October 14-16, 2016 1
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www.bonner.org bonner.pbworks.com Special thanks to and their donation to Bonner Congress and the Washington and Lee Bonner Program. Check out more of their products at www.begoodtopeople.com.
Bonner Congress Table of Contents Welcome Welcome from the Bonner Foundation 1 Welcome from the Washington & Lee University 2
The Meeting Agenda From Ideas to Action Descriptions & Break Out Rooms Campus Assignments Session 1 Worksheet — Idea Profile Session 2 Worksheet — Action Plan Workshop Descriptions Block 1—Saturday at 3:45 pm Block 2—Sunday at 9:00 am
3 6 7 9 10 8 10
Additional Information Bonner Congress Handbook Bonner Advisory Board The Bonner Network Meet the Bonner Staff Thank You! Expectations and Emergencies Campus Map
15 18 19 21 23 24 back
T H E C O R E L L A & B E RT R A M F. B O N N E R F O U N DAT I O N
The Bonner Foundation has three national advisory groups, one for presidents, another for directors and coordinators, and, most important of all, the Bonner Congress for students. We know it's the most important because we gather all of you the most often (2x a year) in larger numbers (120+). The Bonner Program cannot succeed without active student leadership, both on your campus and across out network. The program, and our network, need your ideas, energy, and commitment to bring about positive change. From the founding of the Bonner Program twenty-five years ago, student voice has been the essential, distinguishing feature that has made us different from any other national service programs. We seek student approval and involvement from each campus when new schools join our network. We require schools to put a student leadership structure in place to help manage and guide the program's development. We have continuously engaged students in national dialogue that has helped us define the goals and purposes of the program, including the Bonner Common Commitments: community building, civic engagement, social justice, diversity, international perspective, and spiritual exploration. Since the very first national Bonner Summer Leadership Institute in 1992, student leaders from around the network have been gathering at our national conferences and bringing back what they learned to their campuses. As the Bonner Program moves into its third decade, the Bonner Foundation will be reaching out even more to the Bonner Congress as well as other Bonner students, both current and alumni, to lead the way. We believe we have yet to tap our full potential as individuals, campus programs, and as a network working to achieve the promise inherent in our six common commitments. So, as we meet face-to-face this weekend to develop new skills, friendships, and plans for the future, please do not forget for a second the power and place you have in making the Bonner Program what it is today and will become tomorrow. We look forward to working with all of you for the coming year. Bonner Love, Robert Hackett President
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The end is the creation of the beloved community . — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dear Friends, Welcome to Bonner Congress 2016! We are grateful for the opportunity to come together for collaboration and discussion with all of you around this year’s theme: The Beloved Community. In light of the deep divisions that characterize much of our world today, now seems the right time to gather to envision together a community characterized by justice and love. Now also seems the right time to develop and share our own personal and collective strategies for cultivating such communities. No matter who we are or where we are, our work takes place within particular communities. We inhabit histories. Our opening gathering in Lee Chapel, the burial site of Robert E. Lee (former President of Washington College), reminds us that working towards justice takes place in the shadows cast by histories of injustice. The challenges posed by these histories are ones we strive to face with seriousness of purpose and sensitivity towards all persons. We welcome open and honest dialogue throughout the weekend and beyond. If you have specific comments, questions, or concerns, don’t hesitate to seek me out; these issues matter greatly to me both personally and professionally. We hope that Bonner Congress 2016—both formal and informal gatherings with friends (both old and new)—will inform and inspire all of us in our shared efforts to support the creation of the beloved community. Best wishes,
Howard Pickett Director, Shepherd Program Washington & Lee University
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2016 Bonner CongressThe Beloved Community
Friday,Oct 14 Time
Activity
Location
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Registration and Check In
Elrod Commons Atrium
5:00 pm
BAB and Student Facilitator Check In
Check in for materials and housing assignments If you are facilitating From Ideas to Action please attend this meeting.
Elrod Commons Atrium
Dinner
Commons Living Room
Please grab some Pizza and mix and mingle with Bonner Congress Representatives from around the country!
7:00 pm 8:30 pm
Opening Session
Lee Chapel
8:30 pm
Hot Coffee, Chill Event - Join us for music, coffee, treats, and an opportu- Blue Phoenix Cafe
5:00 pm 6:30 pm
Welcome from the Washington & Lee University ! Hear from student keynotes and Washington & Lee Staff. Be inspired to build our Beloved Community. nity to get to know one another in a casual environment.
Board games, Exciting company - Come on over to the Elrod Commons
Elrod Commons Living Room
Make Peace, Fight Hunger The Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee
Meet in Elrod Commons Atrium
Living Room to play any one of a huge variety of board games and enjoy a snack as you get to know your fellow Congress Reps! has served over 250,000 meals in the Rockbridge community since its start in 2006. Join our team of hunger fighters for a hands on cooking shift to stock our freezer with prepared food ready to serve our clients.
