Hello and welcome to the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program 2017-2018! We are excited about your interest in the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program. This is an optional leadership development activity that will allow you to see into the life of a leadership position, namely the RA position, while gaining exposure to valuable leadership skills and campus opportunities that can be applied to your professional goals. Through this internship, you will take part in various activities designed to help students succeed in the residence halls and give you the chance to explore facets of your leadership style and interests. You will also be assigned a Guide RA who can help you throughout the process including helping you select from the options and helping you get connected to the program offerings. We offer three different RAILE Certifications based on the ways in which you hope to engage with this program. The different activities or Components in this program are broken down in two sections: Core Components and Choose Your Own Components. The Choose Your Own Components are broken into four categories Community Engagement, Cultural Exploration, Relationship Skills, Self-Development. Primary RAILE Certification - Completion of any 5 Components regardless of category, and the reflection paper, will grant you this certification. Blue RAILE Certification - To gain a broad perspective of leadership within Residence Halls, complete the 5 Core Components. Gold RAILE Certification -If you complete the 5 Core Components as well as 5 additional Choose Your Own Components, you will reach the final level of certification Upon completion of the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program, you will receive a certificate. Should you choose to apply to be an RA, a copy of that certificate will be placed in your applicant file along with your checklist highlighting the activities you have taken part in. However, please understand that while the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program does provide perspective of the RA position and helps you explore the skill-sets required of RAs, completion of the internship does not guarantee your employment as a Resident Assistant. Nor does an incomplete internship impede your chances at employment. Participants can submit their checklist to be included in their applicant file no matter how many portions are complete. Program participants can also elect to have their Guide RA submit an evaluation of their progress through the program to be included in their RA Applicant file. All RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program activity sheets must be submitted by 3/1/18 to the following Google Form: http://bit.ly/railesubmission1718 to ensure full review by interview teams. Should you choose not to apply to be a Resident Assistant, yet still wish to complete some or all of the full RAILE Program certification, you are encouraged to do so and have until 4/13/18 to submit to the following Google Form: http://bit.ly/railesubmission1718. These may be used if you choose to apply to be an RA in future years. We really hope you take full advantage of this leadership development opportunity. Please ask your Guide RA or any other Residence Life and Housing staff member any questions you have regarding the RA experience or the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration program. Thank you for your interest in this program. *A Note about Winter Session- Students are welcome to progress through the checklist at their own pace, and may use Winter Session to do so. However, please make note that many of the standing organizations do NOT meet over Winter Session. It is a good idea to work with your Guide RA or RHC to create your timeline for completion. In addition, some options on the checklist can be completed from home via electronic communication.
The RA Internship and Leadership Exploration Program Checklist 2017-2018 AREA In order for participants to gain a broad perspective of leadership within the Residence Halls, completion of the 5 Core Components is recommended and participants will be awarded the Blue RAILE Certification. However, a participant that completes any 4 Components and Reflection Paper regardless of category will receive the Primary RAILE Certification. For the Gold RAILE Certification, participants must complete the Core Components and any 5 Choose Your Own Components. The Reflection Paper is required for all certifications. Your Guide RA will help you throughout the process including helping you select from the list of components. For a complete description of these components, please see the Directions and Tips sheet. RA Intern Name & Home Complex/Address: Guide RA name and email: Core Components: Staff Member s Signature 1. Attend a Community Council or Resident Student Association Meeting Complex/Date/Time/Location Wednesdays at 8PM in Alison 132 2. Create a social program for your community using YOU+2 or SIF 3. Facilitate a floor meeting with your RA 4. Take the StrengthsQuest Inventory and attend a Workshop 10/18/17 (Wednesday) at 8:00PM, Caesar Rodney Lounge 10/23/17 (Monday) at 7:00PM, Christiana Engagement Center, Projector Lounge 11/10/17 (Friday) at 2:30PM, Gilbert Lounge 2/15/17 (Thursday) at 5:00PM, Gilbert Lounge *RSVP Required- see Tips/Tricks at the end of packet for information 5. Participate in any RLH service event or attend a Service Committee Meeting Service Team Meetings Complex/Date/Time/Location OR Service Chair Name and Email Every Certification: Write a Reflection Paper* (See Directions & Tips; complete last) Choose Your Own Components: Requirements for completion are listed at the top of this page. Please feel free to complete additional items based on interest. Community Engagement This area includes components that involve having membership in a community, making meaningful contributions, and advocating for community needs. 6. Participate in sustainability event or attend a Sustainability Committee Meeting Sustainability Committee Complex/Date/Time/Location OR Sustainability Chair Name and Email 7. Participate in a multicultural event or attend a Multicultural Initiatives Committee Meeting
