Join a Branch Out International Alternative Break!
Branch Out Vision
To create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice.
Branch Out Mission
Branch Out will engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society.
Team Member Expectations
As a member of Branch Out International, there are several program-wide policies for which your compliance is mandatory. Please read this sheet carefully, and indicate your willingness to fully abide by these policies by typing your name as an electronic signature on your application.
- Commitment to Team Meetings and Fundraisers
Your attendance and participation in weekly team meetings is expected, as well as your participation in team fundraisers. Team leaders are responsible for setting meeting times for each team as well as coordinating fundraisers and other special events (guest speakers, training sessions, etc.). Because we expect your commitment to your alternative break (in terms of time, focus and fundraising efforts), Branch Out requires that students participate in only one Branch Out International alternative break each year.
- Commitment to Reorientation
The mission of Branch Out is to engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society. A crucial component of this mission is reorientation so that participants can bring their experiences back to their local communities and incorporate what they have learned on these trips into life values and daily choices. As such, participation in Reorientation Day and attendance at the Branch Out Reorientation Dinner, is mandatory. Teams and individuals are also encouraged to engage in projects of their own upon returning, and may apply for funding to do so through OCES. - Branch Out 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; iindividual or group meeting with Site Leaders during the trip, and meeting with Site Leaders and OCES staff upon return to campus; Referral 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.
- Completion of Liability Waiver and Health Documents
Once selected to a team, members will have 48 hours to complete the Branch Out Participant Emergency Information form, online here.
Important Dates to Keep in Mind
- Application due: Each team has a different deadline for spring recruitment.
- Interviews: Varies by team.
- Teams Announced: Varies by team.
- Reorientation Day: Saturday, March 24
- Reorientation Dinner: Wednesday, March 28
Questions?
Contact Molly McDonough and Lily Rubino at branchoutnational@gmail.com.
Application Process
All applicants must read this carefully. Failure to abide by the outlined process will disqualify your application.
- Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, formatted as described below, via email attachment to branchoutinternational@gmail.com, on the deadline designated by the team to which you are applying.
- You are permitted to apply to a maximum of two teams, so be sure to choose carefully based on the issue that interests you most.
- The subject line of your email MUST include, in this order: Name(s) of the trip(s) you're applying for (first choice, second choice), Last Name, First Name. Thanks for keeping our inbox sane!
- Do not submit applications to individual teams.
Application Content
Please include all information below in a Microsoft Word document, attached to an email.
General Information (bulleted format)
- Name
- Class Year
- Age
- Gender
- Phone
- CSU
- Major/Minor/Pre-Med
- Language Skills
- Pprevious community service experience (including alternative breaks)
- Other time commitments and activities, including times and days of the week (Fall and Spring Semesters)
Electronic Signature
Copy and paste this statement into your application, and sign electronically by typing your name and the date: “I have read and agree to fully comply with the requirements of the Branch Out International program.”
Narrative Questions (paragraph format, no more than two single-spaced pages total)
- What do you hope to gain from a Branch Out International alternative break?
- What talents or personal strengths would you bring to the team?
- Describe previous experiences that have helped prepare you for an international alternative break.
- Give an example of a challenge you have faced and how you have met it.
Supplemental Questions
If you are applying to a team that has submitted supplemental questions, include those answers in your application.
Students Helping Honduras
Answer the following questions in 100 words or less, each.
- What is the most important current social issue to you? Why?
- Describe a person and/or experience that has helped to shape you into who you are today.
- Pick a favorite quote or song lyric that describes or inspires you, and explain why.
- Why did you choose to apply to the SHH alternative spring break experience? Be honest!
Global Village Project
- In two sentences or less: How did you hear about Branch Out International or the Global Village Project?
W&M Medical Relief - Haiti
- ONLY accepting applications from sophomores and freshmen! 150 word limit for each question.
- What are your future plans and how do you think this trip will influence them?
- What is sustainability in the context of international service?
- In the past year and a half, most aid in Haiti has been directed to Port-au-Prince, the area hit hardest by the January 2010 earthquake. What do you think is the value in serving a smaller border community such as Anse-a-Pitre, where we will be going?
SPIMA
- What challenges do you think international alternative breaks face? How would you recommend overcoming those obstacles?
- Why Africa? In other words, why are you applying to SPIMA specifically?
- Tell us a funny story!
Orphanage Outreach
- You are on an island and you need to get back to the mainland but it is many miles away. WHAT DO YOU DO?
- How do you feel Orphanage Outreach will contribute to your future plans or goals?
- Describe a fund raiser that you feel would effectively publicize Orphanage Outreach on campus and effectively raise money for the our alternative break.
