M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R
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Congress Reps, Bonner Interns & Student Leaders
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ETTER
B O N N E R E -N E W S L
“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself.
You can never have an impact on society if you have not
changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of
integrity, of honesty, but humility.”
H a ve an IM Pa c t!!!
H appy spring everyone! Its been
a rough winter and now its time
for the sun to rise and the flowers to
bloom. We are now wrapping up spring
break and getting ready to push for a
great ending to the school year. Another
fantastic thing that happens in the spring
is the IMPACT conference. The
conference brings hundreds of students
together from around the world who are
passionate about social justice and
making an impact in their community to
network and share resources together.
Given that we are at the halfway point of
the spring semester, this is a great time
to assess and measure your own impact
NEWS
- Nelson Mandela
with your service. What impact have you
made? How can you make a bigger
impact? Take the time reflect on your
service and what you can do to make a
difference.
This edition of the newsletter features
reflections and articles from your fellow
Bonners on a variety of topics and social
issues. If you are interested in writing for
the newsletter email
mrichardson@bonner.org.
Michael Richardson
Program Associate
Bonner Foundation
March 2011
15th edition
This mo
nth’s
Hot Top
ic s
Take Action
Big Idea Check In!!
As you progress through the school year, be
thinking about ways in which you can
strengthen and move forward with your Big
Idea! Check in with your BAB member this
month and let them know of your challenges
and successes so far.
Reflections p. 1 - 4
Improving Community Partnerships
A series of reflections from staff and Bonner
journalists
Alumni Highlight p. 5
What are Bonner Alumni doing
now?
The Bonner Alumni Highlight section is a great
way to see what Alumni are doing now! Check
out this months Alumni Highlight!
Bonner Highlights p. 6
See whats happening!
Check out what Young Harris is doing on their
campus and get ready for IMPACT!
Bonner Video Project p.8-9
It’s that time of the year!
The Bonner Video Project is back yet again!
Find information about the new changed to the
Bonner Video Project and get started!!
 We be Servin’ San Francisco
Unsolved Community Issues Section
Shanell Ransom, College of Charleston
The Freshmen and Sophomores from the Bonner
Leader Program at College of Charleston decided to
Spring Break 2011 to San Francisco, California. 12
Bonners and 2 staff took the journey to California to
learn about nutrition issues. The Bonners picked the issue
as an extension of the Big Idea for this year: Mission for
Nutrition. This year the Bonners are looking at the Big
Idea, locally, nationally, and internationally. 14 brave souls
set out to see what knowledge could be gained in San
Francisco.

The Bonners served with two urban farms, Alemany

Farm and Free Farm, two gardens at local schools,
Malcolm X Elementary and June Jordan School for Equity
through Urban Sprouts, a rooftop garden at Glide, and
served meals alongside the Glide staff to those in need. At
the urban farms, Bonners gained a firsthand experience of farm life in a large city. The Bonners learned how to grow
potatoes vertically, make raised beds, and the proper way to plant vegetables, just to name a few. At the gardens,
Bonners learned how to make worm compost, garden in an unconventional space, the power of one person’s vision,
and saw the works of dedicated volunteers and community members.

A highlight of the week came from something most take for granted: food. Bonners experienced the deliciousness
of fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the Earth. At Malcolm X Elementary, Bonners saw the joy that a garden
brought to young children. Many students simply ate out of the garden for lunch because they could not afford
school lunch. The sad but true reality reinforced why gardens are needed in schools but also why nutrition programs
too. The garden was also an outlet for students to release energy, be physically fit, and simply get fresh air. Most
importantly the garden is incorporated into the science curriculum in Berkeley, California therefore all schools have
gardens on site. Classes have a rotation schedule therefore students are in the garden on a regular basis.

A shocking experience for all was venturing to the grocery store and around town to see the wide variety of
organic food and the affordable prices. Many Bonners wished Charleston would follow suit because consuming
organic food is a goal however in Charleston finding it is difficult. On top of the difficulty of locating it, the price is
outrageous and basically impossible for a college student to purchase. All Bonners admired California’s food market
for having easy access to organic food and promoting healthy eating.

