Annual Report – Programmatic Section

Implementation of Student Development: 

How did you implement the developmental model this year within your co-curricular and service activities? (suggested one page text):

     In our second year of the Bonner Leader Program, we've built upon the foundation of a weekend retreat (held in January as an extended orientation)          and biweekly all-Bonner meetings and trainings. Our trainings follow the developmental model and this year included topics such as ethical service, time management, and public policy issues. In addition, our individual advising supports the developmental model by adjusting to individual student needs and incorporating appropriate materials (e.g., resume development for our returning Bonners).

     While we have not yet been able to develop a designated Bonner Service Trip, we have been able to incorporate Bonners into two service trip initiatives: our Center's Break Away alternative break program (by providing extra support for Bonners to participate and working with participating Bonners individually to make this experience "fit" their local service) and our collaborative alternative weekend project.

     Since Spring 2007, we have offered a collaborative alternative weekend project once per semester with two area colleges (Burlington College and the Community College of Vermont). These alternative weekends are intended to provide service and travel opportunities for non-traditional and otherwise under-served students. In addition, they allow students from different institutions to get to know one another in a small group setting. Bonners have participated in every trip so far!

     This year we also have implemented student leadership positions, with a new Senior Intern and a "Bonner Program Associate."  These are positions that two of our returning Bonners have held to assist with shaping and administering the overall program. Our Senior Intern's primary placement was on campus, building the program--running meetings and trainings, planning all-Bonner service initiatives, and assisting with BWBRS coaching. Our Bonner Program Associate is another returning Bonner who assisted us with overall program initiatives and projects, but her primary placement was  at a local community partner site.

Implementation of Community Partnerships: 

Please share a summary of your work with community partners, touching in particular on the following categories (suggested one page text):

We've continued to develop strong partnerships in our second year, particularly with organizations where the Bonner placements have worked well. We started the year with discussions about ongoing and new placements--including the developmental model, using a new brochure we developed as a "jumping off point"--as well as needs that the individual community partner organizations and the community coalitions the partners participate in (e.g., Lamoille Valley Hunger Coalition) might have. Our community partners also attended a luncheon during our extended Orientation weekend, which included a discussion of an essay from Paul Loeb's The Impossible Will Take a Little While. This gave the community partners and Bonner Leaders a chance to have a meaningful discussion, get to know each other, and begin to develop new partnerships. We followed up with a number of all-Bonner service projects at some partner sites, and by keeping in close contact throughout the year. Our Bonner Coordinator and Director participate in a number of community coalitions and projects that allow them to remain in touch with community partners on a more informal basis throughout the year.

Campus-wide Culture and Infrastructure: 

Please describe key elements and progress in the development of campus-wide infrastructure and the role of the Bonner Program in enhancing (or being enhanced by) campus-wide culture and participation in service, touching on the following (suggested one page text):

With the three other main programs, the Bonner Leader Program is part of our award-winning Center for Service Learning, which celebrated its 20th Anniversary in October 2007. The CSL's work is well connected throughout the campus and community. For our Bonner Program, we work with our Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Support/TRiO, Residence Life, Student Activities and Government, and First Year Experience departments for assistance in recruiting, retaining, and training our Bonners. Staff and faculty from these departments have suggested possible Bonner Leaders and participated in our trainings as guest presenters.

One new initiative in the 2007-2008 academic year was a project called "Talko Tuesday." This project was initiated by our Senior Intern and inspired by a presentation she attended at SLI 2007. Talko Tuesday is a monthly student-run open discussion forum for students, faculty and staff. Bonners decide on "hot topics" they would like to discuss, as well as invite key faculty, staff, administration or guest speakers to start the forums. The project was a great success and continues on into the 2008-2009 academic year. Talko Tuesday has enhanced the campus climate for dialogue and active engagement. Topics in 2007-8 included: Facebook (rights and responsibilities, especially regarding student policy violations); Civil Liberties: A Thing of the Past?; violence on college campuses; class scheduling at JSC; and environmental sustainability on college campuses. For Fall 2008, topics will include: "Viagra vs. The Pill: Healthcare in the Presidential Election," a state senate candidate forum, and an election results discussion and viewing party (co-sponsored by our Student Government Association).

Upcoming for 2008-2009 is also a new film series co-sponsored by our Center for Service Learning and Student Activities department, called the "Think Tank" Movie Series. This film series features independent films and documentaries, usually on social justice related topics. Each film is introduced by an interested faculty or staff member, and is followed by a discussion facilitated by that faculty or staff member. The first film is the documentary The Price of Sugar, about Haitian sugar cane cutters in the Dominican Republic. Our own Bonner Director Laura Megivern will be facilitating the discussion.