Get Wild with Zootopia - Enjoy this clever animated film that has a light sense of humor, but important social justice undertones. It will be shown in our very own Stack House Theater with popcorn for the full movie experience! 3
Stackhouse Theatre in Elrod Commons
Saturday, Oct 15 Time
Activity
Location
8:00 am – 8:45 am
Breakfast
Marketplace
9:00 am 10:30 am
All Congress Morning Opening: Professor Asante
Stackhouse Theatre
MK Asante is a best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, rapper, and professor who CNN calls “a master storyteller and major creative force.” Asante is the author of four books, including Buck: A Memoir, which was praised by Maya Angelou as “A story of surviving and thriving with passion, compassion, wit, and style.”
10:30 am 10:45 am
Coffee Break
Commons Living Room
10:45 am 10:55 am
Represent, Build, Lead
Stackhouse Theatre
11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Ideas to Action Session 1: Idea Exchange
Presentation from Bonner Foundation President, Bobby Hackett See page 9
Develop and exchange project ideas with other Bonner campus teams who have similar ideas in one of the following topics: • • • • • • • • • •
Bonner Love - Huntley 324 Community Partnerships - Huntley 301 Bonner Start-Up & Recruitment - Huntley 221 Training and Enrichment Opportunities - Huntley 323 Cornerstone Activities - Huntley 323 Campus Wide Engagement - Huntley 230/235 Academic Connections - Huntley 220 Alumni Connections - Huntley 220 Issue Based Initiatives - Huntley 220 Student Leadership and Structures - Huntley 220
12:15 pm 2:00 pm
Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Ideas to Action Session 2: Action Planning
3:30 pm 3:45 pm
Snack Break
Marketplace
Make sure to meet some National Partners over Lunch! See page 9
Develop your action plan and give and receive feedback from other campus teams. Go to your previous room location. Commons Living Room
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Time
Activity
Location
3:45 pm 5:00 pm
Build Your Congress Toolkit: Elective Workshops Block #1 Choose one of the following great sessions. See descriptions on page 10-11. Self-Care and Expression Through Movement - Huntley 324 Developing a Bonner Leadership Team - Huntley 221 Human Rights in Ethiopia and Beyond: Continental Litigation Platform - Huntley 230 Steps to Social Justice: A Practical Approach for the 21st Century - Huntley 235 U.S. Low Income Housing Policy, Past and Present - Huntley 301 A Perfect Partnership: The Campus Kitchens Project and Bonner - Huntley 323 Student-Led Campus-Wide Engagement - Leyburn 201 You're Hired: Leverage your Community Service Experience to Land your Dream Job - Leyburn M47 • Overview of United States Immigration - Huntley 220 • • • • • • • •
5:30 pm 6:30 pm
Dinner
Marketplace
7:00 pm 8:30 pm
Evening All Group: The Moth Storytelling Open Mic
Stackhouse Theatre
8:30 pm
Bonner Fire - Come out to the “BONner Fire” to make s’mores and en-
Village Lawn (3rd Year Housing)
joy s’more Bonner Love!
Spread the Bonner Love - Based on the model of the organization “The World Needs More Love Letters,” come to create artistic expressions (written, drawn, etc.) of love to be spread around the community, campus, Bonner Congress, and of course to those with whom we serve. Snacks provided.
Local Flavor - Come enjoy live Bluegrass Music from a group of beloved locals and enjoy popcorn and other snacks, as well as corn hole and other lawn games.
Elrod Commons Living Room
Cannan Green (Outside Elrod Commons)
Sunday, Oct 16 Time
Activity
Location
7:45 am – 8:45 am
Breakfast
Marketplace
9:00 am – 10:15 am
Build Your Congress Toolkit: Elective Workshops Block #2
Choose one of the following great sessions. See descriptions on page 12-13. • • • • • • •
REACH - Huntley 230 Faith and Justice: Spiritual Exploration in a Pluralistic World - Huntley 235 Making the Most of your Community Engagement Experience - Huntley 221 Ethical Lenses on Community Engagement - Huntley 301 SOLUTIONS: A Forward-Thinking Career Academy - Huntley 321 College Access - Huntley 323 Engaging with Vulnerable Communities: A Global Perspective - Leyburn 103
10:30 am - All Congress Closing 11:30 am Let us come together and reflect on what we’ve learned and how we can continue to live as a Beloved Community 5
Stackhouse Theatre
From Ideas to Action Category Descriptions Bonner Love - Huntley 324
Participants in the Bonner Love category have ideas or projects that aim to increase community and bonding amongst the all-Bonner group or individual class cohorts. Initiatives that fall into this category include planning for all-Bonner retreats, creating a social structure such as Bonner families, or developing a social calendar for Bonner gatherings.
