community development workbook

8/14/2019 Community Development Workbook

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Resident Advisor

CommunityDevelopment


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[Acknowledgements]

Subject Page #

Your Mission 1

Agent Profile 2

Community 4

Declassified - Social Change Model 5

Community Development Outcomes 6

Your Division 7

Purposeful Programming 9

Mission Instructions 11

Steps to complete your mission 13

Funding Resources 15

Campus Resources 17

Mission Possible 19First 6 Weeks 21

Calendars 23

[TABLEOFCONTENTS

The Resident Advisor Community Development guide was made possibleby the creative vision and team work of Aaron Hood, Ashya Majied, andJill Zalewski; the members of the 2013 summer community developmentcommittee.

The Community Development Committee would like to thank ResidentAdvisors for all of the great work you will do this year with yourcommunities. This is a team effort and every members plays asignificant part of creating successful students at Mason!


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D a t e : A u g u s t 1 1 , 2 0 1 3

R E : A g e n t s o f C h a n g e T r a i n i n g

F r o m : B u r e a u o f C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t

4 4 0 0 U n i v e r s i t y D r i v e M S 3 F 6

F a i r f a x , V i r g i n i a 2 2 0 3 0

A t t e n t i o n A g e n t ,

W e l c o m e t o t h e B u r e a u o f C o m m u n i t y

D e v e l o p m e n t ; y o u a r e n o w a m e m b e r o f a n e l i t e g r o u p o f

m m m m m m m m m m m m m l e a d e r s . B y r e a d i n g t h i s f i l e y o u h a v e a g r e e d

t o t a k e p a r t i n t h e a g e n t s o f c h a n g e t r a i n i n g p r o c e s s . A s p a r t

o f y o u r p r e p a r a t i o n , y o u w i l l b e p r o v i d e d w i t h a c c e s s t o a

w e a l t h o f k n o w l e d g e a n d n n n n n n n b . Y o u a r e t o u s e d e f e r e n c e a n d

d i s c r e t i o n t o d e t e r m i n e w h a t i n f o r m a t i o n c a n b e s h a r e d a n d w h a ti n f o r m a t i o n s h o u l d b e k e p t f r o m y o u r f e l l o w M a s o n c i t i z e n s s u c h

a s a o s j d o s a j d p a s j d p a s j d p a s j d p a s j d p a j d a s p j d p a s j d p a d j p a s j d . A l l

o f t h e k n o w l e d g e y o u a c q u i r e s h o u l d o n l y b e u s e d f o r y o u r

m i s s i o n .

Y o u r m i s s i o n i s t o d e v e l o p c o m m u n i t i e s b a s e d i n m e a n i n g f u l

r e l a t i o n s h i p s . Y o u w i l l a c c o m p l i s h t h i s t h r o u g h t h o r o u g h

p l a n n i n g a n d u t i l i z i n g t h e v a r i e t y o f r e s o u r c e s p r o v i d e d t o y o u

s u c h a s y o u r R D s c o m m u n i t y d e v e l o p m e n t t h e m e , y o u r

n e i g h b o r h o o d v i s i o n , y o u r b u d g e t , a n d c a m p u s p a r t n e r s h i p s . Y o u

h a v e b e e n s e l e c t e d a s a c h a n g e a g e n t a n d y o u a r e c a l l e d o n t om a k e y o u r m i s s i o n a r e a l i t y . I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o r e m e m b e r y o u a r e

n e v e r a l o n e a n d w e a r e h e r e t o s u p p o r t y o u i n c o m p l e t i n g y o u r

m i s s i o n .

K h l a h s d l a s j l a j s d l j s a d j l j a s l a s d u a s p d i p a s i d p i a s o p d i a p s i o d p a i s d p a

i s d p i d a a p s d i p a s i o d p a s i . T h e r e i s a l w a y s m o r e t h a n o n e w a y t o

b u i l d c o m m u n i t y . W e e x p e c t y o u t o u s e y o u r u n i q u e s t y l e t o

c o m p l e t e y o u r m i s s i o n . T h e r e a r e m a n y r e s o u r c e s i n p l a c e t o

e n s u r e y o u h a v e t h e p r o p e r t o o l s t o c o m p l e t e y o u r m i s s i o n . O n e

o f t h e s e t o o l s i s t h i s p l a n n i n g w o r k b o o k . U t i l i z e t h i s w o r k b o o kt h r o u g h o u t y o u r t r a i n i n g a n d t h e e n t i r e y e a r . W e a r e c o n f i d e n t

t h a t y o u w i l l s u c c e s s f u l l y c o m p l e t e y o u r m i s s i o n .

