[Ncabs] Final Announcement for 2014 EYE Retreat staff

[Alan A. Chase]

All,

The Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat is now in its sixth year!
The EYE Retreat aims to prepare youth with visual impairments for post
secondary education through real world experiences, mentoring, and
advocacy skills.  This year we will partner with Blind Girl Vision to
also offer some internship opportunities to help facilitate transition
from post secondary education to employment.  Check
www.eyeretreat.edublogs.com for updates on programming for next summer
and also to check out all the fun from previous years!

The EYE Retreat Leadership Team will accept applications for positions
of Assistant Coordinators, Senior Group Leader, and Group Leader with
a priority deadline of Thursday, September 12th.  Positions not filled
by this date will be open until filled.  Use our online application at
www.goo.gl/PjhDs or use the attached paper form.

Those who wish to be considered for an Assistant Coordinator position
should submit a cover letter, letter of recommendation, and resume to
eyeretreat at gmail.com.  Please do not submit an application.  Telephone
interviews will occur in late September.

Those who wish to be considered for a group leader or senior group
leader position should complete the online application, submit a
written letter of recommendation, and schedule an October telephone
interview.

Those who wish to attend as only participants may submit their
applications now as well, but selections are not planned until early
2014.

Qualifications and Selection of Staff

Qualifications:

1.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be current or former college students.

2.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be available the entire week of the EYE Retreat and be
committed to providing mentoring September through May, excluding
December.

3.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should have knowledge of academic and social resources typically found
on any college campus.

4.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
staff should possess leadership skills appropriate for their
assignment.

5.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be knowledgeable of transition opportunities and difficulties
for students with visual impairments.

6.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
staff should be able to develop and maintain appropriate relationships
with good interpersonal communication skills.

7.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be able to supervise participants and communicate expectations
effectively.

8.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be able to resolve conflicts, administer consequences, and
treat all fairly.

9.   Group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant coordinators
should be able to assist with teaching or leading of activities.

Process:

1.   All group leaders, senior group leaders, and assistant
coordinators will be required to submit an necessary documents.

a.   Group leaders:  Application and letter of recommendation.

b.   Senior group leaders:  Application and letter of recommendation.

c.   Assistant coordinators:  Cover letter, resume, letter of
recommendation, and references.

2.   The reference person should not be a family member or friend.

3.   The Coordinator(s) of the EYE Retreat will review each
application when it is received.  Those who are qualified will be
contacted for an interview.

4.   All individuals may be required to pass a criminal background check.



Expectations of all EYE Retreat Staff

1.   Provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for participants.

2.   Enforce and adhere to all established rules, policies,
procedures, and expectations.

3.   Report any illegal or dangerous situations immediately to the
Coordinator(s).

4.   Not disclose any confidential or sensitive information.

5.   Act as role models and in a professional manner at all times.

6.   Attend orientation on Saturday, July 26th.

7.   Be available from Saturday, July 26th to Saturday, August 2nd.

8.   Note:  Qualifications and expectations for volunteers and other
program staff will be determined by the leadership team as deemed
appropriate.

Expectations of Group Leaders

1.   Provide advice and mentorship equally and appropriately to all
participants.

2.   Commit to contacting assigned participants through various and
agreed upon methods at least once monthly (September through April,
excluding December).

3.   Commit to providing a short reflection / summary of mentoring
activities each month (September through April, excluding December)

4.   Ensure participants arrive and depart activities in a timely manner.

5.   Serve as the first point of contact for questions, concerns, or problems.

6.   Supervise and monitor participants during all activities.

7.   Be available to their participants and remain within the general
area of their participants during activities.

8.   Participate in all activities and encourage participation by all
their group members.

9.   Organize and lead assigned activities or workshops.

10.       Assist participants going through the cafeteria line during
lunch and dinner.  Night monitors are responsible for assisting during
breakfast.

11.       Attend virtually or in person quarterly staff meetings
(January, April, July, and October).

Expectations of Senior Group Leaders

1.   Check-in regularly with group leaders and provide support as needed.

2.   Commit to providing support to group leaders at least once a
month through various and agreed upon methods of communication
(September through April, excluding December).

3.   Commit to providing a short reflection / summary of mentoring
activities each month (September through April, excluding December)

4.   Report any suspected violations of and assist with enforcement of
all established rules, policies, procedures, and expectations.

5.   Supervise group leaders to ensure adherence to established rules,
policies, procedures, and expectations.

6.   Serve as the lead person in the absence of the Program
Coordinator and Assistant Coordinators.

7.   Not disclose any confidential or sensitive information.

8.   Facilitate inclusion and participation of group leaders and
participants in all activities.

9.   Ensure that participants arrive and depart all locations safely.

10.       Assist Night Monitors with helping participants going
through the cafeteria line during breakfast and assist group leaders
with the same during lunch and dinner.

11.       Attend virtually or in person monthly staff meetings from
January to May, July, and October.

Expectations of Assistant Coordinators

1.   Check-in regularly with group leaders, senior group leaders, and
the coordinator and provide support as needed.

2.   Document and contact group leaders and senior group leaders once
monthly through various and agreed upon methods (September through
April, excluding December).

3.   Assist the coordinator in enforcement of all established rules,
policies, procedures, and expectations.

4.   Supervise senior group leaders and group leaders to ensure
adherence to established rules, policies, procedures, and
expectations.

5.   Serve as the lead person in the absence of the Program Coordinator.

6.   Not disclose any confidential or sensitive information.

7.   Ensure adherence to requirements set forth by grant funding,
legislation, and financial obligations.

8.   Ensure that all facilities utilized are clean, orderly, and safe.

9.   Oversee general operation of all programming, schedules, and meals.

10.       Attend virtually or in person monthly staff meetings from
September through June, excluding December.

11.       Special Assignments:

a.   Fundraising:  Serve as point of contact for identification,
submission, and reporting of funding sources.

b.   Communications:  Serve as point of contact for all applicants,
parents, and accepted participants.

c.   Programming:  Serve as point of contact for development
(curriculum), scheduling, and evaluation of all activities.


-- 
Alan A. Chase, M.Ed.
Special Education Teacher, Wake County Public School System
Program Coordinator, Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat
President, North Carolina Association of Blind Students
Secretary, Governor Morehead School Alumni Association