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Purpose:
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Second-year exchange replaces the formerly
known "cluster events. The purpose however remains the same.
These events are meant to facilitate community building
in the larger Bonner network and provide the opportunity
for training, service and reflection. While the cluster
network required the participation of three or more schools,
second-year exchange only requires participation of a minimum
of two Bonner Programs. Of course, the Foundation encourages
the participation of as many schools as desired.
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Basic Information:
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* Typically, the exchange is a day/weekend event that brings
second year Bonner students as a class to participate in
service or training activities with another Bonner campus.
Examples include: a theatre event dealing with racism, a
refugee speaker and working with a riding therapy program.
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* Generally the exchange is held in a geographic region
outside of their campus community in order to have both
schools share in the driving responsibilities. However,
if a campus environment is deemed beneficial and/or necessary,
the visiting institution will host the exchange the following
year.
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* Dates: Ideally any break, weekend or after graduation
could be a time when the exchange takes place. Additionally,
the SLI meeting's service events can also be considered
for this exchange.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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* Why does the second-year Exchange happen in the second
year?
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First-year Bonners already have a great deal of adjustment
and commitment to the Bonner Program with orientation, the
first-year trip and other retreats. All of these create
a foundation of familiarity with the Bonner Program and
the student's own role as a Bonner on his/her respective
campus. By waiting until the Bonners' second year, students
will be better prepared to represent, discuss and relate
to Bonner commitments, experiences and members from different
campuses. Moreover, these exchanges do take time to plan,
so placing them during the second year gives plenty of time
for them to occur.
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* With whom should my school work?
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Bonner schools are free to complete the exchange with any
other Bonner campus in the nation. The Bonner Foundation
provides a suggestion list under school profiles on the
Bonner website. These profiles include useful information
such as contact information and distance (both in hours
and approximate miles).
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* Does second-year exchange activities have to be confined
to service?
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No. We encourage schools to come up with unique and engaging
trainings and enrichment activities that will take students
out of the ordinary.
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* Does second-year exchange activities count as hours?
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Second-year service exchange hours may count towards meeting
the student's
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school year service hour requirement.
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Planning Options:
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* Student led (with a director/coordinator advisor): We
strongly encourage students to take the reigns in designing,
planning and leading these exchanges.
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o Develops networking, communication and event planning
skills that will aid them in the professional arena.
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o Student involvement is critical for the enthusiasm
and interest generated in the exchange
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The director/coordinator advisor would provide encouragement/motivation
for overcoming obstacles and providing access to budgetary
and transportation information.
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* Suggestions include: the senior intern (if you have one),
upper class students or any student able to see this exchange
through to the finish. Give students roles in the preparation
of the trip, ranging from educational research to organizing
food.
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* During the trip: also give students roles during the
trip, whether serving as timekeeper or photographer.
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* Bonner Program Staff: sometimes the staff play the main
role in organizing the Second-Year Exchange.
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* Pre-planned events: having leadership issues? Time constraints?
Pre-planned events such as service at the Student Leadership
Institute and/or Fall Congress meeting fit the requirements
for second-year exchange.
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Questions to consider in the planning process:
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* Who do we want to work with?
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* When do we go?
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* Where do we go?
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* Do we want to do a service or training/enrichment activity?
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* What existing resources are available for trip planning?
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* How practical is it to visit this city, state, community
or school?
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* What is unique about the city and what can we learn?
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* Do we want to focus on a certain issue or community?
Are there Bonner Partners we can work with?
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* What organization(s) do we work with? What connections
do we already have that we can utilize?
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* What projects can we assist with/work on?
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* How far will we have to travel? How much will it cost
for us to get there?
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* Will we go out to eat or have facilities available to
prepare our own meals?
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* Do we have any Bonners with special food requirements?
If so, what kind of arrangements do you need to make for
them?
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* What different lodging options do we have?
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* What fun stuff is there to do and see?
