I. History of the Program
From 2002 to 2006, the Oberlin College Bonner Center for Service and Learning (Bonner CSL) piloted and created a summer leadership institute entitled the Activist Leadership and Learning Institute for Engaged Service (A.L.L.I.E.S.). The goal of this intensive, three-week training institute was to provide ongoing opportunities for student leadership development, community service and training.  In 2007, we modified A.L.L.I.E.S. to work more collaboratively with our closest community partners as a way to further empower student leaders, as well as in response to tight budgets and reduced staff.  The new program, called Student Leadership Week, provided student leaders with more hands-on time to apply and develop their own leadership skills while simultaneously providing the support our community partners needed during one of the busiest times of the year. In addition, the students assisted first-year students and their families during New Student Orientation that included the annual Day of Service, in which first-year students devote an entire day volunteering with non-profit organizations throughout Lorain County.

II. Description
The new program name, Leadership for Engagement in Activism and Direct Service (L.E.A.D.S), reflects innovative programming that will enhance and improve the work begun in 2007, and articulates the intended workshop outcomes (civic knowledge and engagement, direct service, and broadening awareness about social and ecological context). Designed for approximately ten Oberlin College students, the summer 2009 L.E.A.D.S. workshop will consist of focused opportunities for student leadership development and training. Participation in L.E.A.D.S will be by invitation only to students in leadership positions: Bonner Scholars who are either rising senior interns or congress representatives, student staff of the Community Service Resource Center, site coordinators and/or liaisons with the Community Service Work-study Program (including America Reads), and/or students actively involved with service organizations. Advertising for summer 2008 was expanded to include students who are supported by Bonner CSL staff in their community service, but who are not Bonner Scholars or part of the CSWSP.

III. Program Benefits
L.E.A.D.S. will offer integrated opportunities for dedicated student leaders to continue their development and apply new leadership skills. The program will provide time for participants to complete an action plan – in consultation with staff at their community partner organization and the Bonner Center for Service and Learning – of their goals for academic year. This will help participants continue to develop new skills as service leaders and gain a better understanding of the local community and organizations in which they serve. Students will have opportunities to participate in reflection activities throughout the academic year, and to get their peers involved as well. Participants will also learn about other civic engagement experiences at the Bonner CSL, such as teaching assistantships in academically based community service or community-based research courses, leading service events in collaboration with the Community Service Resource Center, participating in reflection sessions and trainings for students involved in the Bonner Scholars Program and/or the Bonner CSL’s Community Service Work-Study Program

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