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Tusculum College-2009 Annual ReportClick to return to TC Bonner Network Wiki
2009 ANNUAL REPORT OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Please add narrative text that responds to the questions in the four categories below.
Implementation of Student DevelopmentWhat was the structure and content for the implementation of the developmental model this year? In particular, please share (no more than one page text needed):
Training- Each weekly meeting contains an activity, presentation or program which relates to the skills, knowledge attributes of the Bonner Developmental Model. Below is a review of last years content.
First Year Exploration The First Year is about the following: Active listening Bonners are able to engage in active listening through our periodic presentations on the experimental learning model as well as Personality testing model. By doing this, the Bonners are able to think deeply about their individual traits and values and have meaningful discussion with fellow Bonners. We sometimes break off into groups that have similar backgrounds and continue the discussion from there. Communication skills We view communication skills as an ongoing process and as such we try to instill effective communication in the Bonners from Orientation. During meetings we have “go arounds”, where we may ask each Bonner to draw something that describes what they’re going through currently or a picture depicting their Christmas or summer break. We also engage in communication games, such as “Chinese telephone” where someone initiates a message from one end and see how well the message passes on from one person to the next. It is important that each person is aware of what is happening at the service sites, so to better communicate this, we ask each Bonner to relate their service site to at least one of the Five Common Commitments. Community asset mapping This skill is facilitated by the site supervisor who indentifies more closely the needs of the community within which we serve. By doing this the Bonner is able to see how best he/she can come up with programs and initiatives to help with satisfying the needs identified. For example, one of our community partners, Rural Resources main goal is to see how best they can use farming to help the students within the community get ahead. Having Healthy balance and boundaries To establish this skill, the returning Bonners role plays various scenarios that may arise while at the service site. By doing this we challenge the new Bonners in identifying the boundary that is being abused and ask for suggestions on how they would deal with such a situation should it arise or what they might have done to prevent it from occurring. Goal Setting Bonners are involved in goal setting at the beginning of semester where we as a group come up with a common set of goals that we would like to see achieved for the coming semester. Bonners also have individual meetings with the Director in order to discuss and set their individual goals for the semester. Each committee also sets goals at the beginning of the year in order to keep them on track and in focus on what they hope to achieve.
Planning Each Bonner is given the opportunity to work on a committee where they are able to help with the planning and organization of various programs and events specific to that committee. The Fundraising Committee for example, organizes and plans events in collaboration with sporting and Theatre events whereby they work at the concessions stand and at the same time are given the opportunity to spread the word about the BLP. The recruitment committee engages in numerous planning events so as to help spread the word around campus about the application process as well as to encourage non-Bonner member to support the programs’ events. Teamwork This skill is the backbone of our mere existence. Whether it is through committees, through focus groups, or competing groups, we always try to work in teams. We try to emphasize the importance of teamwork during orientation and our yearly trips to Caretta, WV where we break off into teams, which help organize the daily meals as well as the work projects that we are involved in. Time management Bonners are involved in time management daily as they must balance their school life and devoting the necessary hours to their service site as well as the various events that may come up for the program. During orientation as well as the first meeting the returning Bonners speak about the days of the week they go to their site and the number of hours each day they devote to it. Working with diverse people and groups Our group prides itself on having a very diverse group of Bonners from various backgrounds and countries. At time during meeting discussions some of our international Bonners are able to share their perspective on the various topics that come up during meetings. We also encourage our Bonners to step outside of their comfort zone in picking their service site that is if they’re used to working with children, try working the elderly or the environment for a semester, which would enable them to encounter different sets of individuals.
Sample Weekly Agenda
Meeting Agenda Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Opening Quote The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. ~Author Unknown
Presentation/Training Sam Fann Welcome Sam Fann from Manna House (transitional housing for homeless mean)!
Discussion and presentation on homelessness and Manna House and ARCH ( Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness Point in Time Survey – Thursday, March 29th @ noon - Friday March 30th.
Announcements
Fashion Show- April 30th. Anyone interested in working on a committee to make it happen!!!
Who’s graduating? Graduates interested in working on the graduation pledge?
Bring a song (CD) for next week that you enjoy and can relate to.
