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Trip Leader Application 2020-2021

Thank you for your interest in being a GW Alternative Breaks trip leader for the 2020-2021 academic year! Please read the entire description of the trip leader position and fill out the application below. Also, note that you apply to be a leader for the program and not to lead a specific trip. Our program places selected leaders on trips based on the information you express through both the written application and the interviews, ideally finding the best fit for your skills, experience, and passions. 

 

The position of GW Alternative Breaks trip leader is a year-long commitment with responsibilities that begin from the time a candidate accepts the position to the end of the following academic year. The time commitment from week to week depends on factors such as the when the trip takes place (Winter or Spring break), the trip size, and the overall budget. Regardless of the trip, however, the weekly leader time commitment averages about 10 to 15 hours per week, with fewer or more hours depending on the week.

 

*The due date for this application has been extended until April 15th at midnight.*

 

CHARACTERISTICS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Please note each of these duties and responsibilities to be accomplished by each trip leader, acting as a team with their co-leaders and with the other members of the GW Alternative Breaks program. 

• Facilitate the Alternative Breaks experience for participants in order to further program goals: personal growth, social awareness, and active citizenship.

• Update and closely monitor trip budget.

• Create and complete a comprehensive year-long fundraising plan that accounts for the entire trip budget.

• Plan and coordinate trip itinerary/logistics including service sites, housing, food, travel, and cultural activities.

• Correspond regularly with the trip's community partners.

• Attend leadership training sessions and bi-weekly all-leader meetings.

• Participate in recruitment and then select trip participants and Learning Partners (LPs).

• Plan and carry out necessary trip-specific fundraisers according to the trip's budget.

• Support and participate in all program-wide events and fundraisers.

• Coordinate pre-trip education meetings for participants and LPs to facilitate discussion and prepare group members for the Alternative Breaks experience.

• Create a reflection plan to ensure proper critical reflection for the group and that includes reorientation activities.

• Serve as a liaison between the GW Alternative Breaks Executive Board and trip participants and LPs.

• Hold weekly office hours.

• Meet regularly with a member of the GW Alternative Breaks Executive Board.

• Participate in Alternative Breaks and Nashman Center Events such as Welcome Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, Alternative Breaks Day of Service, and other events.

• Serve as a Welcome Day of Service Site Leader or Captain to develop service leadership experience, unless other conflicts prevent doing so.

• Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic and Engagement and Public Service and the GW Alternative Breaks Executive Board.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be registered as an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing in a George Washington University degree-granting program for the 2020-2021 academic year.

• Demonstrate interest in public service, community service, and service-learning.

• Highly motivated, mature, and flexible with desire and ability to work with diverse populations.

• Excellent communication/interpersonal, organization, time management, writing, and critical thinking skills.

• Previous service experience is preferred but not required.

 

*Due to the university's decision to move online, applicants will be invited to individual interviews via Skype if selected for further consideration.*

 

If you have any questions, please contact the GW Alternative Breaks Executive Board at altbreaks@gwu.edu. Thank you again for your interest in the program, and good luck with your application!

 

To learn more about our program and trip issue areas, please visit our website: https://serve.gwu.edu/gw-alternative-breaks

 

*FINAL NOTE: The list of trips for the 2020-2021 academic year has not yet been finalized, so what you see on the website does not the trips that will be happening during the time period for which you are applying.

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Your Information

General Information

Please provide your GW email address (i.e. georgew@gwu.edu, georgew@law.gwu.edu, etc)
Please start with G.
This information is only used for travel planning purposes after a decision on the status of the applicant has been made. You may also list N/A



Add minors/concentrations if applicable

If so, you are only eligible to lead a winter trip.


Trip Information and Experience









Essay Questions

Availability

Please indicate your availability to serve as a Leader for Welcome Day of Service and participate in some kind of pre-semester trip leader orientation. The training that takes place during this week and participation in Welcome Day of Service are mandatory for all trip leaders. Note: Welcome Day of Service and this orientation will likely be mostly or completely online.


Details will be provided later in the Summer, but this is mandatory for trip leaders.