SERVICE-LEARNING CONSULTING REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 2020
PROPOSALS DUE BY 5PM AUGUST 1, 2019. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Before submitting a proposal for consideration, please review the Leadership Berks program information and the Service-Learning Organization’s Requirement and Agreement. The Service-Learning Consulting Project Proposal Form follows below.
PROGRAM INFORMATION: MISSION, HISTORY, & FAST FACTS
Founded in 1985, and administered by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, and a co-branded educational partnership with Alvernia University, the program develops, educates, and retains leaders for Greater Reading.
- One of over 3,400 community leadership programs nationally
- 950+ graduates/community leaders since inception
- class size 25-35 people per program cycle
- 75 business/community leaders, & content expert instructors
- 200+ service-learning consulting projects since inception
BENEFITS
Employers, Sponsors & Local Economy
- employees to return with increased organizational, leadership, problem solving skills
- an expanded network of professional contacts and relationships with key leaders to enhance workplace projects and initiatives
- greater ability to lead and manage effectively and make better informed decisions
- retention of local highly skilled local talent for the workplace and the community
Nonprofit & Community Organizations
- expanded capacity for address projects for which there are no resources estimated value $10,000 in-kind
- a detailed report with project deliverables and recommendations for implementation
Individuals
- deep, personal and professional relationships with over 75 influential leaders
- enhanced leadership, team building, and project management skills
- best practices in organizational leadership and board governance
- greater sensitivities about diverse populations
- intimate familiarity with and well informed about community assets, challenges, and issues
- 3 experiential graduate credits and 20% discount for on-ground graduate programs at Alvernia upon successful completion
SAMPLE PROGRAM CONTENT
- Class Lectures on Leadership, Governance, Orientation to the Community’s Assets & Needs
- Practical Application Exercises & Learning Experiences
- Community Leadership Board or Committee Placement & More
SERVICE-LEARNING CONSULTING PROPOSAL REQUIREMENT & AGREEMENT
Service -Learning Consulting Projects, part of the Practical Application Exercises & Learning Experiences, represents one of 4 requirements of the Leadership Berks program.
SAMPLE PROJECTS
Project examples include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, marketing and business plans, and organizational development plans. If selected, your organization will be assigned a project consulting team of 4-8 talented, skilled, professionals enrolled in the 2019-2020 Leadership Berks program. The team will work in and out of their Leadership Berks classroom, and side-by-side with your staff, board, and leadership, to meet project goals and objectives over the course of their Leadership Berks program-from September 26, 2019-through May 7, 2020.
Proposal (s) must be approved by your Board of Directors and Executive Director/CEO BEFORE it is submitted. If selected, your leadership staff, board, or other organizational representatives connected to this project must agree to work with the team throughout the project from September 2019-through May 2020, and must attend the following specific events:
- Project Presentation: Leadership Berks Class Retreat at SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser in Wernersville, PA: 4pm-8pm on September 26, 2019
- Nonprofit Reception: 5-7pm November 7, 2019, RKL in Wyomissing
- Alumni & Class Social & Recruitment Reception: 5-7pm April 2, 2020 at Stirling Guest Hotel in Reading, PA
- Leadership Berks Project Team Capstone Presentation 8:30am-11am May 7, 2020 [Location TBA]
- Leadership Berks Graduation & Awards Program 11:30am-2:00pm, June 11, 2020, Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel
- If selected, you and your organization agree to:
- Commit staffing resources to attend meetings; communicate monthly to ensure adequate time to achieve project goals within the project timeframe, and make every effort to work with Leadership Berks staff and project members to ensure a successful experience for team members
- Allow Leadership Berks to assign team members with consideration to a reasonable distribution of students for selected projects
- Allow Leadership Berks to monitor the project’s progress and troubleshoot concerns as needed
- Allow team members and Leadership Berks to re-direct the project from its original scope as necessary
- Extend credit [verbally and in writing] to Leadership Berks and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance in all remarks, publications, or reports directly or indirectly related to this project.
Projects must:
- Address an unmet need and foster community engagement
- Provide hands-on, experiential, team-oriented, learning opportunities
- Provide application of student team’s skills and competencies
- Allow team members to apply leadership abilities
- Extend opportunities for team members’ personal and professional growth
- Allow for structured learning and reflection