Paperwork for new members
The Community of Promise Lunch Meeting–Robin-Jan 28th @ 11:30
Wayne is coming! Wayne is coming! March 31st-ish
Diversity Dialogue-LGBTQ- Feb 25th - 4 p.m in Chalmers-Morgan, Sponsor??? *Reading, discussion and preparation next meeting for this
S.O.S (Service on Saturday) - Boazin- MS Walk –April 4th
Remember that Journals are due next week!
Bonner Videos! - Ashley
Business Serve 2.0 Grant Proposals – Amber
Bonner House – Would you like to live in it next year!?
Wandy Time (Bonner Coordinator) - Americorps, BWBRS, etc.!!!
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Implementation of Community PartnershipsPlease share a summary of your work with community partners, highlighting your work regarding (no more than one page text needed):
Add narrative here
Campus-Wide Culture and InfrastructurePlease describe key activities and structures related to 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. In particular, share (no more than one page text needed):
Add narrative here *Academic Connections to Bonner Tusculum College developed and approved a Civic Engagement Minor based on the Bonner and FIPSE Grant recommendations. Bonner students are highly encouraged to participate and one has begun her minor and commkunity based projects this past year. She is working with a Psychology Professor on Community-Based Research connected to her Bonner site with the Juvenile Court and Truancy Board. The Serve 2.0 project is actually an intervention targeted at African/American youth at-risk for truancy. These youth who will be identified by the court system will be engaged with Bonner students once per month in enrichment progects organized by Bonner students.
Bonner students are also encouraged to take their Service-Learning Commons Course as an immersion course in Belize or participate in other service opportunities there. A few Bonner students have taken advantage of this, Jeremiah Peterson and Sudipa Strethsa traveled to Belize to do a pre-site visit in preparing for the course. Boazin Katina is there for 2 weeks this summer working in a school.
*Relationships With Other Departments Student Affairs and particularly, the Councelor has worked closely with the Program this year to put on the Diversity Dialogue-LGBTQ Discussion and Panel. Great lengths were taken to do this very well utilizing experts from off campus as well as faculty and staff and students from on campus. The student on the panel and organizing the event is a Bonner student. As a gay activist, we wanted to raise awareness in a non-threatening way and feedback showed that we did.
Academic Administration has been supportive in providing approval of Bonner initiatives and providing additional funding for the extended fall orientation. They have been supportive in developing strategies for improved recruitment and are working with admissions to aquire 2 additional slots. We have also gained approval to develop a plan for a Civic Engagement/Bonner Leaders Living & Learning Community for the fall of 2010. This past year was the first year for the trial of Learning Communities and this fall (2009) will serve as the first year for Living and Learning Communities (LLC)where freshman students take classes together and live on the same floor of a residence hall or in a house. With assessment data from these trials, we will develop a LLC to include Bonner Leader freshman and others interested in service and Civic Engagement.
Admissions and Student Affairs has been very helpful in supporting the use of the Bonner House even though we have not been able to fill it entirely. We have been guarenteed the opportunity to continue to work on filling the house and have been approved for using it for the Youth Enrichment Program being developed. They have also met our requests for installing a stove and using one of the large rooms as a meeting space.
The Office of Development has also been helpful in providing seed funds for the Habitat Fashion Show Fundraiser and have offered to continue to support the program with funding, outreach and to serve as a point of communication with the Bonner Foundation.
