Group G and Group H project teams

Students will self-select into Group G or Group H no later than September 30, with some important caveats.

1. All small group project members must be in the same larger travel group
2. We would like to see some academic program balance between the groups with a good mix of participants in each
3. Students who have a family or health reason for being in one group over the other will be accommodated. Please contact Yasmin ydean@mtroyal.ca or Sally shaney@mtroyal.ca about this.
4. Group G and Group H need have about the same number of members.
   Within Group G or Group H, you will work with one another on two projects.
5. Prior to January meeting, ensure you have indicated your intentions for projects and pre-departure activities” here.
   

SIGs

The first round of group work is encouraged and voluntary. The second is required. The first involves lending your talents/interests/resources to a Special Interest Group, or SIG, set up to provide service to the field school and the ashram. This small group work is also a vital way to get to know one another in the months leading up to our department.

Block Week 1of the MRU India Field School is all about preparing as much as we can to be great guests! Students use sticky notes to evaluate, on a continuum, appropriate behaviour. Photo credit: Sally Haney

Examples of SIGs include:

1. Fundraising to support ashram residents
   We would like a small team of 2018 field-schoolers to help organize one fund-raising event of their design and choice during the months ahead. All money raised will go to support the ashram in some capacity. The 2016 team carried out a successful tea fundraiser.
2. T-shirt team
   Having t-shirts made for India field-schoolers is a tradition you might like to continue. We need a small team of volunteers to take on the task of designing the shirts, arranging printing etc.
3. Donations team
   In the past we have taken some items to the ashram for the benefit of the children. A small group of field schoolers in each of groups G and H could collaborate to organize this effort, including arrangements to take collected items to India. No field-schooler should feel obligated to donate to the ashram, but volunteering to support the various efforts noted will be a real service to the group as a whole. In previous years, items collected have included a rowing machine (donated by the Calgary YMCA and Cross Fit Calgary); Running Shoes, Sports clothing etc.
4. Host Thank You Team
   This team would be responsible for thanking our various hosts. fyi: MRU’s own Kerri Martin of Kerri Martin Photography has offered to discount her beautiful Alberta wildlife cards for this purpose. Or if you have other ways to think of inexpensive but meaningful ways to say “thank you” that would be super.
5. Sites Team
   This team will be responsible for assembling a small booklet with details about the places we visit in India, including a brief history, notable facts etc. The booklet will be made available to all field-schoolers. In addition, members of this group will provide short verbal reviews of each place we visit, using the booklet as a basis for them.

CSL Groups

The second group you will be part of if your Community Service Learning Project group. You may read much more about CSL group work (which will be evaluated and is part of your course work) here.