asian american women's political initiative state house legislative fellowship program - spring 2012

This announcement is for Asian American women who go to college in the Boston area... The Asian American Women's Political Initiative invites community-minded students to apply for the Massachusetts Legislative Fellowship Program, a unique internship opportunity designed to mentor and cultivate the next generation of political leaders and advocates in the Asian American community. Here's an overview of the program and how to apply:

Asian-American Women's Political Initiative
Education and Leadership Fund

State House Legislative Fellowship Program
Spring 2012

Are you active in campus organizations? Do you volunteer in the larger community?

Do you want to learn leadership skills that will help you effect change for our communities?

Do you want to be a part of changing the face of government?

The Asian-American Women's Political Initiative (AAWPI) Fund's Massachusetts Legislative Fellowship Program provides Asian-American women with the unique opportunity to participate in state policymaking and experience firsthand how the legislature works through a part-time internship at the State House. Leadership trainings, issue briefings and additional programming with statewide government and civic leaders are organized to strengthen the internship experience and are designed to mentor and cultivate the next generation of political leaders and advocates in the Asian-American community. Trainings and briefings are conducted through an Asian-American community lens, making connections between policymaking and our communities.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
As part of the AAWPI's 3rd annual class of State House Legislative Fellows, accepted students and/or recent graduates will be placed in a Massachusetts legislator's State House office for a 17-week internship beginning January end and lasting through May 2012. Duties range from constituent services to helping to analyze the fiscal year budget. Fellows will be responsible for arranging their schedules so they can intern part-time (at least ten hours) within State House office hours (9am-5pm), with a majority of internship hours spent Monday through Thursdays at the State House. Throughout their internships, fellows will also be expected to attend AAWPI-sponsored programming two hours every other week (scheduled around fellows' availability). Altogether, fellows are asked to commit a minimum of 10-12 hours a week to the program, including a weekend training in January. Briefing topics include: the legislative process, redistricting, press relations, hands-on fundraising, and issues affecting the Asian-American community (including domestic violence and health disparities), among other topics.

Fellows will receive a $750 stipend. Additionally, AAWPI will also cover the cost of the January training weekend and program materials throughout the fellowship. Travel grants are available for students attending schools outside the Greater Boston area.

Part of the program involves a small fundraising requirement, supporting next year's fellowship program and sustaining the pipeline of up-and-coming AA women leaders.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
Asian-American women attending a Massachusetts college or university as well as recent graduates are eligible to apply. All majors are encouraged to apply! Fellowship candidates must possess strong written and oral communication skills. Preferred candidates intend to reside and work in Massachusetts post-graduation and have a history of being active in their communities.

HOW TO APPLY
Deadline: October 28, 2011
Notification: Mid-to-late November 2011

Please submit the following by e-mail to aawpi.fellowship@gmail.com:

Cover page listing the following information: Name; Undergraduate Institution and Year of Graduation/Expected Graduation; Hometown (feel free to list several, if applicable); Race/ethnicity (optional); Current Address; E-mail; and Phone Number

Your resume with one reference who can speak to your involvement in the community;

A two to three page personal statement that addresses the following:
1) Tell us about yourself, your background and how your background has influenced who you are today.
2) Why are you interested in the fellowship program and what do you hope to get out of it?
3) What do you feel are major issues affecting Asian-American women in Massachusetts?

For more information, contact Diana Hwang at Diana.Hwang@juno.com.

The fellowship is open to college students of all majors, as well as recent graduates. The deadline to apply is October 28. For further information about the Asian-American Women's Political Initiative, go to the AAWPI Facebook page here.