A MERICAN U NIVERSITY
A LTERNATIVE B REAKS
H OW TO B ECOME A
P ROGRAM L EADER
March 2016
W HAT IS AN A LTERNATIVE BREAK ?
O UR V ISION

AND
M ISSION
Alternative Breaks are student-led
service-learning programs that
promote student leadership, quality,
ethical volunteering and social justice
by cultivating a society of active
citizens with the tools, resources and
experience to be effective leaders and
allies in their local and global
communities
A CTIVE C ITIZEN
BREAK AWAY’S 8 COMPONENTS
OF A QUALITY ALTERNATIVE
BREAK PROGRAM

1. Strong Direct Service

2. Orientation

3. Education

4. Training

5. Reflection

6. Reorientation

7. Diversity & Social Justice

8. Alcohol and Other Drug Free
P ROGRAM P ROPOSAL
T IMELINE :
Program
Idea
Recruitment
& Program
Planning
Interviews
Request for
Proposal
Full Proposal
W HAT IS S OCIAL J USTICE ?
S OCIAL J USTICE &
A LT B REAKS @ AU:

Emphasize self-awareness through a critical debriefing and
analytical process before, during, and after the programs

Programs address structural systems of inequality, injustice,
oppression, and marginalization.

Encourage participants to examine their own privilege while
also recognizing their own personal role in the larger issues at
hand.

Not to be paternalistic, nor to impose personal views or
perceptions; but rather to engage in open dialogue.

Learn through listening and observing by living within the local
communities.
W HICH
SOCIAL ISSUES CAN WE
ADDRESS IN AN
A LTERNATIVE
B REAK ?
Successful past programs have highlighted the plight of people
resisting oppression, while expressing solidarity with grassroots
initiatives.

Indigenous rights to land

Women’s rights and agency in development

Immigrant and refugee rights

Urbanization and housing rights

HIV/AIDS

Minority rights

International Financial Institution policies (IMF/World Bank)

Environmental justice

Labor and trade
P ROGRAM L EADER E SSENTIAL
Q UALIFICATIONS :

Participant on an Alternative Break program or
comparable travel experience

Knowledge of area/destination country

Language ability (if applicable)

Committed to (learning about) social justice &
the social-justice approach to volunteering

Strong leadership skills

GPA 3.0

Lots and lots of time!
LEADERSHIP SKILLS DEFINED
1.
Conflict Resolution Skills
2.
Communication, fostering collaboration,
delegating tasks
3.
Facilitation, running meetings, guided
reflection and team building
4.
Project planning, time management,
logistics
5.
Intercultural competence, experience
working with people different from you
R OLE
OF
C O -L EADERS

Complete program proposal

Attend biweekly cohort trainings

Recruitment of participants

Hold 8 weekly orientation trainings with
participants

Plan on-the-ground engagement with community
partner

Hold reorientation + activism trainings after
engagement

Help to plan Active Citizen Day
P ROGRAM A PPROVAL
C RITERIA

Social justice theme articulated

Social justice theme represented in all activities

Strong direct service component

Returning to build community partnerships

Proposal well-planned and well-thought out

Program is feasible and safe

Students/staff have connections to high quality local
organizations, individuals or program service
providers

New program proposals will be especially scrutinized
C OMMUNITY PARTNER
O RGANIZATIONS

The key to all Alternative Breaks

Mutually beneficial relationship between AU and
community organizations

Build relationships from the start

Community Partner Agreement – sets
expectations from the beginning

(download from Alt Break Leader Resources)
K EY C OMPONENTS FOR Q UALITY
S ITE D ESTINATION

Community Interaction

Education

Housing

Meaningful service work

Supervision/contacts

Social justice theme/issue

Location

Affordability
TIPS FOR CREATING A
PROGRAM BUDGET








Brainstorm a list of all anticipated costs for your program.
 RFP application provides a general list of costs.
Do your research!
Use the following resources:
 Aim for $5/day food budget
 Kayak.com, Airline websites (search your travel dates)
 Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide, Moon Travel Guide
 Host country’s tourism website
 Your Community Partners are your best resource!
Consider the financial feasibility for participants. Are there any
areas where you can save money?
Program Leader Subsidy (100% domestic, 75% international)
Download Alt Break Budget Worksheet (Excel)
Budget must be planned well in advance – before program is
advertised
Build in a cushion for the unexpected!
STAFF/FACULTY ADVISOR
STUDENTS SELECT APPROPRIATE STAFF OR
FACULTY TO ACCOMPANY Program

Expertise on the issues being addressed

Experience in country or region

Experience with Alternative Breaks and servicelearning/social justice

Supportive of student-leadership

Language ability (if applicable)

Full time/exempt employee
P OWERFUL P ROGRAM T ITLES

Seeing Beyond the Screen: Preserving Nature for the Future
- Wartburg College

Voices of Resistance: The Fight for Workers' Rights Gettysburg College

Reclaiming Identities: The Fight Against Human Trafficking
and Domestic Violence - Rice University

The High Price of Cheap Food- Healthy Living - Hillel at
University of Maryland

Dreams Deferred: Injustice in Urban Education

The Refugee Voice: African Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Factory Farming: The Rights and Welfare of Farm Animals Xavier University
L EADER R ESOURCES

“Program Leader Info”
http://www.american.edu/altbreak

Click on Quick Links:

Leader proposal

Sample Leader Proposal

Budget Worksheet (Excel)

Community Partner Agreement

“Guide to Planning an Alternative Break Trip”

RFP apply on EngageNet: Each Student Fills it out

Email altbreak@american.edu to request FULL PROPOSAL
FORMAT (Word Doc.)
T IMELINE
Interview:
May 9-13
Recruitment
& Program
Planning:
summer/fall
2016
Summer
programs
July 11-15
Program
Idea
Request for
Proposal:
Due April 15
Summer
programs
Due June 24
Full Proposal:
Due June 17
Summer
programs
Due
August 12
I MPORTANT D ATES
2016-2017
( SUBJEC T
TO C HANGE )

April 15 Winter & Spring Request for Proposal (RFP)
application DUE by 5:00 pm

May 9-13 Winter & Spring Interviews (in person or Skype)

June 17 Winter & Spring Full Proposals DUE by 5:00 pm

June 24 Summer RFPs DUE by 5:00 pm

July 11-15 Summer Interviews (in person or Skype)

August 12 Summer Full Proposal DUE by 5:00 pm

August 20-28 (TBD) All Leader Orientation & FSE Leaders –
On Campus (Required)
Q UESTIONS ?
THANK YOU!
COME VISIT US IN MGC 264 across the hall from the
Center for Community Engagement and Service
Christine Gettings, ALTERNATIVE BREAKS DIRECTOR
gettings@american.edu 202-885-2684
Marieka Walsh, ALTERNATIVE BREAKS GRAD ASSISTANT
altbreak@american.edu
Tatiana & Kim, ALTERNATIVE BREAKS STUDENT COORDINATORS
auabstudentcoordinators@gmail.com