Branch Out

Vision
To create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice. 

Mission

Branch Out will engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society.

Programs
Branch Out sponsors three kinds of alternative breaks: Regional (usually on weekends), National (on spring break) and International (on winter, spring and summer breaks), through our Branch Out program.  Each of our three Branch Out alternative break programs is led by two Student Directors, who train and work closely with team and site leaders for the trips.

All Branch Out breaks provide a focus on issue-specific education, strong direct service, reflection and the integration of these experiences to life on campus. Visit our blog for issue education and site leader resources.

Philosophy

Branch Out is an alternative breaks program, not a service trips program, because we offer much more than a direct service and travel experience. We educate our participants on issues, prepare them with training and orientation, reflect on our learning and build active citizens. “Alternative Breaks” is a term recognized nationally, and using that term identifies us as part of a national movement of strong programs building active citizens and making positive community change.

As a proud member of Break Away, Branch Out integrates the Eight Components of a Quality Alternative Break: Strong Direct Service,  Education, Orientation, Training, Reflection, Reorientation, Diversity and Alcohol and Other Drug Free.  We also utilize the concept of the Active Citizen Continuum, which informs, energizes and motivates the work we do with Branch Out.  Branch Out was Break Away's 2011 Program of the Year!

Branch Out also has a strong focus on social justice and works to ensure that our projects build capacity and respect the dignity of the communities with whom we partner.  Our site leaders are trained in principles of social justice and gain an understanding of privilege so that our alternative breaks can bring about more justice in society.

Leadership

Two Student Directors provide leadership for each Branch Out program, working closely with the Associate Director of Community Engagement to ensure that all experiences fulfill the Branch Out mission.  Student Directors train and advise Site Leaders and ensure that the National, Regional and International programs run smoothly and effectively.  All Student Directors serve as part of "Trunk," the Branch Out Directors council, meeting weekly for support and collaboration.  Student Directors are recruited each Spring. 

Site Leaders are recruited each for through the OCES for Branch Out National (September recruitment) and Regional (April recruitment).

Reorientation

Reorientation - or what you do with your alternative break once you're back on campus and going forward - is a critical part of what we do.  Sometimes people begin volunteering locally in connection to the issue their trip addressed; sometimes they read the news or vote differently; sometimes they make really big life shifts.  Whatever you do, all that is part of being an active citizen. 

We are proud to offer Reorientation Grants to financially support projects that individuals or groups who have been on alternative breaks create to further their service and learning after their trips.  We compile a list of on-campus and local opportunities related to various social issues each year to help you stay connected right here in Williamsburg.

Substance-Free Policy

Branch Out Alternative Breaks is an alcohol and drug free program.  Trips are substance free because doing so allows participants to focus on the purpose and learning goals of the program, and contributes to the safety and well-being of all participants, the group, and the community in which they are serving.  It also expresses respect for the community and the host organizations with whom alternative breakers serve and interact.

All participants and leaders in Branch Out Alternative Breaks programs are not to consume alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs while participating in an alternative break trip.

Consequences of violating the policy include:

•  The individual who violates the policy will be asked to leave the trip after the violation, at their own expense.
• Individual or group meeting with Site Leaders during the trip, and meeting with Site Leaders and OCES staff upon return to campus.
• Referred to the Dean of Students Office for violating the Student Code of Conduct's Alcoholic Beverage Policy, and Failure to Comply with Directions policy. Sanctions range from a warning to suspension.

Accessibility

Branch Out would like for all of our programs to be accessible to students with disabilities; unfortunately, many of our host communities do not have the resources to ensure accessibility for all.   If you have a special need for accommodation, please register with Disability Services and contact the Associate Director of Community Engagement so that we may begin a dialogue about the possibility of accommodations for you.  Please do so as soon as possible, to avoid unnecessary delays.  

Alumni Participation

Branch Out alternative breaks are student-led and intended for currently enrolled students at the College of William and Mary.  In the unusual instances when an alumna or alumnus graduates in the semester before their alternative break is scheduled to depart, those individuals will be allowed to participate in a trip under the following conditions:

• Participants must abide by all Branch Out policies and guidelines. Although their relationship to the College changes after graduation,  participants will be perceived as ambassadors of the College to those in their host community, and must act as such.
• Participants must participate fully in all pre-trip meetings and activities.
• Participants must acknowledge in writing that they have current health insurance coverage and provide information about that coverage to Branch Out.

Students who have prepared for an alternative break but withdraw from the College before the trip will not be allowed to participate.