*Unique Events Serving to Enhance Civic Engagement
Tusculum College is preparing to undergo it's re-accreditation. As part of this process, we have had to embark on developing a "Quality Enhancement Plan" (QEP). The area for student learning identified through this process is "Problem-Solving with Reflective Judgement." Reflective Judgement is defined for our use as, a process whereby a person attempts to bring temporary closure to an ill-structured probelm. Since Tusculum College has a strong institutionalized Service-Learning program, the Service-Learning program and courses are being looked at as areas where this new emphasis could be enhanced. It will be interesting and exciting to see how this process continues. Serve 2.0Please highlight your key activities related to the integration of web-based tools as they are connected to the design, management, and outreach for service. In particular, share (no more than one page text needed):
PART 1: Tusculum College And George Clem Multicultural Association Bonner SERVE 2.0 Initiative
USING TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATING ABOUT DIVERSITY
Primary Contacts Information: A.) Laura Rees (student) B.) lrees@students.tusculum.edu C.) 60 Shiloh Road, Box 5832, Greeneville, TN 37743
D.) (865) 585-8237 E.) (423) 636-7327 F.) http://bonnernetwork.pbwiki.com/
A.) Robin Fife (staff)
C.) 60 Shiloh Road, PO Box 5041, Greeneville, TN 37743 D.) (423) 636-7300 Ext. 5777 E.) (423) 636-7327 F.) http://www.tusculum.edu/cca/minorpages/ccastaff.html or http://bonnernetwork.pbwiki.com/
1. Issue Background:
This project will address issues of Youth Development and Enrichment, Diversity and the use of Technology to Enhance Civic Engagement on and off Campus. As an issue, the Tusculum College Bonner Leaders Program has chosen to focus our efforts on raising awareness about diversity. Although the problem is slowly diminishing there are still people that exhibit racial, ethical, gender, sex, religious, etc. slurs in today’s society With the Serve 2.0 initiative, our program goals are to increase awareness of the mutual respect that all people should hold of the diversity that is part of our campus. We also want to reach out to other campuses with our open-mindedness. The George-Clem Multi-Cultural Association (GCMA), a local African-American organization, will serve as our primary community partner to work with us in organizing and promoting diversity events on and off campus and strengthen our campus-community awareness. The Mission of the GCMA is to: Provide enrichment for and raise awareness of the historical and cultural contributions of the African-American community in Greeneville, TN. The GCMA supports inclusiveness and the voice and empowerment of all people. The GCMA has been working for years to develop a program for youth. Through our community partner and Youth Enrichment Project we will address issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic inequality, homelessness, food security and homelessness.
Use of Technology
With our technology we will create and video tape skits to help raise awareness about problems in diversity on our campus, around our area and in the world. These videos can be put on the Bonner website, shown at Open Houses, played at Service on Saturday sign-up tables and various other events. Presentations with the video can be used at the summer Community Workshop with partners to help them understand more about the program. They may also be use through the Admissions Department for campus recruitment. This will create new opportunities for students to be involved, whether it be aiding in the making of the skits, learning video skills or helping go into the community to perform an act of service. Technology will also allow us to leave a mental image in the minds of those around us of exactly what the Bonner Leader’s Program does and what we are about, as a picture can be worth more than words and can show the effect of how helping others can make people feel.
2. Context and Rationale: We have chosen to use such technology as the videos to show people what they can gain and accomplish when they are open to working with people different then them. We also plan to do videos of highlights from the service sites of our group and other group service projects to raise awareness about our group and what we stand for and how we make a difference in the lives of people around the world. We are planning on implementing a blog for our campus to anonymously log on and talk about different diversity issues and feelings so that we can have an understanding of what people would like to see from us.
3. Action Plan:
A.) Goals and Objectives:
Our main goal of using technology is to give those around our campus and community a sense of understanding about the joy helping others and being diverse will give them. We plan on using the videos to challenge people to search out diversity within their life and open up their minds. We hope to start a routine of making videos at each event and project site so that those coming into our Program will continue on with our inspirations and see how the campus and community grow. The blog we intend to start will give the campus and community the chance to be open and ask questions freely.
Objectives 1) Understand the effects of race, class, gender and culture on our local communities. 2) Explore issues of social justice, economic opportunity and health and wellness related to diversity in Greene County. 3) Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures in seeking the common good. 4) Practice effective communication through speaking, writing and listening. 5) Identify personal values, beliefs, strengths and limitations and goals. 6) Practice Reflective thinking. 7) Practice critical thinking and connected knowing in a community framework. 8) Use imagination to gain alternate perspectives for problem solving and formulating methods for change. 9) Engage in civic action.
B.) Leadership and Management:
The Tusculum Bonner Leader’s Program students will be in charge of this project. Wanda Rahm, our coordinator, will aid in the editing of the videos and oversee the process of the skits alongside Amber Sharp, Technology Director. This will give students an opportunity to organize and lead events. Other members of the program will also be helping with the process of using technology and have roles as determined by the group.