S i n c e r e l y ,

C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i t t e e

[YourMission]

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{AgentProfileName:

Alias:Neighborhood:

Building:

Population:

Tapeyourpicturehere.

{Spy

Lib}

Tw

eet

outareasonyoure

exc

ited

tobe

an

RA?

#A

gentMason

I am a ______________________ agent to the Bureau. Im

excited to be an agent for change in ______________. I

like the _________________________ in my neighborhood.

I know my __________________________ &

__________________________ will add positively to my

staff and neighborhood.

(new or returner)

(noun)

(characteristic)

(characteristic)

(Community)

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Decode the secret message below!

AMAI ____ _________ _______

EGACHN ______________________________

GATEN _____________________________


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What type of

agent are you?

___ Friendly

___ Serious

___ Analytical

___ Nurturing

___ Sensitive

___ Fun-loving

___ Visionary___ Energetic

___ Trustworthy

___ Organized

___ Calm

___ Confident

___ Approachable

___ Unique

___ Cautious___ Open

___ Dynamic

___ Warm

___ Loyal

___ Opinionate

___ Critical

___ Bold

___ Empathetic___ Humble

Below is a list of qualitifound in leaders. Plea

check off up to 5 traits thmatch your leadership sty

you

It had long since come to my attention that people of

accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to

them. They went out and happened to things

- Leonardo Da Vinc

3


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{COMMUNITY}A community is the place where people feel they belong, fit in, are cared for, and a

place where they feel important.

Community emerges when a group of people:

Participate in common practices

Depend on one another

Make decisions together

Identify themselves as part of something larger than the sum of their

individual relationships

Commit themselves for the long term to their own, to one another, and to the

groups well-being

What communities do you belong to?

{EVIDENCE}

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Herearesomeexamplesof

communitiesthatRDsbelongto.


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DepartmentofSocialChange

The Social Change Model of Leadership D e v e l o p m e n t w a

created in an effort to enhance student learning an

facilitate positive social change. This model emphasizes thneed to understand self and others in an effort to creat

community change. It is less about the leader and more abou

the leadership community. In this model, leadership i

viewed as a process rather than as a position and everyone i

involved in that process.

[DeCLASSIFIED

How do you see the social change model reflected in the

community development outcomes?

5

We

dont

see

things

asthey

are,we

see

things

aswe

ar

e.-AnaisNin


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reality

Neighborhood Vision:

What are your first

thoughts upon learning

about your

neighborhood vision

and community theme?

Wh

at

partofyo

urRDscomm

un

ity

theme

reso

nate

s

withyou?#Agen

tMason

7

[YOUR]


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Fact

Finding

Purposeful Programming

Are you up to the challenge?Purposeful programming means

creating programming based on the

needs of your residents and the

community development outcomes.

Like the social change model it is

important to understand your

residents in order to create a

community of change. Consider the

following facts about a sample

community and plan how to respond.

Do you have any ideas for long term

community development planning based on thefacts and strategies used?

Wh

atis

on

estrategyyouhav

eforbuildin

gcom

munity?#Age

ntMa

son

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You were able to observe

the following facts

about your community:

Residents dont use

your common spaceMultiple roommate

conflicts have come to

your attention

Youve noticed an

increase in vandalism

How can you connect these

facts points to the community

development outcomes?

How will you respond to these facts?


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Think outside

of the box.

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FIND INFORMATION1. Connect with residents and find

out what is happening on campus or

what theyre excited about

2. Use social media to find out what

is popular and meaningful for your

residents

3. Use resources such as your RD,

reslife.net, and other RAs at

other schools (VACUHO)

FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS.1. You should know your residents

better than anyone else so go

with your gut on what could be

helpful.

2. Gather feedback and ideas from

your residents for how toprogram effectively.

