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Thank you for your interest in the Alternative Service Breaks program! Through the Center for
Community Outreach and the national service organization Break Away, we connect students with service projects in communities beyond the borders of Lexington and Kentucky. We aim to provide experiences that are educational and cultural, and to promote active citizenship among UK students, faculty, and staff. Our philosophy is that quality community service, particularly service immersion, must involve:
1) strong direct service to address unmet community needs,
2) broad education and deep reflection about social issues facing communities,
3) and exposure to the character and culture of the communities in which we service.
Of course, we cannot accomplish our mission and philosophy without a dedicated team of student leaders – YOU! – who make up our ASB Leadership Team! Our hope is that by providing not only weekend and weeklong service immersions, but also the opportunity to plan and lead these experiences, we can accomplish our goal to build future leaders that are active, conscientious citizens. Our student leaders not only play a critical role in planning and leading weekend and weeklong service immersions for other students, but also in helping them to connect their experience to pre-service education and post-service action.
ASB Site Leaders, of course, are crucial to the success of each service immersion – they are leaders, mentors, facilitators, and role models for their peers. Site Leaders, specifically, are responsible for:
1) working with fellow team members to plan pre-trip meetings, fundraisers, and events,
2) working with fellow site leaders and advisors to plan and lead all aspects of the trips,
3) serving as a resource for questions or concerns or in the case of an emergency,
4) helping to enforce university and program policies and procedures as necessary,
5) assisting site advisors with cash handling and managing finances during the trip,
6) role modeling for students by actively engaging in all aspects of the trip,
7) and connecting trip participants to future opportunities to serve.
Also, without other members of the ASB Leadership Team, the operations and promotions of all of the service trips; meetings, fundraisers, and events for each of the trips, and selection and training of site leaders and advisors would not be possible. In 2012-2013, we hope to offer one weekend service trip per semester, six weeklong Alternative Spring Break trips, one weeklong service trip during the winter break, and a summer service trip. With these plans for expansion, we will of course rely heavy on our ASB Leadership Team to support our growing program.
Whatever your passions or previous experiences, we strongly encourage you to consider serving as an ASB Site Leader or ASB Coordinator for the 2012-2013 school year. Prior involvement in ASB or a similar type of service trip is desired but not required – we simply seek strong, committed leaders with a willingness to grow and learn! Additional information about the roles and responsibilities of each member of the ASB Leadership Team are below. Thank you for applying.
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The ASB Leadership Team is a small team of students who will collectively plan, coordinate, and lead weekend and weeklong service immersions for University of Kentucky students, in partnership with a
The Assistant Director for the Center for Community Outreach in the Office of Student Involvement.
These service trips will include but not be limited to: one weekend service trip per semester, six weeklong Alternative Spring Break trips, one weeklong service trip during the winter break, and one service trip during the summer break. Overall, in addition to the specific responsibilities outlined below, the ASB Leadership Team will collectively work toward achieving the mission and carrying out the philosophy of the Alternative Service Breaks Program. In addition to being a site leader, a student may have an additional leadership role, such as Vice-Director, Leadership Coordinator, Promotions
Coordinator, or Fundraising Coordinator.
Qualifications. All full-time undergraduate students in good standing with the University of
Kentucky and who maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA are eligible to apply. Candidates for the ASB
Leadership Team must be able and willing to commit to their role and responsibilities for a full academic year. Other qualifications of ASB Leadership Team members include:
 An outgoing personality and ability to engage others
 Strong interpersonal communication skills
 Strong group facilitation skills
 A high level of maturity and integrity to lead peers
 A commitment to the purpose and process of service immersions
 An understanding of and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social change work
Prior involvement in ASB or a similar type of service trip is desired but not required – we simply seek strong, committed leaders with a willingness to grow and learn! Generally, ASB Leadership Team members should have a passion for community involvement, previous experience with program development and event planning, a working knowledge of current issues facing our world, the ability to build and maintain relationships with others, the ability to communicate and to problem-solve effectively, and the ability to lead and motivate peers to accomplish a common vision. They should also possess excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, and be able to perform well under pressure in a fast-paced work environment. Most importantly, they should be able to balance the interests of UK students with the needs of our local, national, and global communities, bearing in mind that both student learning and community development are our goals.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a working knowledge of involvement opportunities at the University of Kentucky, those with demonstrated involvement at the University of
Kentucky and in the local community, and those with experience with program planning and implementation, specifically with ASB or a similar type of service trip.
