1.) to gain in-depth knowledge regarding community shortfalls and social issues, and

2.) to provide students with a means by which they can collectively make a

      profound, positive impact on the lives of others.

Under the advisement of both academic and non-academic advisors, Project RightChoice’s members research and select an annual cause, establish fundraising and awareness goals, and execute approved plans of action. Believing that “the best learning comes through active experience,” Project RightChoice sets out to promote social education through active engagement in the community.

How It All Began:

Project RightChoice was founded by a group of Dartmouth students during the fall of 2009. Motivated by a desire to better understand the social issues facing their generation and by a desire to gain practical experience serving populations in need, a group of passionate and caring students decided to develop a student-run organization that would enable themselves and fellow students to achieve these goals. Project RightChoice’s primary goals are, therefore:

Our Unique Organizational Structure:

Each year, the members of Project RightChoice research various causes, charities, and social issues.  Members are then encouraged to select a cause and benefiting charity that interests them, to write a proposal, to develop a presentation, and to ultimately ‘pitch’ their cause and benefiting charity to an audience of their peers.  Following both individual and group presentations, the membership votes on a single benefiting charity for the annual “Project.”

The benefiting charity must:

          1.) represent a large population of people in immediate need,

          2.) guarantee that all funds raised on their behalf be restricted to services, rather than operational expenses, and

          3.) possess and demonstrate ethical values in accordance with the requirements and expectations of Project RightChoice.

Click here to read about one member’s experience during the 2011 selection process.

Once the annual project is chosen, the Project RightChoice team establishes clearly defined campaign goals and, based on these goals, develops a yearlong plan to raise both funds and awareness on behalf of the selected charity.  By changing the benefiting charity on an annual basis, Project RightChoice members will be afforded the opportunity to become actively engaged in multiple social issues over the course of their four-year academic career.

Beyond simply raising funds and awareness for annually selected charities, Project RightChoice strives to provide its members with the skills and practical experiences needed in today’s ever-changing world.  The benefits of supporting Project RightChoice are thus two-fold: support a worthwhile cause now and do it in a way that simultaneously enhances the learning experiences of the moral and ethical leaders of tomorrow.

Members of Project RightChoice working on Project 2010

Photography by Geoff Holman ’10