At FLIA, we’re excited to move forward with our fall fellowship this year. We know that it has been a really weird year with COVID-19. To that end, we’ve made several adjustments to the program and kept some parts the same. Our goal is to ensure that fellows, staff and youth at our partner organizations, and our communities stay safe.
What’s Changing?
1. Smaller Cohort
This fall, we will be hiring four fellows, down from our average of eight. This is the first time we will be holding the leadership trainings virtually, among several other changes, and we wanted to ensure that the program quality remains high.
2. Virtual Leadership Trainings
Traditionally, the fellowship starts with a one-week in-person leadership training retreat. Instead, fellows will participate in these workshops spread out over the first several weeks of the fellowship virtually. We’re excited about some of the ways that we will mimic the retreat experience!
3. Remote Co-working
Throughout the fellowship, there will be remote co-working times that fellows will log on and co-work together to foster a similar experience to working together in the same place physically.
4. Part-time or Full-time
The fellowship is now available as either part-time or full-time. As the summer fellowship was postponed, we hope that by having the part-time fellowship available, students who would have applied over summer could participate this fall. When you apply, you will select your current choice for part-time or full-time, but can change it during the hiring process if your availability changes. Part-time fellows will receive a pro-rated weekly stipend. Both full-time and part-time will work the same number of days by the end of their fellowships and therefore receive the same compensation.
5. Remote Available
With the constantly changing nature of COVID-19, we want to assure you - you will be able to complete the fellowship remotely. Depending on the status of your partner organization’s office, you may be able to work in the office socially distanced if it is your preference. However, remote working will continue to be available, even if the partner organization’s office is open.
What’s Staying the Same?
1. Remote Interviewing
During the hiring process, your interviews will be conducted remotely. At FLIA, we’ve always had the first round of interviews virtually and will continue to do so. Our partners would do a combination of remote and in-person, but will now just interview virtually.
2. Virtual Community Building Among Fellows
Since the beginning of Future Leaders in Action, we’ve taken advantage of technology to facilitate community building amongst fellows. We will continue to use Slack and video calls throughout the fellowship. We’ll also be adding to new ways to connect.
3. The Core Project
The core piece of your work will stay the same. As a FLIA fellow, you will spend most of your time working on a project identified by the partner organization. Check out the opportunities here. Partners have selected projects that can be completed remotely to ensure that you will not have to pivot your focus, even if there is a need to return to strict social distancing.
4. Support
You will receive the same support that fellows have received in the past with several additions. We’re working on adding several additional programming pieces to provide support throughout the fall, as there may be additional stressors with COVID-19.
5. Our Goal of Supporting Emerging Leaders and Youth-focused NOnprofits
Our dedication to supporting youth-focused organizations stays the same as there’s a need for consistency in youth’s lives right now. The youngest amongst us are dealing with the most upheaval and our mission has always included supporting these organizations because of what it means for the future of our country and world. Children will be experiencing a lot of firsts this fall and making sure important places in their life like Fiver Children’s Foundation, South Bronx United, Variety - the Children’s Charity, and Iowa Center for Children’s Justice are running smoothly will help reduce some of that stress. Additionally, for emerging leaders getting valuable work experience while receiving a living wage is as important as ever.
With all of the uncertainty going on in the world right now, if you have any additional questions or concerns, please email Kirsten and she will answer them. We are here to help you apply for the fellowship!