Benefits. In addition to the benefits all student volunteers can expect from their service experience, members of the ASB Leadership Team can expect to:
 Learn basic knowledge about planning and leading successful service immersions
 Develop leadership skills such as communication, facilitation, and crisis management
 Gain a strong sense of identity and self, and develop in their leadership style
Additionally, ASB Site Leaders will receive a 50% refund for the cost of their service trip upon successfully fulfilling their responsibilities as a site leader (generally, at the end of the semester).
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General Responsibilities. As mentioned, each member of the ASB Leadership Team will be responsible for working to achieve the mission and carrying out the philosophy of the Alternative
Service Breaks Program. ASB Leadership Team members will be required to commit to serve in their role for a full academic year – May 1, 2012 through May 1, 2013 – including some preparatory work during the summer and ensuring a successful transition to the next year’s team. Regardless of title, all members of the ASB Leadership Team will:
 Commit to their role and responsibilities for a full academic year (May 1, 2012–May 1, 2013)
 Actively participate in weekly ASB Leadership Team meetings throughout the year
 Give advanced notice if unable to attend meetings - no more than 2 unexcused absences per semester
 Actively participate in a Fall and a Spring Semester ASB Leadership Retreat
 Actively participate in and help plan two PREconnects, one Service Event, one Reconnect, and all
Fundraisers
 Save all documents electronically on the shared drive and in hard copy in a binder
 Complete and return a transition report and binder to their successor at the end of the year
 Complete 2 regularly scheduled office hours per week in the CCO
 Respond to ASB-related emails and phone calls within two business days
 Be respectful of office space by limiting computer use to CCO work and keeping desks clean
 Be respectful of all opinions, ideas, and concerns of others on ASB Leadership Team
 Be professional in their demeanor while representing the ASB Program or the CCO
 Be proactive by planning in advance and anticipating obstacles that may occur
 Maintain good time management and organization throughout the year
 Maintain open and ongoing communication with leadership team, professional advisors, etc.
Site Leaders. The ASB Site Leaders assigned to each weekend or weeklong service immersion will be primarily responsible for planning and leading that service trip. Collectively, they will:
 Actively participate in bi-weekly training and development sessions (Site Leaders ONLY)
 Hold regular meetings with their ASB Site Advisors to keep them informed and involved
 Work with fellow team members to plan pre-trip meetings, fundraisers, and events
 Work with their co-site leader to plan and lead all aspects of their assigned trip, including: o Researching and building a working knowledge about their trip location and issue o Serving as an active liaison to the volunteer coordinator at their host site o Serving as the primary point of contact for participants on their trip o Assisting with coordinating logistics of their trip (e.g. transportation, lodging, food) o Coordinating a trip itinerary including service projects, group discussions, etc. o Coordinating educational programs and cultural excursions relevant to their trip o Assisting with developing marketing materials and recruiting participants o Assisting with developing all print materials for distribution to participants
(e.g. participant packet, discussion outline, etc.)
 Serve as a resource and role model while on their assigned trip, including: o Serving as a resource for questions or concerns or in the case of an emergency o Helping to enforce university and program policies and procedures as necessary o Assisting site advisors with cash handling and managing finances during the trip o Role modeling for students by actively engaging in all aspects of the trip
 Work will fellow team members to plan a post-trip reunion
 Connect trip participants to future opportunities to serve
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 Be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
 Complete this application to the best of your ability
 Submit your application by Thursday, September 13 at 5pm
 Participate in an interview September 17-21, if invited to interview with us
 Attend a mandatory New Leadership Welcome. Date: Thursday, September 27th
 Attend weekly meetings on Thursday nights from 7-8:30 pm
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Basic Information
Name: ________________________________________ Student I.D. # _______________________
Local Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Permanent Address: _________________________________________________________________
Phone #_______________________________________ Email: ______________________________
Date of Birth: ____________ Gender: _______________ Major: _____________________________
Year: FR SO JR SR GRAD T-shirt size: SM MED LG XL XXL
Preference of Position
Number based upon your preferences, ONLY mark positions you are interested in.
______
______
______
Site Leader (Weekend)
Site Leader (Weeklong Spring Break)
1 being most preferred; 2 being least preferred
Site Leader (Two-Week Summer Break)
Preference of Location
Number based upon your preferences, ONLY mark the locations you are interested in.
______
______
Domestic
International
1 being most preferred; 2 being least preferred
Preference of Issue
If you are interested in serving as a site leader, number based upon your preferences, ONLY makr issues you are passionate about.
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Social Justice
Public Health
Urban Poverty
Rural Poverty
Hunger/Homelessness
Children/Education
Disaster Relief
Refugee Resettlement
1 being most preferred; 8 being least preferred
Are you willing to accept any position if we are unable to accommodate you for your first choice?
______ Yes ______ No
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ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER…
Previous Involvement
List your previous involvement with ASB or a related type of program, including level of involvement.
