February 16, 2004 Meeting Minutes

 

Lincoln, Nebraska- University of Nebraska- Lincoln City Campus Union,

Pewter Room, 10 AM - 3:00 PM

 

Pre-meeting: Sub-committee meetings convene between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

 

Attendance:

           

Chadron State College

Deena Kennell

Creighton University

Penny Boykins

Hastings College

Jean Heriot

Midland Lutheran College

Kathy VanSteenis

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Janelle Schutte Andreini

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Geraldine Stirtz/ Sharon Andres

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Linda Moody

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Marilyn Leach

University of South Dakota

Karen Olmstead

Wayne State College

Dawn Hirschman/ Jean Karlen

 

I. Introduction

            Dr. Richert gave an overview of the Midwest Consortium for Service Learning in Higher Education work (past, present and future) and the granting process.  She also mentioned that once the there is less chance for snow, she will provide orientations for further understand the sub-granting process.

            Dr. Richert introduced the two new graduate students: Henry Bulley and Christine Haney.  Henry is a Geography Ph.D. candidate (ABD).  Christine is a MA student (ABT) in the department of Anthropology.              Dr. Richert mentioned that the graduate students will help to organize and research the needs in the two states.  A focus of needs research will be placed on rural poverty, immigration, and refugee issues because Consortium members are most experienced with urban poverty. Each representative was introduced.

 

III. Sub-Grants

            Dr. Richert provided information for improving subgrant processes. This included:

·        Sending proposals through email as well as snail mail, or at least emailing UNL to indicate that a proposal is on its way;

·        Providing contacts (including addresses) for a school’s fiscal officer and the subgrant proposal writer should occur on the cover sheet;

·        Unique, brief titles for projects should occur on page headers (to maintain anonymity but allow communication about a project);

·        Designing clear and obtainable objectives. Also, list the goals or objectives somewhere in your proposal with bullets or some other identifier.

·        Minimize the use of acronyms as they can be confusing;

·        Include a statement in the RFP that the activity must be alcohol free.

·        Encourage writers to use appropriate grammar;

·        Advise for applications to follow the proposal requirements.

·        Advise for people to keep copies on a hard drive as well as disks (which can become lost or broken).

·        Keep in mind all grants are awarded through reimbursement. Work with your individual institutions to find out how to get cash advances or the use of credit cards.

Locations of the awarded ASB trips were presented.

            There was some question as to the possibility of the subgrant projects being extended beyond the end of the Year 1 granting period. Dr. Richert was going to check with the Federal Program Director on this. [You should have received an e-mail recently regarding this issue.  After contacting the Federal office, Dr. Richert was reassured that the sub-grant funds were available through year three.] 

 

IV. Furco Assessment

            Members were reminded that Furco assessment forms need to be completed so that: 1) the Service Learning Team can determine baseline information aboue each school’s program and, 2) your institution can qualify for further funding.  To date, nine institutions have completed assessments.

                       

V. Service Esprit Items

            There are several items (from mouse pads to temporary tattoos and soap) remaining from the past Service Esprit program.  The program sold these objects to raise funds and several of those items remain in storage in the Student Involvement Office. 

 

VI. Upcoming Events

            UNO will have an event on April 15th and 16th dealing with Evaluation and Reflection (including a nationally known speaker).  Jean Heriot mentioned that it would be nice to use the items from Service Esprit at such events. On March 30th, USD will have an academic Service Learning event featuring Anne Colby- a Carnegie Fellow and Author of Civic Engagement.

 

VII. Web Site/ ListServ

            The Consortium will soon have a website and ListServ.  The group discussed the pros and cons of having people's names and contact information on the site, versus department contact information.  Members approved that names could be included. Also, Dr. Richert requested that all members send any links they would like to see on the website as well as pictures of past events or new ones as they come along.

            We discussed password protecting the website or certain information.  We will look into this further and bring it before the steering committee.

 

VIII. Monthly Newsletter

            Christie is working on the monthly newsletter, which will be available through the Consortium web site.  Consortium members should contribute information, articles or ideas, including pictures. We would like to highlight the ABS trips once they have completed.  We may also choose to "spotlight" schools or individuals..

 

IX. Consortium Goals: Immigration, Refugees and Poverty

            There is some concern that the program goals may be too limiting for some institutions.  The group agreed that we do not wish to exclude any service learning projects because they do not conform to those goals.  It was suggested that the first year the Consortium be particularly flexible with regard to these goals and sub-granting. 

 

X. Sub-committee meetings

 

XI. Presentation on GIS

            Consortium graduate student Henry Bulley presented what GIS can do for the Consortium with regard to locating needs (immigration, refugees and poverty issues) in Nebraska and South Dakota.  The program showed the amazing capability of GIS in researching and then mapping out residential patterning, movement, financial levels and many other things. 

 

XII. Steering Committee

Consortium members discussed the development of the Steering Committee.  It was agreed that the committee will involve members that represent public, private, and faith-based institutions, representation from each state, as well as members experience and novice in the Consortium.  It is hoped that each Consortium member will have the opportunity to serve on the committee at some time during the 3 year project.