Alternative Breaks
Center for Community Engagement & Service, American University
Community Partner Agreement & Work Plan
This is a voluntary partnership between the Center for Community Engagement & Service’s Alternative Breaks
program at American University (AU) and __________________ (name of organization). This document will
provide a framework for the partnership between our organizations. It will describe the Alternative Break Program’s
mission & values, the nature of the partnership, the tasks involved in completing the service projects, and the
timeline and measures needed to make sure the projects are completed and are in line with both parties’ collectively
established goals.
AU’s Alternative Break Program’s Mission & Values:
Alternative Break’s mission is to engage students in service-based educational trips so they become actively involved
in learning about social justice issues and working toward social change. Alternative Breaks and our community
partners work to provide pre-trip trainings, on-site service, reflection on the issues and experiences, and resources
for post-trip activism. We organize these short-term trips with the intent that they will extend to long-term
commitments by students who become informed, active, and engaged citizens, by meeting critical community
needs.
Our Alternative Break Trip’s Social Justice Focus:
Insert 1- 2 sentences giving a brief description about your trip’s social justice issue and what your learning goal is for the trip.
The role of American University Student Trip Leaders:
 Communicate with both the Alternative Break Program Director and the community partner both before
and during the Alternative Break on topics such as travel and logistical planning,
 Prepare participants for the trip through pre-trip training. The leaders will educate the students about the
social justice issues, about cultural norms and sensitivity, and about the service projects they will complete
while on the trip.
 Coordinate all logistics while on the trip, including transportation, food, housing, activities and ensure that
there is a productive and positive group dynamic.
 Commit to continue this teaching while on the trip when applicable and through reflection, and, along with
the faculty advisor are prepared to manage group dynamics and any violations of Alternative Break policies.
The role of American University Alternative Breaks Program Director and Staff:
 Provide assistance and guidance in promoting Alternative Break initiatives and programming related events.
 Aid the student leaders in planning and coordinating their travel plans to and from the host community.
 Train the student leaders and staff or faculty advisor in leading an Alternative Break based on the following
topics: organizing pre-trip education trainings and post-trip activism, creating and managing a budget,
intercultural sensitivity and communication, logistical planning, teaching participants about social justice and
service, and facilitating the group’s education in an engaging and interesting way.
The role of Alternative Break Community Partner:
 Designate a coordinator to serve as liaison with the AU Alternative Breaks program.
 Maintain consistent communication with the student leaders and faculty advisor in the time leading up to
the trip.
 Upon arrival, provide student participants with the training and/or equipment required to complete the
service project(s). The Community Partner should also plan to provide students with a tour of the service
site, an introduction to the staff, and an overview of safety/emergency procedures the students will need to



be mindful of when working at the site and with community members (particularly with children, if
applicable).
Undertake reasonable measures to ensure the safety of the working environment for the student
participants.
In case of an emergency involving one of the AU Alternative Break participants, notify the University as
soon as possible.
Plan to formally evaluate the overall trip after it has ended by submitting the Community Partner Evaluation
Form to the Alternative Break Program Director either via mail or email.
Partnership Work Plan
(What will participants accomplish through their service on the trip? Student Trip leaders fill out all of the columns in coordination with
Community Partner Organization.)
Objectives
What will the AU
participants achieve
through their
service?
example: Improve
affordable
housing access in
the host
community
Activities
What service
activities will the
participants be
doing?
example: complete
building one
home
Preparation
What tasks need to
be completed to
prepare for activities
and (if applicable)
what resources are
needed?
example: Host
organization
prepares materials
and the site;
students practice
construction skills
and learn about
housing
Person
Responsible
Deadlines
Measure
example:
construction
manager, family
services manager;
site leaders
example:
preparation
complete Feb
2012; student
training complete
March 2012;
house complete
April 2012
example: one
completed house
Who is responsible
for these tasks?
When will tasks be
completed?
How will you know
your objective has
been met?
Alternative Break Community Partner Contact Information:
Contact Name:
Phone:
Email:
Please return completed work plan form to Shoshanna Sumka (sumka@american.edu), AU’s Alternative Break Program Director
- We look forward to partnering with your organization! -