CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Central America Women's Leadership Fellowship in Seattle, Washington, USA

• Are you a community leader from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras or Guatemala?
• Are you interested in deepening your leadership skills and expanding your understanding of how to create sustainable social change?
• Are you available in September 2010 to travel to the United States, to the City of Seattle, to participate in a unique 3 month intensive training program?
• Are you a woman?

If you answered 'yes' to all of these questions, then you are strongly encouraged to apply for this terrific opportunity!

The Central America Women's Leadership Fellowship Program (CAWL) is a partnership between iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service and the Seattle International Foundation. iLEAP is now accepting applications for participation in a three-month intensive training in leadership and social innovation for up to FIVE (5) Central American, female, community leaders. The leadership training will take place in Seattle, Washington from September 13, 2010 to November 20, 2010. All expenses are covered. English fluency is not required-more important are conversational skills and the strong willingness to communicate with others.

Application deadline is May 1, 2010. Completed applications must be emailed to fellowship@ileap.org. You may get an application by sending an email inquiry to fellowship@ileap.org.

For questions about the iLEAP CAWL program, please email fellowship@ileap.org.

Program Overview:

• Program Administrator: iLEAP: The Center for Critical Service (www.ileap.org)
• Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
• Dates of Fellowship: Monday, September 13th, 2010 to Sunday, November 20th, 2010.
• Length of Fellowship: 10 weeks
• Number of Fellowships: up to five (5)
• Cost: None to Fellows, this is a Full Fellowship--All costs associated with program participation are covered (airfare, visa/immigration, lodging and food in Seattle, health insurance, living stipend, books/supplies, study tours, etc.)

Application Eligibility Guidelines:

• Demonstrated long term commitment to the community or the population with whom you are working
• Central American citizenship: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua
• Female
• 25 years and older
• In a current leadership position and able to articulate the need for this fellowship opportunity as well as their ability to be away from their family and organization for the complete duration of the fellowship.
• Approval from their organization's board may be necessary.
• Conversant in English
• Junior leadership may be preferable in some cases.
• English Language: As necessary, English communication classes will be incorporated into the curriculum. Fellows may expect to take English classes for up to 2-3 hours daily, three times a week.

Program Details:

• Program Intent: To strengthen and expand the leadership capacities of female social change leaders in Central America and forge and deepen relationships between program participants and the global development sector in Washington state.
• Program Themes: The program is organized around the central themes of:

• Social Innovation and Enterprise
• Collaborative Leadership
• Digital Literacy
• Social and Environmental Sustainability

• Curriculum Structure: Program participants explore these themes through three modes of learning: skills-based seminars, field application and experiential learning, and social networking and partnership building.

1. Skills-Based Seminars: Each week, Fellows engage in seminar courses led by experts in the four central themes of the program and designed around the Fellows' interests. These range in length from 90 minutes to multi-day and occur 2 to 4 times each week. Of the dozens of seminars that Fellows take, topics can include: principles of social innovation, group dialogue and facilitation, building a movement, modes of leadership, trends in philanthropy and giving, using social media for strategic communication, digital storytelling, etc.
2. Field Application and Experiential Learning: Each week, Fellows work in a professional placement with a Seattle-based social enterprise, institution, agency or organization working in a field relevant to the Fellow's interest. Fellows also participate in regular public speaking opportunities. These include guest speaking in collegiate courses and events, radio and television spots, and also participating in panels and/or keynotes to the greater Seattle community.
3. Social Networking and Partnership Building: Each week, Fellows go on site visits to local organizations and businesses. Over the course of the program Fellows visit dozens and dozens of places and meet with leadership to share ideas and learn. Past visits have included: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Vision, Northwest Center, Herbfarm, Farm Tour of King County, Microsoft, Farestart, Washington Cash, Goodwill, et al. Each Fellow becomes familiar with various social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as learns how to write weblogs and use the internet for strategic communications.

After program completion, Fellows become a part of iLEAP's International Faculty. This distinction allows them to receive and host international visitors through iLEAP's Taking the LEAP program and also entitles them to a life-long partnership with iLEAP.

This program overlaps with the 'standard' iLEAP International Fellowship-with participants from Asia and Africa-so Fellows from Central America will also have the opportunity to learn from these experienced leaders.

Program Logistics:

• Airfare: Logistics will be arranged by iLEAP's travel agent, full cost covered.
• Visa/Immigration: Upon acceptance, Fellows will be guided through the J1 trainee application process by iLEAP.
• Health Insurance: All Fellows will receive basic health coverage during their stay in the United States.
• Transportation: All public transportation fees are covered.
• Stipend: Fellows are provided $100/week
• Books/Supplies/Mobile Phone: All books and supplies directly relevant to the training will be provided to the Fellow. Each Fellow will be provided with a pre-paid mobile phone and a monthly allotment.
• Lodging/Accommodations: Fellows will be placed in a homestay with an American family. These families will provide the Fellow with room and board.

Timeline:

• Open Application Period Present - May 1, 2010
• Application Deadline May 1, 2010
• Application Review and Notifications May 2010
• For Successful Candidates:
• Initial screening interview with iLEAP staff May 2010
• Visa application and interview with 3rd party representative June 2010
• Schedule/complete immigration interview w/Embassy June-July 2010
• Upon receipt of J1 visa, book plane ticket to Seattle July-August 2010
• Fellows arrive in Seattle Week of September 13, 2010

International Fellowship Program Application 2010 CAWL.