1 The Bonner Program: Overview “Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve” A program of: The Corella & Bertram Bonner Foundation 10 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ (609) (609) fax For more information, please visit our website at

Bonner Foundation Mission Through sustained partnerships of colleges and congregations the Bonner Foundation seeks to improve the lives of individuals and communities by helping meet the basic needs of nutrition and educational opportunity.

History Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation Incorporated in the late 1980s Crisis Ministry Program Supports Congregationally-affiliated hunger relief initiatives (approximately $650,000 per year) Bonner Scholar Program Piloted at Berea College in Currently 1500 students on 27 campuses in 12 states More than 3000 Bonner Scholar alumni Bonner Leader Program Piloted in mid-1990s in New Jersey Currently students on 45+ campuses

Facts at a Glance Alaska University of Alaska, Anchorage California California State University Los Angeles Pepperdine University Saint Mary’s College of California Sonoma State University University of California Berkeley University of California Davis University of California Los Angeles University of California Santa Cruz University of Southern California Florida Jacksonville University Stetson University Georgia Berry College Morehouse College Spelman College Idaho Brigham Young University Idaho State University University of Idaho Tennessee Carson-Newman College Maryville College Rhodes College Tusculum College Virginia Appalachian School of Law Bluefield College Emory and Henry College Ferrum College Lynchburg College Southwest Virginia Community College University of Richmond Washington and Lee University Washington Central Washington University NW Learning & Achievement Group Whitworth College West Virginia Concord College West Virginia Wesleyan Wheeling Jesuit University Indiana DePauw University Earlham College Kansas Washburn University Kentucky Berea College Centre College Lindsay Wilson College Union College University of Louisville Maryland Hood College Missouri College of the Ozarks North Carolina Davidson College Guilford College Lees McRae College Mars Hill College Pfeiffer University Warren Wilson College New Jersey Middlesex County College Rider University The College of New Jersey Ohio Antioch College Defiance College Oberlin College University of Dayton Oregon Portland State University Pennsylvania Allegheny College Dickinson College Juniata College Messiah College Waynesburg College West Chester University South Carolina Converse College Wofford College Working with 68 colleges and universities in 20 states Engaging 2,500 students through 27 Bonner Scholar and 41 Bonner Leader Programs We’ve given $120 million to campus programs over the past 15 years Each year, students are cumulatively providing 700,000 hours of service

Bonner Program Goals Students To afford college students an opportunity to use their energy, talents, and leadership skills to engage in community service while providing developmental and financial support. Campus To challenge and strengthen a “culture of service” in which the school’s teaching, research, and service mission are integrated and every student, faculty, and staff is encouraged to serve. Community To facilitate greater cooperation and communication between the campus and the community by channeling the energies and talents of college students faculty, and staff to help address the challenges and opportunities of a local community. Higher Education To form a consortium of diverse higher education institutions sharing a common commitment to service and to serve as a successful model to other institutions which are interested in starting service-based scholarship programs.

The Common Commitments Diversity: Respect the many different dimensions of diversity in our public lives. Civic Engagement: Participate intentionally as a citizen in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service. Community Building: Establish and sustain a vibrant community of place, personal relationships and common interests. Social Justice: Advocate for fairness, impartiality and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues. International Perspective: Develop international understanding that enables Bonner Scholars to participate successfully in a global society. Spiritual Exploration: Explore personal beliefs while respecting the spiritual practices of others.

Key Program Features Team-based Program –Multi-year program with Bonner Scholars/Leaders per campus (5-25 per class) –Coordinated by an on-campus director and coordinator –Partnered with site supervisors at each community agency Community Outreach –10 hour per week plus full-time summers (summer optional for BLP based on funding availability) –80% Direct service, 20% Training and Enrichment –Students select where they want to serve –Students also serve as service project leaders Student Development –Supported through regular training and enrichment activities –Increased expectations each year in the program

Financial Structure Bonner Scholar –4 year model –10 hrs/wk school year –2-3 summer service internships –Bonner Foundation pays student stipend –Bonner Foundation supports other program costs (service trips, community fund, etc.) vs. Bonner Leader –2-4 year model –10 hrs/wk school year –maybe summer –Institutional work- study or scholarships pay for student stipends –Institution or grants supports other program costs (service trips, trainings, etc.)

