Amex Fellows Program: Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the NonProfit Sector

Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector: the 2012-13 NCRW-Amex Fellowship program

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

The National Council for Research on Women is pleased to announce the second cycle of a program, funded by the American Express Foundation.  Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector (NCRW-Amex Fellowship) is a 15-month development program for women leaders in the nonprofit sector. The Program offers skill-building workshops, mentoring, and networking opportunities that provide promising young leaders with access to career guidance and resources for professional development.

The purpose of the program is to promote retention and advancement of women leaders in the nonprofit sector by:

• Providing trainings that develop and enhance skills to effectively manage growing responsibility in an organization; 
• Engaging Fellows in career planning, networking, and professional development opportunities to build confidence, problem-solving, and leadership capability.

25 Fellows will be selected to participate from October 2012 through December 2013. 

Kick-off and Closing Meetings -- Fellows will begin and end the program with in-person meetings to help facilitate relationship building and networking and provide an opportunity for hands-on workshops and trainings.  (Time commitment -- 1 - 1.5 days in NYC in October 2012 and December 2013) 

Career Building Skills On-line Workshops -- Fellows will participate in 4-6 expert-led webinars relevant to the day-to-day experiences and expectations for mid-level nonprofit managers. Fellows receive guidance on staff management and engagement; understanding of fundraising and board practices; management challenges and opportunities for mid-level managers; supervision issues; and media strategies, among other topics. Speakers also offer resources for further education and networking, such as books, websites and peer organizations.  (Time commitment --  2 hours/month for 4-6 months during hte 15 month period) 

Career Planning Activities -- During the program, Fellows will receive career planning advice from mentors, staff and through specific workshops.  At the end of the program, Fellows will present their mid-term career plans during the closing meeting. (Time commitment --  unspecified dependent upon individual)

Formal Mentoring -- Fellows will be divided into groups of five. Each group will be paired with two mentors, one from the nonprofit sector and one from business. Mentors come from The Council’s Member Centers as well as its Corporate Circle and all have more than 10 years of experience in leadership positions and a strong commitment to the goals of the program. Fellows will be given the opportunity at the beginning of the program to provide their preference for mentors.  Fellows will participate in at least six facilitated conference calls with their mentors throughout the program, creating a safe forum to discuss challenging issues and receive career guidance.  

Professional Networking -- Fellows will have access to numerous networking events held by The Council and its Member Centers located throughout the country, as well as the opportunity to build relationships with professionally driven and passionate peers including board and staff members from The Council and its network.   (Time commitment --  2 hours/month for 6 months during hte 15 month period) 

ELIGIBILITY/SELECTION PROCESS

Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector is open to mid-career professional women engaged in the nonprofit sector.  Employees of NCRW Member Centers or affiliate organizations are especially encouraged to apply.  Eligibility criteria are as follows:

• 4-7 years full-time or part-time experience working for a nonprofit organization (excluding internships)
• Demonstrated career growth through positions with increasing responsibilities
• Current employment in the nonprofit sector

 In addition all Fellows must:

• Have the support of their organizational leadership
• Attend two in-person events: the opening meeting in October and closing meeting in December.
• Fellows or their organizations are responsible for airfare and accommodations.

The National Council for Research on Women is committed to women’s full and equal participation in a just and inclusive world.  The Council works to advance women’s leadership across professional sectors and encourages the development of young women leaders in academic, research, policy and advocacy settings. The Council reaches out assertively to diverse constituencies to promote human rights and understanding among women across differences of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, geography, mental and physical ability and political and religious perspective.  The Council works affirmatively to maintain a diverse staff and Board.  We seek to ensure that the individuals selected for Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders represent this commitment.

Applications will be reviewed, and Fellows chosen, by a selection panel comprised of representatives from The Council’s networks.  All information submitted for consideration remains confidential to the Selection Committee, and staff of the National Council for Research on Women.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Completed on-line application

CV or resume

One Letter of recommendation (to be submitted directly by recommender)

The letter must speak to the applicant’s work ethic, leadership skills, and commitment to the nonprofit sector.  The recommender may be the applicant’s current or past employer, college professor, or other contact who can speak to these qualities.

Submission Instructions 

The online application form can be accessed by clicking here. All application forms must be submitted electronically.

• Resume or CV and letter of recommendation can be in Word or PDF formats and must be saved as follows:
• Last Name_ First Name CV
• Last Name_ First Name recommendation

For both the Resume or CV and letter of recommendation, the applicant’s last name, first name must appear on the upper left hand corner of each page.

Letters of recommendation must be emailed or sent directly by the recommender to:

awards@ncrw.org with the applicant’s name in the subject line or via regular mail to: Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders Advisory Committee, National Council for Research on Women, 11 Hanover Square, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005.

·         Completed self assessment form

·         Agreement to fully participate in the program signed by Fellow and their employer.

·         Short bio (approximately 200 words) and photograph

 Important Dates

All materials must be received by the deadline of July 23, 2012, 5:00 pm EST.

2012-13 Fellows will be announced in mid-August, 2012.

 For more information, please email agreenblatt@ncrw.org