Dva Fall Student Leadership Retreat Proposal 062409

DVA Fall Student Leadership Retreat Proposal DVA would return to DVS to host a weekend leadership retreat for the high school students every fall. The leadership retreat would focus on achieving the following goals: • Teach essential leadership, team-building and communications skills • Build up students’ self-esteem and confidence • Create a strong, positive bond between student and alumni The Boys’ retreat would be led by male alumni and the Girls’ retreat would be led by female alumni. Occasionally, if the retreat includes a workshop that is jointly applicable to both Boys’ and Girls’ students, DVA may choose to hold both retreats on the same weekend. Dates: The ideal dates for the retreat are within the first 2 months of starting school. The retreat would include a full Saturday, an overnight stay, and half of Sunday morning. Location: The principals of both Boys’ and Girls’ Schools would approve whether or not the retreat is held on CTTB campus or at an off-site location. If the latter, DVA would not be held responsible for the transportation or liability of the students when off premises. Camping overnight on CTTB grounds but out of the dorms can also be considered. Standard Format: SATURDAY – Full Day Morning Lunch Afternoon Dinner Evening SUNDAY – Half Day Morning

Icebreaker/Introductions & Team-Building Games Picnic Lunch Leadership Games/Exercises and Workshop (if applicable) Pizza (if on-site) or Home Cooked Meal (if off-site) Bonding & Sharing Stories Make Breakfast Together Wrap-up Talk & Final Game

The retreat aims to be a fun, interactive, safe, and welcoming experience for all the students. As it is a retreat, students would be exempted from normal obligations such as cleaning, homework, ceremonies, and eating in the Dining Hall on the first full day of the retreat. The retreat would allow for large group and small group discussions and ideally, allow students to get to know each of the alumni present for the retreat. The students will be provided an opportunity to fill out a survey for suggestions of future improvements, as well as decide if they would like to sign up to be paired with a DVA Mentor as part of the DVA Student Mentoring Program. Leadership & Life Skills: 1. Self Awareness o Personal Strengths & Weaknesses o Personal Beliefs & Perspectives o Ethical/Moral Values 2. Social Awareness o EQ vs IQ o Diversity & Tolerance 3. Self-Management & Self-Discipline o Emotions/Anger Management o Time Management o Goal Setting/Priorities

DVA Fall Student Leadership Retreat Proposal 4. Relationship skills o Oral Communications o Building Rapport & Not Burning Bridges 5. Responsible decision-making o Problem-Solving o Conflict Management Workshop Topics: 1. Picking a Path a. College b. Career c. Living Abroad d. Family Life 2. Picking a College a. Community College vs. University b. Public vs. Private c. Liberal Arts vs. University d. Large vs. Small e. In-state vs. Out-of-state/Out-of-country 3. Picking a Degree & Course of Study a. Technical/Vocational b. Associates c. Bachelors d. Masters e. PhD 4. Picking a Career 5. Oral Communications a. Informal Communication b. Public Speaking c. Debate Table Topics • Being an International Student • Gender Segregation • Going to Mendocino College • Living Together in the Dorms • Adjusting to “The Rules” • Living on Campus but not the Dorms • Living without Parents/Family • Being Religious, but not Buddhist • Money & Materialism • Drinking, Smoking & Drugs For those adjusting to life at CTTB for the first time, there are students who face multi-faceted challenges. The retreat is an ideal setting to allow students to broach topics that may not be commonly talked about, but may cause conflict for them. The DVA are not in a position to tell the students what to do, but to give advice that is in the best interest of the school and in keeping with the schools’ principles.