Western Oregon University Alternative Spring Break

Western Oregon University Alternative Break 2012-2013 Student Leader Position Description

Western Oregon University will offer an Alternative Break Service Trip during Spring Break 2013. 1-2 student leaders, 6-8 student participants and two faculty/staff advisors will participate in each trip. The group will travel to a location in the Western United States (within 10 hours driving distance) and provide volunteer or community based services in addressing the needs of the host agency or organization. Projects focus on a wide variety of social issues; these issues include literacy, poverty, racism, hunger, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and the environment.

1-2 student leaders, will work together to plan and lead each trip. The Alternative Break Student Leaders act as a liaison to the host site, and coordinate both pre and post break activities. The Student leaders arrange and confirm transportation and housing, set the program budget, and recruit/train team members in consultation with the Service Learning & Career Development Center. During the week, the leaders will facilitate group activities and reflection as part of the preparation for the service trip.

Responsibilities:  In consultation with Service Learning & Career Development staff, select a work site and location.  Coordinate site logistics. This includes verifying the cooperation of the host agency/group, arranging for transportation, and securing lodging and meals.  Participate in weekly leader training and meetings with the SLCD staff.  Recruit student participants to be a part of the service trip.  Organize pre-break education for team members. Prepare information packets and deliver pre- break team training.  Facilitate activities during work breaks. Arrange daily schedule and guide group through meaningful reflection activities related to their service.  Cooperatively work with faculty/staff advisors  Initiate and support fundraising efforts.  Monitor all aspects of the program budget, tracking and reporting trip expenditures.  Convene the group for post-break activities and celebration.

Qualifications:  Demonstrated service and leadership experience in a prior Alternative Break Trip, as a leader.  Ability to manage multiple tasks.  Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.  Must be in good academic standing.

Supervisor:  Volunteer Coordinator, Service Learning & Career Development, &  Alternative Break Program Assistant, Service Learning & Career Development Start Date: Winter 2013 (With one Fall Term Meeting) End Date: Post Trip

Hours:  5 – 10 hours per week (varies depending on project load).  ½ hour meeting per week with Alternative Break Program Assistant  1 hour team member meeting per week  1 hour Alternative Break Leaders meetings a week

Application Procedures:  Turn in this application, a resume, and supplemental essay answers that demonstrate your capabilities as a Student Leader for the alternative break program by 4:00pm Wednesday October 31st, 2012 to the Service Learning and Career Development Center.  Interviews will take place Mid-November .

Contact information: For more information and/or questions, please contact Charisse Jolliff at [email protected] or via phone at 503.838.8716.

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY SERVICE LEARNING & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

EXPERIENCE Today DISCOVER Tomorrow Application Due Wednesday October 31st, 2012 by 4pm To the Service Learning and Career Development Center, WUC 119

Personal Information Name: ______Date: ______Address: ______City: ______Zip Code: ______Cell Phone: ______Email: ______Major: ______Year in School: ______Expected Date of Graduation: ______

Reference Information Name: ______Relationship: ______Telephone: ______Email: ______

Supplemental Essay Questions for Alternative Break Student Leader Position (Please answer each question in 125 words or less on a separate sheet of paper)

1. Please describe how you contributed to your team’s success on a previous Alternative Break trip, mission trip, or other service project. 2. Please tell us about one particular project, organization, or group in which you have held or currently hold a leadership role, and what specific duties and responsibilities you had or have. 3. Describe an example of a time when you have effectively worked with a co-leader to accomplish a project or task. 4. Please respond to the following scenario: You and the trip’s advisor have different views on everything from personalities to reflection activities. This could have a negative effect on the group, and thus the entire service project. In order to create a cooperative and effective team, you must resolve these problems. How would you go about doing this? 5. Describe in detail how you would approach being a leader for an Alternative Break Trip. 6. If you were to be selected as an Alternative Break Student Leader, what two suggestions would you have for service sites and locations? 1.