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| Spring Training for Cal State Fullerton Resident Advisors: “Reflect, Repair, Restart and Recommit” Submitted by Erin Smith, Undergraduate Student Assistant, California State University, Fullerton “Stop,” “Road Construction Ahead,” “Slow Down,” “Pedestrian Crossing,” Caution.” These may look like signs posted at a construction site, but from January 27th to January 29th, 2006; these signs were posted in the multi-purpose room of California State University, Fullerton’s Residence Halls. Every year, resident advisors are trained twice a year (once in August, and again in January) to reflect, repair, restart, and recommit to the job they were given. This year’s theme was exactly that – “Reflect, Repair, Restart and Recommit”. To tie in the theme prior to training, each staff member received a “toolbox” filled with supplies such as a notepad, pens, and pencils. They were advised to bring this toolbox to every training session, so that they would be prepared to take notes as well as have materials to participate with all of the planned activities. Each staff member was required to decorate his or her box and personalize it. This gave everyone the chance to show off their creativity and also have a useful box for storing important items used throughout the weekend. Organized by a specially selected Training Committee of four RAs and a Committee Supervisor, this three-day event consisted of one day to reflect – look back at the memorable moments that all RAs have had with residents, directors, events, and fellow advisors, as well as their past prior to becoming an RA, to review and better understand how they came to be the person that they were at that point. The second day’s theme was repair – fix the problems that inevitably arise within the RA staff as well as persistent issues in regards to CSUF residents. The final day was themed restart and recommit to rejuvenate the staff for the demanding job of a RA and prepare and get energized for the upcoming semester. Each day was filled with symbolic activities that were related to each of the themes for Spring Training as a whole. For example, on the “reflect” day we talked about some funny and proud moments we had as a staff as well as doing a “Map out your life” activity, in which each RA created a map (which ties into the theme) about important events in their life since day one. Each day also consisted of different training workshops ranging from tips for counseling residents on the “tough stuff” in life (depression and suicide, eating disorders, and sexual assault) to customer service and résumé building to preventing RA burnout. Though it may sound like the weekend was filled with endless training and discussions, there were many fun activities for the RAs as well. Icebreakers and outings were a large part of the schedule of events. For the first night of training, the RA staff dressed in 80s costumes and went out for a bonding night of roller-skating at a local skating rink. There were some falls and many laughs, uniting the staff on a much deeper level than they had all semester. Each staff member did such a great job on putting together some really authentic 80s-style fashion, and the staff got many stares and compliments at the roller rink! Everyone had a great time! The next day of Training, Repair Day, was a tough one. This day involved working out all the kinks in the staff and addressing issues and tensions that had developed over the course of the semester. The Training Committee presented a workshop in which all the issues about the staff in its entirety were addressed, and the consequences of repeating these issues were also discussed. After a long day of hearing about what was wrong with the staff, the RAs got together for a “Family Discussion”: they sat in a circle of couches and discussed personal issues, matters between staff members, and how they felt about the job in a safe and open environment. There were many tears, but in the end, everyone came together to give each other hugs, and the staff was united once more. The Family Discussion really exemplifies the RA staff at CSUF: one united family. Later that night, staff attended a beautifully decorated formal cocktail dinner (without alcohol!), presented by the Training Committee to the staff to thank all the RAs and Resident Student Association Executive Board for their hard work during the fall semester. Candles were lit, sparkling cider was poured, toasts were made, and a newly united staff enjoyed a feast. On the final day of Spring Training, the RAs finished up themed workshops about returning to “normal life” without the RA job, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and then prepared for the closing ceremony. The staff gathered together in a circle and recommitted to serving their residents for the spring semester by individually placing different colored glass stones in a large glass vase and stating what they were recommitting to the job, such as, “I recommit my dedication,” “I recommit my love for my residents,” “I recommit my energy,” and “I recommit to doing the right thing, even when the right thing is the hard thing.” This activity represented each individual staff member, recommitted to their jobs, as a different color united together because of the training weekend. The vase now sits in the RA office as a reminder of the great weekend the staff had and what they promised to bring to the job and each other for the rest of the year. The Training Committee dubbed this activity “United We Stand.” The planning and coordination of this event took many months of hard work and a small budget. The details of the event, though difficult to plan and time consuming, made training amazing. Without the help of the Resident Directors, RAs, and trained guest speakers, Spring Training would not have been as successful as it was. 2005-2006
Spring Training Committee:
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