Haiti Compact
- Do you think any differences exist between an alternative break that regularly serves a community (e.g. an impoverished populace) and doing service in communities which have been struck by an acute disaster? How does the Haiti earthquake, and the subsequent influx of service initiatives and aid into the country, shape the way you think about our potential role and conduct in the country?
- What is one thing you hope to learn and take out of an experience in Haiti?
- The Haiti Compact will be working with a Christian organization during our stay in Haiti. You will need to be comfortable with this. While the organization and this team would never ask you to do anything that you are not comfortable with, it is important that we be respectful of the mindsets and manners in which our community partners come to the table. You may be asked at some point to attend a service or reflection period - while you will not be required to "actively participate," your attendance may still be suggested as a sign of respect. Can you agree to this?
- Travel to Haiti involves risk, and while no one can guarantee safety anywhere, Haiti is on the State Department Warning List. We have taken all recommended precautions for safety, but you need to be willing to accept the inherent risks involved in travel. Please explain how you have considered the risk of traveling to Haiti, and conversations you have had with your family about the alternative break.
Bridges to Community
- Unlike the other BOI trips, Bridges to Community calls for more labor intensive work. How might that aspect of the trip shape your experience?
- What does a home mean to you?
Branch Out Vision
To create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice.
Branch Out Mission
Branch Out will engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated
members of society.
Team Member Expectations
As a member of Branch Out International, there are several program-wide policies for which your compliance is mandatory. Please read this sheet carefully, and indicate your willingness to fully abide by these policies by typing your name as an electronic signature on your application.
- Commitment to Team Meetings and Fundraisers
Your attendance and participation in weekly team meetings is expected, as well as your participation in team fundraisers. Team leaders are responsible for setting meeting times for each team as well as coordinating fundraisers and other special events (guest speakers, training sessions, etc.).
- Commitment to Reorientation
The mission of Branch Out is to engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society. A crucial component of this mission is reorientation so that participants can bring their experiences back to their local communities and incorporate what they have learned on these trips into life values and daily choices. As such, participation in Reorientation Day and attendance at the Branch Out Reorientation Dinner, is mandatory. Teams and individuals are also encouraged to engage in projects of their own upon returning, and may apply for funding to do so through OCES.
- Branch Out 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.
- Completion of Liability Waiver and Health Documents
Once selected to a team, members will have 48 hours to complete the Branch Out Participant Emergency Information form, online here.
Important Dates to keep in mind
Application due: Sunday, September 11, 5 pm
Interviews: between September 11 and September 21
Teams Announced: September 24
Letter-writing: TBA
Auction: November 10
Reorientation Day: TBA
Reorientation Dinner: TBA
Who’s Recruiting?
Please note that W&M Medical Relief - Nicaragua, AIDS Tanzania, W&M Students for Belize Education and BLSA are NOT recruiting for participants during this round of applications.
Questions? Contact Molly McDonough and Lily Rubino at branchoutinternational@gmail.com.
Application Process
All applicants must read this carefully. Failure to abide by the outlined process will disqualify your application.
· Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, formatted as described below, via email attachment to branchoutinternational@gmail.com, by 5 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
· You are permitted to apply to a maximum of two teams, so be sure to choose carefully based on the issue that interests you most.
· The subject line MUST include, in this order: Name(s) of trip(s) you’re applying for (First choice, Second Choice), Last Name, First Name. Thanks for keeping our inbox sane!
· Do not submit applications to individual teams.
Interviews will be held in the following two weeks. Applicants will be notified by September 24, 2011.
Application Content
Please include all information below in a Microsoft Word document, attached to an email.
General Information (bulleted format)
o Name
o Class Year
o Age
o Gender
o Phone
o Email
o CSU
o Major/Minor/Pre-Med
o Language Skills
o Previous community service experience (including alternative breaks)
o Other time commitments and activities, including times and days of the week (Fall and Spring Semesters)
Electronic Signature
Copy and paste this statement into your application, and sign electronically by typing your name and the date: “I have read and agree to fully comply with the requirements of the Branch Out International program.”
Narrative Questions (paragraph format, no more than two single-spaced pages total)
1. What do you hope to gain from a Branch Out International alternative break?
2. What talents or personal strengths would you bring to the team?
3. Describe previous experiences that have helped prepare you for an international alternative break.
4. Give an example of a challenge you have faced and how you have met it.
Supplemental Questions
If you are applying to a team that has submitted supplemental questions, include those answers in your application.
Students Helping Honduras
· Why did you choose to apply to the SHH alternative spring break experience? Be honest!
Global Village Project
· In two sentences or less: How did you hear about Branch Out International or the Global Village Project?
