Thank you for your interest in becoming a Staff Advisor for Maryland’s Alternative Break (AB) Programs in 2010!

Staff Advisor Application are no longer being accepted.

Sponsored by the Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, Alternative Break (AB) programs are substance-free, community service-learning trip during the university's winter, spring and summer breaks. AB participants travel locally, nationally and internationally in teams to different cities, engage in active service, and have the opportunity to gain new perspectives on social issues while meeting community needs, and learning about and building upon community assets.

Alternative Break programs sends hundreds of students each year on service-learning trips across the nation and world to address some of the most pressing social, political and environmental issues of our time. Students work with issues of disaster relief, environmental restoration, the prison system, HIV/AIDS, education, homelessness, healthcare, and border awareness. AB’s main goal is to educate participants about the root causes of these issues, while also making an immediate difference in the community.

Winter 2010 Trips – Alternative Winter Break is in its second year and has expanded to become an integral part of the AB program. Winter break trips last 10 days – this year the dates are January 13-23, 2010.

Staff Advisor Responsibilities and Expectations:
Staff Advisors are an integral part of the AB programs. Each AB team consists of approximately 12-15 participants, in addition to 2 student Trip Leaders. Trip Leaders coordinate the logistics for the trip, facilitate team activities and reflections, and serve as the main contact for service sites. Staff Advisors serve as the main advisor for each team’s Trip Leaders, and support them during the planning process and the trip itself.

Staff Advisors will also be expected to:

• Be responsible for oversight of the money for food, gas, and other expenses during the trip which will come in the form of a cash advance.
• Take appropriate actions in case of an emergency on the trip.
• Participate in all service and reflection experiences during the trip.
• Meet with the Trip Leaders on a regular basis in the months before spring break and during follow-up upon return to campus.
• Serve as a resource for and support to the Trip Leaders through the fundraising, teambuilding, and logistics coordination processes.
• Assist your team in fundraising efforts to offset the cost of the trip for participants.
• Attend as many team meetings as possible.
• Attend Staff Advisor meetings (two in Fall 2009 and one in Spring 2010).
• Attend the ASB Kickoff (Sun, October 19th) and the ASB Celebration (Sun, April 11th).

Staff Advisor Benefits

• Opportunity to participate in an extended community service experience
• Opportunity to interact with a small group of students from a variety of college departments and interest areas across campus.
• Staff advisors’ trip expenses (including transportation, lodging, and food) are covered in full
• Opportunity to share personal expertise or research interests with a group of students in a real-life setting

***Important Note:
As a Staff Advisor, the Alternative Break program will cover the expenses for your trip, however, you will need to ensure with your supervisor that you are able to take the entire period off of work (Winter: January 13-23; spring March 13-20).

General AB Spring Trip Timeline::
April 2009: Select 2010 Trip Leaders and find out their trip topic and/or location
Summer 2009: Trip Leaders begin preliminary research and planning for trips
September-December 2009: Weekly training for Trip Leaders
September 2009Select Staff Advisors
September - October 2009: Marketing and Selection for ASB Participants First Staff Advisor Meeting
October 18, 2009: AB Kickoff for newly selected participants First team meetings
Mid-October-February 2009-2010: Fundraising and Team meetings/Teambuilding
January 2010: WINTER BREAK
March 2010: SPRING BREAK
April 18, 2010: AB Celebration

Important Dates for Staff Advisors:
Friday, September 11th: Staff Advisor APPLICATIONS DUE
Friday, September 18th: Informal Interview with Trip Leaders (4pm)
Monday, September 28th: Staff Advisors notified
October (date TBD): First Staff Advisor Meeting

Informal Interview: Trip Leaders and prospective staff advisors will have the opportunity to meet and learn more about each other at the informal interview meeting on Friday, September 18th at 4pm. Attendance is not required for application to be a Staff Advisor, however it is encouraged.
Date: Friday, September 18th
Time: 4-5:00 pm
Place: Margaret Brent A, Stamp Student Union

Questions?  Please contact Elizabeth Doerr (edoerr@umd.edu, 301-405-0741).