Governing Documents Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs)

Transcription

1 1 Governing Documents Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 8 Decision-Making ALPs Statement of Values A Workshop is Born! Position Standards Risk Management Policies Mission Statement ALPs challenges people through adventure-based learning to discover themselves and understand those around them.

2 2 Decision-Making ALPs is a democratic organization whose strength lies in the individuals who comprise it. Every voice has weight, and every member of ALPs is encouraged and has a responsibility to contribute to the organization s governance. Open discussion is a valuable tool in the quest for consensus, and bi-weekly meetings are just one of the forums where such discussion and collaboration is expected. ALPs benefits from an organizational structure that demonstrates more a division of responsibility than hierarchy. Two student co-coordinators focus less on facilitating and more on the inner workings of ALPs; they are charged with having a big-picture view of the organization while ensuring that daily functions run smoothly. The Financial Specialist helps the organization run smoothly by overseeing ALPs budget in order to manage the program in a fiscally responsible manner. The Experiential Educational Specialist serves as an advisor; offering a professional background, internal industry perspective, and continuity to the students. ALPs also contains four internal project teams, each with a team lead. The two coordinators, Experiential Education Specialist and Project Team Leads make up the Leadership Council, which meets bi-weekly to discuss major topics and issues in the program. Decisions within ALPs may defer to the leadership viewpoints, but it is understood that every opinion carries equal weight. ALPs Leadership, Fall 2013 Student Co-Coordinators: Lee Swartz, Maggie Riederer Student Financial Specialist: Niki Seaberg Experiential Education Specialist: Mo Kappes

3 3 ALPs Statement of Values We, the ALPs staff, are committed to fostering a healthy sense of community among all members of the organization through a dedication to the following core values: Respect We honor the views and perspectives of others and are considerate of the time and dedication that others give to ALPs. We recognize and appreciate that everyone contributes to ALPs in different ways. Honesty We engage in truthful interactions between ALPs members and the UW Madison community at large. We believe this is essential for continued development and enhancement of ALPs. Open communication We speak openly and genuinely to fellow ALPs members in order to actively create a supportive community of educators. We resolve conflicts through clear, supportive one-on-one interactions with all members of the UW Madison community. Development We care for, nurture, and actively seek to aid in the development of fellow staff and all those with whom we work in order to foster a positive, healthy, supportive campus climate. Inclusive We work to create an environment that provides opportunities for growth and development to all. We believe that a healthy community is one in which all voices are heard and we actively seek ways to include voices that may not ordinarily be heard. Equal weight for every voice We treat every voice and opinion with equal respect and dignity in our interactions no one member s voice will be considered more important than that of another. We welcome all perspectives and we support those perspectives through healthy open discussion and dialogue. Professionalism We commit to being safe, timely, reliable and hard working in our interactions with fellow ALPs members and those who utilize our services. We strive to provide the highest quality learning experiences possible for each other and our clientele. Fun We foster, encourage and support a fun atmosphere that encourages regular celebration, smiles and laughter. Ice cream of varying flavors as well as sweet, home cooked foods and other tasty culinary treats are encouraged appropriately. Challenge We offer an environment that is appropriately and sufficiently challenging to fellow ALPs members as well as the participants in our programs. We recognize that challenges are personal we encourage every individual to choose the level of challenge they see as appropriate for themselves and we support them in their challenge. Commitment - We dedicate ourselves to accomplishing our goals Bam-O! is the extra energy we give in order to succeed. We appreciate that each ALPs member demonstrates this commitment on various levels and, as a team, each of our contributions adds to the success of the organization. Balance We work to maintain balance among the many interactive facets of ALPs such as Fun and Professionalism, Love and Challenge, Open Communication and Respect, and Commitment and Inclusion. We recognize that these are all interconnected and serve to complement one another, not work independently of one another.

4 4 Contact Member of group contacts ALPs with a Workshop Request Form. This form can be found on our website or a copy can be received through the ALPs office. A Workshop Is Born! ALPs coordinators respond to let the group know that we are checking availability. Staff Request A survey is sent to ALPs staff to check for facilitator availability on the workshop date. These surveys are sent in the weekly staff s. Planning Using information gleaned from the contact person meeting, the lead and assigned facilitators plan a workshop to fit the group s goals. Lead A lead facilitator is assigned and meets with group contact person to discuss workshop logistics and goals. The Group Assessment Form is filled out at this time. Assignments Coordinators assign facilitators to the workshop based on compatibility, experience, and availability. Workshop Prep Facilitators gather props and meet participants at site. Forms are signed by participants. These forms can be found in the ALPs office or on our WIN page. It s A Workshopp! Forms The lead and the assigned facilitators review and debrief the workshop and fill out a Course Report Form that can be found on our website or at the ALPs office. Forms Participants fill out evaluations.