While in Berkeley the College of Charleston Bonners received a special treat… a visit with the University of
California-Berkeley Bonners. Bonners toured the Cali Corp office which houses the Bonner Leaders, where able to
ask questions about their program, school, and service sites. At dinner, Bonners had time to share Bonner
experiences while obtaining more information about Berkeley. By the conclusion of the night, all Bonners had
learned so much from the Bonner family in Berkeley and formed a relationship with another program. This was an
awesome surprise and an unexpected “Sophomore Exchange.” Being exposed to a new program gave Bonners the
opportunity to reflect on personal experiences, learn how to enhance the College of Charleston program, and be
grateful for the Bonner Leader Program at College of Charleston.

The week-long trip to California was a success!!! The Freshmen and Sophomores gained a new perspective of
Bonner, learned how to farm and garden, strengthened relationships with each other, served the Berkeley/San
Francisco community and most importantly gained a new perspective of nutrition. The much needed break from
Charleston encouraged Bonners to come back to Charleston ready to serve with the new ideas learned, and finish
the year strong.
 Reflections on Women’s History Month

Unsolved Community Issues Section

By Emily Schorr Lesnick, Macalester College Bonner Senior Intern

I am a woman, a feminist, a womanist, a queer woman. Each year,

when March rolls around and shocks my system (March in
Minnesota is blisteringly windy), I get excited about a space, a
time, allotted for a celebration of my history. This year, March 8
marked the hundredth anniversary of International Women’s Day.
As I think about the multiple generations of women across
national borders, I am reminded of the power of women. It’s
more than “sisterhood,” it’s genealogies of strength of White and
Brown women, rich and poor, mothers, daughters, sisters, lesbians
and straight women. It is the strength of acknowledging our
differences and finding unity through our varied and diverse
experiences.

! Everyday this month, I ask myself: what have I done for

my fellow women? How can I make connections with other
women, share my history and learn theirs? Each week I
volunteer at the Avanti Center for Girls, a residential treatment
center for girls with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.
Many of the girls are at Avanti as part of a court sentencing. A
group of Macalester women visits the young women every Thursday night, and we bring guests from
different student organizations. The hope is that if we can provide a safe space and positive role models for
the girls, we will get them excited about their futures, and potentially see college in their futures, disrupting
the schools-to-prisons pipeline that disproportionately affects working-class people and people of color.
And instantly feminism, education and social justice intersect, as our identities and circumstances coalesce
each week.

! On Macalester’s campus, the Women’s History Month Committee has intentionally and carefully
planned a month of lectures, dialogues, film screenings, and activities about “HERstory: Reflections of Mind,
Body, and Spirit”. This month we are welcoming Minh Dang, Bonner Coordinator at UC Berkeley, to share
her story and experiences with us, and motivate us to become advocates against human trafficking. During
Spring Break, a group of students are volunteering locally at Women’s Advocates. The Department of
Multicultural Life is partnering with professors to facilitate discussions about Women in the Obama
Administration, Reproductive Health, and Feminist Science. Hopefully the reflections during this month
address our varied perspectives and the many ways of being a woman.

! But, like with all History or Heritage months, it is important that these thoughts, dialogues, and
connections do not end once April begins. My hope is that we can strengthen understandings of ourselves
and of others throughout the year. And hopefully we can think intentionally about our intersections, and
where the end of March, Women’s History Month, and the start of April, Asian-Pacific American Awareness
Month meet, for example. We are many things at once, and there is strength in acknowledging our
differences and finding unity through our varied and diverse experiences.

Happy Women’s History Month!

 A Political Sphere of Greek Activism

Unsolved Community Issues Section

By Maverick Marquardt, Stetson University

Servant leadership innately resides in every person on the planet; whether or not individuals choose to act on
that primitive obligation is another story. Typically when looking for volunteers, a majority of the able-bodied
activists come from service-based organizations like: Bonner (of course), Rotary Clubs, Key Clubs, and any other
organization with community service as their founding principles; but that’s it… right?? Wrong, in our efforts to
change the world, we have left out one of the most powerful agencies our schools have to offer; The Greek
System. I know… you must be experiencing some doubt with this allegation, mainly due to the stereotypical frat-
boy persona imprinted in our minds by Hollywood but please continue reading and let this vision overwhelm
your misconstrued mindset.

The Greek system, by far, is the most organized and powerful force on any school’s campus; so why aren’t we
using this strength for service? Operating like mini corporations, with strict rules and guidelines; controlled by
hierarchal powers for the betterment of their members; the Greeks have more potential power for good than
even, yes I dare say it, The Bonner Foundation itself. Whether or not you agree with my hypothesis, the truth on
the matter is, that since practically forever, the Greeks have been an untapped resource of limitless potential
good.

