Ohio Campus Compact
MLK CHALLENGE
Host Campus Application
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his
individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The MLK Challenge
MLK Day Challenge 2009 will mobilize 1000 college students and youth to complete
service projects throughout the state of Ohio while reflecting on Dr. King‟s life. Between four to
nine campuses will organize projects throughout the state that assist local agencies in expanding
or improving their abilities to help the people they serve. The MLK Challenge breaks down
barriers amongst participants and between the students and their local community using a unique
program model that frames the day as a “challenge” utilizing the resources, creativity, and
planning ability of each team or group of young people. In addition to unifying diverse
participants around a service project, the MLK Challenge provides opportunities for participants
to reflect upon, honor, and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
MLK Challenge Project Model
On January 19, 2009, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the MLK Challenge will mobilize campuses to recruit 1,000 college students and youth to complete between 8-18 service projects
throughout Ohio and reflect on the life of Dr. King. The MLK Challenge, created in 2000 by
Appalachian State University, through the ACT program (Appalachian & the Community
Together) is a day of service projects… but with a twist. For the Challenge, groups are
determined on a random basis. Groups are assigned a service challenge in a random fashion. With
basic instruction and a final goal, the challenge resides with the group. Each group will
brainstorm ways in which their project will be completed. Teams garnish resources to achieve
their goal, supplemented by “seed money,” and work together through the completion of the
project.
An MLK Challenge “how‐to” toolkit will be provided, as well as an
informational website, suggested evaluation measures, budgets/expenses guidelines, and other
helpful mechanisms.
Selection of Host Campuses
All Ohio Campus Compact member campuses are eligible to apply to serve as a Host Campus.
Each Host Campus is responsible for hosting a regional MLK Challenge. They will recruit
participants from their campus as well as from the Ohio Campus Compact campuses in their
region.
Preference will be given to Host Campus applicants that partner with local schools or agencies to
recruit youth volunteers, with special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. All applicants must also
demonstrate how they will accomplish 15% minority involvement.
Selection of Projects
The MLK Challenge selects projects based on requests of a local community agency, placing
priority on the project with greatest need for completion. Host Campuses are encouraged to look
for projects that are not necessarily the agency‟s normal group volunteer need (e.g., interaction
with clients), but one that they wish they had the time or resources to complete. The “challenges”
will primarily be manual/physical labor and all projects will allow participating agencies to
expand or improve their abilities to help those they serve.
Host Campus Expectations
All Host Campuses will be responsible for the following:
Planning Committee
• Develop a MLK Challenge Planning Committee, composed of students and staff from the host
campus, as well as any Ohio Campus Compact member campuses in the local region and
community partners
• The Planning Committee is responsible for project planning, recruiting volunteers, and
marketing
Orientation, Reflection, and Celebration
• Incorporate reflection and integration of Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the day‟s events,
including the orientation and closing sessions
• Provide participants with the opportunity to take the MLK Year Challenge asking participants to
pledge 50 additional hours in the upcoming year.
Registration, Data Collection, and Evaluations
• Register all participants
• Complete a Project Report at the conclusion of the project • Require all participants to complete an evaluation during the closing session
What Ohio Campus Compact Will Provide
• A $500-$1000 mini‐grant for each Host Campus to assist with cost of resources
• An MLK Challenge “how‐to” toolkit
• An informational website
• Access to materials to utilize during the orientation
Application Deadline
September 15, 2008
Preferred application submission method is by email Mail, email, or fax this form to: Brandon Donelson-Sims: Program Director of Student Outreach/VISTA Leader
615 N. Pear Street
Granville, Ohio 43023 Fax: 740-587-8569
occleader@alink.com
Phone: 740-587-8568
MLK CHALLENGE
Host Campus Application
Applicant Information
Name of School:
Name of Contact: Title:
Address City
State Zip
Phone Fax
E‐mail
Experience
YES____ NO____ Have you ever hosted an MLK service event? If „YES‟, describe past projects and events you have hosted.
MLK Challenge Service Event
What are your plans for MLK 2009? Are you interested in replicating or integrating the MLK
Challenge model?
Volunteer Recruitment
Please describe the number of students you plan to involve (keep in mind that the overall Ohio number of volunteers must be 1000 across 4-9 campuses). How do you plan to meet or
exceed the expected volunteer recruitment outcomes? Describe your strategies to recruit
youth and disadvantaged youth from the community. How will you accomplish the 15% minority involvement?
Community Partners
Please list the number of community partners you will work with (at least 3). How do you
plan to meet or exceed the expected outcomes for partnering with community agencies?
Describe possible types of partnerships you will create or continue with this project.
Campus Mobilization
As a Host Campus, you are expected to mobilize other campuses in your region, if possible.
How will you mobilize other campuses to be involved in both the planning of and
participation in this event?
Budget
Provide a summary of how you intend to use the mini‐grant funds.
DEADLINE FOR THIS APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
Preferred application submission method is by email Mail, email, or fax this form to:
Brandon Donelson-Sims
615 N. Pear Street
Granville, Ohio 43023
Fax: 740-587-8569
occleader@alink.com
Phone: 740-587-8568