Multicultural Initiatives Committee Complex/Date/Time/Location OR Multicultural Chair Name and Email 8. Submit an Of The Month Award 9. Attend a major campus event (see your Guide RA for suggestions) 10. Shadow an RA for Office Hours and Rounds 11. Design and post a floor/common area bulletin board (with Guide RA) 12. Work with a university office or RSO to host a program (see Guide RA for details) 13. DISTANCE OPTION- Draft a 1-page proposal benefiting your community See Directions and Tips for Guidelines Cultural Exploration This area includes opportunities to explore communication with those who are different from you and develop skills to do so effectively. 14. Attend an UJIMA meeting 15. Attend a Community Chat 16. Attend Community Chat facilitator training during Winter Session 17. Attend a conversation at the Friends Conversation Couch Relationship Skills This area includes building capacity in active listening and empathy development. 18. Learn about your communication style and leadership preferences (MBTI) (set a meeting with any Career Services Counselor to take part) 19. Attend RAILE Leadership Workshop 10/19/17 (Thursday) 7:00PM in the Harrington Commons 11/15/17 (Wednesday) 8:00PM in Caesar Rodney Main Lounge 2/12/17 (Monday) 8:30PM in the Christiana Engagement Center, Projector Lounge 20. Have an informational-interview with an out-of-complex RHC or CC 21. Attend at least one Blue Hen Leadership program or workshop 22. DISTANCE OPTION- Public Speaking Exercise: 30 second leadership video Self-Development This area includes building self-awareness and resilience toward the end of setting and meeting goals. 23. Take part in a goal-setting meeting with your home RHC or CC RHC/CC EMAIL
24. Attend Interview Prep for RA Candidates (Career Services- Workshop room) Dates: 11/16/17 (Thursday) at 4PM; 2/7/18 (Wednesday) at 4PM; 2/8/18 (Thursday) at 2:30PM *RSVP is recommended for these sessions 25. Attend Resume Workshop for RA Candidates (Career Services- workshop room) Dates: 11/8/17 (Wednesday) at 2PM; 11/9/17 (Thursday) at 4PM; 11/15/17 (Wednesday) 4PM 26. Attend an Engagement Coaching appointment with an Engagement Leader 27. DISTANCE OPTION- student Central Goal Exploration Activity I attest that the above form is complete, correct, and honest. I have completed my reflection paper and wish to submit for the (circle one) Primary/Blue/Gold Certification. I would like my guide RA to write an evaluation of my performance to be added to my RA application. Name Date
RA Internship and Leadership Exploration (RAILE) Program: Additional Directions and Tips Please refer to this guide for additional information for completing the components of the RAILE Program. If you have questions that are not addressed in this document, please communicate with your Guide RA or the RAILE coordinator for your complex. Core Components 1. Attend a Community Council or Resident Student Association Meeting a. You should let the leader of the group know that you are there as a member of RAILE before the start of the meeting. b. RSA Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 8PM in Alison 132 2. Create a social program for your community using YOU+2 or SIF a. Utilize You+2 or Student Initiative Fund (SIF) for funding. If you are not familiar with these, your Guide RA can provide information on them. You+2: INSERT LINK b. SIF: http://www.udel.edu/reslife/getting_involved/sif.html 3. Facilitate a floor meeting with your RA a. Meet with your RA (and NET captain if you live in a first-year building) to help plan the agenda as well as deliver part of the meeting to the floor b. You should also assist in advertising the floor meeting and recruiting floor members to attend 4. Take the StrengthsQuest Inventory and attend a Workshop a. Contact Tierra Fields (tierraf@udel.edu) at least 48 hours before the session to obtain a StrengthsQuest code. In your email please include the date of the session you will be attending. b. Take the Inventory to find out your top 5 strengths c. Attend one of the offered workshops to explore your strengths and learn about the strengths of others d. StrengthsQuest workshops done through Community Council can be counted in this area 5. Attend a Service Committee Meeting or participate in a service event a. Each Community Council has a Service Chair who is responsible for raising awareness, promoting, and coordinating programmatic initiatives related to service within the complex. b. You should reach out to the Service Chair to inquire about whether this chair hosts committee meetings and/or opportunities to help or attend an upcoming program or initiative c. Additional there are other departmental service events that take place such as events hosted by Residence Life and Housing Alternative Break, Day of Service, and many Winter Session opportunities Community Engagement 6. Attend a Sustainability Committee Meeting or participate in sustainability event a. Each Community Council has a Sustainability Chair who is responsible for raising awareness, promoting, and coordinating programmatic initiatives related to sustainability within the complex. b. You should reach out to the Sustainability Chair to inquire about whether this chair hosts committee meetings and/or opportunities to help or attend an upcoming program or initiative 7. Attend a Multicultural Initiatives Committee Meeting or participate in a multicultural event a. Each Community Council has a Multicultural Chair who is responsible for raising awareness, promoting, and coordinating programmatic initiatives related to issues related to difference within the complex. b. You should reach out to the Multicultural Chair to inquire about whether this chair hosts committee meetings and/or opportunities to help or attend an upcoming program or initiative 8. Submit an Of The Month Award
