Leadership Opportunities
VOLbreak Leaders (VBLs)
VOLbreaks Leaders (VBLs) are the back bone of planning a VOLbreaks trip. VBL responsibilities include researching a trip theme, selecting a location where that theme is prevalent, finding a community partner for the group to serve alongside, planning reflection, and coordinating reorientation.
All VBLs are required to attend VBL Training throughout the fall or spring semester to prepare them for the above responsibilities. If you have any questions, contact Mary Ann Jimenez, Coordinator for VOLbreaks, at maryann@utk.edu.
VOLbreak Leader Position Description 2023-2024
The Fall 2023 VOLbreak Leader application has now closed. Applications to lead a Spring 2024 VOLbreak will open November 2023.
Student Directors
The VOLbreaks Program receives guidance and support from a group of dedicated and passionate student leaders who work year-round to develop quality alternative break trips. These Student Directors are responsible for the organizational side of the VOLbreaks Program and work closely with the staff and graduate assistant throughout the year. These students plan and implement the annual VBL retreat, assist with VBL training, advise a small group of VBLs throughout the year, and plan the program wide events like community meetings, reorientation, and participant recruitment.
The VOLbreaks Program relies heavily on the commitment and passion of the VBSDs to help in the planning stages and implementation of all VOLbreaks trips. Student who are interested in holding a position should be passionate about service, leadership, social justice, and mentorship. All student directors are required to attend one staff meeting per week throughout the entirety of the academic year and hold regular meetings with their small group of VBLs. If you have any questions regarding the Student Director position, please email the Coordinator for VOLbreaks at maryann@utk.edu.
Learning Partners
An integral part of this program is our faculty/staff and graduate assistant learning partners (LPs). These members are not involved in planning the trip but serve in an advisory capacity throughout the duration of the trip. Learning partners aid the student trip leaders if any issues arise on the trip, and they get to fully experience an Alternative Break trip while volunteering alongside the students. More information about the LP role can be found in this VOLbreaks Learning Partner FAQs – 2023-2024 document.
Serving as a Learning Partner is a fantastic way to meet other UT students and staff while giving back to a new community. There is no trip cost associated with being a Learning Partner. Each trip consists of 12 student participants, 2student trip leaders, and 1 learning partner.
Learning Partner applications for Fall 2023 are now open until Monday, July 31st. The application can be found on the following website: https://leadserve.utk.edu/learningpartners/
If you have questions, please email the Jones Center for Leadership & Service at leadserve@utk.edu.
Support VOLbreaks!
Your contribution will go directly to the students participants and will help to defer their costs!
Give to the VOLbreaks program!
You can select a specific student to receive your gift, or you can give to the general support fund. No gift is too small; every little bit helps to offset participant trip costs.