W&M Medical Relief - Haiti
ONLY accepting applications from sophomores and freshmen!
150 word limit for each question.
· What are your future plans and how do you think this trip will influence them?
· What is sustainability in the context of international service?
· In the past year and a half, most aid in Haiti has been directed to Port-au-Prince, the area hit hardest by the January 2010 earthquake. What do you think is the value in serving a smaller border community such as Anse-a-Pitre, where we will be going?
SPIMA
- What challenges do you think international service trips face? How would you recommend overcoming those obstacles?
Orphanage Outreach
- You are on an island and you need to get back to the mainland but it is many miles away. WHAT DO YOU DO?
- How do you feel Orphanage Outreach will contribute to your future plans or goals?
- Describe a fund raiser that you feel would effectively publicize Orphanage Outreach on campus and effectively raise money for the service trip.
Branch Out Vision
To create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice.
Branch Out Mission
Branch Out will engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated
members of society.
Team Member Expectations
As a member of Branch Out International, there are several program-wide policies for which your compliance is mandatory. Please read this sheet carefully, and indicate your willingness to fully abide by these policies by typing your name as an electronic signature on your application.
- Commitment to Team Meetings and Fundraisers
Your attendance and participation in weekly team meetings is expected, as well as your participation in team fundraisers. Team leaders are responsible for setting meeting times for each team as well as coordinating fundraisers and other special events (guest speakers, training sessions, etc.).
- Commitment to Reorientation
The mission of Branch Out is to engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society. A crucial component of this mission is reorientation so that participants can bring their experiences back to their local communities and incorporate what they have learned on these trips into life values and daily choices. As such, participation in Reorientation Day and attendance at the Branch Out Reorientation Dinner, is mandatory. Teams and individuals are also encouraged to engage in projects of their own upon returning, and may apply for funding to do so through OCES.
- Branch Out 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.
- Completion of Liability Waiver and Health Documents
Once selected to a team, members will have 48 hours to complete the Branch Out Participant Emergency Information form, online here.
Important Dates to keep in mind
Application due: Sunday, September 11, 5 pm
Interviews: between September 11 and September 21
Teams Announced: September 24
Letter-writing: TBA
Auction: November 10
Reorientation Day: TBA
Reorientation Dinner: TBA
Who’s Recruiting?
Please note that W&M Medical Relief - Nicaragua, AIDS Tanzania, W&M Students for Belize Education and BLSA are NOT recruiting for participants during this round of applications.
Questions? Contact Molly McDonough and Lily Rubino at branchoutinternational@gmail.com.
Application Process
All applicants must read this carefully. Failure to abide by the outlined process will disqualify your application.
· Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, formatted as described below, via email attachment to branchoutinternational@gmail.com, by 5 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
· You are permitted to apply to a maximum of two teams, so be sure to choose carefully based on the issue that interests you most.
· The subject line MUST include, in this order: Name(s) of trip(s) you’re applying for (First choice, Second Choice), Last Name, First Name. Thanks for keeping our inbox sane!
· Do not submit applications to individual teams.
Interviews will be held in the following two weeks. Applicants will be notified by September 24, 2011.
Application Content
Please include all information below in a Microsoft Word document, attached to an email.
General Information (bulleted format)
o Name
o Class Year
o Age
o Gender
o Phone
o Email
o CSU
o Major/Minor/Pre-Med
o Language Skills
o Previous community service experience (including alternative breaks)
o Other time commitments and activities, including times and days of the week (Fall and Spring Semesters)
Electronic Signature
Copy and paste this statement into your application, and sign electronically by typing your name and the date: “I have read and agree to fully comply with the requirements of the Branch Out International program.”
Narrative Questions (paragraph format, no more than two single-spaced pages total)
1. What do you hope to gain from a Branch Out International alternative break?
2. What talents or personal strengths would you bring to the team?
3. Describe previous experiences that have helped prepare you for an international alternative break.
4. Give an example of a challenge you have faced and how you have met it.
Supplemental Questions
If you are applying to a team that has submitted supplemental questions, include those answers in your application.
Students Helping Honduras
· Why did you choose to apply to the SHH alternative spring break experience? Be honest!
Global Village Project
· In two sentences or less: How did you hear about Branch Out International or the Global Village Project?
W&M Medical Relief - Haiti
ONLY accepting applications from sophomores and freshmen!
150 word limit for each question.
· What are your future plans and how do you think this trip will influence them?
· What is sustainability in the context of international service?
· In the past year and a half, most aid in Haiti has been directed to Port-au-Prince, the area hit hardest by the January 2010 earthquake. What do you think is the value in serving a smaller border community such as Anse-a-Pitre, where we will be going?
