RESPONSE ABILITY is a “reality”-syle educational video package that brings viewers to understand how group dynamics can prevent people from taking action to stop dangerous or unhealthy behaviors. And, it demonstrates skills to successfully intervene when they witness hazing or other dangerous or unhealthy behavior.
Hazing
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
Sexual Abuse/Assault
Racism
Homophobia
Anti-Semitism
Sexism
Eating Disorders
In fact, by focusing on bystander behavior and delving into what makes us tick when we’re part of a group, this video becomes less a “prevention” video and more of a “personal development” tool. Moving toward the eradication of hazing just happens to be a very pleasant byproduct of helping Greek men and women develop positive group behavior and skills.
THE MESSAGE is to believe in yourself – have enough self-confidence and healthy self-esteem that you are willing to stand up for what you know to be right. Your moral compass is so well developed that you are not tempted to second-guess yourself. Your principles and your feelings about a situation are most likely shared by others in the group.
The primary audience is college students, with a slight emphasis on fraternity and sorority life. The secondary audience is everyone else: parents and families of collegians, as well as Greek Advisors and other campus life staff.
THE APPROACH: We gathered a group of collegians from around the country, spent a month with them all together on the Internet, and brought them all to a “retreat house” in Sedona, Arizona, where they all agreed to participate in an exercise to explore issues of bystander behavior. The whole retreat weekend, as well as glimpses into the month on the Internet, was captured on camera and is shared with the audience.
We have skillfully blended key excerpts from the dialogue into two compelling videos that convey the desired message and demonstrates successful intervention techniques. The resulting videos have – in appearance and feel – documented a real event. The packaged program also includes a facilitator’s guide and the just-published book written by Dr. Alan Berkowitz -- RESPONSE ABILITY: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention.
We are committed that each and every viewer is left empowered to act – to transform their values into action.
FEEDBACK ON THE PROJECT…
“This program is simply an excellent example of the kind of educational product we think everyone should ensure is presented throughout our organizations and, for that matter, on every campus.”
Hamilton “Toby” Smith, Executive Director for Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity
“I’ve started using this program on my campus and students have had an overwhelming positive reaction to it. I’ve had some amazing conversations with students, and I hear over and over again how everyone should see it. I’ve been truly amazed at the positive reaction the students have had to this and look forward to incorporating it more on our campus.”
Kate Planow, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Longwood University
“Thank you for taking the risk to create and produce such a groundbreaking educational programming method. As a veteran student affairs professional turned fraternity executive, I can safely say that this project is one that has created a healthy impact on our students.”
Brian Tenclinger, Executive Director for Triangle Fraternity
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW BOTH VIDEOS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A VIDEO OF NIC EXECUTIVES PRAISING THE PROJECT