Bonner AmeriCorps Option AmeriCorps Education Awards –2 YR 900 hr term = $2, Ed Award –1 YR 450 hr term = $1, Ed Award –1 YR 300 hr term = $1, Ed. Award Campus request slots from Bonner Foundation

Implementation Areas Campus Infrastructur e Community Impact Student Developmen t

Community Partnership Model

Comprehensive Placement Process High quality community partnerships Community Learning Agreement Logging service & training hours Reporting service accomplishments End-of-Semester Student Reflections One-on-one individual coaching by Bonner staff

Student Development Approach Experience Skills Values Knowledge Our student development approach offers students a journey including opportunities to develop:

A Comprehensive Program Retreats & community building events 10 hours of service weekly during the academic year (300 hour total) At least one full-time summer of service Intensive training and enrichment activities, including meetings Consistent reflection Advising and mentorship Increasing levels of leadership and responsibility, in service and on campus Integrating the Common Commitments

Supported by Sustained Activities Each Year Placement/ Community Learning Agreement (each semester) Weekly to Monthly meetings by class Monthly meetings with all Bonners One-on-one interviews each semester Reapply Over Two to Four Years Selection Orientation First Year Service Trip Second Year Service Exchange Recommitment Exercise Junior Enrichment Project Summer Service Final (Senior) Presentation of Learning

Building in Skill Development Personal SkillsLeadership SkillsProfessional Skills Active listening Balance/boundaries Communication Decision making Organization Planning Reflection Time management Goal setting Conflict resolution Delegation Planning Public speaking Running a meeting Teamwork Working with diverse groups Civic engagement (voting) Budgeting Evaluation/research Event planning Fundraising Grant writing Marketing / public relations Mediation Networking Public education / advocacy Volunteer management

Pulling It Together: Developmental Roadmap (5 E’s) Expectation Exploration Experience Example Expertise Co-Curricular Activities (Training & Enrichment, Reflection, and Advising) Academic linkages (Service-learning, CBR, minor, major & certificates) Through Service (Developmental placements, learning through action)

Through Service: Increasing Leadership Expectation Exploration - occasional volunteer Experience - regular volunteer Example - team leader/coordinator Expertise - specialist Exposure to the neighborhood, agencies, issue areas and types of placements; Service Trip; Summer in the hometown Prior experience in “service” including in one’s family Development of greater focus; commitment to one agency and type of placement; Exchange; Summer in a new area Continued development of focus; demonstrated knowledge and skill as project coordinator Possible third summer (abroad or career connection) Culminating project or capstone; Academic connection; Future-focused Placements evolve to offer increasing complexity and responsibility

Through Co-Curricular: Intentional Skill Support Expectation Exploration Experience Example Expertise Community knowledge Personal exploration & reflection Setting goals Time management Introduction to Bonner Work ethic & professionalism Critical thinking Diversity awareness Group dynamics & communication Project planning Introduction to social issues/civics Academic Connection Leading inquiry & reflection Personal and civic values Project coordination Resource development Academic Research Career planning & vocation Evaluation Networking Public Speaking Skills for lifelong involvement Training and enrichment opportunities support students to develop skills

Through Academics: Knowledge and Analysis Expectation Exploration Experience Example Expertise Lead-In Course Coursework (varying orders): Poverty Politics & policy Issue related (education, arts, race, etc.) & service learning Coursework (varying orders): As in “experience” level International Internships Capstones Enhancing the rigor of students’ knowledge development and learning

Foundation Resources Networking –Bonner Program consortium of 70+ schools –130+ Bonner Partner Organizations Web/Print –50+ Planned Co-curricular Training Modules –Handbooks & Implementation Guides Meetings/Training –Director & Coordinators –Bonner Congress –Summer Leadership Institute Bonner Web-Based Reporting System Assessment Collaborative Fundraising (AmeriCorps Ed Awards, FIPSE, etc.) Foundation staff campus visits