DEADLINE: Monday, April 21st at 11:59pm

Hello! Thank you for your interest in applying to be a TGB or and ASB leader. Below you will find information on both programs and descriptions of the leader position.


About Alternative Spring Break:
The ASB program provides a significant student leadership opportunity and a chance to create a rewarding and memorable learning experience for all involved.  Leading an ASB experience, in collaboration with a co-leader, takes a significant amount of time throughout the academic year, so please carefully consider your availability and commitment.  The information below outlines the ASB Leader’s role and selection criteria.

The Alternative Spring Break program is one of the largest community service initiatives at Stanford.  Since 1989, the program has served a key role in raising student interest, awareness, and action in addressing the complex issues facing our society. For a list of past trips, please consult our website.

ASB exposes students to complex social and cultural issues through direct service, experiential learning, group discussion, and personal reflection. The vision is to transform students into advocates of social change on issues affecting our communities.

ASB Leader Position:
As a leader, you will be responsible for developing a Group Directed Reading for the winter quarter and coordinating all aspects of the spring break trip. Below are the key responsibilities of the position.
 
1) Attend ASB service-learning practicum offered in the fall quarter (1-unit course). (Monday nights from 7:00-9:00pm; at least one co-leader must be present on campus and enrolled in this course for a pair to be eligible to lead a trip)
2) Assist with program promotion and participant selection.
3) Work collaboratively with a co-leader to create and implement the ASB experience.
4) Develop and facilitate a group directed reading experience for team participants during the winter quarter. All GDR’s are sponsored by a faculty advisor and are offered for one unit.
5) Assist with fundraising efforts ( ASSU Special Fees)
6) Create trip itinerary, coordinating all logistics, programming and travel needs.
7) Communicate and collaborate effectively with community organization representatives.
8) Develop trip budget and maintain records of all expenditures.
9) Facilitate group learning and reflection.
10) Complete appropriate follow-up activities with community organizations, ASB Coordinators, and team members.
11) Uphold the mission, values, and policies of the ASB program.
12) Must be 21 and can drive (if travel trip)

About ThanksGiving Back:
ThanksGiving Back is a student-run service-learning program similar to Alternative Spring Break (ASB) that engages students in both academic learning and direct public service efforts. The 2014-2015 academic year will be the third year of this program.  What better way to give thanks than to give back? This program allows students to work with inspiring community leaders, alumni, and friends to make a positive difference during the Thanksgiving break.

TGB Leader Position:
As a TGB Leader, you and your co-leader will be responsible for all aspects of planning and leading a service-learning trip over Thanksgiving Break focused on a particular social justice issue or topic within the field of public service.

Responsibilities include:
1) Attending three TGB leader training sessions (2 hours each, two sessions during Spring '14 and two sessions during Fall '14)
2) Attending regular check-ins with TGB advisors, beginning during the spring and continuing until Thanksgiving break
3) Assisting with participant recruitment and selection during Fall '14
4) Planning and leading three pre-trip service-learning workshops to introduce student participants to one another, to topic-specific content, and to the Haas Center's Principles of Ethical and Effective Service
5) Working collaboratively with a co-leader, the ASB Coordinators Team, the Haas Center and community organizations to plan and implement successful service-learning experiences over Thanksgiving Break - including direct service, academic learning, engagement with community leaders, as well as individual and group reflection.
6) Creating a budget and tracking expenditures in accordance with ASB financial policies
7) Facilitating appropriate follow-up activities to help student participants connect their TGB experiences to opportunities at Stanford and within the surrounding communities
8) Uphold the mission, values, and policies of the ASB program.


Desired skills and qualifications for both positions

Commitment to service
Experience and/or knowledge of proposed topic/issue
Vision for group directed reading and trip experience
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience working with and leading groups; facilitating and/or teaching experience
Ability to make time commitment to program

Selection guidelines and criteria for both positions


ASB trips can only be offered within the 50 United States.  International trips are not possible. TGB trips can only be offered in the Bay Area.
Trips requiring flights (larger travel budgets) need to provide a compelling reason why they are being proposed for that location versus a local/California option.  The cost of a proposed trip will be a factor in the decision-making process.
Only two co-leaders will be selected to lead each ASB/TGB course and trip.
All trips must focus on a social/public issue and its implications for a particular community and/or the broader public good.
Integration of service and learning.
Trips are selected to provide a range of opportunities and a diversity of topics.
Prospective trips are evaluated each year based on the merit of the application, the experience of the co-leaders, and the expected cost of the trip.
Past trip topics are encouraged, but no preference will be given to trips based on history with the ASB program and no trips are guaranteed.
For trips outside of California, priority will be given to leaders who will be 21 or older by Spring Break week.  This is to help address the need for qualified van drivers for out of state trips.
Priority will be given to ASB leaders who will be on campus for both fall and winter quarters during the program year and TGB leaders who will be campus for both spring and fall.



Application Questions