Bonner Start-Up and Recruitment - Huntley 221
Participants in Bonner Start-Up and Recruitment will be addressing two separate, though related issues. Bonner Start-Up refers to ideas or projects that are associated with newly established Bonner Programs. This could include initial steps to gather faculty or student support, increase Bonner visibility, or further refine the Bonner student develop model on your campus. Issues of recruitment are often associated with Bonner programs in their first few years, however, it is also highly relevant to established programs as well. Participants addressing Recruitment will develop their ideas or projects that aim to change recruitment tactic, increase Bonner public relations, work closely with Admissions, or increase diversity of applicants.
Campus-Wide Engagement - Huntley 230 & 235
Participants in the Campus-Wide Engagement category have ideas or projects that focus on issues of increasing civic engagement breadth or depth across campus. Initiatives under this category would address topics such as community service councils, civic engagement center programs, service days, alternative breaks, and service-based campus organizations.
Community Partnerships - Huntley 301
Participants in the Community Partnerships category will have ideas or projects that aim to increase or deepen relationships with community partners. Examples of initiatives that fall under this category would include creating a community partner handbook, refining the structure for site visits and assessments, or increasing the amount of capacity-building work being done at the nonprofit partner.
Training and Enrichment - Huntley 323
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that focus on improving the training and enrichment calendar for Bonner meetings. Some example initia6
tives in this category include brainstorming a new structure for all-Bonner meetings, creating a particular training event, or refining class-based meetings.
Cornerstone Activities - Huntley 323
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that address one of the four Bonner cornerstone activities: the first year trip, sophomore exchange, junior leadership, or senior presentations of learning. Some applicable projects would include planning for a junior reaffirmation ceremony or designing a reflection workshop for the first year trip.
Academic Connections - Huntley 220
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that aim to improve the connections between Bonner, service, and academics. This could include initiatives that focus on targeting conversations with faculty members who have expressed interest in building civic engagement into their courses or working on a proposal to have a civic engagement course requirement to graduate.
Alumni Connections - Huntley 220
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that seek to improve relations with Bonner alumni and increase their role in the program. Examples that fall under this category include creating a mentoring strategy that pairs alumni with upperclassmen Bonners or increasing the presence of Bonner Alumni at Service Saturdays or Bonner meetings.
Issue-Based Event - Huntley 220
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that focus on planning for an event that aims to increase awareness for a particular social issue. The initiatives that fall under this category are vast and can include events such as a Hunger Banquet, a Theatre of the Oppressed activity, or a campus-wide diversity exercise.
Student Leadership and Structures - Huntley 220
Participants in this category have ideas or projects that aim to improve the structure and support of student leadership in your program, on your campus, or in the community. Examples that fall under this category include redesigning the structure of your Bonner Leadership Team (BLT), creating a BLT, and brainstorming new ways to utilize student leadership in class meetings.
From Ideas to Action: Room Assignments Bonner Love
Community Partnerships
Huntley 324/Alison Masson
Huntley 301/Elvis Diaz
Davidson College Emory and Henry College Guilford College UNC Chapel Hill Wagner College Waynesburg University Concord University
University of Houston The College of New Jersey Tusculum College Morehouse College Rhodes College
Bonner Start Up and Recruitment
Training and Enrichment / Cornerstone Activities
Huntley 221/Bobby Hackett
Huntley 323/Megan Breitenbach
High Point University Spelman College Brown University Stockton University
Our Lady of the Lakes College Widener University Warren Wilson College Sewanee: University of the South Oberlin College Mars Hill University
Campus-Wide Engagement (1) Huntley 230/Anna Grace Barry Washburn University Allegheny College Berea College Berry College Carson-Newman University Centre College Macalester College Rutgers-New Brunswick
Academic Connections / Alumni Connections / Issue Based Event /Student Leadership and Structures Huntley 220 / Annie Pasqua & Emily Batista Montclair State University DePauw University Lindsey Wilson College University of Tampa College of Charleston Earlham College Wofford College Rutgers - Camden
Campus-Wide Engagement (2) Huntley 235/Samantha Ha Rider University Siena College University of Richmond Ursinus College Stetson University Christopher Newport University Maryville College Washington and Lee University 7
From Ideas to Action - Notes
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Campus: _________________________
From Ideas to Action: Idea Profile Session 1: Idea Exchange Issue/Opportunity: What issue or opportunity needs to be addressed in your program, campus or community? Describe it in detail.
