NH ASB Best Practices
Alternative Break Survey Summary
In the Fall of 2009, New Hampshire Community Service Directors expressed an interest in learning about Alternative Break programs across the state. A survey requesting information about Alternative Break program structure, student leadership, fundraising, trip logistics, reflection, and best practices was distributed to Community Service Directors and Alternative Break coordinators. Twelve New Hampshire schools completed the survey. A summary of trends found in the results is listed below.
Program Design
Student Leadership
Funding
Logistics
Reflection
Best Practices
Half of all member schools reported organizing a minimum of one alternative break trip per year with many organizing two. More than half of these trips were to national destinations outside of New England. Half of the schools reported organizing one or two alternative break trips during a year. Many schools have a participant selection process, many of which require trip leaders and students to complete an application with essay questions and some include a monetary deposit.
Student leaders take on a number of responsibilities for alternative breaks, most notably coordinating and leading alternative break information sessions, and developing agendas for and leading team meetings prior to the trip. Most student leaders are supported by and meet regularly with staff members to discuss trip logistics, leadership, and to troubleshoot problems.
Alternative break trips across the state of New Hampshire are primarily funded out-of-pocket by trip participants and through fundraising activities. Depending on the alternative break destination, students participating in alternative breaks pay $50 – $500 for domestic trips, and up to $1,200 for international trips. A list of fundraising ideas can be found by clicking here.
Logistics for ASB trips vary depending on the trip. Some alternative break destinations will coordinate transportation, lodging, and food. Those that do not offer logistic coordination require a staff person such as the Community Service Director, or the trip leader, to coordinate these efforts.
Small group discussions are the most commonly used reflection activity for alternative breaks, followed by journaling, and answering prompt questions.
Application and Selection Process
- Application and Selection process of trip leaders and participants.
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- Student trip leaders should complete an application, submit letters of reference and be interviewed. Prior community service and leadership experience should factor into the selection process.
- Student trip leaders and participants should be in good academic and financial standing with the institution.
- Require at least two written letters of reference from professors or employers.
- Most schools utilize an interview panel to select participants. This panel is composed of staff and former trip participants or leaders.
- The same model used to select participants is used to select student trip coordinators.
- Support & Training
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- Send students to Break-Away training if possible.
- Develop a weekly training program beginning at least two months prior to the trip.
- Training programs should include the following topics
- Introduction to the community where they will provide service
- Leading peers
- Crisis management
- Fundraising
- CPR certification
- Behavior as a college representative
- Proper etiquette for trip destination
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication
- Reflection
- Serve as a resource, stepping in only when necessary.
- Supervision
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- Meet regularly with trip coordinators throughout the year. Stay on top of the planning process and logistics.
- Discuss your expectations of the trip leaders and their expectations of you as an advisor.
- Be there as a resource and only step in when absolutely necessary.
- Talk to your sites as much as possible. Ask as many questions as necessary. It is very important to be completely prepared.
- Have a “debriefing” meeting afterward the trip to make a list of things to do differently next time.
- Reflections are always important but sometimes not done enough or improperly. Reflection activities are something that are often very valuable to practice. Ice Breakers are also a great practice so student leaders can get new ideas.
- Challenge students to think about “easy” decisions versus fair (or harder) decisions this will help with their approach to issues. For instance, during participant selection, instead of choosing all of the “strong” people, perhaps looking at who might become a “strong” person because of the experience.
- Open honest communication.
- Be consistent and follow through.
- Develop a survey for students to complete upon their return. This will help plan next year’s trip.
- Fundraising Ideas
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- Raffles, sports pools (check local and state laws)
- Concerts
- Product Sales: food, Finals Week Care Packages, blankets, bumper stickers, candy, etc.
- Appeal letters: friends, family, alumni, etc.
- 5k road race
- Dance-a-thon
- Cash calendars
- Auction
- Yard sales
- Borders or Barnes & Noble holiday gift wrapping
- Sponsorship Packets
- Coat Check for dances
- Film screenings
- Yard work in local neighborhoods
- Gingerbread House Contest
- Restaurant Fundraising Nights (Uno’s, Friendly’s, Papa Gino’s)
- Poker Night
- Pancake Breakfast
- Spaghetti dinners
- Company sponsorships—UPS is one company that has donated up to $700.00 per year.
- Student Government support
- Ask other student organizations to donate
- Coordinating Logistics
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- Determine who will coordinate the logistics. It is best to have advisor involvement/oversight but it does not have to be the advisor.
- Develop a timeline of what should be done, when and by whom. Regularly check the timeline to ensure things are progressing according to plan.
- Reflection
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- Utilize books and on-line tools for reflection.
- Work with trip leaders to select and practice ice breakers and reflection activities prior to the trip. This will help them feel more comfortable leading these activities and ensure they are done properly.
- Host an event after the trip for students to present a slide show of their work and experience on the trip. This allows student to reflect on the trip but also provides and opportunity to share with the campus community.
