Alternative Break Program >> Want to Lead a Trip?

Expectations

As a site leader, you will be an ambassador for the Alternative Break program and are expected to help us communicate the mission and goals of the program to students and community members. Alternative Spring Break is a weeklong group traveling, community living, alcohol and drug free, service experience. Alternative Breaks partners JMU students with communities in need around the world to improve the quality of life, understanding, and learning for all involved. Students who participate in this program cultivate social responsibility, leadership, and life-long learning; thereby fostering a generation of leaders committed to positive social change.

Being a Trip Leader (student leadership role)

Being a site leader gives you the opportunity to be involved in the Alternative Break program at a new and exciting level. Your efforts will make a positive difference in the lives of JMU students and the community you serve. All trips are led by two student co-leaders to balance out the work, generate more ideas and support each other. You and your co-leader will be responsible for developing the logistics of your trip, developing a strong team building for your trip team and pre and post educational meetings. By attending the site leader weekly training meetings, you will learn how to create an amazing alternative break experience for you and your group members. The different roles and characteristics of a great site leader are:

• Motivator - Passionate about service and the experience
• Coordinator - Organized, task-oriented
• Teacher - Supportive challenging, patient, dynamic
• Learner - Open-minded, critical thinking, reasoning skills
• Crisis Manager - Adaptable, flexible
• Counselor - Dependable, approachable, intuitive

Do not let these responsibilities overwhelm you as we have created training sessions for confirmed trip leaders to help explain these concepts.

Being Faculty/Staff Learning Partner

• Add educational value to the trip by using the "teachable moments" of the trip.
• Being a "mature influence" to encourage students to make wise decisions.
• Act as a resource for site leaders by providing advice and/or support.
• Serve as the legal representative of JMU for the trip in case of accident or emergency.

Criteria for Selecting Trips/Trip Leaders

Leaders:

• Meet all deadlines
• Possess organizational skills

Proposed Trips:

• Meet agency needs
• Provide a balance among social issues (We wouldn't want 10 trips focusing on the same social issue)

Timetable for Selection:

• Click here for the 2008-2009 Timeline to learn about information sessions, event dates, and deadlines.