Solutions: What needs to happen to effectively address this issue? How does your project or idea help address this issue?
Potential Challenges: What are some potential challenges that you foresee in addressing the issue or opportunity and/or implementing your project?
Resources Available: What resources do you have that are easily and readily available right now to address the issue? (i.e. people, spaces, organizations, trainings, budgets, etc.)
Resources Needed: What resources do you need that are NOT easily and readily available right now to address the issue?
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Campus: _________________________
From Ideas to Action: Action Planning Session 2: Action Planning SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) Goals: What do you hope to accomplish with your project?
Action Steps:
What are 3-4 steps will you take to achieve your goals? What
By Who?
By When?
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Expected Outcome
The Workshops Block 1 - Saturday 3:45 - 5:00 pm U.S. Low Income Housing Policy, Past and Present Housing insecurity affects many of the populations with which Bonners work. In thinking about what solutions may be possible in the future, it is important to understand the past. In this session, we will discuss how U.S. housing policy has evolved between the 1930s and today. We will discuss the motivations for these policies, as well as their intended and unintended consequences. Katie Shester, Assistant Professor, Washington and Lee University • Huntley 301
A Perfect Partnership: The Campus Kitchens Project and Bonner Attendees will get an in depth look at The Campus Kitchens Project (CKP) and how to bring it back to their campus. CKP students on over 50 campuses are already transforming unused food from dining halls into meals that are delivered to those in need. The session will highlight what Campus Kitchens do and how to bring the program to their school. This workshop will also feature three Campus Kitchens who were established out of their Bonner Programs. Attendees will hear from several CKP student leaders, providing a unique opportunity for interested students to connect to our leaders. We will highlight how Campus Kitchens use “food as a tool” to provide more than just meals and strengthen the community as a whole. The entire affiliation process, as well as the value of CKP will be presented and attendees will leave this session with the knowledge and tools to go back to their school and start a Campus Kitchen. Tyler Tripp, Community Engagement Manager, The Campus Kitchens Project • Huntley 323
Human Rights in Ethiopia and Beyond: Continental Litigation Platform Despite some of the recent economic progress, Ethiopia has been characterized as an authoritarian country. The ruling government came to power in 1991. Human rights record in the country isn't impressive. Developmental policies and programs ended up dislocating and dispossessing several thousands without fair and sufficient compensation. Further, crack on dissenters and journalists remain rampant practice. The judicial system is criticized because it is not independent and impartial when it comes to politically motivated crimes. The chance of getting a legal remedy in the country is futile or non-existence of non-available. There is a pressing need to find an African continental legal remedy under what is known as the procedure of African Commission of Human and People's Rights (ACHPR). This presentation highlights on some of the personal effort to represent victims of human rights violation in Ethiopia before the African Commission. Challenges and prospects in relation to the process will be shared. Hen Gabisa, Visiting Academic Fellow, Washington and Lee School of Law • Huntley 230
Developing a Bonner Leadership Team What does a structured Bonner Leadership Team look like? Will students rise to the occasion when the call for leadership goes out? What does the day-to-day look like for a member of the Bonner Leadership Team? Come hear all about how Wofford College is striving for excellence in their student leadership. This session will outline how Bonner students at Wofford College have partnered with their program coordinator and director to create a structure for their Bonner Leadership Team designed to meet the specific needs of the program while also helping students use their unique skill sets to engage in work they are passionate about. Bre Lille, Wofford College Bonner Leadership Team Internal Communications Coordinator, Wofford College • Huntley 221
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The Workshops Block 1 - Saturday 3:45 - 5:00 pm You're Hired: Leverage your Community Service Experience to Land your Dream Job Did you know your service work is also valuable professional experience? Learn how to identify, convey and leverage your experience to help you bridge the gap from college to career. This session will offer tips for identifying and conveying your unique skills to employers through your application and in interviews. Also included is how to leverage those opportunities you secure through tools like informational interviews, so that you can build upon your experiences and continue to expand your professional network. Pat DiFrancesco, Coordinator, DC Internships • Leyburn M47
Self-Care and Expression Through Movement The idea of our workshop is to bring to light the issues that our peers may face during their college career. Some of the concerns that we want to focus on are social issues, stress control, mental health, physical health, etc… Specifically, during our hour session, we really want to talk about the importance of keeping our mental stability and being aware of maintaining one’s self care. We intend to give tactics on ways to take control of one’s health in college. We believe mental stability and self-care are important aspects of being a successful student and leader in the community. Brandon McClendon, Bonner Scholar, Earlham College • Huntley 324