3. Use what you know ... food,

small giveaways and

competition are all

motivators.USE CLUES.1.Utilize the techniques you

developed in your fact finding

to think out of the box.

2. What community development

outcome fits within the facts

you found.

You are confined only by the walls

you build yourself. - Unknown

Write

your original

ideas.

Think of the most engaging, uniqueprograms youve been to. What made them

great?


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[Mission]Use these instructions as a tool to help you create community.

Essential to the Mission:

-Community Hours:

o Five hours per weeko Hours must be posted and visible to residentso This is time spent actively engaging with your residents in order to build

relationshipso You should be visible and present in a public place within your communityo Ideally you will work on RA related things during this time if you are not

engaging with residents

- Active & Passive Programming:o Educational Programs: Programs that support the educational mission of the

department and university. Please note that all programs can be educational, butthese programs specifically focus on a topic/issue/area that will allow yourresidents to learn and grow.

o Floor and building Programs: Active and passive programs you create and implementto meet the specific needs of your floor/ building community. There should be agood amount of programs just for your residents, but collaborating with yourcolleagues is also encouraged.

o Mason Programs: These are programs you take your residents to that support otheroffices and Mason sponsored activities and events. Examples include MasonAthletics, speakers, movies, fairs, student organization sponsored events, etc.

- Community Standards & Floor Meetingso These meetings should happen at the beginning of each semester and as needed

throughout the year

Operation Pizazz & Flash:Bulletin Boards:

o Bulletin boards are due the first Monday of each month.o Since bulletin boards are up for an entire Month, they should be a visual representation

of who you are as an RA and what your community is about. If you put time into it,residents are more likely to read it, and be engaged in the community

o Guidelines:! Should have at least 4-6 educational components! Must have a background and title! No more than 30% of the board should be blank! Ask your RD about specific expectations beyond these. Your RD reserves the right

to ask you to add to your board or re-do it

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community andworld better than you found it. - Marian Wright EdelmanR

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Examples of Quality Bulletin Boards:

Door Decorations:o At least one set should be made at the beginning of each semestero Create one for each resident, staff members (including you) and professional st

members in your neighborhood.

Be sure to use at least 3 of the following components:

Paper:-Construction paper, printer paper- Wrapping paper, newspaper, etc. - Includesdie cut paper

Computer/Magazine:- Anything printed from a computer-black and white or color- A cut-out from a magazine

Coloring Utensil:- markers, crayons, colored pencils, chalk,pastels, regular paint- Any one-dimensional writing utensil

Craft Item:- puffy paints, glitter, feathers- Pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, googleyeyes

To Complete your Mission:o Neighborhood Presents Programs:

! Attending these large scale programs put on by your neighborhood, is a great way to heyour residents engage with the neighborhood community. You are encouraged to attendthese programs unless youre in class.

! We ask that you promote these programs, work at these programs when necessary, and ge

your residents excited about attending.o Series Events

! These are programs led by the HRAs for community development in your neighborhood. Yshould assist with the planning process when prompted and work at events based on theneeds of your neighborhood.

! Series events are smaller in scale but great in impact. Residents look to these programsa way to have something fun to do on a more consistent basis.

! Series programs have a particular branding for each neighborhood.Traditionally they are:

Aquia - Aquia Arcade Nights Rappahannock - Live @ The Ridge

Shenandoah - Doah Nights

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[Instructions]


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Day of programDo you feel prepared? Make sure you have your stufftogether before today!

Go door-to-door to invite residents in personArrange room, decorate, place food, and suppliesGreet residents and presentersGo with the flow! Trust your planning and preparation!Clean up, write down what went well and what can beimproved. What did your residents learn? Get feedback!Write and send thank you notes

STEPSto complete your missioAssess community needs

Identify the needs of your communityChoose which community developmentoutcome matches those needsDefine the purpose of your programWhat are you residents going to leavethe program with?

1. 2. Gathering informationCheck calendars and campuseventsTalk to staff and RD about

your ideaSet a tentative dateASAP!

3. A month outCheck date: will this still work foryour community?Reserve a space (if needed)Contact outside presenters

Create marketing planStart building content (do you needto do any research?