a. OTM s are nominations that recognize the outstanding contributions and initiatives of members of your community within a specific month. b. Categories include: Residential Community OTM, Student OTM, Program OTM, Organization OTM, and more! c. For more information regarding how to submit an OTM, visit the site : http://otms.nrhh.org/form_general.php3 9. Attend a major campus event (see your Guide RA for suggestions) a. A Major Campus Event is an event that for all members of campus (not just in your hall) b. Events should be large-scale educational events around one of the following topics: Philanthropy/Service, Environmental Sustainability, Global Awareness, or Leadership c. Your Guide RA or RHC will inform you of upcoming events 10. Shadow an RA for Office Hours and Rounds a. Shadow an RA for a night of duty (with an RA different than your guide) i. RA duty is every night from 7:30pm-9:00pm, plus one round of the building at 9pm. ii. Your Guide RA should help you coordinate with an RA on Duty to shadow. 11. Design and post a floor/common area bulletin board (with Guide RA) a. Design and post a floor/common area bulletin board (with Guide RA) i. The bulletin board should be both informational and eye-catching for students. ii. You can request supplies for your bulletin board from your Guide RA or work with your RHC to get supplies from the office. iii. Feel free to brainstorm topics with your RA, guide RA, or RHC 12. Work with a university office or RSO to host a program a. Invite an office to come in and do a program for your community. You should give them ample time to communicate with you and schedule a date/time that works. b. Some great offices to consider are: i. Student Wellness and Health Promotion ii. The Center for Black Culture iii. The Counseling Center iv. The Office of Equity and Inclusion v. Use student Central to research different RSOs c. Be sure to reserve a lounge space through the RHC 13. DISTANCE OPTION- Draft a 1-page proposal benefiting your community a. In a 1-2 page proposal, answer the following prompt: If you could make one recommendation for improvements to the residence hall experience for students, what would that be? (a service project, event, initiative, etc.) i. How would this recommendation positively affect the student experience? ii. What materials, if any, would you need to achieve your idea? iii. What other residual benefits would your proposal have? b. Email your completed proposal to your RHC: INSERT RHC NAME AND EMAIL Cultural Exploration 14. Attend an UJIMA meeting a. UJIMA is a group for Resident Assistants of Color and provides opportunities for discussion and resources for support. b. Please contact Lillie Wilson, Chair, at ldwilson@udel.edu to plan to attend. 15. Attend a Community Chat
a. Approximately 70% of employers are looking for strong problem solving and communication skills.* Community Chats are an opportunity to engage in tough conversations that help build these skills. Become better leaders, more informed community members, and gain marketable skills by engaging in community chats. *Data from National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2015 b. Please email Jessica Cornwell at jcornwel@udel.edu for information or go to http://www1.udel.edu/reslife/getting_involved/ra_internship.html for dates/times/locations. 16. Attend Community Chat facilitator training during Winter Session a. Please email Jessica Cornwell at jcornwel@udel.edu for information and to register for this program. 17. Sign-up for the Friends Conversation Couch a. Meet people from around the world at the English Language Institute b. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/2ommr61 c. Once you have selected a time, please show-up for the Friends Conversation Couch, located in The Self Access Learning Center is located in English Learning Institute s building on Main Street - 108 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Rm. 210 Relationship Skills 18. Learn about your communication style and leadership preferences (MBTI) a. Set up an appointment with any Career Services counselor to explore your leadership style! b. http://www.udel.edu/csc/ 19. Attend RAILE Leadership Workshop a. Dates/locations: i. 10/19/17 (Thursday) 7:00PM in the Harrington Commons ii. 11/15/17 (Wednesday) 8:00PM in Caesar Rodney Main Lounge iii. 2/12/17 (Monday) 8:30PM in the Christiana Engagement Center, Projector Lounge 20. Have an informational-interview with an out-of-complex RHC or CC a. Email the RHC/CC you would like to meet with to schedule an appointment. i. http://www.udel.edu/reslife/about_us/staffdirectory.html b. Consider what complex you would be interested in being an RA or living in next year c. Prepare questions for this meeting about the culture of the complex and student engagement opportunities. i. A few example Questions: 1. What is unique about your specific complex? 2. What opportunities exist here for students to get involved? 3. What are our goals for students in your complex? 4. What has been your proudest moment as an RHC/CC? 21. Attend at least one Blue Hen Leadership program or workshop a. The following sessions count towards credit: i. Crucial Conversations- September 18, 5pm Trabant 209/211 ii. Managing Conflicts- Sept. 27, 5pm Perkins Gallery iii. The five languages of appreciation - Oct 18, 5pm Perkins Gallery iv. Motivation and Influence- Oct 25, 5pm Perkins Gallery v. How to Bring Change in Your Organization- Oct 30, 5pm, Trabant 209/211 vi. You Better Recognize! Encourage the Heart by Encouraging Others- October 23, 5pm Trabant 209/211 b. Please RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/ey3gfnsout2bi14g2 (Please note the tier system used by BHLP is different than the certifications utilized in RAILE)