Steps to Social Justice: A Practical Approach for the 21st Century How do we use non-violent resistance to achieve social justice today? What are the practical steps necessary to affect change and the creation of the beloved community? This workshop will analyze and evaluate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s step-by-step approach to social change. The goal is to create a practical, effective approach to social justice in the 21st-century. Howard Pickett, Director of the Shepard Program, Washington and Lee University • Huntley 235 12
Student-Led Campus-Wide Engagement It has been said that one of the most important roles for Bonner students is creating a campus-wide culture of service. This session will bring students together to discuss the civic engagement taking place on different campuses across the network, and how we can work together to increase the number of students participating in meaningful service across campus. Come ready to share, collaborate, and learn from one another as we strive to increase student-led, campus-wide engagement across the network. Samantha Ha, Program Associate, The Bonner Foundation • Leyburn 201
Overview of the United States Immigration System In the small group, we will discuss the principals underlying our immigrations policies regarding who qualifies for legal status, how they apply, and what changes may be on the horizon. Jennifer Dean, Immigration Attorney, Virginia Immigration Law Center • Huntley 235
The Workshops Block 2 - Sunday 9:00 - 10:15 am College Access This workshop is a step towards forming an issue-focused Bonner Cohort Learning Community on College Access. We will first review and discuss current Bonner campus efforts linked to community-based college access programs, including a) types of programs and program features, b) student roles in these programs, and c) how students are educated about the issue and trained to serve in college access programs. We will then brainstorm different approaches for building and maintaining a learning community on this issue throughout the school year in hopes to enhance or start college access programs throughout the Network. Elvis Diaz, Program Associate, The Bonner Foundation • Huntley 323
Faith and Justice: Spiritual Exploration in a Pluralistic World Does justice need faith? Does faith need justice? How do our religious or non-religious views impact our approach to social justice and community engagement – and vice versa? How do we integrate our faith and justice in a pluralistic world (in which not all share our beliefs)? This workshop will focus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s views of the relationship between faith and justice. Howard Pickett, Director of the Shepard Program, Washington and Lee University • Huntley 235
Engaging with Vulnerable Communities: A Global Perspective This workshop focuses on working with vulnerable communities and populations in a global context, both domestically and internationally. We will discuss the intricacies and challenges in this work to help prepare students to practice respectful engagement and enter communities with cultural awareness. We will also reflect on personal experiences and discuss the meaning of cross-cultural work to help students begin thinking about how they will build rapport with communities in the future. Kate LeMasters, Washington and Lee Bonner Alumni, • Leyburn 103
Ethical Lenses on Community Engagement Participants will learn how different ethical paradigms can lead to different conclusions about the goodness or badness of concrete instances of community engagement. Participants will identify the ethical paradigms which operate in their own community engagement work and their reflection on that work. Kelly Brotzman,Visiting Assistant Professor, Washington and Lee University • Huntley 301 13
The Workshops Block 2 - Sunday 9:15 - 10:15 am Making the Most of Your Community Engagement Experience
Solutions: A Forward-Thinking Career Academy
Community engagement can be extremely complex. In this workshop, we will explore and examine how to choose community engagement experiences; how to examine your own biases; and how to make the most out of the experience by making a lasting impact on the community organization. Judy Casteele, Executive Director, Project Horizon • Huntley 221
REACH Interested in serving with youth in an in-school or afterschool capacity? Come to this session to explore strategies and skills that support and reach students that struggle in a traditional academic environment using non-traditional resources and avenues. Angela Wilder, Assistant Principal, Rockbridge County High School • Huntley 230
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SOLUTIONS is a new approach to 9-12 education at Rockbridge County High School. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are delivered through the study of solving the problems of the future - today. This approach incorporates many different aspects of learning: active learning, project based, hands-on, and real world. It is supported by partnerships with higher education, area businesses, government agencies, and the community. It is powered by service learning interns from area universities who will assist in planning, development, and implementation. A phased threeyear implementation SOLUTIONS process will create three distinct yet connected pathways; 21st Century Agriculture (addressing food supply and food safety issues of the future), Renewable Energy (focusing on solar and wind energy), and Environmental Solutions (addressing global issues such as warming, carbon footprint, green construction, and conservation). Steven Wilder, MA, MAT, JD, Rockbridge County Public Schools • Huntley 321
The Handbook for Bonner Congress Representatives
History Since the inception of the Bonner Program, student input has been instrumental in creating, implementing, and strengthening the program on the local and national levels. The idea to form a student group with members from all of the Bonner Schools was proposed at the Summer Leadership Institute in the summer of 1994. The first Student Coalition was soon created and convened in 1995. The Student Coalition was reshaped and renamed two years later to become the Bonner Congress that we know today.
