Service Learning Project Proposal
(Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by email to leadershipberks@alvernia.edu no later
than 5pm, July 30, 2015). Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Final projects selected
will be announced after August 15th.
Applicant Information
Organization Name:
Project Name:
Project Representative/
Executive Director/CEO
For Office Use Only:
Application Rec’d:
Last
First
Address:
Street Address
Office Phone
City
State
Alt. Phone:
Mission Statement:
ZIP Code
E-mail:
Project Resources
The following financial resources will be available to the team to support the project: $
The following staff support (in hours) will be available to the team for the project:
In addition to the Executive Director, the following staff members will be available to the team for meetings,
decision making and to assist with guidance as needed during the project:
First
Last
Phone
Email
First
Last
Phone
Email
Title
Title
Board Members
Below, type your current Board Members and their affiliations/employers.
Past Projects
If your organization benefitted from a project in the past, please type the names here.
Place an “x” here
Project Criteria
to indicate that you have read and understand the following criteria as required key elements of
project proposals. Projects must:

Provide a hand-on, experiential, team-oriented, learning opportunity

Foster community engagement

Allow structured learning and reflection

Provide application of skills and experiences

Broaden knowledge and experience regarding community needs

Allow team members to apply leadership abilities and empower opportunities for their personal and professional
growth

Provide professionals enrolled in the program the opportunity to leverage their skills and experience and apply
concepts learned in classroom to address the project

Allow for guidance from the benefitting organization and allow the project to reflect the efforts of the class team

Recognize that while Leadership Berks does not currently charge a fee for this service, the executive director and
board are required to work on the content of the proposal and have a role in the project meetings during the project
timeframe to ensure a successful experience for team members and the benefitting organization

Recognize that Leadership Berks ultimately assigns class members to teams to ensure each project has an equal
number of participants and person power to address the project’s needs

Allow monitoring for progress and troubleshooting by a Leadership Berks Volunteer Project Coordinator who will
serve as the agency’s main point of contact.

Allow the Director of Leadership Berks to intervene if necessary to keep projects on track

Allow teams/Leadership Berks to divert the project from the original request of necessary to allow projects to be
completed during the program cycle
Place an “x” here
to indicate that you have read and understand that the following critical questions should be
addressed within the project description/proposal.
Projects must:

How will your project build your organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission?

How will the community benefit from this project?

How will it benefit your organization?

Are you seeking assistance that will allow teams to make recommendations for your organization’s
implementation?

Are you submitting a request whereby you expect the team to implement the project? (If so, deadline for the project
must be before April 15th.)

Are there other pertinent deadlines that could impact the project or the team’s experience?

Are there important circumstances or direct or indirect challenges that could impact the project?

What is the expected outcome of project and how it will be measured?

Any other relevant information you would like to share about the project?
Project Description
In the space that follows, please type a detailed summary of the project.
The following categories are provided courtesy of the United Way of Berks County. Please place an “x”
next to all that apply to your organization’s mission and the constituents you serve:
Infants / Preschoolers (0-4)
Children (5-12)
Adolescent (13-17)
Young Adults (18-25)
Older Adults (55+)
Older Adults (55+)
Abused / Battered
Disabled / Ill
Disaster Victims
Families / Parents
Homeless
Law Offenders
Literacy
Low-income/ Poverty
Men
Military
Minorities
Nursing Homes
Religious Groups
Recreation
Rural
Students
Urban
Teen Pregnancy
Transportation
Women
Sexual Assault
Greater Reading & Berks County Perspective
In 200 words or less, please describe a significant problem or challenge you see facing Greater
Reading and Berks County now and in the next 10 years that your organization addresses through its
mission.
Project Selection Information
Please place an “x” here
if you understand and agree to the following terms.
If your proposal is among the 4-6 final projects selected, the following requirements must be met.






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The CEO/executive director, board member or assigned project leader must develop the content of the project proposal and
commit to being available to work with the class team during the project.
The CEO/executive director, board member or assigned project leader must make a 10 minute oral/visual presentation to the
Class at their Opening Retreat at South Mountain YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser on Thursday, September 17, 2015 (more
details on the retreat presentation will be provided only if your project is selected).
The CEO/executive director, board member or assigned project leader must attend the initial joint meeting with the class team
(sometime in October 2015) and be available as needed over the course of the project.
The benefitting organization will allow the team to redirect or refocus a project if they deem necessary.
The CEO/executive director, board member or assigned project leader must attend the team’s project presentations scheduled
from 9-11am, Thursday, May 5, 2016.
Your organization must prominently recognize Leadership Berks and Alvernia University and the project team on all
publications, materials, invitations, websites, press releases, articles, or verbally through any presentations or public remarks
associated with the project in any way.
Your organization is expected to attend the Leadership Berks' Graduation and Awards Ceremony on June 9, 2016.
NOTE: If your project is selected, Leadership Berks will determine the composition of each class team giving consideration to skills,
interests, and backgrounds of students as well as the needs of the project as proposed.
Photo Release
I,
give the Leadership Berks Program and Alvernia University absolute right and permission to use photographs and
videos of me, representatives or clients of our organization
in its promotional materials and publicity efforts. I
understand that the photographs or videos may be used in publications, print ads, direct-mail pieces, electronic media
(e.g. video, CD-M, internet/WWW), or other forms of marketing and promotions. I release Leadership Berks, Alvernia
University, any photographer/videographer, their offices, employees, agents, and designees from liability for any violations
of any personal or proprietary right I may have in connection with such use.
By signing below, I agree to the criteria and requirements of Leadership Berks’ Service Learning Project. If selected, I
will comply with all requirements, meeting requests and communications in a timely manner to support the learning
needs of the team and to meet the project’s goals and objectives.
Name
Title
Date
(Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by email to leadershipberks@alvernia.edu no later
than 5pm, July 30, 2015). Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Final projects selected
will be announced after August 15th.