22. DISTANCE OPTION- Public Speaking Exercise: 30 second leadership video a. The ability to feel comfortable speaking to an audience is crucial in leadership development. b. Select an item (an everyday item, something you own/value etc.) to represent you as a leader. c. Film yourself giving a 30-second to 1 minute explanation of your item and your leadership style. i. Be sure to: 1. Describe the item you have selected. 2. Explain why you selected it and how it represents your leadership style. 3. Describe a time you have used your leadership style. d. Feel free to be creative! e. Email your video to your RHC, who will provide you with their comments on our video. Self-Development 23. Take part in a goal-setting meeting with your home RHC or CC a. RHC/CC EMAIL 24. Attend Interview Prep for RA Candidates (Career Services- Workshop room) a. Career Services offers specific Interview Prep workshops for RA candidates b. It is encouraged that you RSVP to be guaranteed a place in the workshop. The reservation form can be found through the Career Services Center Handshake Student Portal https://udel.joinhandshake.com/login c. Dates: 11/16/17 (Thursday) at 4PM; 2/7/18 (Wednesday) at 4PM; 2/8/18 (Thursday) at 2:30PM 25. Attend Resume Workshop for RA Candidates (Career Services- workshop room) a. Career Services offers specific resume workshops for RA candidates b. It is encouraged that you RSVP to be guaranteed a place in the workshop. The reservation form can be found through the Career Services Center Handshake Student Portal https://udel.joinhandshake.com/login c. Dates: 11/8/17 (Wednesday) at 2PM; 11/9/17 (Thursday) at 4PM; 11/15/17 (Wednesday) 4PM 26. Attend an Engagement Coaching appointment with an Engagement Leader a. Engagement Coaching is a service offered by the Residence Life and Housing Engagement Centers, and offers you the opportunity to explore your current level of involvement, find new avenues to get involved, and make the most of your engagement opportunities. The appointments are one-on-one conversations with Engagement Leaders, fellow students who have been engaged on campus and are trained to help you with reflection and finding opportunities. b. To make an Engagement Coaching appointment, visit the Engagement Centers website at http://www1.udel.edu/reslife/getting_involved/engagement_centers.html after October 1st, 2017. c. Engagement Coaching is available Sunday through Thursday from 6pm to 9pm. Appointments can be made on the website, and the Personal Engagement Plan found there should be completed as directed in the instructions prior to the appointment. 27. DISTANCE OPTION- student Central Goal Exploration Activity a. Using student Central (you will need to create your account) https://studentcentral.udel.edu/, select 4 organizations that could connect you to some of your social/academic goals. i. Highlight your selected organizations, and for each group explain in 1-2 paragraph how membership in their organization or attendance of their meeting/event could aid you in your goals. ii. Ex. If your goal is to be a doctor you could highlight: 1. Making Doctors 2. Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association 3. Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity 4. Rubber Chickens - Because your major is stressful and you need a good laugh! b. You may select 1 goal and all 4 organizations relate to it, or 4 different goals with 1 organization
c. Feel free to be creative! Reflection Paper Required for all Certifications For any of the three RAILE Certifications, this component should be completed LAST in order to reflect on your entire RAILE program experience. You should submit your paper via the google form to receive your certification or to include materials in your RA Candidate File. The Reflection Paper should be approximately 2 pages, double-spaced. Please reflect on the following questions in your paper. To the best of your ability, use examples from the components you have completed, your experiences throughout the RAILE process, and the ways in which you might apply your learning to future experiences. How has participation in RAILE enhanced your experience within the residence halls and throughout campus? What skills did you gain as a result of participating in RAILE? Additionally, please answer at least one of the following questions: How have you been able to demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills? How have your talents, strengths, or interests helped you to achieve your goals? What opportunities exist for students to grow through experiences with those who are different from them? How, if at all, have you participated in this way? Describe an action you have taken towards making change in your community as a result of participating in the RAILE program and the impact of that change within your community. Thank you for your interest in the RA Internship and Leadership Exploration (RAILE) Program! We hope that you will enjoy your experience and gain valuable leadership skills. After your completion of the RAILE Program, we encourage you to provide feedback to through the survey sent out in the Spring so we can make on-going improvements to the RAILE Program experience.