4.Two weeks out:

Make a to-do/shopping listEnact marketing plan

Inform residents aboutupcoming program

Make a facebook event, ifnecessaryCreate out of the box

marketingCollegiate link

Refine contentIs there anything you can to improve your program?

5. One week out:Shop for programPut up flyers, finish yourmarketing planCheck on your reservationConfirm with speakers and withstaff (invite staff members tocome)

6.Right before program

Remind residents aboutprogramBuy any last minute itemsType up agenda. PrepareWhat are you going tosay?

7.

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[HOWTOPROMOTE]How you get res dents to programs s just as mportant as the qual ty of

the program? How do you plan on promot ng programs n order to successfully

complete your m ss on.

1. PERSONAL TOUCH.Research shows that the currentgeneration of college students prefer receivinginformation or invitations with a personal touch

added. Think about making hand made invitations,

notes, post it notes, small promotional gifts, etc.

2.

3.

SOCIAL MEDIAbe a great tool. It

is important to ma

relevant posts if

you want residents

to follow you. Thi

about creating a

community hashtag

Facebook group, o

even a Pinterestboard. Think about

how your residents

use these tools to

communicate and jo

them in making the

effective for your

community!

POSTERSare used a lotso they arent always the

best way to promote to your

community. And sometimes

it is not only what you say

but how you say it. Think

about the difference in

the next two fliers. Think

about how you want to

communicate with your

residents.

4.WORD OF MOUTH is sometimes the most effective way to promote your programs

Not only does it allow you to connect with residents but it makes them feelspecial that you invited them personally. Think about how you find out about

restaurants, stores, or a new musical artist. A lot of influence comes from the

people you are close to. Talk up programs to your residents and influence their

decision on what events to attend on campus. This is also a great time to see wha

programs they may be running or involved in.

5. EMAILmay worksometimes but its notthe best method.Dont

email things daily. Try

emailing updates once aweek like a top 10 list.

You could also include

events that residents

are involved in, in

order to celebrate their

accomplishments. Think

of adding pictures like

buzzfeed or a trivia

question each week so

they can win a prize.

6.MAKE IT WORK foryou floor. Sometimes

your floor will

really utilize a

twitter hashtag, aFacebook group, or

word of mouth. Try

out a lot of

different methods of

promoting your

programs and

community

development and see

what works with your

residents.

W

hat

isacreat

ivewaytoprom

otep

to

yo

ur

residents?#AgentM

ason

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Forecasting

[ UProgram Objective Date Vendor Expense Balance

Starting budget:_____

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[ UProgram Objective Date Vendor Expense Balanc

Real Spending

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Starting budget:_____


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[CAMPUS]DIRECTIONS - Campusresources are critical tocreating successful programs.You dont have to be an expert

in everything because wealready have experts here atMason. Be sure to makeconnections with offices andcontact them in advance.

Fill in the followinginformation for each office.

Academic Integrity

Contact info:__________________

Upcoming programs: _______________________________________________________________________

Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Career Services

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Counseling and PsychologicalServices

Contact info:__________________


Services: _____________________

______________________________________________________________

Disability Services

Contact info:__________________


Services: ____________________________________________________

_______________________________

Diversity, Inclusion, andMulticultural Education(ODIME)Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

International Program andServices

Contact info:__________________

Upcoming programs: ________________________________________

_______________________________

Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Leadership and Development(LEAD)

Contact info:__________________


_______________________________

Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Learning Services

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

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[RESOURCES]LGBTQ Resources

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Mason Recreation

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Student Conduct

Contact info:________________

Upcoming programs: _________________________________________________________________

Services: _____________________________________________________________________________

Student Support and CaseManagement

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Student Involvement

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Student Media

Contact info:________________


Services: _____________________________________________________________________________

Sustainability and AuxiliaryEnterprises

Contact info:__________________


_______________________________

Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Women and Gender Studies

Contact info:__________________


Services: ___________________________________________________________________________________

WAVES

Contact info:________________


Services: _____________________________________________________________________________

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18stone across the waters to create many ripples -Mother Teresa


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{Mission]

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The calendars on the next several pages serve manypurposes. You will create your own Programming Plan

for your residents for the rest of the year. Soundike a lot? With what youve already done throughoutthe workbook it should be fun! You can also startwith the small stuff and plan the first 6 weeks andthen look at the rest of the semester. TheProgramming Plan you create will be what you reviewwith your RD throughout the year. The creation ofthis plan will allow you the flexibility to program

based on your community. One month may need moreeducational programming to prepare your residents forfinals. The first month may need more communitysocial programming to bring your residents closertogether. You will need to consider all of these factsas you plan.