SPIMA
- What challenges do you think international service trips face? How would you recommend overcoming those obstacles?
Orphanage Outreach
- You are on an island and you need to get back to the mainland but it is many miles away. WHAT DO YOU DO?
- How do you feel Orphanage Outreach will contribute to your future plans or goals?
- Describe a fund raiser that you feel would effectively publicize Orphanage Outreach on campus and effectively raise money for the service trip.
Branch Out Vision
To create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice.
Branch Out Mission
Branch Out will engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated
members of society.
Team Member Expectations
As a member of Branch Out International, there are several program-wide policies for which your compliance is mandatory. Please read this sheet carefully, and indicate your willingness to fully abide by these policies by typing your name as an electronic signature on your application.
- Commitment to Team Meetings and Fundraisers
Your attendance and participation in weekly team meetings is expected, as well as your participation in team fundraisers. Team leaders are responsible for setting meeting times for each team as well as coordinating fundraisers and other special events (guest speakers, training sessions, etc.).
- Commitment to Reorientation
The mission of Branch Out is to engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society. A crucial component of this mission is reorientation so that participants can bring their experiences back to their local communities and incorporate what they have learned on these trips into life values and daily choices. As such, participation in Reorientation Day and attendance at the Branch Out Reorientation Dinner, is mandatory. Teams and individuals are also encouraged to engage in projects of their own upon returning, and may apply for funding to do so through OCES.
- Branch Out 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.
- Completion of Liability Waiver and Health Documents
Once selected to a team, members will have 48 hours to complete the Branch Out Participant Emergency Information form, online here.
Important Dates to keep in mind
Application due: Sunday, September 11, 5 pm
Interviews: between September 11 and September 21
Teams Announced: September 24
Letter-writing: TBA
Auction: November 10
Reorientation Day: TBA
Reorientation Dinner: TBA
Who’s Recruiting?
Please note that W&M Medical Relief - Nicaragua, AIDS Tanzania, W&M Students for Belize Education and BLSA are NOT recruiting for participants during this round of applications.
Questions? Contact Molly McDonough and Lily Rubino at branchoutinternational@gmail.com.
Application Process
All applicants must read this carefully. Failure to abide by the outlined process will disqualify your application.
· Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, formatted as described below, via email attachment to branchoutinternational@gmail.com, by 5 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
· You are permitted to apply to a maximum of two teams, so be sure to choose carefully based on the issue that interests you most.
· The subject line MUST include, in this order: Name(s) of trip(s) you’re applying for (First choice, Second Choice), Last Name, First Name. Thanks for keeping our inbox sane!
· Do not submit applications to individual teams.
Interviews will be held in the following two weeks. Applicants will be notified by September 24, 2011.
Application Content
Please include all information below in a Microsoft Word document, attached to an email.
General Information (bulleted format)
o Name
o Class Year
o Age
o Gender
o Phone
o Email
o CSU
o Major/Minor/Pre-Med
o Language Skills
o Previous community service experience (including alternative breaks)
o Other time commitments and activities, including times and days of the week (Fall and Spring Semesters)
Electronic Signature
Copy and paste this statement into your application, and sign electronically by typing your name and the date: “I have read and agree to fully comply with the requirements of the Branch Out International program.”
Narrative Questions (paragraph format, no more than two single-spaced pages total)
1. What do you hope to gain from a Branch Out International alternative break?
2. What talents or personal strengths would you bring to the team?
3. Describe previous experiences that have helped prepare you for an international alternative break.
4. Give an example of a challenge you have faced and how you have met it.
Supplemental Questions
If you are applying to a team that has submitted supplemental questions, include those answers in your application.
Students Helping Honduras
· Why did you choose to apply to the SHH alternative spring break experience? Be honest!
Global Village Project
· In two sentences or less: How did you hear about Branch Out International or the Global Village Project?
W&M Medical Relief - Haiti
ONLY accepting applications from sophomores and freshmen!
150 word limit for each question.
· What are your future plans and how do you think this trip will influence them?
· What is sustainability in the context of international service?
· In the past year and a half, most aid in Haiti has been directed to Port-au-Prince, the area hit hardest by the January 2010 earthquake. What do you think is the value in serving a smaller border community such as Anse-a-Pitre, where we will be going?
SPIMA
- What challenges do you think international service trips face? How would you recommend overcoming those obstacles?
Orphanage Outreach
- You are on an island and you need to get back to the mainland but it is many miles away. WHAT DO YOU DO?
- How do you feel Orphanage Outreach will contribute to your future plans or goals?
- Describe a fund raiser that you feel would effectively publicize Orphanage Outreach on campus and effectively raise money for the service trip.