List your overall involvement in student organizations or at UK, including time commitments for this upcoming year 2012-2013. NOTE: You may instead attach a copy of your resume if you choose.
Essay Questions
Please attach your typed responses to the following four questions on a separate piece of paper and attach to your application. Responses to each of the four questions should be no longer than 1-2 paragraphs each. This is our way of getting to know you, so feel free to express yourself!
1.
What experiences, attributes, etc. most qualify you for the position(s) you are seeking? Please include any language skills or special trainings/certifications.
2.
What do you hope to gain from assuming a position on the ASB Leadership Team?
3.
Who is a living leader who you feel embodies “social change,” and why?
References
Please provide the name, title, relationship, and contact information for two references who can best speak to your ability to fulfill the position(s) you are seeking. If you have previous experience with
ASB, please list your site leader as one of your two references.
Name: ________________________________ Title: ______________________________________
Relationship: _______________________________________________________________________
Contact Information: _________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________ Title: ______________________________________
Relationship: _______________________________________________________________________
Contact Information: _________________________________________________________________
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In order to ensure that our Alternative Breaks service trips remain successful and safe, we REQUIRE that all UK students, faculty, and staff who volunteer for our service trips understand and abide by the following policies and contracts:
Payment Plan Policy
The Center for Community Outreach operates strictly as a not-for-profit coordinator of Alternative Breaks service trips; students are expected to pay the full cost of their service trip and these funds are then distributed to vendors. Thus, it is imperative that participants adhere to the payment plan outlined for their specific service trip. For spring break service trips, a non-refundable deposit fee is due with your application in the fall ($75/domestic, $150/international). This will cover all the costs of your trip (including transportation, lodging, meals, activities, materials, and a t-shirt). If you have interest in an international trip as well as a domestic trip please pay the $150 deposit fee. If you do not receive a spot on an international trip the remaining portion of your deposit fee will be applied to your domestic trip. If you can no longer attend your trip for ANY reason you will be expected to notify Alternative Breaks immediately. Your fees will be refunded ONLY if a replacement can be identified for you, minus your nonrefundable deposit fee and any airline fees
(international trips only). See also attached “Payment Plan and Methods.” By signing, I agree to adhere to the payment
plan outlined for my service trip, and to pay the full cost of my service trip according to the terms outlined above.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
As a UK sponsored program, all Alternative Break program participants are bound by the UK Code of Student Conduct for the duration of the program. Specifically, the Alternative Break program maintains a strict alcohol and drug free policy aligned with its mission and values. This policy was put in place to: 1) ensure the safety of all trip participants, 2) maintain focus on the primary purpose of the trip – service, 3) maintain group cohesion among participants who are diverse in age, and 3) ensure that a group’s presence in the community does no harm. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in my immediate expulsion from the program at my own expense, as well as other legal ramifications and/or disciplinary sanctions through the Dean of Students Office. By signing, I agree to abstain from using alcohol and other drugs for the duration of my service trip. I also understand the possible consequences for my actions should I break this
policy.
Full Value Contract
The Alternative Breaks program aims to provide experiences that are educational and cultural, as well as to promote active citizenship among UK students, faculty, and staff. As such, it is imperative that participants engage fully in all aspects of their service trip, and not come late or leave early from the service trip. Being an Alternative Breaks participant requires time, energy, and commitment, including meeting requirements before, during, and after the service trip. This may include, but is not limited to PREconnects (orientation, education, and training sessions),
REconnects (reorientation meetings or reunion events), service projects, fundraising events, or other gatherings as determined by service trip site leaders. By signing, I agree to invest the time, energy, and commitment required by the
Alternative Breaks program, in order to ensure that I and others gain value from this experience to the fullest extent possible.
Diversity and Inclusion Contract
The University of Kentucky is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all programs, events, and services, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Likewise, the
Alternative Breaks program seeks participants representing the diversity of students present at UK, and will engage participants in discussion about issues of diversity and social justice as relevant to each service trip. By signing, I agree to support UK’s commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination by contributing to a climate of mutual understanding and respect. I also agree to actively participate in and contribute to discussions about diversity and social
justice as relevant to my service trip.
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Disclaimer and Signature
I hereby confirm that I have read this application packet in its entirety, and that I will commit to the role and responsibilities of my position if selected, as per the information reviewed in this application packet. If selected for a position, I will commit to my role and responsibilities for a full academic year (May 1, 2012 – May 1, 2013).
I certify that the above information is true to the best of my knowledge, and I authorize the Center for Community Outreach to verify my enrollment and grades. I also authorize the Center for Community Outreach to contact my references who will attest to my leadership skills and experiences.
___________________________________
Signature
___________________________________
Date
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