Well, at least until now… allow me to Introduce the Greek Service Initiative.

The GSI, under the direction of Greek affiliated Bonners, Savannah Griffin and myself, has begun to completely
restructure the policies and guidelines regarding community-based service and philanthropic fundraisers. Political
change, created through the governing Greek powers of IFC and Pan-Hellenic, has ignited service based activism
here on Stetson’s Campus unlike anything seen before. The GSI and the council’s community-engagement chairs
have recently introduced many new bylaws into the Greek governing constitution. Overnight these amendments
have: revamped the community partners program by adopting a more accountable model from FSU, created a
standard for what constitutes as a community service hour, created new ways of recording these hours and has
implemented large scale Greek-wide projects in conjunction with our local Bonner program. These changes,
install a sense of servant leadership and true service learning into the hearts of our Greeks; this will eventually
create the much-needed bond between the chapters and their community partners. Locally, these constitutional
rectifications have made unimaginable improvements to our service events, due to an overall increase in Greek
volunteerism. As good as this sounds, it is only the start to something Great!

The GSI will eventually reform the national standard

for Greek Activism in the US. As shocking as this may
be, the existing national service policies are
ambiguous and centered on fundraising quantity;
neglecting community engaged quality. With the help
of Bonner nationals and the Association for Fraternal
Leadership and Values, community engagement in the
coming years will synchronize the service world and
the Greek world; creating a celestial alignment of
momentous power. Imagine, millions of Greeks
added to our relatively small population of activists;
the potential power to make an impact for a cause
would be unimaginably limitless.
 Alumni Highlight: Anup Kaphle
Unsolved Community Issues Section
Tusculum College Class of 2007
By Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond

What is one of your best Bonner memories?

Having left my family and friends in Nepal to study in the United States, the
Bonner group at Tusculum College was my home away from home. One of
my best memories in the program was taking the trip to Caretta, West
Virginia, where we worked to build a library at the local community center.
Being in the town of Caretta was already an eye-opening experience for me,
as I realized how poverty knew no bounds, even if it was in one of the richest countries of the world. During my
two trips to Caretta, I was able to bond with the local community and build a lasting relationship with my fellow
Bonner comrades as we worked to finish the library that our senior Bonner class had begun. Working with the
local high school students in Greeneville, Tennessee was also one of my best experiences. I used to help students
in their English and Math classes, and toward the end of the semester, I got a note from one of students saying
how working with Dexter Carr, a fellow Bonner leader, and me, had helped him get into University of Tennessee
to pursue his college career. These experiences made being in the Bonner program very much worth it.

What kind of work have you been involved with since leaving college?
After leaving college, I went on to graduate school to study journalism. After finishing graduate school, I moved to
Washington D.C. to work as a digital media fellow for the Atlantic magazine. There I spent a year and half working
on online journalism projects, helping conceptualize and build sites like the Atlantic Wire, which have become a
staple reading in online journalism now. I also traveled to Afghanistan, where I embedded with the British soldiers
and reported on the efficacy of their partnership with the Afghan security forces. I joined the Washington Post in
November 2009 to work as an online producer. During the last year, I traveled to Nepal twice for the Post --
once to report on the ongoing political stalemate after the peace agreement with the Maoist rebels, and in
December again to report on issues of sex trafficking as well as Nepal's effort to become the world's newest gay
tourist destination.

I have recently started working as the online editor for World and National Security desk, where I will be
overseeing, among other things, the Washington Post's coverage of the war in Afghanistan, the unrest in the
Mideast and Arab world and the drug war in Mexico.

How has the Bonner Program impacted your life?

The Bonner program taught me the basics about working in a team, and then leading a team of a very talented
group of people. I realized that the little things we did, and the few hours we put into serving the community
made a big difference in the lives of those we helped.

What is one piece of advice that you would leave for current Bonner Scholars?
The friends you make in your Bonner program will become your friends for a lifetime. I am forever grateful to
have had the opportunity to work with an amazing group of young people, from countries as far as Jamaica to
Nigeria, and from Ohio to Florida, who taught me a lot from their life experiences. I advise current Bonner
leaders to go out and get involved, do the things you've wanted to do, speak up for a cause you believe in and
believe that your smallest help will make a difference. Make the best out of your experience as a Bonner leader,
because once you graduate, life comes at you very fast.

