Alternative Spring BREAK OUT Your Favorite T-Shirt Day!

On Monday, October 4th, Alternative Spring Break will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary of continuously sending MSU students on ASB trips.

The magic began in March of 1991 when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and compassionate MSU students made the trek down to the Gulf to help out with the disaster. To honor this Spartan tradition, we are asking that you wear your favorite ASB t-shirt around campus on Monday! If you don't have an ASB shirt, help promote Alternative Spring Break by picking up fliers from 345 Student Services and handing them out to your fellow Spartans.

PHOTO CONTEST
On October 4th, send us a photo of you wearing your favorite ASB T-shirt or handing out fliers to students to be entered in a contest to win Chipotle gift cards or waived application fees! To be eligible for a prize, e-mail your photo to asb.contest@gmail.com or tag MSU ASB on Facebook.

2010-11 SITE LEADER APPS

There are a few changes to the Site Leader Application process this year so please read the following directions carefully.

1.) There will be a $5 Application Fee.
This fee will go directly to fund 2010-11 ASB Trip costs.  It is nonrefundable and does not go toward your personal trip fee.  Unfortunately, we can only accept checks made out to "MSU."


2.) You will choose what Social Issues you are interested in working with.
Please do not fill in a location.  Descriptions of Social Issues will be available on the MSU ASB Website "Trips" section on Tuesday, September 7th.


3.) Fill out an application with thoughtful responses to the questions.
Click here to download your application today.

4.) Turn in a completed application to Room 345 Student Services with your $5 Application Fee.
The ASB Office has moved up to the 'Penthouse,' aka the third floor of the Student Services Building.

5.) Take it easy, ASB will contact you to setup a time for an interview.

6.) Applications are due by Friday, October 8th, 2010 by 5pm
However, it is STRONGLY encouraged to turn in your application early.

7.) Block off your calendar for the:
Mandatory Site Leader Orientation, November 2nd at 9:00pm, Location: TBA
Mandatory 2010-11 MSU Alternative Spring Break Leadership Weekend, November 13th & 14th.
Mandatory Weekly Site Leader Meetings on Tuesdays at 9:00pm (begin after the ASB Leadership Weekend)

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.