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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Guide for Organizing a 1st Year Service Trip
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