B. Orientation

The Bonner Foundation requires that an orientation be held each year for all incoming Bonner Scholars/Leaders to build community among the Bonners, orient them to the program and its requirements, and begin preparing them for their service and other responsibilities. Ideally, this orientation should be scheduled to occur prior to the orientation events for the rest of the incoming first year students.

1. Goals

One of the keys to a successful orientation is having clear objectives. Although orientation is structured differently at different schools, the general objectives are usually the same. These in include:

• providing a genuine welcome;
• building a spirit of support and teamwork with other Bonners;
• fostering positive perceptions about the program;
• confirming the student’s decision to join the program;
• introducing fundamental program expectations and processes that each new Bonner Scholar/Leader should know; and
• putting Bonners at ease about the new challenges of college and service.

2. Bonner Scholars Program Overview

Normally it is a good idea to provide background on how the program got started and significant events in the program’s development. Program history, traditions, and culture should be presented in a positive manner. The goal is to develop nurture a sense of pride about the program’s past accomplishments and future possibilities. Well presented, a program history will reinforce the decision that joining the Bonner Program was a great choice. A Foundation representative should be available to participate in each BSP’s orientation activities.
Core topics for initial Scholar orientation should include, at a minimum:

(a) “Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve”

• a review of the service movement in America
• the Bonner Scholars network of 25 colleges and universities
• a discussion of Bonner Scholars Program mission and philosophy
• Bonner Foundation staff and key personnel
• Bonner Scholars transformational model for students, campuses, communities, and higher education

(b) Background on Your Bonner Scholars Program

• school program staff and other key school staff
• school program mission and philosophy
• school program constitution (if applicable)
• notable achievements
• date founded
• goals for the future

(c) Bonner Scholars Program Rules, Regulations, and Benefits

• How the Bonner scholarship award fits in their financial aid package and how the funds are allocated for the school year and summer service components
• Community Service requirements for the school year and summer
• Warnings, probation, and dismissal policies and procedures
• Rules of conduct
• Reporting procedures
• Governance structure

(d) Review Calendar and Important Events, Meetings, and Due Dates

Many of these objectives are met by offering a school-prepared Bonner Handbook that is distributed and reviewed during orientation. Some Bonner Schools set aside several days to accomplish all of the orientation goals.

3. Orientation to the College

Take time during orientation to familiarize the Bonner Scholars with your campus. The sooner they feel comfortable with their surroundings, the easier it will be for the Bonner Scholars to focus on the program.
Make sure the students know their campus backwards and forwards. Tour the school with the purpose of showing students where important places are, such as the volunteer center, the financial aid office, student government office, the Dean of Students office, the Chaplain’s office, and the office of the Bonner Scholars Program.

Introduce the Bonner Scholars to all college administrators and faculty involved in the program. These meetings are important for the Bonner Scholars because they give the students a sense of the school’s support behind the program. The meetings are also beneficial for the staff, in enabling them to begin perceiving “Bonner Scholars” as individual men and women. It is a good idea to hold a reception with the Bonner Scholars and the college President. Also meet with all staff members who served on the selection committee. Ask the financial aid officer to speak to the group and explain the details of financial aid, especially Bonner Scholar allocations.

One of the coordinator’s most important tasks, beginning in orientation and throughout a student's first year, is to help students become adjusted to their service work. Work to alleviate fears that students may have about not having enough time for both school work and the Bonner Scholars Program. Hold workshops, training, and discussions on time management and study skills. In addition, meet individually with each Bonner Scholar and assist them in developing a personal time schedule. Reviewing any academic and discipline requirements the college may have for participation in the program may also help dispel any unrealistic worries the students may have. Encourage the Bonner Scholars to openly discuss their concerns about meeting the academic challenges of college. Inform them now, before any problems occur, of the resources available on campus to help with academic difficulties.

Include other school staff and returning students in the planning and managing activities and allow orientation to truly become a team-building process. As students become more active in the program and their undergraduate studies, it will prove rewarding that faculty and students work together to maximize the rewards of the student’s Bonner service.

4. Orientation to the Community

Much of the Bonner Scholars’ education will occur off-campus in the community surrounding the school. It is important that Bonner Scholars see themselves as citizens of this larger community, working together in service with its members. Before any person can work in service with a community he or she must first come to know it — its people, geography, economy, politics, and most important, its needs.

You should provide students with background on the community. Start with a map, local papers, and the history of the town or city. Discuss with students the political issues important to the area. Tell them the name of the mayor. It is amazing how many college students live in a town for four years without knowing the name of their mayor. Suggest that the Bonner Scholars register to vote in their new community.

Take a tour: walk through the community immediately surrounding the college. Encourage the Bonner Scholars to explore the rest of the community on their own by bike or by foot.

Most importantly, educate the Bonner Scholars about the needs and assets of the community. On a map, plot the social service agencies, schools, soup kitchens where school service programs exist, the service sites where the Bonner Scholars will work. Visit service sites, and meet with agency representatives, staff, and volunteers with whom students will be working. Provide demographic facts: what is the senior citizen population, the population of children under the poverty level? Try not to forget that every town and city with needs also has gifts. Invite community members, such as government officials, the elementary school principal, or a life-long citizen, to speak to the Bonner Scholars about not only the community’s problems, but also its resources, talents, traditions, and folklore.

5. Group-building Activities

Orientation is the time when new friendships are begins and the spirit of the Bonner Scholar group emerges. During orientation you should begin to build a team of people who will support each other throughout three years as Bonner Scholars. Any orientation activity that will help Bonner Scholars know each other better will strengthen this team, but given the focus of the Bonner Scholars Program, consider organizing a group service activity. Many campuses set aside an afternoon to work on a Habitat for Humanity project, plant flowers at a local nursing home, or paint a playground. Participating in service as a group will help Bonner Scholars understand that community service can be an individual activity and a group endeavor.

Find ways to help new students develop “ownership” of the program. With the Bonner Scholars, brainstorm specific goals and projects the group would like to accomplish. Set deadlines for these goals and discuss ways of evaluating progress. Let the students draw up their own calendar for the year’s activities. Together, write a Bonner Scholar “mission statement” for the year.