COMMUNITY SERVICE-LEARNING
2017-2018 Alternative Spring Break & Alternative January Break
New Leader Application
Dear Returning Alternative Break Leader Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in leading another weeklong Alternative Break! The Alternative Break Program (ABP) at JMU both produces inspiring student leaders and relies upon outstanding student leadership. This letter aims to explain the application process for potential returning Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and Alternative January Break (AJB) leaders and to outline returning leaders’ responsibilities.
As a break leader, you would be an ambassador for the Alternative Break Program and would be expected to help communicate the mission and goals of the program to students and community members. Returning break leaders will not be required to attend all weekly training sessions next year. We anticipate that you would need to attend roughly half of the sessions and will provide a list of required dates by the first class. In exchange for this reduced time commitment in class, we would ask you to commit 1-2 hours/week to supporting a small group of first-time break leaders in all aspects of their break planning. This support could range from providing feedback on draft budgets and logistics forms, to helping new leaders plan menus and reflection, to data entry, and will likely involve signing up for a regular shift in the CS-L office. Returning leaders will still be expected to attend retreats, info sessions and lotteries. Please see the list of dates below, and identify any potential conflicts when completing your application.
As you know, leading a weeklong Alternative Break is demanding and requires a huge time commitment, intentional planning, and a strong commitment to team-building. Leaders are selected based on demonstrated skills, relevant experience, familiarity with each break’s social justice issue, and leadership potential. While we are open to receiving applications from two students interested in co-leading a break, all applications are considered individually, and co-leader pairings are not guaranteed. Please note that we expect to only pair returning break leaders with other returners. We strive both to maintain long-term partnerships with agencies and also to develop new partnerships. If you are interested in proposing a new site, there is a new site proposal, available on the ABP website, that must be submitted with your application.
Please complete the application and return it by NOON, March 29th, 2017 to . Only electronic applications are accepted. Please put time and thought into each answer. If you have questions regarding the Alternative Break Program or this application, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks for your interest and we look forward to working with you!
Sincerely,
The ABP Team
Mark Your Calendar Now:
Please note any conflicts with these required events on the following page:
Alternative January Break / Alternative Spring Break· 1st Training Session: April 30, 2017, 6-8 p.m., SSC 2107
· Training Sessions: Fridays from 2:30-4:30pm in the EPIC Center (4th floor SSC). Dates of sessions required for returning leaders will be announced at the first class of the semester.
· ABP Publicity Events: Participate in a minimum of 2 ABP publicity events (e.g., commons days). Dates/Times TBD
· Fall Leader Retreat: Friday (not before 3pm) through Sunday (no later than 2pm), September 15-17, 2017
· AJB Info Session: September 19, 2017, 4:30-6 p.m., Union 304
· AJB Lottery: September 27, 2017, 7:30-10 p.m., Highlands
· AJB Community Meeting and Letter Writing (Fundraising): October 11, 2017, 7:30-10 p.m., Allegheny
· AJB Retreat: November 5, 2017, Time and location TBD
· Alternative January Break: January 2, 2018-January 6, 2018
· AJB Community Celebration: January 10, 2018, 6:30-8:30 p.m., SSC 1075 / · ASB International Interviews: April 3-7, 2017
· 1st Training Session: April 30, 2017, 6-8 p.m., SSC 2107
· Training Sessions: Mondays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the EPIC Center (4th floor SSC). ASB leaders must be available at this time during both the fall and spring semesters. Dates of sessions required for returning leaders will be announced at the first class of the semester.
· ASB International Training: An additional training session for International Break leaders. Date/Time TBD based on leaders’ availability.
· Camping Skills Training: An additional training session for camping break leaders. Date/Time TBD based on leaders’ availability.
· ABP Publicity Events: Participate in a minimum of 2 ABP publicity events (e.g., commons days). Dates/Times TBD
· Fall Leader Retreat: Friday (not before 3pm) through Sunday (no later than 2pm), September 15-17, 2017
· ASB Information Session: October 18, 2017, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Highlands
· ASB Flying Lottery Night: October 26, 2017, 7:30-11 p.m., Festival Ballroom (Attendance required for all ASB Leaders)
· ASB Driving Lottery Night: November 2, 2017, 7:30-11 p.m., Festival Ballroom (Attendance required for all ASB Leaders)
· ASB Letter Writing (Fundraising) Party: November 7, 2017, 7:30-10 p.m., Festival Ballroom
· ASB Spring Retreat: January 15, 2018, All day, Festival Ballroom
· Alternative Spring Break: March 2-March 11, 2018
· ASB Community Celebration: March 26, 2018, 7:30-10 p.m., Festival Ballroom
Which positions are you applying for?
