Alternative Break Program Checklist

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LOGISTICS

We have transportation to and from the site

We have on-site transportation

We have city, state and regional maps and a procedure to follow in case a group gets lost on the road

We have a place to sleep at night

We have access to bathroom facilities

We have made eating arrangements

We have planned a tentative menu for the week

We have addressed group dietary concerns (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, no sugar, etc.)

We are bringing our own eating utensils, so as not to create extra waste

We have planned at least one celebration meal with our hosts

Participants have been given a list of what to bring and have been informed of logistical details

We have discussed the trip itinerary as a group

We have assigned committees of participants to take care of logistics on site (cooking, cleaning, etc.)

We have someone assigned as treasurer (collect receipts, hold the credit card or travelers' checks, etc.)

SITE DEVELOPMENT

We are in weekly communication with our host site(s)

We have confirmed the number of volunteers we are bringing with our host site(s)

We have a place to work each day

We have back-up projects in case of inclement weather or volunteers finishing tasks faster than expected

We have purchased materials necessary to complete the project(s)

We have worked with our site(s) to detail a specific itinerary for the week

We have incorporated community interaction into the week through means such as community dinners, speaker panels, community-oriented social activities, and service projects with community members

PARTICIPANTS

We have distributed a name/address list of all participants.

We have planned our budget for the week and collected all fees.

We have spent group time getting to know each other.

We have planned night group building activities, games, and free time.

We have noted cliques that might form and have plans to get people to work and travel with new people.

We have a camera, film, and a group journal.

Participants have been given reading materials on the issues the site addresses.

SAFETY AND LIABILITY

We have collected emergency information and waiver forms from all participants

Participants have been given emergency information to give to their parents or significant others.

We have a first aid kit for each vehicle.

We have consulted with the American Red Cross for first aid guidelines and procedures.

All participants have attended a personal safety workshop.

We have established emergency procedures.

We have discussed alcohol policies.

We have trained drivers in van-driving safety.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

We have brought up and discussed issues surrounding the work site.

The group feels comfortable with the work they will be doing.

Time has been taken to answer all questions about this experience.

Any pre-training that was required has been given, including sensitivity training, skills in working with children, elderly, homeless, and other populations

We have spent time learning about the community and agency we will be working with.

We have scheduled an on-site orientation session with the agency/site contact.

EDUCATION AND REFLECTION

We have given participants a packed of reading materials about the social issues to be confronted on-site.

We have conducted a cultural sensitivity training for all participants.

Reflection has been discussed as a group (what it is, why do it, etc.) and participants have been trained to use the What? So What? Now What? model or a similar model for reflection.

We have started to write in our group journal.

Site Leaders have planned a tentative idea of exercises and activities to use to spark effective reflection.

Group and individual reflection time have been built into the itinerary.

We have scheduled a strategic planning session at the end of the week to plan post-break programming.

Some post-break activities have been planned to encourage lifelong active citizenship, such as continued volunteerism, activism, advocacy, informed consumerism, philanthropy, and more.

MEDIA

We have contacted the school newspaper and radio station about our program.

We have met with our school s public relations office to tell them what we are doing.

We have written a press release and sent it to the media in the towns in which we will be working. (your public relations office may do this for you).

We have contacted local alumni in the area in which we will be working.

We have let the community know about any media contacts.

EVALUATION

We have designed a trip evaluation for participants to complete.

We have designed an evaluation for the community organization to complete.

The evaluation covers issues such as reasons for participating, the purpose of an alternative break, continued and/or current involvement in service, as well as site specifics, all of which can be used to improve the program.

We have incorporated a time to complete and discuss evaluations as a group at the end of the week.

We have determined a process by which new leadership can use evaluations to continue building the program in future years.