C.) Implementation timeline and activities:
We plan to immediately start taking action on creating videos. Our Program meets every Tuesday evening and will begin preparation for the first video to be recorded and edited within the next two weeks. After the initial video, we plan on creating a new skit every two to three weeks, according to our block schedule (students will not be on campus during block break which occurs every three and a half weeks). A monthly newsletter is being implemented and will be a part of the Program’s wiki. After the first monthly newsletter is released for February, we will begin work on the implementation of the blogging system and how it will be processed. We currently have a Facebook page and more information will continue to be posted on that page.
D.) Evaluation: The evaluation process will consist of on-going feedback from people watching the video, both written and verbal, inclusion of questions about the video in community, Bonner and site-supervisor annual end-of-the-year evaluations.
4. Budget:
The grant we are requesting is for the value of $2,000.
Student Stipend ü $500 o Used for the leadership, planning, developing, and management by the student in charge of the new implantations. Local travel and project related expenses ü $800 o This money will be set aside for expenses related to travel and projects- such as getting flyers and copies made to arrange for other volunteers to take part in our services. Community Partner Stipends ü $500 o This money will be used to provide more Flip Cams, materials and consultant funds for community partners who are involved in the productions.
Materials $200 Program needs for the editing of videos to make the quality better and appear more professional.
PART 2: Tusculum College And George Clem Multicultural Association Bonner SERVE 2.0 Initiative (Youth Intervention/Enrichment Program) Working Document
YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROJECT OVERVIEW:
This project is to develop a program for students who are truant or at risk of being truant. The George Clem Multicultural Association (GCMA) of Greeneville, TN. has had Bonner students work with a small mentoring program in the past. Due to a lack of youth participation, it has not been functioning for the last two years.
The organization has been re-evaluating and researching the idea of developing youth self-esteem through an enrichment program. This would provide activities, trips, presentations, etc., as a way to assist in youth development, engagement and continued interest in future education in the African-American Community. The Bonner students could participate as mentors and organizers with these activities.
GOALS The goals for the program are: 1. Engage students in enrichment activities that create a feeling of community involvement & membership 2. Foster Relationships with college students to motivate youth to stay in school and consider college 3. Influence and support youth to persist in school and not be truant.
PLAN:
Once per month the youth will be transported to Tusculum College. They will come on one Tuesday a month from 4:00-6:00pm during an all Bonner meeting. The GCMA youth will be transported to the Bonner House on campus for various activities. Guest presenters from on and off campus will be provided to share activities, information, talents and ideas with the students.
In addition to the meetings, extra activities will be organized for the youth to be able to attend: § Watch a game at Tusculum (Basketball, football, soccer, baseball) § See a show at Niswonger Performing Arts Center or through TC Arts Outreach § Swimming in the TC pool § Poetry Slams § See a show at the Barter Theatre (VA) IDENTIFICATION OF YOUTH:
We will select our group of students through various criteria. They must be in high school and from the Wesley Heights community. The students must be, or at risk of being truant. We have various contacts through the school system, court system and community to help us identify these students.
TRANSPORTATION:
We are still investigating ways to transport the students from their community to the TC campus using Tusculum vans or church vans.
REWARD:
If the students attend six out of the eight months of meetings they will be allowed to participate in the fashion show hosted by the Bonner Leaders to raise awareness and funds for Habitat for Humanity. We will also take them to the BEC Center in Knoxville.
TIMELINE:
Summer 2009 – Bonner Student and Director attend GCMA monthly meetings to collaborate, plan and share ideas. Fall 2009 – Bonner Students form enrichment program committee to formulate specific activities and dates. -Youth are selected Fall-Spring 2009-2010 -Youth attend Bonner meetings and extra activities Spring 2010 – Program is evaluated
BONNER STUDENT – CIVIC ENGAGEMENT MINOR A Bonner Leader who is also participating in the Civic Engagement Minor has been working with the local Truancy Board and Juvenile Court system on a Community Based Research project identifying truant youth whose parents are or have been involved in court issues. She is working with the Truancy Director, Juvenile Judge and school system to identify an intervention program for these youth. This enrichment program will serve as the intervention. The Bonner student will continue with the research to evaluate the impact of this enrichment intervention on the at-risk youth.
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