Your time starts now

Use this information

and the calendars to

begin your

programming plan!

ourRDwillrevi

ewand

pproveyourplan

andkeepa

opy.Duringone

onone

meetingsyourR

Dwillaskyou

abouttheprogre

ssofyour

plan,theprogram

s,andhow

youcanmovefor

ward.You

bothwillensurethatyou

are

executingthepla

neffectively.

Yourplanwilllikelylook

differentfromotherRAs

andthatisokay.Thisis

notwritteninstone;you

candiscusschangestothe

planifnecessarybasedon

whatneedsyourcommunity

mayhave.Overall,the planshould

makesenseforyourcommunityandbebasedontheneedsofyourspecificcommunity.


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[Possible]

Oneprogram

perweek

Thisispass

ive,active,

educational,

social,Maso

n

relatedorc

ommunity

servicebased

.Whenwill

youstartth

eplanningo

f

upcomingprogr

ams?

FloorMeetings/CommunityStandardsMeetingsRD Milestones

- your RD willtell you what

these are!

1st 6 weekplan and duedates for

yourself

Goals foryourcommunity Marketing -

plan andideas

Bulletinboardideas.

IDEAS!Write down the ideas youvegenerated so far that you wanin your plan.

When creating your programming plan be sure

to include the following:

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[FIRST6WEEKS...]The first 6 weeks are a critical time

for students to connect in your

community. For first year students

these are the first relationships thewill form. For upper class students

they are reconnecting with campus and

seeking out opportunities to be more

involved. How will you connect

residents in the first 6 weeks?

Hereareyou

rRDs

actions

tepsfor

thefirs

t6week

s

Howwill you implement your RDs action steps with your community?

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[YOURTURN]

I plan on having my first floor

meeting on:

(date, time, location)I plan on having my community hours:

(days, times, locations)

Howwill you adapt each week to build community on your floor?

Specific things I would like to do each week -

Week One:

Week Two:

Week Three:

Week Four:

Week Five:

Week Six:

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I plan on taking my community to:

(welcome week programs)


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Notes

Firstday

ofclasses

RATraining-

8/11-

8/21

Opening!

Opening!

Preamble

Firstfloor

meetings

completed


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Notes

Neighborhood

Blockparties

Roomchan

ge

processstarts

Financial

Literacywith

CHSS

Community

Standards

meetings

completed

Residential

Living

agreements

completed


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Notes

Endof1s

t

6weeks

Bulletin

boarddue

Noclasses

Academic

GoalSetting

withCHSS

Sportsand

American

Culturewith

CHSS

Sweatsto

Suitswith

CHSS


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Notes

Bulletin

boarddue

ThanksgivingBreak-

11/30-1

2/1

GradFair

withCHSS


30/36

Notes

Lastday

ofclasses

Readingdays

African

American

history&

culture

program

withCHSS


31/36

Notes

Firstday

ofclasses

WinterRATraining1/12

-1/19


32/36

Notes

Bulletin

boarddue


33/36

Notes

Bulletin

boarddue

SPRING

BREAK


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Notes

Bulletin

boarddue


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Notes

Lastday

ofclasses

Commencem

ent


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I, ______________________________________, hereby accept mymission of developing community as a resident advisorfor the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

I acknowledge that I have completed my programmingplan for the fall semester and have sent it to mysupervisor.

I will use this plan as a blueprint for communitydevelopment and will adjust the plan when necessaryto fit the needs of my community.

My programming will be purposeful and I understandmy charge in working toward achieving the communitydevelopment outcomes.

I recognize that my mission is not a simple one. It willrequire creativity, relationship development, and

purpose, but I will know my residents stories andconnect them to our community, George MasonUniversity, and the area.

Signature:______________________________________________________________

Date:_____________________________________________________________________

Supervisor Signature:_______________________________________________

Date:_____________________________________________________________________

community development workbook

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