A3 Complete Bonner Slides 1

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The Bonner Program:Overview

“Access to Education,Opportunity to

Serve”A program of:The Corella & Bertram Bonner Foundation10 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540(609) 924-6663 • (609) 683-4626 fax

For more information, please visit our website at www.bonner.org

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Bonner Foundation Mission

Through sustained partnerships

of colleges and congregations

the Bonner Foundation seeks to improve the lives of

individuals and communities by helping meet the basic

needs of nutrition and educational opportunity.

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History

• Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation• Incorporated in the late 1980s

• Crisis Ministry Program• Supports Congregationally-affiliated hunger relief

initiatives (approximately $650,000 per year)• Bonner Scholar Program

• Piloted at Berea College in 1990-91• Currently 1500 students on 27 campuses in 12

states• More than 3000 Bonner Scholar alumni

• Bonner Leader Program• Piloted in mid-1990s in New Jersey• Currently 1000+ students on 45+ campuses

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History at Allegheny

Fall 1997: Allegheny invited to the Bonner Directors Meeting Spring 1998: Allegheny AmeriCorps Bonner Leader program begins with the

recruitment of the first class Summer and Fall 1998:

– ACCEL (Allegheny Center for Experiential Learning) is created– First class of 20 Bonner Leaders begin their 900 hours of service – this

along with the America Reads program are the first financially compensated service programs offered through the Community Service program

Summer 2004: Wayne Meisel, the President of the Bonner Foundation visits Allegheny College to propose a hybrid Bonner Leader/ Bonner Scholar program. This proposal for 20 Leaders and 20 Scholars was enthusiastically accepted by Allegheny.

Spring 2005: The Allegheny College Bonner Scholar Program Allegheny College creates a 20-member Bonner Scholar program to compliment an already existing 20-member Bonner Leader program. The College will award Bonner Scholarship each year beginning with the class entering in the fall of 2005.

Summer 2005: At the 15 year celebration of the Bonner Scholar program at Waynesburg College, Allegheny College is announced

Spring 2009: Allegheny’s first class of Bonner Scholars Graduate

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Facts at a Glance

AlaskaUniversity of Alaska, AnchorageCaliforniaCalifornia State University Los AngelesPepperdine UniversitySaint Mary’s College of CaliforniaSonoma State UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyUniversity of California DavisUniversity of California Los AngelesUniversity of California Santa CruzUniversity of Southern CaliforniaFloridaJacksonville UniversityStetson UniversityGeorgiaBerry CollegeMorehouse CollegeSpelman CollegeIdahoBrigham Young UniversityIdaho State UniversityUniversity of Idaho

TennesseeCarson-Newman CollegeMaryville College Rhodes CollegeTusculum College VirginiaAppalachian School of LawBluefield CollegeEmory and Henry CollegeFerrum CollegeLynchburg CollegeSouthwest Virginia Community CollegeUniversity of RichmondWashington and Lee UniversityWashingtonCentral Washington UniversityNW Learning & Achievement GroupWhitworth CollegeWest VirginiaConcord CollegeWest Virginia WesleyanWheeling Jesuit University

IndianaDePauw UniversityEarlham CollegeKansasWashburn UniversityKentuckyBerea CollegeCentre CollegeLindsay Wilson CollegeUnion CollegeUniversity of Louisville MarylandHood CollegeMissouriCollege of the OzarksNorth CarolinaDavidson CollegeGuilford CollegeLees McRae CollegeMars Hill CollegePfeiffer UniversityWarren Wilson College

New JerseyMiddlesex County CollegeRider UniversityThe College of New JerseyOhioAntioch CollegeDefiance CollegeOberlin CollegeUniversity of DaytonOregonPortland State UniversityPennsylvaniaAllegheny CollegeDickinson CollegeJuniata CollegeMessiah CollegeWaynesburg CollegeWest Chester UniversitySouth CarolinaConverse College Wofford College

• Working with 68 colleges and universities in 20 states

• Engaging 2,500 students through 27 Bonner Scholar and 41 Bonner Leader Programs

• We’ve given $120 million to campus programs over the past 15 years

• Each year, students are cumulatively providing 700,000 hours of service

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Bonner Program Goals

• Students• To afford college students an opportunity to use their energy,

talents, and leadership skills to engage in community service while providing developmental and financial support.

• Campus• To challenge and strengthen a “culture of service” in which the

school’s teaching, research, and service mission are integrated and every student, faculty, and staff is encouraged to serve.

• Community• To facilitate greater cooperation and communication between

the campus and the community by channeling the energies and talents of college students faculty, and staff to help address the challenges and opportunities of a local community.

• Higher Education• To form a consortium of diverse higher education institutions

sharing a common commitment to service and to serve as a successful model to other institutions which are interested in starting service-based scholarship programs.

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The Common Commitments

Diversity: Respect the many different dimensions of diversity in our public lives.

Civic Engagement: Participate intentionally as a citizen in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service.

Community Building: Establish and sustain a vibrant community of place, personal relationships and common interests.

