Alternative School Break Club

Learning Partners: The Alternative School Break Club (ASB) is recruiting faculty and staff to become Learning Partners for the 2009-2010 academic year.  Learning Partners are integral to our ongoing effort to create transformative experiences by learning about the social issues and culture of the areas to which we travel.  Each trip is led by a student team leader who handles responsibilities such as contacting the community partners and sharing logistical information with the team.  It is our vision that the Learning Partner will not serve as another leader, but as an active participant who will:

• Add educational value to the trip by contributing their life and professional perspective
• Serve as a mature influence to encourage students to make wise choices
• Act as a resource for team leaders and other team members by providing advice and support
• Build relationships with the students while in a non-traditional role
• Encourage long term relationship between the ASB Club and other Lafayette offices

In addition, the Learning Partner will also be expected to act on behalf of the College in the event of an emergency, as well as handle the finances in relation to the travel advance.  The Learning Partner can have as little or as much involvement with the group as he or she desires.  The teams meet approximately 5-7 times prior to the trip.  Additionally, the ASB General body meets once per month.  While attendance of Learning Partners at the meetings is not required, it will aid in trip preparation and group building.

ASB is a student organization whose purpose is to coordinate service trips that take place over winter and spring breaks.  All of our trips are alcohol and drug-free to provide an alternative to the stereotypical “spring break” and to ensure we provide the best service possible to the organizations with whom we serve.  Our mission is to empower the Lafayette College community to create positive change and foster passion for civic engagement through alternative break experiences.

If you are interested in becoming a learning partner, please download our Learning Partner Application Form that outlines our current trips and the social issues that we will address.  Please contact me directly should you need more information at zubera@lafayette.edu or at extension 5653.  I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you to create meaningful learning experiences for our students.

Trip Costs: There is a standard fee of $200 for all ASB Learning Partners.  The final payment is due by Friday, March 26, 2010.  We accept departmental transfers, checks and cash.  All checks should be made payable to Lafayette College with Alternative School Break Club written in the memo line.

Accommodations/Amenities: Please be aware that ASB operates on a limited budget which requires us to seek free and discounted housing and low-cost meal options.  Our housing arrangements often require our participants to sleep on cots in group facilities with shared kitchen and bathroom space.  In addition, we often purchase groceries and cook our own meals on a limited daily food budget. With that being said, part of the ASB experience is to step outside our comfort zones to enter into the difficult work of service.  For many of the people with whom we are serving, the week-long ASB-like living arrangements are the reality of daily life.

“It’s a very enlightening experience being on an ASB trip because you get to see very mature students who are willing to share and work.” Amale Gaffney