic: The number of domestic breaks will be limited to approximately thirty, for Spring Break.

Which breaks go out over spring break will be determined by your applications and interest. If you have questions regarding the leader application or any other questions concerning alternative breaks, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks again for your interest and we look forward to working with you!

Please complete the application and return it by NOON, April 6, 2016 to abp@jmu.edu . Only electronic applications are accepted. Please put time and thought into each answer. Please e-mail with any questions.

Thanks

The ABP Team

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

Check positions interested in applying for: (if both, please indicate any preferences)

☐ International Alternative Spring Break Leader

☐ Domestic Alternative Spring Break Leader

Name:	Click here to enter text.					JAC #		Click here to enter text.
Summer Address:				Click here to enter text.
E-mail:		Click here to enter text. Cell: Click here to enter text.
Current Academic Level:					Click here to enter text.		Expected Graduation Date: Click here to enter text.
Major:		Click here to enter text.				Minor:			Click here to enter text.
Current GPA:			Click here to enter text.			Language proficiencies:				Click here to enter text.

I am currently registered to vote. ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will be a full-time student for both fall and spring semesters ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will attend the leader match social THIS semester (April 21, 7-9p) ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will attend training THIS semester (May 1, 6-8p) ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will enroll in a 1-credit UNST (graded) course for fall semester ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will enroll in a 1-credit UNST (CR/NCJ) course for spring semester ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will ensure my schedule accommodates class: Fall Semester (M 7-9p) ☐Yes ☐No (explain)Click here to enter text.
I will attend the Fall Retreat, September 16-18, 2016 ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will attend the Spring Retreat, January 16, 2017 ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

I will have all of the dates above & dates given on the first day of class recorded in my calendar (and any conflicts emailed to abp@jmu.edu) by the second class (September 5, 2016) ☐Yes ☐ No (explain)Click here to enter text.

Potential International Agency Partners:

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

Travel Availability: ☐ Driving Only ☐Domestic Driving or Flying ☐International Camping Availability: ☐Yes, and I have experience ☐Yes, and I don’t have experience ☐No

☐ Previous participant experience on a domestic/international AB breaks:

Which community partner(s) (i.e. CUMI, Redwoods, etc): Click here to enter text.

Location(s): Click here to enter text.

Which community partner(s): Click here to enter text.

Location(s): Click here to enter text.
Agency/Site Preferences (***Visit the Alternative Break website AND research the agency’s website prior***)

This section of the application is designed to help us understand where your passion lies. If you are selected as a leader, your responses here may be used when the selection team is assigning you to a co-leader and/or agency.

Preferred social issue focus (please number 1 [highest] – 5 [lowest]):
Community Wellness - Choose an item. Environment - Choose an item. Health- Choose an item.

Homelessness - Choose an item. Youth - Choose an item.

Please, list your top three agency choices. If your number one choice is a new site, you must complete the “New International Break Proposal” form and submit it with your application.

Preferred break agencies*(i.e. Medici Project, LUPE, etc)

1. 
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2. 
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3. 
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Please type answers to all questions. Be thorough, thoughtful and creative!

All Applicants: Short Answers

1. 
   What is the difference between service-learning and volunteerism?
   
2. 
   Beyond getting out of the “JMU bubble”, for what reasons is it important that JMU have an Alternative Break Program?
   
3. 
   Please describe any substantial leadership experiences (if applicable, include examples of times you facilitated learning or reflection with a group).
   
   1. 
      If you have not had substantial leadership experience, what are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?
      
4. 
   How do you think your strengths will play into being a good leader?
   
5. 
   What are some of your weaknesses/areas that you would like to develop further?
   
   1. 
      How do you think being a leader will develop and/or improve your weaknesses?
      
   2. 
      What new skills would you like to develop during break leader training or on your break?
      
6. 
   Based on your strengths and weaknesses, what qualities would you like to see in your co-leader?
   
7. 
   Select one service experience and write about how it affected you personally and how it affected the community you visited.
   
   1. 
      If you have not had substantial leadership experience, what are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?
      
8. 
   Because one of your responsibilities as a leader is educating your group about the community in which you will be working:
   
   1. 
      What broad issue/theme would you prefer as the primary focus of your break? How does this social issue impact the community? How does it impact you?
      