If you had one word to describe Bonner, what would it be?

"Empowering" -- we enable change in the community by giving our energy and strengthening our beliefs that small
things can make a difference.
 Japan Now, A Global, Political and
Bonner Issue.
Unsolved Community Issues Section
By Chaz Barracks, University of Richmond
We serve our communities feeling like we are making a difference; that without us, without our impact, service would
go unfinished and the issue would continue to rise. Although our service work can get frustrating at times, we as the
youth of community work do have the power to make a difference, to improve the wellbeing of our communities,
individuals, and polices that create lasting change.

In Japan, the recent catastrophe has set back the difference that individuals like us have worked so hard to make.
Rebuilding a community after such tragedy is beyond overwhelming and the ability of scholars like us. The political issue
of the Japanese tsunami involves our attention to realize the impact they too can make. It is a Bonner issue.

Personally inspired by Japanese culture and the countries rapid innovation, I feel incredibly shocked by the recent
events. Looking at Japan in such a weak state and not the bright, energetic, futuristic culture that’s been portrayed is
devastating. The damage to Japan which has taken over 10,000 lives, destroyed hundreds of schools, and transformed
farm land into acres of debris will never be forgotten no matter how much community service is dedicated to the
aiding the effects. Right now communities that were once overpopulated where one can barely walk down the busy
industrial streets without bumping into another person are now darkened and silent.

As countries around the world begin efforts towards supporting a place that is rarely on the receiving end of
detrimental aid and assistance, we shall find ways to continue to uplift the inspiring culture of Japan.
Naotaka Matsukata, a CNN Specialist described the relationship between Japan and the US as a kind of “Jekyll and
Hyde”, with clear efforts to corporate on issues such as security in spite of clear problems but also economic friction.
Japan is competitive in their industries, and market success, so now we must wait to see such “pause” will occur before
the US takes spotlight in
aiding Japan through a
highly unexpected crisis As Bonners, many of us serve under institutions such as government and education,
(Matsukata, 2011). and for those of us who do, we may take comfort knowing there will always be an
aspect of control to the work we do. Control in the sense that people have created
Japanese culture takes these institutions, and accordingly, people have the ability to maintain and change them.
pride in rapidness,
growth, and international However, the recent series of earthquakes and the resulting tsunami that swept
relationships; therefore through and devastated the north eastern coast of Japan, serves to remind us that
the world should not there are some things in this world over which have absolutely no control. The damage
doubt the potential in that has occurred is nearly unthinkable. Tens of thousands of people were swept away
this process to create by the massive wave and are unaccounted for, millions are without electricity. Japan has
cross-cultural never faced an a natural disaster such as this.Yet through it all, hope prevails. Stories of
connection. a newborn baby rescued after three days of being hidden under debris, and an elderly
Communities around the woman saved after being trapped in her home still make headlines alongside the videos
world through embracing of houses being swept up like driftwood.
the power of Japan to
overcome will solve this Sometimes, it feels as though in our service we are working against the effects of a
community issue. Our terrible tsunami with recovery far off in the future, seemingly unattainable.Yet through
humanitarian assistance this, we must cherish the small successes, the individual lives touched. There are many
will hopefully bring a things that are out of our control, but just because we are working against things over
greater awareness of which we have little power and on a grand scale, the size of the problem does not
global suffering and the discount the work we do and the successes, however small the may be, of our service.
advantages of unifying
our service around the Starr Miyata
world. -Bonner Congress Rep. Univ. of Richmond
 Getting into Politics, One Toe at a Time
by Matthew Kammerer,Young Harris College

Young Harris College is in the midst of growth to a four year

institution with their first Senior class graduating this May. This
change, along with a young Bonner Leader Program creates a busy
environment for myself, the Senior Intern, and our director.

One thing we are doing different in our second year of running the
Bonner Program is integrating issue based groups. These issue based
groups meet once per month and are led by our Leadership Panel,
made up of two Bonners from each year. These Bonners have taken
on issues ranging from Education, Environment, Relationships, and
Appalachia. In our program this is the first time we've gotten into
political issues. Sure, we've seen how regulations can change our area, but we've never studied them closely.
Our issue based groups have three components: Bonners, one community partner, and one faculty or staff
advisor. This trifecta brings in perspectives from many different angles.

