Participation Requirements

Elected students serve at least two years as a Bonner Congress Representative. It is recommended that Representatives have at least one year’s experience in the Bonner Program before becoming Representatives. During their term, Representatives are required to attend all Congress meetings: the Congress Meeting at the Summer Leadership Institute in June and the Fall Congress Meeting held in November.

Bonner Congress Representatives are asked to make a significant time commitment to the position. Congress Representatives should plan to spend about 20 hours per semester, including weekly correspondence and projects. Students should not accept the position if they foresee that they will be unable to honor other commitments.

The Bonner Congress is composed of committed students engaged in service who are enthusiastic, creative and committed to serving others. As a student group, they seek to network and support students who are starting programs. Serving their fellow Bonners may be best accomplished by setting the example of service as a mindset.

Bonner Congress Representatives are not simply qualified people filled with potential. Each Congress Representative will be required to fulfill certain tasks throughout her/his time as a Representative.

This section outlines what the Bonner Foundation and the Bonner Congress have designated as the minimum requirements of Bonner Congress Representatives. Bonner Congress Representatives who do not meet the minimum requirements will be asked by the Bonner Foundation to step down and the school will be asked to identify a replacement.

First Year Representatives

• Familiarize yourself with the Bonner Handbook before your first Congress meeting
• Write a letter to the Bonner Congress Coordinator after the Fall Congress Meeting. Include any initial questions you have about Congress along with:
  • three ideas received from participating in Congress
  • three ideas shared with other Representatives
  • three things you will work on for your campus program

Second Year Representatives

• Promote the Bonner Partners Program and help students understand their purpose
• Keep open contact with Bonners interested in work with Bonner Partners; be a resource they can come to about the Bonner Partners Program
• Mentor the First Year Representative
• Assist Director/Coordinator in selection of your replacement representative

Both Representatives

• Represent the Bonner Foundation, the Bonner Program and the Bonner Congress
• Recruit Bonners and other students for service events
• Jointly prepare Best Practices from your school
• Respond promptly (within seven days) to correspondence from the Bonner Foundation and other schools
• Develop and maintain a working relationship with your program’s Director/Coordinator and your fellow Bonners
• Encourage Bonners to attend the All-Bonner Service event during the SLI and to participate in service exchanges.