ACTIVITIES AND BENEFITS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
The Greensboro Justice Fund Fellowship at Highlander is a learning and relationship building fellowship. The fellowship will provide multiple opportunities and ways for learning for community action, and is meant to enhance team building among fellows to increase their perspective on community initiatives in which they are involved.
Fellows will begin their one-year fellowship by coming to Highlander for our eight annual Wild & Wacky, Witty & Wonderful Workshop Work Week (W-7.7), May 29 – June 4, 2016, to dig deep into Highlander’s methodologies with a group from across the country. During W-7, fellows will have small group time as a class, and individual time as well. Fellows will also have the opportunity to return to Highlander for a weekend workshop with their class, and to attend Highlander’s annual Homecoming celebration in September for a cross-class connection and learning exchange with previous classes of the fellowship.
Throughout the year, fellows will be networked to each other through conference calls and internet technologies. Through its networks and contacts, Highlander will help keep fellows abreast of other potential learning opportunities, including regional and national conferences to enhance their skills and build networking relationships. Fellows will have access to Highlander’s facilities for research projects, or space and time to write, reflect, and plan.
Fellows will be supported by Highlander staff, representatives of the Greensboro Justice Fund, and members of the previous classes, and they will have ownership to help shape their fellowship experience and create hands-on opportunities to learn from each other.
Expenses to Highlander workshops will be covered by the fellowship, and fellows will receive a $500 stipend to support their local community efforts, payable in two parts.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Fellows must be living and working for social justice primarily in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. One fellow each year will be from North Carolina. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Applicants must be available for the scheduled activities of the Fellowship at Highlander Center, May 29 – June 4, 2016.
TO APPLY FOR THE GREENSBORO JUSTICE FUND FELLOWSHIP AT HIGHLANDER
Fellows should submit a Statement of Interest and Intent with the support of 3 nominators who write a one page nomination/reference letter.
Statement of Interest and Intent
Please include your name, postal address, phone number(s) and email address. In your own way and your own words, please let the selection committee know the following about you:
1.Please describe your work for justice and community organizing experience.
2.Discuss the skills you would like to strengthen or develop and/or the things you would like to learn as a GJF Fellow at Highlander.
3.Describe how the fellowship could help you move forward as a community organizer.
4.What is your vision for how change happens?
5.What would be exciting to you about being a Greensboro Justice Fund Fellow at the Highlander Center?
6.Which of the 5 organizers for which this fellowship is named do you relate to and why?
7.Please tell us about any additional information not yet mentioned including your paid work experience, volunteer experience or any awards or recognitions you have received (submission of current resume may suffice).
APPLICATION/NOMINATION PROCESS
Applications must be received in the Highlander office by Friday, January 31, 2016. Only complete applications will be considered. A complete application includes the following:
- A Statement of Interest and Intent (please see above)
- 3 Nominator Reference Statements (Reference statements can be sent separately as long as they meet the deadline.)
Applications may be:
Mailed to: Greensboro Justice Fund Fellowships at the Highlander Center, c/o Esmeralda Baltazar,
1959 Highlander Way, New Market, TN 37820
E-mailed to: esme@highlandercenter.org
SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
A small committee of representatives of the Highlander Center, Greensboro Justice Fund and the previous classes will select the five fellows. Phone interviews may be conducted with the finalists.
Timeline:
January 31, 2016 Applications due
February 26, 2016 Notification of selected fellows
May 31 – June 4, 2016 Wild & Wacky, Witty & Wonderful Workshop Work Week
September 16 -18, 2016 Homecoming
February 9 – 12, 2017 Gathering at Highlander