Mission The mission of Bonner Congress it to give Bonners an outlet to create, implement, and strengthen the program on the local and national levels. The Bonner Student Congress serves as an advisory council to the Bonner Foundation, providing information, energy, and opportunities for student leadership within the national Bonner network. In this role, the Bonner Congress members represent more than 3,000 Bonner students on more than 60 college and university campuses. 15
How are Bonner Congress Representatives selected? Each year at least two Bonner Congress representatives are selected from the student members of the school’s Bonner Leadership Team (BLT). This selection is made either by their peers or by their Bonner Program director or coordinator. The role of Bonner Congress Representative may be held in addition to other leadership roles within a school’s Bonner Leadership Team or, as in some instances, it may be a distinct leadership role within the BLT. The Bonner Congress representatives should be students who are enthusiastic, creative, and committed to serving others. Each Congress Representative is charged to demonstrate leadership on campus and in the Bonner network.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities? The primary roles of Bonner Congress members are to: • Represent the peers from your program and campus to the Bonner Foundation and to other schools involved in the Bonner Scholar and Leader Programs; • Represent the Bonner Foundation to your Bonner peers and campus; and, • Represent the Bonner Program to your community, the nation and the world.
Attending the annual Bonner Congress meetings is a core expectation for all Bonner Congress Representatives.
How does the Bonner Congress communicate to the Bonner Foundation staff? Members of the Bonner Congress represent your campus and your peers to the Foundation by: • attending the Fall Bonner Congress meeting and the Summer Leadership Institute where workshops and other sessions are organized to speak with the Bonner Foundation staff; • calling or emailing the Foundation, and encouraging others in our program to do so to express concerns, questions, issues, and inspirations to the Foundation so that they may be addressed; and, • submitting an annual report from your Bonner Leadership Team (BLT) to the Bonner Foundation (guidelines shared in early Spring semester with a due date in April.
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How else do Bonner Congress Reps communicate with one another nationally? The most important form of networking among Bonner Congress representatives is at the annual Bonner Congress meeting in the Fall semester and at the Summer Leadership Institute. In addition, Bonner Congress representatives receive regular email updates from Bonner Foundation staff and occasional communication from Bonner Advisory Board members. Membership in the Bonner Congress is indicated in the student profile page of the Bonner Web-Based Reporting System (BWBRS). This allows the Bonner Foundation to send update emails directly to all Bonner Congress members.
What is the annual Ideas to Action Project? From Ideas to Action is built into the Fall Bonner Congress meeting as a way to help Bonner Congress members transform an idea into action. These ideas aim to improve some aspect of your Bonner program, campus, or local community. Ideally, these ideas should align with the goals determined by your Bonner staff or Bonner Leadership Team. The Bonner Foundation asks schools in the early Fall to submit a brief description of an idea they are working on for the upcoming school year. The Bonner Foundation staff then organize two working sessions at the Fall Bonner Congress Meeting to help Bonner Congress teams to flesh out their idea into an action plan. These sessions are organized so that students can share and receive feedback on their plans from other Bonner Congress representatives.
Why be a Congress Representative? Bonner Congress offers Representatives incredible networking opportunities that allow you to take advantage of all the Bonner Network has to offer. Meeting other Bonner students with a wide array of ideas and opinions open your mind to the incredible diversity of our Bonner family. At Congress Meetings, you will have the opportunity to learn what is going on other Bonner Programs in the network, hear about new initiatives from the foundation, and meet motivated, intelligent, service-minded students. During your term as a Congress Representative, you will be doing work on your own campus to help bring back what you have learned and what has inspired you at the national meeting. This work will include sharing with your campus Bonner Program the new initiatives in the network. You'll also be able to take initiative on a project you propose and implement it back on campus. The opportunity to have a project of your own that will help improve your Bonner Program is your chance to emerge as a leader in the Bonner Network.
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Bonner Advisory Board About Launched in 2009, the Bonner Advisory Board (BAB) is the student leadership team that oversees the Bonner Congress and works with the Bonner Foundation throughout the year. BAB Members typically are Congress Reps or Senior Interns themselves and went through a competitive application process. BAB participate in monthly conference calls, organize events and communication with their regions, and communicate with the Foundation in planning national events and initiatives. They also often facilitate workshops at national meetings and contribute to the Monthly Student Newsletter, serving as the voices of the Bonner Congress.