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* Will we need to raise more funds? If so, what options
do we have?
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* Liability waivers?
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* What training/trip preparation is necessary
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* Does everyone know what is required/expected of him or
her?
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Recommendations:
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1. Start early!!!!! This allows for flexibility when things
do not go according to plan.
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* Planning time can take a few months. Scheduling has been
noted as one of the most challenging aspects of the planning
process.
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a. Utilize school profiles on the Bonner website to obtain
any contact information or mileage queries to aid in logistics
and picking Bonner schools to partner with for the exchange.
Campus
Profiles
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b. Email distribution lists are an incredibly useful
way of making sure everyone involved is informed about
the planning process.
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c. If there is free time at the Congress meeting/SLI,
it is a great time for students to put their heads together
and initiate relationships and exchanges.
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-Talk at SLI if planning for the Fall, Congress meeting
if planning for Spring
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d. Utilize connections. Typically exchanges benefit from
someone knowing an organization or person who they are
familiar with.
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- Think carefully about the timing for the trip's activities.
Be sure to budget adequate time for travel, reflection,
re-orientation, breaks, and sleep.
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2. Prepare your students regarding expectations: ground
rules, the intensity of the trip, sleeping arrangements,
eating, packing, discussion, listening, and other components
that will be crucial for a successful trip for the group.
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More examples of preparatory materials can be found in
the "First Year Trip
(or other trips) Implementation Guide: http://www.bonner.org/resources/documents/planning_guides/1styearservicetrip.html
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3. Student Involvement: This is incredibly important because
lazy and immature behavior can led to unsuccessful exchanges
and bad feelings. Involvement helps enthuse and motivate
students for and during the event.
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4. Programming: It is a good idea to pick a concrete exercise/activity/theme
for the exchange. This provides a clear sense of what the
participants are there to do and alleviates frustration
at activities jumping around.
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a. Both schools should bring programming with them allows
a sense of contribution to the exchange.
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b. Choose a destination wisely. Like the first year trip,
campuses should try to take students to a place that will
be culturally rich and expanding. The site should expose
them to a community that is different from the place they
are living. Some campuses give students a few selections
to consider. Set parameters (such as cost and distance)
beforehand.
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Benefits:
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Second-year trips allow Bonners to come together as a community
for comradery, fun, service and/or training and enrichment.
It is a time to learn the strengths and weaknesses of one
another and have a shared experience. Additionally, second-year
exchanges can generate new ideas, practices and motivation
for the campuses.
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Timeline:
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Month 1:
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* Choose Dates
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* Determine destination of trip and means of travel
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* Create a budget
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* Choose student leaders
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Month 2:
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* Finalize destination
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* Arrange travel plans
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* Arrange transportation
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* Choose roles for students during the trip
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* Programming
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o Decide students' role in the research and programming
for the trip.
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Month 3:
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* Notify faculty if class will be missed
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* Plan meals/snacks
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* Prepare a liability release form for students and leaders
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* Prepare students with pre-trip meetings discussing:
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o Reflection requirements
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o Rules
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o Culture
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o Community
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All of these can be created and facilitated by students,
for students
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* After return to campus debrief the students and their
experience
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Web Resources:
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Campus Examples:
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Guilford and Ferrum Exchange: February 18-19, 2005
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These two schools partnered up for a weekend in February
to facilitate Bonner networking, develop a better understanding
of how other Bonner schools work and obtain a deeper understanding
of race relations in the United States. Activities included
school presentations of their program and projects and a
cultural tour of Greensboro, NC.
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For other resources for general trip planning suggestions,
please see:
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First Year Trip (or other trips) Implementation Guide
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http://www.bonner.org/resources/guides/cocurricular/cocurric_firstyeartrip.html
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Guide for Organizing a 1st Year Service Trip
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http://www.bonner.org/resources/documents/planning_guides/1styearservicetrip.html
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