Social Justice: Advocate for

fairness, impartiality and

equality while addressing systemic

social and environmental

issues.

International Perspective: Develop international

understanding that enables Bonner Scholars to participate

successfully in a global society.

Spiritual Exploration: Explore personal beliefs

while respecting the spiritual practices of others.

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Key Program Features

• Team-based Program– Multi-year program with 10-100 Bonner

Scholars/Leaders per campus (5-25 per class)– Coordinated by an on-campus director and coordinator– Partnered with site supervisors at each community

agency• Community Outreach

– 10 hour per week plus full-time summers (summer optional for BLP based on funding availability)

– 80% Direct service, 20% Training and Enrichment– Students select where they want to serve– Students also serve as service project leaders

• Student Development– Supported through regular training and enrichment

activities– Increased expectations each year in the program

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Allegheny Program Structure

Bonner Scholar– 4 year model– 10 hrs/wk school year– 2-3 summer service internships– Bonner Foundation pays student

stipend– Bonner Foundation supports other

program costs (service trips, community fund, etc.)

– Enter Allegheny College as Bonner Scholars

– Arrive to Allegheny a day before orientation of Bonner Scholar Orientation

– Bonner Scholars Meet by Class bi-weekly

– Cornertsone Activities: First Year Trip, Second Year Exchange, Summer Away Junior Enrichment and Senior Capstone

Bonner Leader– 2-4 year model– 10 hrs/wk school year– Term Options: 2 School Years and 1 Summer

(900hrs)2 Summers and 1 School Year (900

hrs)Summer only (300 hrs)– Institutional work-study or

scholarships pay for student stipends

– Institution or grants supports other program costs (service trips, trainings, etc.)

– Join the Allegheny Bonner Program after or during their First Year at Allegheny

– New Bonner Leaders attend a retreat in the Spring of each year for orientation

EVERYONE: Meet bi-weekly as a community, Attend an All-Bonner retreat in the Fall of each year, Attend National Bonner events, Enrolled in AmeriCorps

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Bonner AmeriCorps

• AmeriCorps Education Awards– 2 YR 900 hr term = $2,362.50 Ed

Award– 1 YR 300 hr term = $1,000.00 Ed.

Award• Campus request slots from

Bonner Foundation• All Allegheny Bonners are

enrolled in AmeriCorps except for special circumstances.

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Service as Transformation

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT•Community Service Placements•Comprehensive PlacementProcess•Community LearningAgreements•Web-Based ReportingSystem•Community-Based Research•Bonner Community Fund•Bonner Connection with CrisisMinistry Program

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT•Education Costs•Bonner Scholarship•Institutional Aid•AmeriCorps Education Award•Student Development Model•5 E’s•Core Values(Common Commitments)•Leadership Training•Training Handbook w/ Training Modules

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE•Bonner Scholars Program•Campus-wide Service Programs•Faculty Involvement•Service Learning &Community-Based Research•Student, Staff & Faculty Training•Web-Based Reporting System•Evaluation•Student Impact Survey•Community Impact Reports

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Community Partnership Model

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Placement Process

First Year Shadowing Student Interest Matching in supervisory style Tie-in to academics or issue area Looking forward to unique project

creation Regular check-in on project progress Re-Assignment

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Comprehensive Placement Process

• High quality community partnerships• Community Learning Agreement• Logging service & training hours• Reporting service accomplishments• End-of-Semester Student Reflections • One-on-one individual coaching by

Bonner staff

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Expectations of Partnerships

Students:* Academics as #1 Priority,Bonner commitment as #2

* Regular communication withsite supervisor and Allegheny Bonner Staff

* Regular hours at site with reporting of Hours on BWBRS and turning in time sheet monthly

* Bi-weekly meetings

* Serving as the liaison from site Community Agency to Allegheny Community and to the larger Meadville Community

* Mobilizing student volunteers

*Developing unique projects to support the organization’s mission

Community Partners: * Regular Communication with Allegheny Bonner Staff (especially prompt communication with challenges)

* Regular one-on-one meetings with Bonner Student (at least every other week)

*Signing monthly time-sheet, CLAs and Service Accomplishments

*Attend the Allegheny Bonner New Supervisor Training

Allegheny Bonner Staff:* Regular communication with Bonner student and Site supervisors

•Management of hour reporting and project progress

•Provide site supervisors with important college info., i.e. college calendar, big events, time when student will not be on campus

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Student Development Approach

• Experience• Skills• Values• Knowledge

Our student development approach offers students a journey including opportunities to develop:

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A Comprehensive Program

• Retreats & community building events

• 10 hours of service weekly during the academic year (300 hour total)

• At least one full-time summer of service

• Intensive training and enrichment activities, including meetings

• Consistent reflection

• Advising and mentorship

• Increasing levels of leadership and responsibility, in service and on campus

• Integrating the Common Commitments

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Supported by Sustained Activities

Each Year

•Placement/ Community Learning Agreement (each semester)

•Weekly to Monthly meetings by class

•Monthly meetings with all Bonners

•One-on-one interviews each semester

•Reapply

Over Two to Four Years•Selection•Orientation•First Year Service Trip•Second Year Service Exchange