☐International Alternative Spring Break Leader / ☐Alternative January Break Leader☐Domestic Alternative Spring Break Leader
If applying to more than one position, please rank position(s) in order of preference and let us know if you are interested in leading both an ASB and an AJB: Click here to enter text.
Name: / Click here to enter text. / JAC # / Click here to enter text.Summer Address: / Click here to enter text.
E-mail: / Click here to enter text. Cell: Click here to enter text.
Current Academic Level: / Click here to enter text. / Expected Graduation Date: / Click here to enter text.
Major: / Click here to enter text. / Minor: / Click here to enter text.
Current GPA: / Click here to enter text. / Language proficiencies: / Click here to enter text.
I will be a full-time student for both fall and spring semesters ☐Yes ☐No (explain)Click here to enter text.
I will commit to spending 2 hours/week supporting a small group
of first-time break leaders ☐Yes ☐No (explain)Click here to enter text.
I have carefully examined the dates and times listed on the
previous page and have listed all conflicts below ☐Yes ☐No (explain)Click here to enter text.
I have the following conflicts with the dates and times listed on the previous page:
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We will likely work with the following agencies. Please review past break descriptions and/or conduct web searches to prepare a list of preferences (to negotiate with your co-leader once you’ve been selected and paired). Confirmation of all agency commitments is anticipated by late April 2017. We expect our international leaders to have had previous AB experience as a participant or break leader or international travel experience here at JMU.
Potential International Agency Partners:
Environment / Community Wellness / Health / YouthASTOP (Asociacion Salvemous Las Tortugas de Parismina)
Parismina, Costa Rica
Casa Nica
Masaya, Nicaragua / Costa Rican Adventures
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Mayan Power and Light
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Village Mountain Mission
Luperon, Dominican Republic / CUMI (Commitee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill)
Montego Bay, Jamaica / Espaanglisch
Trujillo, Peru
VIJON (Volunteer in Jamaica Opportunity Network)
Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Please note that, because New Year’s Day falls on a Monday in 2018, January Breaks will likely be limited to locations within a 10-hour drive. Potential January Break agency partners are indicated with an asterisk below.
Potential Domestic Agency Partners:
Flying / Driving / DrivingAIDS Project LA (APLA) & Being Alive
Focus: Health-HIV/AIDS
Los Angeles, CA
Arches National Park
Focus: Environment
Moab,Utah
Catholic Charities
Focus: Community Wellness – Refugee Resettlement
Phoenix, AZ
Cherokee Nation Head Start
Focus: Youth
Talequah, OK
Denver Rescue Mission
Focus: Homelessness
Denver, CO
Harvest Farm
Focus: Health
Wellington, CO
Joshua Tree National Park
Focus: Environment
Twentynine Palms, CA
La Union De Pueblo Entero (LUPE)
Focus: Community Wellness-Immigration
McAllen, TX
Spanish proficiency required
Redwoods National Park
Focus: Environment
Orick, CA
Rescue Houston/United Against Human Trafficking
Focus: Community Wellness-Human Trafficking
Houston, TX / Catholic Charities*
Focus: Community Wellness-Refugee Resettlement
Louisville, KY
Democracy Prep Elementary School
Focus: Youth
Baton Rouge, LA
Dismas House*
Focus: Community Wellness-Reintegration
South Bend, IN
East Coast Migrant Head Start
Focus: Youth
Lakeland, FL
Everglades Outpost
Focus: Animal Welfare & Environment
Homestead, FL
Fuller Center*
Focus: Community Wellness-Rebuilding
Macon, GA
Heart of Florida United Way
Focus: Homelessness
Orlando, FL
Heartland Health Outreach
Focus: Health-HIV/AIDS
Chicago, IL
LifeSpan*
Focus: Health-Developmental
Disabilities
Charlotte, NC
Lower Nine
Focus: Community Wellness-Rebuilding
New Orleans, LA / Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue (MABCR) *
Focus: Community Wellness-Animal Welfare
Chestertown, MD
Mystery Break
Focus: TBD
Location: TBD
Nature’s Conservancy
Focus: Environment
Bristol, FL
New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV) *
Focus: Homelessness
Boston, MA
Project Lazarus
Focus: Health-HIV/AIDS
New Orleans, LA
St. Joseph Bay
Focus: Environment
Port St. Joe, FL
Sheffield Place
Focus: Homelessness & Youth
Kansas City, MOTravel Availability: ☐Driving Only ☐Domestic Driving or Flying ☐International
Camping Availability: ☐Yes, and I have experience ☐Yes, and I don’t have experience ☐No
Please list the year, break type, community partner and location (e.g., 2017, Alternative Weekend Break, The ARC, Maryland) for each Alternative Break for which you were a leader: Click here to enter text.