5 5 Position Standards Performance as a Facilitator Before working as a facilitator in any ALPs workshops, facilitators must: Fill out an application, participate in an interview and be formally hired. Complete all specified training to the satisfaction of the coordinators and/or adviser. Obtain certification in First Aid and CPR. Embrace ALPs tremendous reputation for providing high-quality, and spectacularly fun, programming To continue working as an ALPs facilitator, all facilitators must: Attend all mandatory trainings, including high ropes training, plus attend one skills development training per semester Maintain CPR and First Aid certification. Make a commitment to facilitate at least two ground workshops and one ropes course per semester. Maintain compliance with all ALPs, CFLI, ASM, and UW policies. Become a member of a Project Team to complete tasks as decided upon by the whole group of ALPs staff. Performance as a Coordinator An ALPs Co-Coordinator must be a UW-Madison student and will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance, operation, and development of ALPs programming. A co-coordinator must be attentive to the needs of the UW community ALPs serves, the ALPsters themselves, his/her co-coordinator and adviser. This means assuming shared responsibility for: Help the Financial Specialist in the writing, defending and management the ALPs budget Maintain and revise databases, files, records, and activity calendars Effective/Professional communications with outside groups and UW Administration Participate in Student Services Finance Committee (SSFC) functions as needed. Provide support for ALPs staff while holding them accountable for being responsible facilitators and ALPs members Selection, training, support, and management of ALPs facilitators and future ALPs coordinators Hold and create agenda for bi-weekly ALPs General Meetings Maintain regular contact with ALPs facilitators through and bi-weekly meetings Hold and create agenda for bi-weekly Leadership Council Meetings Maintain regular contact with Project Team Leads through and bi-weekly meetings Overall program development (i.e. cancellation policies, fulfilling the ALPs vision statement, etc.) Evaluate effectiveness of ALPs workshops and provide constructive feedback to facilitators. Review of policies and procedures governing ALPs Be on call and immediately involved in any accident or serious safety issue that may happen during an ALPs workshop or event. This includes contacting Center for Leadership and Involvement, our advisor, dealing with press and possibly administering first aid.

6 Assume responsibility for all ALPs equipment and props, paying special attention to safety concerns. Publicize and promote ALPs events and activities. In addition to paid office hours, be willing to volunteer time on committees, etc. Be open to and encourage constructive feedback from the EE Specialist, co-coordinator and ALPs staff Other duties as required. 6 Performance as a Financial Specialist The Financial Specialist of ALPs will assist the coordinators and EE specialist in efforts to manage ALPs budget in a fiscally responsible manner and through processing and updating ALPs purchases and expenses. Primary duties and expectations include: In partnership with the coordinators and the EE Specialist, writes Budget Proposal, End of the Year Report, Mid-Year Report, Eligibility Applications, and any necessary Budget Alterations In partnership with the coordinators and the EE Specialist, manages the ALPs budget in a fiscally responsible manner Is a trained authorized signer In partnership with the EE Specialist, reviews timesheets and records staff hours for accurate financial tracking Works with the EE Specialist and the SSFC Financial Specialist to pay bills in a timely and efficient manner Maintains ALPs accounting system and records ongoing expenses [independent of the budget on record with SSFC to ensure current balances] Provides staff with budget updates Educates staff about financial procedures Meets weekly with the EE Specialist and Coordinators Meets with the SSFC Financial Specialist as appropriate Meets with the SSFC Chair as appropriate Attends LC meetings to give budget updates as necessary Performance as a Pilot It is the responsibility of the Pilot to be confident and qualified in all technical skills, policies, and procedures of the ALPs Low Ropes Course and Kennedy High Ropes Course. When assigned to a workshop, the Pilot is the main contact in all emergencies or other incidents. The Pilot is also responsible for training the staff in all necessary technical skills. There must be one Pilot present at every ropes course workshop. Duties include: Be responsible for opening and closing procedures Fill out all appropriate forms for the day including the Ropes Course Usage Report, Ropes Log, and other necessary forms such as Incident Reports Mitigate risk throughout the day including but not limited to, informing staff that they must improve their knots, setup, takedown, rope coiling, belaying, etc Interfering in an activity/demonstration/explanation in order to mitigate risk Saying No! to participants in order to comply with Standard Operating Procedures and mitigate risk Knowledgeable on the Standard and Local Operating Procedures for each element as it is specified in the ALPs Challenge Course manual