•Recommitment Exercise•Junior Enrichment Project•Summer Service•Final (Senior) Presentation of Learning

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Building in Skill Development

Personal Skills Leadership Skills

Professional Skills

• Active listening• Balance/boundaries• Communication• Decision making• Organization• Planning• Reflection• Time management• Goal setting

• Conflict resolution• Delegation• Planning• Public speaking• Running a meeting• Teamwork• Working with diverse

groups• Civic engagement

(voting)

• Budgeting• Evaluation/research• Event planning• Fundraising• Grant writing• Marketing / public relations

• Mediation• Networking• Public education / advocacy

• Volunteer management

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Through Service: Increasing Leadership

Expectation

Exploration - occasional volunteer

Experience - regular volunteer

Example - team leader/coordinator

Expertise - specialist

Exposure to the neighborhood, agencies, issue areas and types of placements; Service Trip;Summer in the hometown

Prior experience in “service” including in one’s family

Development of greater focus; commitment to one agency and type of placement; Exchange;Summer in a new area

Continued development of focus; demonstrated knowledge and skill as project coordinatorPossible third summer (abroad or career connection)

Culminating project or capstone;Academic connection;Future-focused

Placements evolve to offer increasing complexity and responsibility

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Through Co-Curricular: Intentional Skill Support

Expectation

Exploration

Experience

Example

Expertise

Community knowledgePersonal exploration & reflectionSetting goalsTime management

Introduction to BonnerWork ethic & professionalism

Critical thinkingDiversity awarenessGroup dynamics & communicationProject planningIntroduction to social issues/civics

Academic ConnectionLeading inquiry & reflectionPersonal and civic valuesProject coordinationResource development

Academic ResearchCareer planning & vocationEvaluationNetworkingPublic SpeakingSkills for lifelong involvement

Training and enrichment opportunities support students to develop skills

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Through Academics: Knowledge and Analysis

Expectation

Exploration

Experience

Example

Expertise

Lead-In Course

Coursework (varying orders):• Poverty• Politics & policy• Issue related (education, arts, race, etc.) & service learning

Coursework (varying orders):• As in “experience” level• International• Internships

InternshipsCapstones

Enhancing the rigor of students’ knowledge development and learning

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Bonner Projects

Collaborative in development with Site Supervisor and other Organization Staff

Often coincides with where students are in the developmental process

Often look to other students in developing ideas and help in execution of projects

Often leads to Senior Projects (COMP), Career Goals and future Bonner Placements

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Allegheny Bonner Resources

Bi-Weekly trainings National Bonner Network information

and connections Community Fund Opportunities for Community Based

Research and “Change Based” project collaboration

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Foundation Resources

• Networking– Bonner Program consortium of 70+ schools– 130+ Bonner Partner Organizations

• Web/Print– 50+ Planned Co-curricular Training Modules– Handbooks & Implementation Guides

• Meetings/Training– Director & Coordinators– Bonner Congress– Summer Leadership Institute

• Bonner Web-Based Reporting System• Assessment• Collaborative Fundraising

(AmeriCorps Ed Awards, FIPSE, etc.)• Foundation staff campus visits

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Allegheny Service Initiatives

Allegheny Bonner Program

Davies Community Service Program

Allegheny Volunteer Service Leaders (AVSLs)

Service-Learning Classes

VESA Minor initiatives

Community Based Research

Projects

Children and Youth AmeriCorps VISTA Project

of North West PA

MADD, Service Saturdays, ASB, Habitat for Humanity, APO, other Campus Groups

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Nuts and Bolts

BWBRS– Community Learning Agreements (CLAs)– Service Accomplishments – Hour Reporting

• CLA Service

• Non-CLA Service

• Training and Enrichment

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Nuts and Bolts

Funding – Federal Work Study or Campus Employment:

monthy timesheets for Bonner Foundation/AmeriCorps and WebAdvisor

– Community Fund

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Nuts and Bolts

Clearances– Through AmeriCorps Enrollments, the

Bonner Foundation does a Criminal background check and Sex Offender Registry check on all Bonner students. These documents are housed at the Foundation.

– All Clearances, fingerprinting, etc.. is specific to site needs and we should talk

– Organizations should see that Bonners are in adherence for these needs in accommodating on-going volunteers

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Nuts and Bolts

Transportation– Have 4 Vans for students to use with a valid Gators License– Encourage students to use CATA and other sources of

transportation– Important that organization checks with their legal ability to

have Bonners transport children.– Bonner should not use personal cars to transport children.– Terms under which Bonners can transport children from sites:

• Permission slip by parent or guardian with Emergency Contact Info. INSIDE the van during the event

• 2 Allegheny Students present in the van with children during transport

• Only 5 children at once in the Community Service Mini-Van• Only local destinations

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Nuts and Bolts

Photo Releases – Allegheny Students indicate a waiver for use

of photos and comments for publication on their Bonner AmeriCorps enrollment

– If Bonner projects include photo work with Community Agencies, Bonners must abide by the photo clearance policy of their organization