This document provides an overview and examples of the training that Resident Advisors (RAs) will receive for the Fall 2013 semester. It discusses the community development methods and programming models that RAs will use. It provides examples of programs and activities that RAs could plan, such as door decorations, bulletin boards, and welcome letters. It also outlines the requirements for the number and types of programs RAs must complete each semester. Finally, it discusses best practices and things to avoid in planning programs and community engagement activities.

1. RATraining, Fall 2013

2.  Community Development Methods
 Meant as a quick snapshot
 Details will be covered in training
 Programming Model & Examples
 Door Decorations & Examples
 Bulletin Boards & Examples
 Welcome Letter & Example
 Things we DON’T want to see…
 More details will be in your RA Manual!

3. 1. Programming Model
2. Area-Wide Programs
3. Res. Hall Identification
4. Personal Interactions
5. Welcome Letters
6. Door Decorations
7. Roommate Agreements
8. Building/Floor Meetings
9. Bulletin Boards
10. RA Hours
11. Health & Safety
Inspections
12. Norman Dollars
 Take a quick look and familiarize you with some of the methods.
 We’ll discuss more details in training.

4.  Program Requirements: 6 programs per semester
 4 educational & 2 social *
 2 programs per block for each semester
 Educational Programming Options: UNE Model
 Unique: focus on social awareness
 Nurture: enhance life and academic skills
▪ Academic and Personal components within Nurture category
 Environment/Community: positively contribute to
University and local communities
 *You can always do more of these programs,
but they may not count toward your programming model total

5.  Collaborative Programs: 2 max per semester*
 Collaborative: working with another RA
 Supportive Programs: 2 max per semester*
 Supportive: attending a campus-sponsored event or
program
 Outside Presenters: 2 weeks notice for a program
 *You can always do more of these programs,
but they may not count toward your programming model total

6.  Programming Model Recap:
 U, N-Academic, N-Personal, E, 2 socials per block
▪ Each block will also include anArea-Wide program
 Area-wide Program Requirement: 3 per semester
 Decided by RATeam & supervising AC
Fall Semester Requirements:
August/September October November/December
2 programs 2 programs 2 programs
Spring Semester Requirements:
January/February March April/May
2 programs 2 programs 2 programs

7. Question Jenga
Supplies – 2-3 Jenga games and markers
What – Write a “get to know you” kind of question on every Jenga
piece. Set the game(s) up in a lounge and let the residents play.
Each resident answers the questions on the pieces they move.
Learning Outcomes – Residents will get to know other members
of the community
Puzzle Piece
Supplies – puzzle, art and craft supplies, magazines, etc.
What – Pick any puzzle and hand a piece out to everyone on the
floor. Tell them to decorate the blank side in a way that represents
them as an individual. Bring everyone together to put the puzzle
together and talk about individual identities. Frame the puzzle after
and put it in the hall.
Learning Outcomes – Residents will get to know other members
of the community and be more aware, understanding and
appreciative of difference and how they come together.

8. My Stash
Supplies – Jars, painters marker, stencils, oven
What – Give everyone a jar and let them pick a
stash stencil. Draw on the jars and cook in an
oven. Supplemental to discussing about budgeting
tips for college, healthy spending habits, credit
cards, etc.
Learning Outcomes – Residents will learn helpful
financial information while also having an additional
way to save a little along the way.
College Eating
Supplies – Recipes, examples of
the food talked
about, microwave/oven
What – Give everyone a mini
recipe book of easy and healthy
recipes to make in a residence
hall. For example, there are a lot
of single serve dishes that can be
made easily in a coffee cup in a
microwave. Serve sample
portions of some recipes in their
booklets
Learning Outcomes – Residents
will learn easy and healthy
recipes they can make
themselves in the residence hall.
Also have a better understanding
of the responsibility of cooking on
their own.

9. Cultural Sensitivity
Supplies – Examples of insensitive costumes; We’re a culture, not
a costume campaign information; other researched information.
What – Around Halloween, discuss cultural sensitivity and
appropriateness surrounding costumes in regards to
traditions, stereotypes, etc. Ask for assistance from Multicultural
Affairs. Utilize resources from campaigns like We’re a Culture, Not
a Costume.
Learning Outcomes – Residents will gain more understanding of
different cultures, traditions, stereotypes, and perspectives. Have
a greater sense of respect and knowledge when choosing their
costume for the holiday.
Jared Boxes
Supplies – Shoebox sized plastic storage boxes and resources
from Jared Box website (labels, cards, etc.)
What – Ask residents to participate in filling a box to be given to a
chronically ill child in the hospital. They can do them solo or work
in groups. Fill the box with age appropriate toys and items like
crayons, matchbox cars, coloring books, silly putty, etc. Donate
the completed boxes to a local children’s hospital (Barbara Bush
Children’s Hospital in Portland participates in the program).
Learning Outcomes – Residents will learn how easy and fulfilling
it can be to take part in helping others in the community.

