March 19, 2004 Meeting Minutes

 

Kearney, Nebraska- University of Nebraska- Kearney Campus Union,

Oak Room, 10 AM - 1:30 PM

 

I. Attendance

           

Chadron State College

Deena Kennell, Rex Cogdill

Clarkson College

 

Creighton University

Penny Boykins

Dana College

 

Doane College

 

Hastings College

Dr. Jean Heriot, Kim Graviette

Midland Lutheran College

 

Nebraska Wesleyan University

 

Peru State College

 Steve Sylvester

University of Nebraska-Kearney

Geraldine Stirtz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dr. Linda Moody

University of Nebraska-Omaha

 

University of South Dakota

Jacquie Lonning, Dawn Jaycox

Wayne State College

Dawn Hirschman/ Jean Karlen

 

II. Introduction

            Dr. Richert stated that we would be considering the possibility of the entire Consortium meeting quarterly (as stated in the grant proposal) while the steering committee could meet more regularly.  Dr. Richert expressed her need to be meeting with several individual schools soon to address where they are and what assistance they may need. She announced that the website and ListServ are both operational.  The consortium members in attendance introduced themselves and a new representative: Steve Sylvester from Peru State College was introduced to the group. 

            Dr. Richert has spoken with the federal program manager regarding a number of things pertaining to the Consortium and its grant funds.  While we had budgeted for twenty-two schools, we currently have fourteen members thus, the need to regroup on institutional subgrant allotments.  It was suggested that we may wish to expand our recruiting efforts to heavily focus on Western Nebraska and South Dakota. 

            Dr. Richert also mentioned that she's been in contact with other Learn and Serve groups to discuss their status and experience. 

 

 

II. Year One Status

Dr. Richert advised everyone to their packets to discuss the year one status table.  Dr. Richert began by reading the Colloquium paragraph from the grant narrative.  The narrative for year one states that we are funded from October 1 2003 through October 1 2004, yet our Director came in January leaving a delay of action of about two to three months, affecting our timeline.  The steering committee has been arranged and must begin meeting.

Colloquium

There was much discussion on where and when the Colloquium would be held.  Various ideas based on: distance to travel, time of UN-L Husker football games, location of additional attractions (shopping, etc.), lodging and parking consideration were thrown out in relation to these decisions.  Additionally, some schools were concerned with the cost of travel for faculty and other interested parties.  It was suggested that institutions write in their costs for their attendance into their Institutional sub-grants.  It was suggested that key faculty be invited (as in, "you have been specially chosen to attend…") to insure a high level of attendance by those invited. 

            Following discussion, the representatives agreed to a Thursday evening, Friday day Colloquium to be held (tentatively) at Creighton University on September 23-24, 2004.  Penny Boykins will be looking into facilities, parking, and other logistics for the Colloquium and will bring those to the next meeting.  The backup site is UNL.

            Regarding the content of the Colloquium, Dr. Richert is seeking ideas on "how to get to know each other".  One suggestion was that there be speakers as well as small group meetings or sessions.  Additionally, we might segregate the groups by type of institution/ size of institution/ etc. at various times (though not the entire time).      We may also invite a few people who've had successful Alternative Spring Breaks and Faculty sub-grant programs (as that's been our only funded program this year) to speak about their experiences.  We may wish to invite those institutions who did not recommit this year to come and hear these stories and attend the Colloquium to get a firmer grasp of what is possible and how this all works.

            Additionally, it may be very helpful and make a quick and easy impact to have a dynamic poster session as a reception/"meet and greet" piece.  People could see other ideas, mingle and snack.  Another idea was to have random seating at lunches (for roundtable discussions) upon entering (you would draw your seat number from a box/hat, etc.).  Our discussion/roundtable sessions must have organized question suggestions and design to facilitate a good flow of discussion rather than a stilted and awkward hour or so of non-efficient work time.  Dr. Richert asked to please send the ideas/ websites/invitations to her from past successful events/conferences/Colloquiums (regardless of specific field or content).  

 

            Self-Assessment

            FURCO assessment forms from most member institutions have been filled and sent to the Consortium office. Those who have not yet filled one out have had new copies sent to their contact people.  A new copy will be sent to Peru State College with attention to Steve Sylvester as he was very recently named and has not seen the past copies.  The current assessment of performance measure is being designed by the hired evaluator. 

Dr. Richert mentioned that what she needs is a headcount of how many faculty and students each institution has on board to meet the grant requirements. This needs to be a baseline count.  Another formal headcount will be done at the end of year 1.  Much discussion was made about a formal survey to be sent out to faculty at each institution regarding their knowledge of Service Learning, their programming efforts, etc.  The survey must focus on measureables for the Consortium grant requirements.  Memebsr shuld send in questions that they think would be applicable for the baseline survey endeavor.

 

Break for lunch at 12:17PM.

 

III. Future Funding

            Dr. Richert reminded everyone that her primary job is to be aware of the grant requirements and ensure that the Consortium is adhering to those requirements.  As time continues, she will make sure we are on track for completing the goals set forth by the grant narrative, though it is up to the Consortium members to actually perform or complete those goals and or tasks.

            Funding will become more competitive throughout the three year period for each institution, provided additional schools are added.  Therefore, is important to develop sustainable projects.  This grant is meant to be a "seed" grant, providing money to start programs up and running and then motivate the institutions to take those programs even further after the funding period. 

 

IV. Mentoring Opportunities

            We would like to start matching up well-established institutions with working SL programs and staff with fledgling institutions.  The relationship should be based on success of existing program and programs that could benefit from the mentoring.         

Having 14 schools committed this year means we should recruit as well as start the mentoring process.  The funding from institutional subgrants that was budgeted beyond the 14 commitments may be allocated to mentoring schools.  The funding could be used for the mentors to travel to and provide workshops to the mentee schools or hiring staff or grad students to help with the mentoring process. Though Hastings can not accept funding directly, we can hire someone out of another school to travel to and assist Hastings. 

 

V. Institutional Sub-grant

            Deadlines for submission of Insitutional subgrant proposals will run from sometime in April to sometime in May. This will offer an opportunity for those institutions who know that they have projects they wish to move along and underway already. Additionally, it will offer institutions who are not yet ready to have some training sessions with Dr. Richert and devise some programming with their faculty and institutions before applying.  Samples of past institutional grants can be made available per request.

            Items that could be budgeted were discussed, such as travel expenses for Consortium meetings, travel expenses to the Colloquium in September, awards for Service Learning excellence, subgrants.

 

VI. Student Recognition.

            We need to know what you are doing for SL recognition.  Recognition can come from your school offices or from the Consortium staff office if you wish.  One idea was to incorporate a Spring or Fall SL luncheon into your Institutional sub-grant to provide recognition for efforts on your campus.  Another idea was that each consortium member may wish to nominate individuals or groups doing good SL work for a formal recognition at the Colloquium in September. 

            Please also e-mail in your pictures, links, events or other information to be included on the website.   Minutes will also be available on the website soon.  Please send in your 75-250 word articles about your Alternative Spring Break trips for inclusion in the next newsletter!!

            Consortium Meetings will now be quarterly rather than monthly. The Summer meeting will be June 14, 2004 in Hastings, location and time TBA. 

XI. Adjourn

 

 

 

 

 

 

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