ASB Summer Updates

Thank you for taking the first step in becoming a 2010-11 MSU Alternative Spring Break Site Leader and furthering your journey on the path to active citizenship by joining our interest list.  If you haven't already done so click on the tab above "Interest List" and complete a quick questionnaire to receive up to date information about ASB!  The time is almost upon us to embark on another exciting year on the banks of the Red Cedar, filled with classes, tailgates, the leaves changing colors and...

Some important upcoming dates for ASB:

-We will have a booth at Sparticipation, which is August 31st from 5:00-8:00 PM at Munn Field

Come support ASB, learn more about our program, & receive a special edition Stadium Cup

-We will be posting our Site Leader Application on Wednesday, September 1st

Interview Dates TBA

-We will be holding ASB Information Meetings with an emphasis on Site Leading on

Tuesday, September 7, 2010:  6:30-7:30 Natural Sciences Room 150 &
Wednesday September 15, 2010: 6:30-7:30 Natural Sciences Room 150

The ASB Executive Board has been working all summer long to develop our Winter and Spring Break trips and are currently finalizing trip locations, prices, service issues, etc. In the meantime, explore our newly renovated website [http://asb.msu.edu/] to look at previous trips to see what Social Issue would interest you as a Site Leader.  We also ask that you please get the word out for ASB!!  We are looking at expanding our program so that more MSU students can experience life-changing moments on our Alternative Break trips, but we need more LEADERS LIKE YOU to make this possible! :)

Enjoy the rest of your summer break!  See you all soon at MSU!!

--
Keith Bouck

ASB Site Leader Coordinator 2010-11

Please Reply to: asb.siteleader@gmail.com

"I dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." - Rabindranath Tagore

To see our Program Coordinator's Updates please visit ASB @ http://asb.msu.edu

What makes a Successful Alternative Break trip?

These 8 Rules ---

Strong Direct Service:

Programs provide an opportunity for participants to engage in direct or "hands-on" service that addresses critical but unmet social needs.

Orientation:

Participants are oriented to the mission and objectives of both the break program and the host agency or organization with which they will be working.

Education:

Programs establish and achieve educational objectives to give participants a sense of context and understanding of both the region in which they will be working and of the problems they will be addressing during the break.

Training:

Participants are provided with adequate training in skills necessary to carry out tasks and projects during the trip. Ideally this training should take place prior to departure, although in some instances it may occur once participants have reached their site.

Reflection:

During the trip, participants reflect upon the experiences they are having. Applying classroom learning and integrating many academic disciplines should also occur. The site leaders should set aside time for reflection to take place, both individually and in a group setting.

Reorientation:

Upon return to campus, there should be a re-orientation session for all participants where they can share their break experiences with one another and with the greater campus community and are actively encouraged to translate this experience into a life-long commitment to service.

Diversity:

Strong alternative break programs include participants representing the range of students present in the campus community. Coordinators should recruit, design, implement and evaluate their program with this end in mind.

Alcohol and Other Drug Free:

Programs must be aware that issues of legality, liability, personal safety and group cohesion are of concern when alcohol and other drugs are consumed on an alternative break. Programs should provide education and training on alcohol and other drug related issues as well as develop a policy on how these issues will be dealt with on an alternative break.

2010 ASB Tennessee: Hard at work building a trail.