Alternative Breaks Leader Information & Resources
Do you want to lead an Alternative Break trip?
Becoming a Student Trip Leader:
Thank you for your interest in leading an Alternative Break trip. This page will provide you with the necessary information on the process of becoming an Alt Break leader. We are looking for graduate or undergraduate students who, ideally, have been on a trip in the past. If you have not been able to go on an Alternative Break trip yet, it is still possible to become a leader.
Students become Alternative Break leaders by proposing a trip that partners with a local community organization to address social justice issues in a location of the students’ choice. Because of the amount of responsibility required, most trips are led by two people, though some students do lead trips on their own.
Alternative Breaks not only allow students to engage in social movements and global activism and develop your career skills: they’re also an opportunity to represent AU and its values to the world.
We’re looking for highly skilled, motivated and passionate leaders who can plan and lead a trip that creates a positive learning experience for all involved.
Writing the Proposal/Application:
The first step to becoming a leader is to complete the preliminary application, which is a 1,150 word Request for Proposal (RFP). The proposal is available by meeting and discussing your ideas and qualifications with the Assistant Director of Global Learning & Leadership- set up a meeting as soon as possible!
Which RFP is right for you?
Past Trip: Sustained Community Partnerships RFP or New Trip Request for Proposal (RFP)
If you would like to lead a trip that has successfully happened in the past, you will fill out a Past Trip: Sustained Community Partnerships RFP application. You’ll find a list of host site locations and possible social justice issues on the first page of the application. There are multiple social justice issues listed, indicating that we may have different community partner organizations at the site who work on different issues. Highlight only one social issue and location you would like to lead.
In section one of the preliminary RFP, you will be asked to write a short essay in response to “To Hell with Good Intentions”.
You will be asked to answer the following questions about the article:
1. Please respond to this article. What is your understanding of community service-learning and social justice?
2. What are the benefits of volunteering and community engagement versus the pitfalls and challenges?
3. How does this article relate to the work you propose to do in your partner community?
In section two, you will be asked to describe examples of your leadership skills in the following six areas:
1) Conflict Resolution or dealing with a difficult situation
2) Communication and public speaking
3) Fostering collaboration and delegation of tasks
4) Facilitation, running meetings, guided reflection and team building
5) Project planning, time management, logistics
6) Intercultural competence, experience working with people different from you
And finally, in part three you will be asked which social justice issue you will focus on, what involvement you have had with the issue and your suggestions for changes from the past trip under your leadership.
In order to build and deepen community partnerships, priority will be given to trip proposals working with communities or organizations the Alternative Break program has worked with in the past.
New Trip Request for Proposal:
Sections one and two on understanding social justice beyond volunteerism and leadership skills are the same as above in Past Trip RFP. In the final section for a new trip, you will be asked to write a 500 word essay describing the social justice theme, your relationship with the community partner organizations, and how these organizations link to the social justice issue of the new trip proposal.
In order to create a new trip, proposals to work with new communities or new organizations must be very thorough and demonstrate that you already have a strong relationship with a social justice movement in that region.
New trip proposals will be especially scrutinized for feasibility, sustainability, strong connections to grassroots organizations and leader knowledge of social justice issue and destination.
Full Detailed Proposal:
The Alternative Break Advisory Board will review the RFP’s and if yours meets the criteria, you will be asked to submit a complete proposal. You will have a month to complete the full detailed proposal, so please plan accordingly.
The Full Detailed Proposal will describe all of the details of your trip such as:
- Social justice theme and theoretical background
- Learning outcomes
- Itinerary connected to the social justice theme
- Community partner organizations and proposed work plan
- Detailed budget
- Safety considerations
- Pre-trip training curriculum
- How you will ensure an alcohol free trip
- Ideas for pre and post-trip activism and engagement in the Washington, DC community
Interviews:
After you have submitted the Full Detailed Proposal you will be contacted via email if your proposal will move on to the interview stage. If you are contacted for an interview, it is ideal if you can come in person. If not, phone or Skype interviews are possible.
For the interview, please prepare a five minute summary presentation of your trip proposal. You will then be asked about your individual qualifications and the Advisory Board will ask you any clarifying questions they have about your trip social justice them and the community partners you would be working with.
Required criteria to become a Student Trip Leader:
1. Essential conditions for student trip leaders:
- Participant on an Alternative Break program or comparable travel experience
- Leadership skills
- Dedication to social justice
- Knowledge of area/destination country
- Language ability (if applicable)
- GPA 3.0 is required for all leaders
2. Alternative Break Advisory Board is looking for in a trip:
- Social justice theme articulated
- Social justice theme represented in proposed itinerary and activities
- Proposal well-planned and well-thought out
- Trip is feasible
- Trip is safe
- Students have connections to high quality community partner organizations, individuals or trip service providers
3. Requirements for Staff/Faculty Advisor. Students interview and choose appropriate staff or faculty to accompany their trip:
- Experience in country or region
- Expertise on the issues being addressed
- Experience with Alternative Breaks and service-learning/social justice a plus
- Full-time staff must have "exempt" status
Trip Leader Resources:
To find out everything you need to know about leading a trip, please read the "Guide to Leading an Alternative Break Trip".
Make sure to read the sample proposal and download the budget worksheet on the right hand side of this page.
Additional qualifications we are looking for in Alternative Break Student Trip Leaders:
- Understanding of social justice that goes beyond volunteerism
- Commitment to the 8 Components of Quality Alternative Breaks
- Knowledge & passion for social issues
- Cross-cultural sensitivity
- Self-motivation & organizational skills
- Demonstrated leadership on AU campus
- Ability to lead a group of peers
- Budgeting and monetary skills
- Ability to organize & conduct 8 weekly pre-trip training sessions
- Connections to a solid community organization working in important social movements
- Time to plan, organize and arrange all logistics for trip, including recruitment of participants on campus
- Commitment to attend leader training workshops and weekly advising meetings with Alt Break Coordinator
- Commitment to alcohol free policy of Alternative Breaks
The Center for Community Engagement & Service is committed to diversity in leaders, diverse social & environmental issues and diverse regional destinations.
Cost:
Student trip leaders’ expenses are covered by the participant fee. Faculty and Staff costs are covered by the Center for Community Engagement and Service.
Important Dates:
May 21 RFP Preliminary Application DUE 5:00 pm
June 13 Students contacted if we request full proposal
July 9 Students submit Full Detailed Proposals 5:00 pm
July 9 Summer leaders submit RFP
July 23-25 Students contacted if moving on to interviews
July 23 Summer leaders submit Full Detailed Proposals
July 25- Aug. 1 Week of interviews (in person or Skype)
August 8 Leaders Notified if Trip is Approved
August 21 Recruitment Materials Due
August 24 Leader Orientation
Weekend Leader Retreat: September 16-18 (TBD)
Weekly Advising Meetings: To be determined based on your schedule (Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays between 9:00 am to 5:00pm).
Weekly Leader Trainings: Fridays 5:00- 7:00pm
Office Hours:
The Assistant Director for Global Learning & Leadership office hours are by appointment on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9-5pm.
Please email with your proposed time to come in to the office (MGC 273).
Thanks for taking the first step to becoming an Alternative Break leader and changing the world one trip at a time!