Roles and Responsibilities • • • • • •
Know, understand, & model the roles & responsibilities of a Congress Representative and Senior Intern Promote communication and coordinate connections and activities among schools in their region Act as a liaison between student leaders, including the Bonner Congress and the Bonner Foundation Assist with Fall Bonner Congress, Summer Leadership Institute, and IMPACT meetings Contribute to the Monthly Student Leadership Newsletter Support Congress Representatives and Senior Interns in developing and implementing their ideas into action & other initiatives year-round
Interested in Applying Next Year? Being a part of BAB is a great networking opportunity. Many BAB members have interned at the Bonner Foundation, engaged with national non-profits at various conferences, and met student leaders from around the country. As the highest student leadership position in the Bonner Program, the BAB is a great opportunity for expanding your resume and taking your Bonner experience to the next level. To learn more talk to the BAB member facilitating your From Ideas to Action track or contact Program Associate, Samantha Ha at sam@bonner.org.
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The National Network
As Reps, You Should Know... There are more than 65 U.S. colleges and universities that currently have or are building Bonner Scholar or Bonner Leader Programs. The first Bonner Scholar Program started at Berea College in 1990. The Bonner Scholar and Leader Program have the same basic program structure and expectations—students serve 8-10 hours of work each week during the school year with a community partner. They provide valuable, meaningful service in areas like education, the environment, homelessness, hunger, community development. In addition, what makes Bonner unique is its set of rising expectations—what we call the student development model—which encourages students grow through the five E’s of Expectation, Explore, Experience, Example, and Expertise. We also share the following Common Commitments: Civic Engagement, Community Building, International Perspective, Diversity, Spiritual Exploration, and Social Justice.
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Bonner Network Contacts List the name and contact information for individuals in your Big Idea Session (and beyond!). Utilize each other as a resource throughout the year for support and feedback.
Name
School
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Phone Number
Meet the Foundation Staff Bobby Hackett Robert (Bobby) Hackett joined the Bonner Foundation in 1992 as Vice President and Director of the Bonner Scholars Program and assumed the role of President in July, 2010. Prior to joining the Bonner Foundation, Bobby worked at the Telesis Corporation, an affordable housing developer in Washington, D.C. He also served as managing director of the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) during its first three years of operation. In addition, for the past twenty years, Bobby has been associated in various capacities with the Youth Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan organization that researches and reports on policies and programs relating to young people. Bobby received his bachelors degree from Harvard University in 1985 and a masters in public and private management from Yale University's School of Organization and Management in 1990. Email: rhackett@bonner.org
Ariane Hoy As Vice President, Ariane leads program and resource development. She has a passion for youth service and supporting people to be involved in civic engagement, and has served as Directors at COOL, Jumpstart, City Year, and Echoing Green. Ariane attended Stanford University, where she got hooked on education & social justice issue by working in public schools in Eas Palo Alto. Email: ahoy@bonner.org
Annie Pasqua Annie serves as the National Program Director. Annie brings over a decade of experiences with the Bonner Program as a Bonner Alum and working in various roles throughout the Bonner Network. In 2007, Annie joined the Bonner Foundation as a Program Associate supporting national meetings and the National Bonner AmeriCorps Program. At the end of this Fellowship, Annie traveled down the road to Rider University where she directed the Bonner Program for four years strengthening student leadership and deepening community partnerships. During that time, she also earned a MA in Organizational Leadership. In 2013, Annie returned to the Bonner Foundation, where she uses her experience and love for the Bonner Program to support the network by celebrating its accomplishments and push forward with innovation. Email: apasqua@bonner.org
Kristi Cordier
Kristi joined the Bonner Foundation in May 2014. In her role as the Program Manager, Kristi oversees the New Jersey Bonner Program and our NJ AmeriCorps Program. Prior to joining the Bonner Foundation staff, Kristi worked at her alma mater, The University of Scranton in Alumni Relations where she developed innovative student-alumni engagement programming. Kristi also served as the VISTA Leader for the New Jersey Bonner AmeriCorps Program in 2011 and a VISTA member for Retired Seniors Volunteer Program in 2010. A native of New Jersey, Kristi received her bachelor's degree in History from The University of Scranton in 2009. Email: kcordier@bonner.org 21
Samantha Ha
