PowerPoint Presentation

Two Birds, One StoneIncreasing RA Service Programming through Staff Recognition EffortsChristian J. BarberAssistant Director of Residence LifeMount St. Marys UniversityLets take a minute to meet each otherWhat interested you in coming to this session?

A quick look at some terms & definitionsThe Service Continuum (Barber, 2011)Why Service Programs FailRho Alpha SigmaIota Chapter at Shippensburg University

Introductions & Overview

Service Programming Community Outreach Social Justice Civic Engagement???If civic engagement is to gain real traction in todays higher education, it must be clearly defined, and civic learning outcomes must be established (Jacoby, 2009).For our purposes, we are referring to one-time or on-going residential programming initiatives designed to benefit others in the campus, local, or global communities while educating the student participants.What do we mean by Service Programming???The Service Continuum(Barber, 2011)The Drop Box Program ApproachFull Immersion Service ProgramsHoliday Food DonationsClothing DonationsSoda Tab CollectionsOff-campus hands-on service workSemester break domestic or overseas tripsLong-term leadership role in service initiatives

Real RA Perspectives on the Service ContinuumThe Drop Box Program ApproachFull Immersion Service ProgramsThese are the easiest ones to do.Residents will actually participate.Theyre the most successful.You can go to the Office of Social Justice for that.Most students will say they dont have time.I know none of my residents would do it.What goes on here??

As you all know, residence hall programming can fail for a multitude of reasons. Below are three main reasons that I have encountered:The community has no personal connection to the causeSorry, I donated to ____________ instead.The residents (and possibly the staff) dont really know where their contributions will goSo.what do _____________ even do?Ummm.IDK. They, like, help people and stuff?The program requires too much of somethingHey, Id love to come, but Jersey Shore is on tonight

Why do service programs fail?National Resident Assistant Honorary SocietyReserved specifically for undergraduate & graduate Residence Life staff membersAdmission to RAS is limited to 10% of an institutions Residence Life StaffRAS is super affordable only $30 to start a chapter and an annual renewal fee of $30 to $60The organization, still in its infancy, allows chapters a great deal of freedom and autonomy

Rho Alpha SigmaRho Alpha Sigma: Iota Chapterat Shippensburg UniversityOur Purposes:Staff RecognitionPhilanthropy Our Goals:Recruitment & RetentionStaff DevelopmentIncreasing service programming

A Few of Our Top ProgramsPie Your RA SeriesRaised over $500Cost: $0Wing Dings Coin WarsRaised over $600Cost: $0Car WashRaised over $100Cost: ~$10.00

How did we develop the Residence Life Staff?Member SwagLetters, Cords, Pins, Certificates, etc.Staff Development SocialsActive role in RA SelectionInter-staff engagementLeadership roles within RASNetworking Opportunities

How we avoided the three major pitfallsThe community has no personal connection to the causeResidents got to know James and his family and connected with the core issues and conceptsInvolvement in important dates, such as James birthdayThe residents (and possibly the staff) dont really know where their contributions will goResidents were provided with updates on our fundraising efforts and how we were helping James and his familyThe program requires too much of somethingAll of our programs required less than 10 minutes and as little as $1.00 (or less)

Rho Alpha SigmaIota Chapter at SUWhat Iota AccomplishedIota raised over $1200 in one semesterWe covered all of James travel expenses to WDWIota won SUs Promising New Student Group 2011

Establish specific purposes and clear & realistic goals Select a charity, organization, or cause with which your members and residents will connect Utilize campus (and local) resources to defray costs of PR events and fundraisersPR events are just as important as fundraiser events!Utilize campus media to get your name out thereRegardless of your institution size, consider starting with a small class size

Recommendations for your Rho Alpha Sigma chapterLean More About Rho Alpha SigmaOfficial RAS Website:www.rhoalphasigma.org

Christian J. BarberBarber@Msmary.edu301-447-5274

Thank You for Coming!Have a safe trip home to your institution!Happy Halloween!!