   2. 
      How do you plan to educate yourself and the participants of your break on the issue/s?
      
9. 
   We are continuing to partner with the Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) to provide a co-sponsored break with a heightened focus on diversity along with service. For the past few years, the social issues have focused on hunger, housing, and poverty. This co-leader would work with CMSS to solidify plans for diversity activities.
   
   1. 
      ☐ I am not interested in serving as a leader for this specific break at this time.
      
   2. 
      ☐ I am interested in serving as a leader for our unique co-sponsored CMSS break. (Please answer the next 2 questions for consideration)
      
      1. 
         How would you contribute to this break with its unique enhanced focus on diversity?
         
      2. 
         What would you look forward to learning if selected to be a co-leader for this partnership?
         

10. 
    **Returning ASB leaders only**: Having been a break leader before, what is one thing you hope to improve/do differently? What is one thing you hope to implement again?
    

International Applicants ONLY: Short Answers:

List international living/travel experience (Please check all that apply)

☐ Semester abroad Location/dates: Click here to enter text.

☐ Year or more living abroad Your age/location: Click here to enter text.

☐ Family has lived abroad Your age/location/length of time: Click here to enter text.

☐ Traveling with friends or family Your age/location/length of time: Click here to enter text.

COMMUNITY SERVICE-LEARNING

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

1. 
   What made you decide that you wanted to lead an International Alternative Spring Break?
   
2. 
   If you are unable to lead an international break will you plan on leading a domestic break? (Why? Why not?)
   
3. 
   Because one of your responsibilities as a leader is educating your group about the country and community in which you will be working:
   
   1. 
      Tell us what makes you are passionate about your top choice agency. What interests you in going to this country/community?
      
   2. 
      If you are not assigned to your top choice agency, what broad issue/theme would you prefer as the primary focus of your break? What makes this important?
      
   3. 
      How will you prepare yourself and the other break participants to understand the context of the country/community and the issue focus of your break?
      
4. 
   Why is it important that JMU offers International Alternative Breaks?
   

All Applicants:

Time Management

An important part of this position is balancing and managing your time. Because being a break leader is a big commitment, you must be prepared to offer a lot of time and energy (Minimum of 5 hours per week in the fall and up to 10 hours per week Spring semester as you meet with your group, participate in fundraising, and provide the educational component to your group).

1. 
   What are some of your other commitments for the up-coming year?
   
   1. 
      How do you plan to balance leading an ASB and your commitments?
      
   2. 
      Give some examples of how you have successfully balanced numerous commitments in the past.
      

Identification Information:

Please provide one photograph (head shot) to help our review committee more easily identify you during both the interview and review processes.

Interview Times:

If you are applying to be an international candidate (or both), please check all the times for which you will be available for an interview. http://doodle.com/poll/zc82si2iypyain9p

If you are applying to be a domestic candidate only (flying or driving), please expect an email the week of April 11 to select a time for an interview on Sunday, April 17.

COMMUNITY SERVICE-LEARNING

2016-2017 Alternative Spring Break Leader Application

Reference Information:

Please list two references who know of your service involvement. At least one must be JMU faculty or staff.

Name of Reference Phone E-mail Relationship to Applicant

1. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text.

2. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text.

By typing my name below, I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete.

______________________________________________ _____________________________

Signature (typed name) Date

Please return completed electronic applications to abp@jmu.edu, by NOON, on April 6, 2016. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

***If you are interested in proposing a new site, there is a new site proposal online that must be filled out and submitted with your application.***

Date Reminders:

If you advance as an international candidate, you will be emailed more details including a designated 30-minute individual interview the week of April 11.

If you advance as a domestic candidate, you will be emailed more details to sign up for a 30-minute group Interview, which will take place between 1pm-9pm on Sunday, April 17.

If you are offered an Alternative Break Leader position and you do not have/are not assigned a co-leader, you will be expected to attend the Leader Match Social THIS SEMESTER on Thursday, April 21 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Community Service-Learning Office (2^nd floor of the Student Success Center).

If you are offered an Alternative Break Leader position you will be expected to attend the first training/break site selection meeting where we will determine which agency partner with which you’ll work, and talk about how to be in touch with the agency partner over the summer. This training/selection will be THIS SEMESTER on Sunday, May 1 from 6-8 p.m. (a great study break between finals) in the Community Service-Learning Office (2^nd floor of the Student Success Center).

Click here to enter text.

N:\SA\CSL\CSL-Common\CS-L\Alternative Break Program\FORMS\Trip Leader Forms and info\Selection Forms Updated 3/2013

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