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Two Birds, One Stone Increasing RA Service Programming through Staff Recognition Efforts

Two Birds, One Stone Increasing RA Service Programming through Staff Recognition Efforts. Christian J. Barber Assistant Director of Residence Life Mount St. Mary’s University. Introductions & Overview. Let’s take a minute to meet each other What interested you in coming to this session?

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Two Birds, One Stone Increasing RA Service Programming through Staff Recognition Efforts

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  1. Two Birds, One Stone Increasing RA Service Programming through Staff Recognition Efforts Christian J. Barber Assistant Director of Residence Life Mount St. Mary’s University

  2. Introductions & Overview • Let’s take a minute to meet each other • What interested you in coming to this session? • A quick look at some terms & definitions • The “Service Continuum” (Barber, 2011) • Why Service Programs Fail • Rho Alpha Sigma • Iota Chapter at Shippensburg University

  3. What do we mean by “Service Programming???” • Service Programming – Community Outreach – Social Justice – Civic Engagement??? • “If civic engagement is to gain real traction in today’s 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.

  4. The “Service Continuum”(Barber, 2011) The “Drop Box” Program Approach “Full Immersion” Service Programs • Holiday Food Donations • Clothing Donations • Soda Tab Collections • Off-campus hands-on service work • Semester break domestic or overseas trips • Long-term leadership role in service initiatives

  5. Real RA Perspectives on the “Service Continuum” The “Drop Box” Program Approach “Full Immersion” Service Programs What goes on here?? • “These are the easiest ones to do.” • “Residents will actually participate.” • “They’re the most successful.” • “You can go to the Office of Social Justice for that.” • “Most students will say they don’t have time.” • “I know none of my residents would do it.”

  6. Why do service programs fail? • 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 cause • “Sorry, I donated to ____________ instead.” • The residents (and possibly the staff) don’t really know where their contributions will go • “So….what do _____________ even do?” • “Ummm….IDK. They, like, help people and stuff?” • The program requires “too much” of something • “Hey, I’d love to come, but Jersey Shore is on tonight”

  7. Rho Alpha Sigma National Resident Assistant Honorary Society Reserved specifically for undergraduate & graduate Residence Life staff members Admission to RAS is limited to 10% of an institution’s Residence Life Staff RAS is super affordable – only $30 to start a chapter and an annual renewal fee of $30 to $60 The organization, still in its infancy, allows chapters a great deal of freedom and autonomy

  8. Rho Alpha Sigma: Iota Chapterat Shippensburg University • Our Purposes: • Staff Recognition • Philanthropy • Our Goals: • Recruitment & Retention • Staff Development • Increasing service programming

  9. A Few of Our Top Programs • Pie Your RA Series • Raised over $500 • Cost: $0 • Wing Dings Coin Wars • Raised over $600 • Cost: $0 • Car Wash • Raised over $100 • Cost: ~$10.00

  10. How did we develop the Residence Life Staff? • Member Swag • Letters, Cords, Pins, Certificates, etc. • Staff Development Socials • Active role in RA Selection • Inter-staff engagement • Leadership roles within RAS • Networking Opportunities

  11. Rho Alpha SigmaIota Chapter at SU • How we avoided the three major pitfalls • The community has no personal connection to the cause • Residents “got to know” James and his family and connected with the core issues and concepts • Involvement in important dates, such as James’ birthday • The residents (and possibly the staff) don’t really know where their contributions will go • Residents were provided with updates on our fundraising efforts and how we were helping James and his family • The program requires “too much” of something • All of our programs required less than 10 minutes and as little as $1.00 (or less)

  12. What Iota Accomplished… • Iota raised over $1200 in one semester • We covered all of James’ travel expenses to WDW • Iota won SU’s “Promising New Student Group” 2011

  13. Recommendations for your Rho Alpha Sigma chapter • 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 fundraisers • PR events are just as important as fundraiser events! • Utilize campus media to get your name out there • Regardless of your institution size, consider starting with a small “class” size

  14. Lean More About Rho Alpha Sigma • Official RAS Website: www.rhoalphasigma.org • Christian J. Barber • Barber@Msmary.edu • 301-447-5274

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

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