10.  Welcome residents to the community
 Personalize them!
 Hand-made, creative, well-designed, eye-catching
 Incorporate themes related to the floor/hall
 Challenge yourself!
 Complete 2 sets per semester (week 1 & week 8)
 Make extras!
 Replace ones that get torn down or go missing
 Have them ready when new students move onto your floor

13.  Communicate relevant information to residents
 University information
 Dates & deadlines
 Upcoming programs & events
 Interact with community
 Resident of the Month, Resident Birthdays, recognition
 Floor/hall issues and concerns
 Plan ahead!
 Think about upcoming months
 Talk with your staff about themes and ideas to use

14.  Best Practices:
 Hand-made
 Relevant to
residents’ needs
 Use many colors
 Enough content
to fill board
 May extend
beyond frame of
bulletin board

16.  Best Practices:
 Use perspective & 3D
element to draw
attention
 Use popular game
and/or reference as a
theme
 Neat handwriting &
drawing, clean lines and
text

17.  Best Practices:
 Catch attention with
humor
 Limit text on each paper
to be readable at a glance
(unlike this one )
 Get creative!
 Don’t consider yourself the “creative
type?” Talk to your staff members
and AC to brainstorm ideas 
Think
Outside
the
Box!

18.  Welcome residents to the residential community!
 Introduce yourself to your residents
 Familiarize residents with the building
 Inform them of upcoming events and administrative tasks
▪ Floor meeting
▪ RoomCondition Report
▪ RoommateAgreements
 Work ahead!
 Start your draft now, & you can finish it during RATraining

19. Hello Everyone!
My name isAbbey, and I am your Resident Advisor here in Dunlap-King Hall! I am a music major and am
currently in my third year here at UNE. As an RA, I am here as a resource to help integrate you into the DK community
and the larger campus community as well as to ensure you have a safe, healthy, and fun experience at UNE!
For those of you who are looking to get involved here on campus, there are so many opportunities to find your
passion! We have over 80 student organizations on campus ranging from Intramural Sports to the Gamers Guild, from
Orientation Leaders to Knit Wits! We also have opportunities for you to get involved in UNE’s Residential Student Life
Association (RSLA) to represent and advocate for our hall and our larger residential community on campus. Doing this
not only gives you leadership experience but also helps the entire hall get things we need. If you are interested, come
and see me!
If you notice anything that is out of place, missing, or damaged in your room while you are moving in or within
the first week, please document it on your Room Condition Report (RCR) and let me know. It is important for us to keep
track of damages on your RCR so that you are not charged when you move out for things you did not damage. It is also
important to report any damages that occur during the year so that we can get them fixed and keep the building in tip-
top shape! Within the first week, I will also be coming around to help you with Roommate Agreement, which is meant
to start you and your roommate talking about personal preferences within your room. This Agreement will set the
community standards for your room that you and your roommate follow and can refer to during conflicts.
Specifically for DK, you will need your UNE ID to swipe into the building and your room key to access not only
your room but also the door to your hallway. Never leave your room without both your ID and your room key! If I am
not around and you need to contact me, send me an email at abbey.hirt@une.edu or leave me a message on my dry-
erase board.We also will have signs posted around the hall with contact information for the RA on duty, and you can
call or stop by with any questions.
I look forward to meeting you all, and let’s make this an amazing year!
~Abbey

20.  Programming Model
 Area-Wide Programs
3. Res. Hall Identification
4. Personal Interactions
 Welcome Letters
 Door Decorations
7. Roommate Agreements
8. Building/Floor Meetings
 Bulletin Boards
10. RA Hours
11. Health & Safety
Inspections
12. Norman Dollars
 Again, we’ll discuss more details in RATraining.

21.  Bulletin Boards:
 All content is printed
pictures and text
 Minimal content, board
not filled
 Too much
content, overloaded with
paragraphs of text
 All pictures & fun, does not
address a relevant need or
issue of residents

22.  Door Decorations:
 Printed and pixilated pictures
 No effort put into it
 Plain, bland, non-creative
 Exclusive & non-welcoming
 Sloppy handwriting/finishing

23.  Programming:
 Last-minute planning
▪ Asking another AC to sign your cash advance the day of your
program
▪ Putting in your program proposal the day before your program
 Poor implementation
 Plain & non-creative programs
 Repetitive and/or duplicate programs in the same staff
 Paragraph(s) of text on advertisements

24.  Plan Ahead
 ChallengeYourself
 Use your strengths, and
 Don’t be afraid to lean on each other!

25. Bring them to RATraining!