This document discusses staffing models for Bonner programs. It recommends a student to staff ratio of 40:1 and provides sample organizational structures that grow from a start-up model with one director to an established program with additional staff. Student leadership roles are also outlined, including Senior Interns who help manage the program, Bonner Congress Representatives who implement a big idea project, and other roles like site leaders and class representatives. Training is emphasized for student leaders to effectively manage their roles.

1. Staffing Your Program
The roles of directors,
coordinators, students,
and others

2. What We’ll Cover
• Staffing Standards
• Sample Organizational Structures
• Student Leadership

3. Staffing Standards
• 40 students: to 1 staff
• During BLP start up: clarify
roles of staff and appoint
director
• Bonner Director reports to
Senior Administrator
• Creatively leverage available
staffing (e.g., work study,
VISTAs placed with
partners)

4. Staffing Structures

5. Start-Up Model: Grow Over Time
- Bonner Program director may wear multiple hats
- Begin with 5-10 students (usually freshmen with some upper
class student leaders)
- Progressively add more students each year (by class)
- Link with campus-wide service programs from outset (for
events, projects)
Bonner Program Director
(manages Bonner Program)
Bonner Leaders
(5-10 students — 2 serve as Congress Reps)
Other Campus Faculty/Staff
(engaged in community service learning)
Student Service Programs
(campus-wide volunteer management)

6. Sample of an Organizational
Center Director
(manages Center & oversees Bonner Program)
VISTAs
(training, enrichment, community partnerships)
Other Center Staff
(manage other programs)
Senior Intern(s)
(training, enrichment, community partnerships)
Bonner Congress Reps
(Foundation link, student voice, special projects)
Bonner Student Leadership Team
(class reps, committees, community fund)
Site/Project Coordinators
(campus-wide volunteer management)
Bonner Coordinator
(manages Bonner Program)

7. Established Program:
Continues to Build Staff
Bonner Program Director
(overall management)
Bonner Scholars & Leaders
(20-100 students — 2 serve as Congress Reps)
Other Campus Faculty/Staff
(engaged in community service learning)
Center Director
(manages Center & oversees Bonner Program)
VISTAs in management roles
(training, enrichment, community partnerships)
Service Learning/CBR Staff
(supporting academically-based service)
Community Work-Study Programs
(i.e.,America Reads, 1-2 year commitments by student)
Site/Project Leaders
(for teams of students at 6-15 sites or clusters)
Other Student Service Projects/Clubs
(1x or occasional service projects)

8. Student Leadership

9. Student Roles
• Senior Intern(s)—training, site
liaison, administration
• Congress Representatives—two
student leaders with a big
idea project
• Bonner Leadership Team &
committees—class
meetings, projects,
community fund
• Bonner student liaison with
campus-wide student
leadership structure

10. Bonner Interns
Who?
• 1 - 4 motivated students, mostly rising Seniors or Juniors, who serve
in key program management roles
• Primary placement for 10 hours/week is with Bonner Program
• Have demonstrated and developed leadership qualities throughout
program (or on campus for new programs)
How to pick?
• Identify students who have strong understanding of Bonner
Program and/or how service is organized on your campus
• Groom students in junior year (or before)
• some Senior Interns start in the summer before their year
What they do?
• Coordinate the Bonner Leadership Team (students)
• Organize and help lead meetings, training, & enrichment activities
• Help manage service sites, serving as a liaison
• Help manage BWBRS
When and& Where?
• Senior Interns have track at Summer Leadership Institute
• Many also were Congress Reps or attend Congress

11. Bonner Interns
Training &
• Every summer and through
online connections
• intensive training
• program management
• how to lead your peers
• how to design and lead
workshops
• download and use the
Senior Intern Handbook

12. Bonner Congress
Who?
• Two motivated students who show leadership potential and a
desire to improve your program, school, and community
• Willing to communicate with peers, the Foundation, and other schools
• Will make a commitment above and beyond their regular service hours
How to pick?
• Educate yourself and prospective students on the role
• Work with students to identify idea for their Congress Proposal
• Create a process that includes student voice (voting, presentations,
nomination committee) and administrator input
What they do?
• Design & implement a plan for a big idea to build or strengthen
their Bonner Program, campus, or community
• Collaborate with other Reps and learn from other campus
programs
• Attend two meetings annually
When and Where?
• Online (emails, Bonner Congress Group,Wiki)
• Fall Meeting and track at Summer Leadership Institute

13. Bonner Congress - Big Idea
• Their role is to
Represent, Build, Lead
• They identify a
project for
strengthening:
• community impact
• student development
• campus-wide culture
• Start-up can be the Big
Idea project

14. Bonner Congress
Meetings
• Every fall and summer
• inspiring learning
• national networking
• connect with national and
international partners
• attend workshops
• engage in visioning, planning
and sharing best practices

15. Other Student Leadership Roles
Site or Issue
Team Leader
• Manage a team of students who work at same
service site or with a similar issue (i.e. homelessness)
• Issue-based research
• Help set goals and create long-range plans
• Recruit volunteers and coordinate projects
Class Reps
• Represent class on the Bonner Leadership Team
• Familiarity with the student development model
• Assist with cohort/class meetings (training,
reflection)
Committees
• Examples include:
★Bonner Love (community building)
★Community Fund
★Campus-wide Initiatives