Sam joined the Bonner Foundation Staff in July 2016 as Program Associate. She is a graduate from Ursinus College, located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Philosophy. At Ursinus College, she served as a Bonner Leader for four years, as well as a Bonner Intern for her last two years. During her time as a student, she fostered a new partnership with the ACPPA Community Arts Center in Norristown, PA and helped to develop the Creative After-School Alternatives (CASA) program. The CASA program provided a safe space for middleschoolers to express themselves through artistic and creative mediums. Through her work at CASA and with Bonner, she fostered a passion for higher education and college access. Before beginning her role as Program Associate, Sam was a summer intern for the Foundation, where she supported the 25th anniversary national meeting, developed capacity-based trainings, and proposed a Bonner Alumni Mentorship Model. In the Program Associate role, she uses her transformative student experience to provide new perspective and support for the Bonner Network. Email: sam@bonner.org
Elvis Diaz
Elvis just recently graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA with a Bachelors in Finance. As Bonner Scholar, Elvis focused much of his service work on education centered non-profits such as the Boys & Girls Club, House of the Children Academy, and Berry's ESL program. He also interned in New York City for a summer with City Year. Elvis further developed his passion for education by leading two student research teams focused on College Access and the Opportunity Gap. His senior year, Elvis served as the Campus Visibility Intern for the Bonner Center for Community Engagement. In this role, Elvis developed collaborations across campus in order to increase the Bonner Center's presence in the campus community. After graduation, Elvis was an intern at the Bonner Foundation where he developed Bonner curriculum on Capacity Building focused internships, and created a business proposal for a potential Bonner Alumni Mentoring Program. Email: elvis@bonner.org
Other Bonner Foundation Staff not at this meeting…. We’re also lucky to have other full-time and part-time staff who work at the Bonner Foundation. They won’t be joining us for the meeting, but you may be in touch with them via email or phone in the coming year. • Caroline Black, National AmeriCorps Manager • Elaine Wheeler, Office Manager
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caroline@bonner.org ewheeler@bonner.org
Thank You! Washington and Lee University for hosting the Fall 2016 Bonner Congress Meeting
W&L Planning Team
Bonner Foundation Staff
Alison Masson Angel Vela Edward Stroud Elizabeth Mugo Kameko Landry Kiki Spiezio Lauren Kim Nancy Coleman Peyton Powers Rachel Campbell Rosalie Bull Sejal Mistry Zachary Baldridge
Annie Pasqua Ariane Hoy Robert Hackett Elaine Wheeler Elvis Diaz Kristi Cordier Caroline Black Jiji Monosiet Samantha Ha
Bonner Advisory Board Anna Grace Barry Asuka Watanabe Adam Cooper Zoey Brandt Kaitlyn Palividas Chloe Stowell Alison Masson Emily Batista Megan Breitenbach
Presenters and Speakers Howard Pickett Katie Shester Tyler Tripp Pat DiFrancesco Steven Wilder Kate LeMasters Samantha Ha Elvis Diaz Angela Wilder Judy Casteel Kelly Brotzman Henok Gabisa Bre Lille Brandon McClendon
W&L Faculty and Staff Marisa Charley Dr. Howard Pickett Jenny Davidson Dr. Kelly Brotzman Dr. Henok Gabisa Dr. Katie Shester
Congress Reps & Bonners from around the U.S. who are facilitating and presenting at this meeting!
Our National Partners Campus Kitchens Project DC Internships 23
Expectations and Emergencies Expectations While participants are on campus and in Lexington, participants must follow all rules and regulations of Washington & Lee University as well as all Virginia and United States laws. No illegal alcohol or drug use of any kind will be tolerated. In the event you are found to be in violation of any college policies (including damage to property), at minimum, you will be asked to leave, in addition you will be held responsible to Washington & Lee University for costs. Should you be asked to leave the conference, it will be your personal responsibility to arrange and pay for transportation. You will be held, at minimum, personally accountable for any damage to Washington & Lee University rooms and common areas. Should a situation warrant criminal charges, the necessary authorities will be notified. Should you be found under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, you will be held for the charges, at minimum, against the regulations of your participating school and Washington & Lee University. We ask and expect students participate fully in all aspects of the Bonner Congress. We are together only a few days and want to build community in a safe and responsible manner. Please recognize that we view all of you as participants who are adults, responsible for your own actions as representatives of your campuses, the Bonner Program and Foundation. Students who do not adhere to these standards will be held accountable by their Bonner Programs and campuses.
Additional Notes on Housing & Meals • Present your Name Tag as your meal ticket at Marketplace in the Commons. • Communicate with your host when you need in and out of your housing. Make sure to take your stuff for the day with you on Saturday.
In Case of Emergency Call 911 first, then notify Washington & Lee University Staff Fire- Use the clear marked “EXIT” signs, remain calm, follow a W&L staff or faculty member to leave the area immediately
Important Phone Numbers Marisa Charley, W&L Bonner Staff- (540) 817-4342 Sam Ha, Foundation Staff - (484) 818 - 1552 Annie Pasqua, Foundation Staff (423)956-1751
Parking & Shuttles Parking will be available at the Washington and Lee Parking Deck. The upper entrance is located on the corner of Nelson Street and Washington Street. It is adjacent to Doremus Gym. There is a lower level entrance on East Denny Circle, and participants can park on any level. 24
P - Parking 25 Elrod Commons Building (Marketplace, Steakhouse Theatre) 38 Huntley Hall
45 Lee Chapel 50 Leyburn Library 53 Mattingly House
C a m p u s Map