7 7 Qualifications: Completion of the requirements for a ropes course facilitator Sufficient experience with facilitation and procedures of both the Kennedy ropes course and ALPs Low Ropes Course Completion of the skills check-off list, which includes being able to do all types of rescues Completion of a written test One additional day demonstrating skills at the course (e.g. setup, takedown, belaying, ground school, etc ) Sign Pilot Agreement Selection Process The coordinators, financial specialist and facilitators will be selected by a hiring committee. This committee is made up of ALPs members and they will accept applications and hold interviews if necessary. Any ALPs member can apply for a hiring committee by submitting a paragraph of interest and qualifications. The hiring committees will be selected by the coordinators. Pilots are selected based off completion of the qualifications listed above.

8 8 Risk Management ALPs provides experiential learning while its participants step out of their safety or comfort zones, and as a result absolute safety is an inherently unattainable goal. Adventure and risk-taking go hand in hand, and as facilitators we must use risk carefully as a learning tool. Every successful ALPs workshop requires that participants take measured and conscious risks to expand themselves emotionally, socially, and physically. Eliminating unnecessary risks is then the number one priority in ALPs workshops. Clear, direction, proper spotting, and a general attitude of risk-consciousness must prevail with each participant and facilitator. Challenge by Choice This concept was developed by Project Adventure. No participant should be forced into doing anything he/she does not feel comfortable participating. The amount of challenge and risk participants want to take must be their decision. As facilitators we walk a fine line we want and need to challenge and encourage participants, but we must never force them into an uncomfortable and unsafe activity. Challenge by choice supports the physical and most importantly emotional safety of participants. Spotting Spotting is the act of protecting another person from bodily injury. Individuals can spot one another, several people can spot one person and so on. Spotting is the safety net in many ALPs activities. Spotting is not stopping a fall: it is preventing injuries from occurring due to falls. The goal is to protect the participant s head and upper body by breaking the fall. The intensity of a need for spotting varies from activity to activity. Spotting DEMANDS that the spotter be alert. It is important that groups using ALPs learn to spot each other effectively, prior to any activity that requires spotting. Proper spotting builds trust within the group and is a valuable ingredient in team building. Good spotters send off invisible positive messages. Their hands up, alert position says, you can do it. Spotting Techniques: 1. Hands up, fingers together, knees slightly bent, eyes on the participant. 2. Feet shoulder-width apart and slightly staggered. (athletic stance) 3. Position yourself to be of most use. 4. Anticipate the mechanics of a fall. Where and how will the participant come down? 5. Keep a solid base, yet don t be afraid to move with the fall. 6. When spotting as a group, such as in Trust Falls, work as a team. Move around so that the same person is not always supporting a majority of the weight.

9 7. If you don t understand something, ask. If you don t know how, ask. Avoiding injury is paramount. 8. Improper spotting destroys trust. Proper spotting builds trust. NOTE: Sometimes participants will joke about dropping each other this can really erode trust and must be discouraged. 9 Spotter Instruction: As a facilitator you are responsible for demonstrating the proper way to spot. This must be addressed in your introduction of each activity. Take time and practice, stressing safety and the importance of spotting. As a facilitator you set the example, with participants taking their cue from you. If you take spotting seriously, they will also. Group Responsibility: Avoiding injury and spotting well is up to everyone. You as a facilitator cannot protect all group members from injury. You can instruct and set an example. Every person participating in ALPs must buy into the importance of safety and the concept that it is everyone s responsibility. Number of Spotters: There should always be a minimum of two spotters for any activity. (The exception being a Pairs Trust Fall and this can be done with two spotters if necessary.) Spotting should encompass a possible fall in any direction. (360 degree coverage) NOTE: A problem can arise when there are too many spotters. With an overload of people spotting, people may assume that the other person will break the fall.

10 10 Equal Opportunity Policies ALPs is, and will remain, in full compliance with all Federal, State, Local, University, ASM, and other applicable laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity and non-discrimination. ALPs strives to be fair in the treatment of all employees, job candidates and clients. ALPs does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, color, veteran status, disability, marital status, amount or source of income, national origin, political ideology, race, creed, ancestry, pregnancy, parental status, or age. Drugs and Alcohol All ALPs employees, volunteers, contractors and clients are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs during training sessions, meetings, workshops, or other official business. Attendance at ALPs workshops and other ALPs-sponsored events is contingent upon adherence to this policy. Individuals who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs may be asked to leave by the Lead Facilitator or other ALPs staff.