Please list the year, break type, community partner and location (e.g., 2017, ASB, CUMI, Jamaica) for each Alternative Break for which you were a participant: Click here to enter text.
Agency/Site Preferences
This section of the application is designed to help us understand where your passion lies. If you are selected as a leader, your responses here may be used when the selection team is assigning you to a co-leader and/or agency. Visit the Alternative Break Website and agency websites before completing.
Preferred social issue focus (please number 1 [highest] – 5 [lowest]):
Community Wellness - Choose an item. Environment - Choose an item. Health- Choose an item.
Homelessness - Choose an item. Youth - Choose an item.
Please, list your top three agency choices. If your number one choice is a new site, you must complete the “New Break Proposal” form and submit it with your application.
Preferred break agencies (i.e. Arches, LUPE, etc)
1. Click here to enter text.
2. Click here to enter text.
3. Click here to enter text.
Suggested Co-Leader*: Click here to enter text.
Relation to suggested co-leader (roommate, significant other, friend, etc): Click here to enter text.
* While we will consider your preferences and suggestions, this does not guarantee your co-leader, learning partner, or agency.
Please type answers to all questions. Be thorough, thoughtful and creative!
1. What was the most successful aspect of the last weeklong break you led? What was responsible for that success?
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2. What would you do differently if you were to lead that break again? Why?
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3. What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced while leading an Alternative Break? How did you handle that challenge?
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4. How are you hoping to grow through leading another weeklong break?
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5. What are some of your strengths, and how will they help you to support a small group of first time break leaders?
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6. Because one of your responsibilities as a leader is educating your group about the community in which you will be working:
a. What broad issue/theme would you prefer as the primary focus of your break? How does this social issue impact the community? How does it impact you?
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b. How do you plan to educate yourself and the participants of your break on this issue?
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International Applicants ONLY:
List international living/travel experience (Please check all that apply)
☐ Semester abroad Location/dates: Click here to enter text.
☐ Year or more living abroad Your age/location: Click here to enter text.
☐ Family has lived abroad Your age/location/length of time: Click here to enter text.
☐ Traveling with friends or family Your age/location/length of time: Click here to enter text.
1. What made you decide that you wanted to lead an International Alternative Spring Break?
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2. If you are unable to lead an international break will you plan on leading a domestic break? (Why? Why not?)
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3. Because one of your responsibilities as a leader is educating your group about the country and community in which you will be working:
a. Tell us what makes you are passionate about your top choice agency. What interests you in going to this country/community?
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b. If you are not assigned to your top choice agency, what broad issue/theme would you prefer as the primary focus of your break? What makes this important?
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c. How will you prepare yourself and the other break participants to understand the context of the country/community and the issue focus of your break?
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4. Why is it important that JMU offer International Alternative Breaks?
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All Applicants:
You know that planning an Alternative Break demands 5-10 hours of work each week. As a returning leader, you would also be dedicating 2 hours/week to supporting a small group of first time break leaders. All leaders must have realistic plans for managing their time and balancing their Alternative Break role with other commitments such as coursework, employment, and extra-curricular obligations.
1. What are some of your other commitments for the upcoming year?
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a. How do you plan to balance leading an ASB and your commitments?
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b. Give some examples of how you have successfully balanced numerous commitments in the past.
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Identification Information:
Please provide one photograph (head shot) to help our review committee more easily identify you during both the interview and review processes.