Introducing...

April Risley

&& this is some of my Siena Bonner Family:

Oh, and I love them! B-Love <3

     I am a second year Siena College Bonner Service Leader. For my first year here, I interned at the Boys and Girls Club where I worked with inner-city at risk youth in after school programming. I have now taken on a new position in our program as the Community Partner Liaison. Through this position, I meet with each of our site supervisors and discuss the needs of thier organization from both the Bonner world as well as the VISTA world. Through my position we are able to streamline the traffic going in and out of all of the organizations that we work with. I am then to report back to the VISTA Leader as well as Gretchen to update them  on where our program stands in regards to the various organizations. I am also the President of the Mentoring Program on campus.  Through this program, I coordinate 60 Siena volunteers to mentor approximately 60 at risk youth. In this program, I too have a "little."

     Although I am not a Bonner Congress Rep from Siena College, I believe that I am a great candidate for this postion. I have skills in using many Serve 2.0 tools and experience with them through my position as the Community Partner Liaison. These skills can be put to use as the Congress Liaison in order to keep in contact and coordinate conferences such as SLI. I am currently helping to plan the conference, "Inspire 2010" where we are using one central wiki to communicate about our progress on each committee and also Doodles to figure out the best times to meet. It has really intrigued me to realize how many connections I have already made through Bonner while I have been planning this conference and I look forward to making many more. As the liaison between Siena, the Northeastern Region, and other colleges in the network, I will be able to keep my fellow Siena Bonners informed and motivated of the upcoming events. Being a Bonner has helped shape who I am and most of my traits come from being part of such a network. My very personable character will bring enthusiasm and inspiration to the Congress Advisory Board.

A few tid bits about me:

     - I love to snowboard

     - My little brother is my world!

     - I miss high school cheerleading--college just isn't as fun

     - Waitressing is my absolute favorite (I love meeting new people)

     - Orange Juice ANY time of the day

     - Breakfast for dinner is amazing

Would you like to know more about me?

E-mail me at: aa12risl@siena.edu

Call me at: (315) 368-8224