This is the first time that our systemic issues are being addresses from a more global perspective than just
the folks in our program. With these outside perspectives we've worked to bring in
advisors who have an expertise in the fields. Our Education group is partnered with a
lead professor in our college's Education program. This partnership allows the Bonners
to see how regulations and guidelines set by the state can effect the children they work
with in the school system.

This basic connection we are forming between community partners, Bonners, and Matthew
advisors is our first step to becoming more politically active in our North Georgia Kammerer
Young Harris College
region.

Making an IMPACT at Stetson University

by Tiffany Walker, Stetson University

This year’s 26th annual IMPACT conference will be held at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, from
March 31st - April 3rd. Stetson joined the Bonner Foundation family in 2005 and is the only Bonner School in
Florida. Stetson is very excited to host this wonderful conference and welcomes service leaders from
throughout the nation to our campus. Workshops will range in focus from international issues, education,
and youth empowerment, to everything in between. There will also be a networking fair with
representatives from national and global non-profit agencies and plenty of time for service and bonding
with fellow servant leaders. Bonner students, specifically, will be invited to a dinner
hosted by the Sophomore Stetson University Bonners!

Stetson University welcomes you to join us as we learn, grow, and develop in our
roles as mentors, organizers, developers, leaders, and world changers. Can’t wait to
see you in April! B-LOVE!

For further information please contact your Bonner coordinator or Tiffany Walker
Stetson University
impactconference.org
 Bonner Video Project 2011
! What is the Bonner Video Project?
The Bonner Video Project (BVP) is part of the Bonner Network's Serve 2.0
Initiative, using"social media tools to enhance and expand the culture of
community service and social justice among college students and the
communities they serve throughout the nation.""
"
Over 100 videos have been produced through the BVP. Now in its third year,
the Bonner Video competition will be more exciting than ever! Check out the
BonnerNetwork YouTube channel to view entries from the 2009 and 2010
competitions.
"
What is different about this year's competition?

In the past, the Bonner Video Project has focused on the creation of single videos through a variety of themes. This
year, we are making a change. "We are looking for high-quality video series. "Think powerful, concise documentaries
— in short, illustrative series. "We want you to create a video series with 3 (ideally) short videos that tell the stories
for the themes below. "Each video in the series can be 2 to 5 minutes long — but the length should be dictated by
what you, the director, are trying to accomplish.

What are the categories for this year?

Issues to Impact
Pick an issue (homelessness, youth development, immigration) and show us how your Bonners (or
students doing service) Bonner Program, campus, and community work on it - and make an impact!
Think about the process of learning about an issue, working with it in the community, and then making
and measuring the impact related to your work. 

Local to Global
Pick an issue or topic around which you serve (like water quality, food access, immigrants' access to
college education) and show us how your Bonners (or other students doing service), program, or campus
is connecting their local work with global issues or needs.  Or show us the global situation is affecting
the local one.   

Service to Politics
Show us how students in your program (and campus more broadly) make the connection between their
direct service work and politics — through advocacy, public policy, and public education. 

Reps in Action
Show us how students in your program identified and took action on a big idea to strengthen their
Bonner Program, campus, or community.  This one should be connected to your Congress
Representatives' big ideas or their work in Regional Teams!  Here, we're trying to see student voice
and leadership in action for change!  What does it take?  Who do you network with and why? How
do you get things done?

Bonner Love
Back by popular demand, the Bonner Video Project 2010-2011 will also accept single video entries that
exhibit Bonner Love. Here are the details:
 
Your video should highlight how your Bonner Program or service center fosters the “beloved
community” through a sense of community building, appreciation for diversity, and the promotion of
acts of peace, unity, and human rights.
 BONNER VIDEO PROJECT 2011
It's that time of year again! The competition is
back and better than ever, with even more
opportunities to get your video into the annual
Bonner Film Festival at the"Summer Leadership
Institute"at Siena College in Albany, NY from
May 31 to June 3.

Check out the!Bonner Video Project!homepage to This year's"Bonner Video

learn more about this year's competition. All Project"focuses
entries are due by!Friday May 5th at 5pm. on"documentary series of
3 videos."
All campuses must select
their!Bonner Video Liaison!and Categories are:
upload their information to the!BVL
Issue to Impact
Roster page!by this Friday, January
Local to Global
14th.
Service to Politics
e sure to connect is information
Congress Reps in Action
“We don't just make videos; We make change”.
  "
Videos are due by 5pm on And a Bonus Single Video Competition!
Friday, May 6, 2011 Bonner Love