Site Leader Training Schedule and Job Description
(Please remove and save the last page so that you can mark your calendar if you are selected to be
an Alternative Break site leader)
Primary Responsibilities for Alternative Break Site Leaders Include:
Community Partner/Agency Commuication
 Contact and communicate with your agency to identify service projects and times of service for your group
Trip Logistics
 Identify and secure housing for the group
 Identify transportation at your site (typically either rental cars or public transportation)
 Plan meals for group (and accounting for allergies, vegetarians, etc)
 Plan all “free days” and fun activities
Accountability to SLICE
 Attend and positively contribute to weekly Site Leader meetings dealing with trip planning, budgeting, group
dynamic concerns, agency communication, issue area education and leadership/facilitation skills
 Ensure that all participant forms are turned into the SLICE office in a timely manner
 Ensure that all deposits are made to SLICE in a timely manner
 Manage trip budget, prepayments, and receipts
 Complete all paperwork for trip and turn it into SLICE (risk management plan, itinerary, emergency contact
phone numbers, logistical reviews, etc)
 Return all receipts, money, photos, binders, money belts, first aid kits, site reports, and evaluations to SLICE
post-trip
 Contact SLICE Asst. Director (Jen) upon safe arrival at site, safe return to Fort Collins, and in case of an
emergency
 Collaborate with staff/faculty leaders (some trips only)
Participant Training and Recruitment
 Plan and facilitate weekly group meetings aimed at educating participants in the given issue area, cross-cultural
preparation, logistics planning, promoting self and group reflection, and teambuilding. (NOTE: You do
NOT have to be an expert in your issue area. Your job is to provide your participants with an opportunity to
familiarize themselves with the culture and issue areas surrounding your chosen trip - not to provide all the
information yourself.)
 Work with your co-site leader to establish a positive, inclusive, participatory, safe, culturally sensitive,
supportive group dynamic with your participants and any staff members included on your trip
 Coordinate fundraising opportunities for group
 Recruit at least 8 people (domestic trips) and 14 people (international trips) for your trip, as well as promote
the alternative break program at large
 Conduct all interviews and selecting/notifying all participants
 Facilitate reflection during the trip
 Coordinate service day (pre-trip) and CSUnity for your group (these are optional)
Important Skills Needed for Alternative Break Site Leaders Include:
 Organizational abilities, and the ability to meet deadlines
 Ability to work well with a partner/co-site leader
 Crisis management skills
 Ability to manage stress
 Excellent communication skills
 Facilitation skills (meetings/reflections)
 Ability to create a comfortable/safe/inclusive environment for all participants
“What It Means To Be An Alternative Break Site Leader”
(In site leaders’ own words!)
“Staying calm in the face of a hurricane.”
“A site leader in my perspective is someone who can handle their responsibility and present
themselves in a positive way where the participants can feel included!”
“Of course, site leaders need to have a sense of humor ;)”
“Flexibility is necessary, as well as realizing that everything WILL work out. Expect long hours but
a payback that is beyond words.”
“A site leader is able to read their group members and support them, individually or as a whole,
throughout the week’s process. I'd say their main focus should be keeping the group together and
keep them learning (about the issue, themselves, life, etc...) while on the trip.”
“In other words they're Superman/Superwoman”
“A site leader is able to put his/her personal agenda aside and always do what is best for the group
and the agency. A site leader not only must balance the world’s tightest budget at times but also
balance the duties as a leader and a friend to everyone on the trip. A site leader is not above the
group but rather is the one that unites everyone within the group.”
Alternative Spring Break Site Leader Training Schedule
Training Schedule:
FALL SEMESTER
Wednesday, Sept. 12: Site Leader Kick Off, 5-7 pm
Saturday September 15-Sunday September 16: Site Leader Retreat: Pingree Park
Week of September 17-21 Off
Wednesday, Sept. 26: Site Leader Training, 5-7 pm
Wednesday, October 3: Site Leader Training, 5-7 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 10: Site Leader Training, 5-7 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 16: Alternative Break Info Meeting, 6-7 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 17: Alternative Break Info Meeting, 6-7 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 24: Potluck and Prescreening Participant Applications, 5-7 pm
Week of October 29-2 Interviewing applicants
Wednesday, Nov 7: Site Leader Training, 5-7 pm
Wednesday, Nov: 14: Kick-off Meeting for Alternative Spring Break trips, 5-7 pm
November 19-23: Fall Break: Off from Site Leader School
Wednesday, Nov. 28: 1st Individual Group Meeting, 5-7 pm
Week of December 3-7: 2 on 2s with Jen and Adrienne
Week of December 10-14: Finals Week
SPRING SEMESTER:
Wednesday, Jan. 23: Site Leader Training 5-6/ Individual Group Meeting, 6-7 pm
Wednesday, Jan. 30: Large Group Training, 5-7 pm
Saturday, February 2: Site Leader Retreat, Lory Student Center 9am-5pm
Week of February 4-8 Off
Wednesday, Feb. 13: Individual Group Meetings, 5-7 pm
Wednesday, February 20: Site Leader Training 5-7pm
Wednesday, Feb. 27: Individual Group Meeting, 5-7 pm
Week of March 4-8 Off
Wednesday, March 13: Site Leader Equipment Check Out 5-6pm/Individual Group Meetings, 6-7 pm
Saturday, March 16, 2013-Saturday March 23, 2013: Alternative Spring Break!
Wednesday, March 27: Site Leader Post Trip Potluck/ Dinner 5-7pm
Wednesday, April 3: Individual Group Potlucks, 5-7pm
Wednesday, April 10: Site Leader Wrap up 5-7pm
Wednesday, April 17: End of the year slideshow, 5pm-7pm
Various dates: Fundraising Activities with your group
Various dates: Service Day with your group