Field Corps 2010 -- Program Overview
Please note: Applications for Field Corps 2010 have closed. However, it is an annual program and dates for the next class of organizers will be posted later in the year or early 2011. General information about the program is below.
Overview
ServeNext.org uses the power of grassroots action to advance service, AmeriCorps, and social innovation as strategies to tackle our most pressing social challenges and strengthen our democracy.
Over the last few years, ServeNext has organized a variety of grassroots campaigns to engage stakeholders of the service movement to collectively use their voices to ensure that decision-makers across sectors are educated about the value of service organizations.
We created Field Corps to better structure our grassroots efforts to be more durable and scalable. This year, the first year of the program, we selected and will train 11 Field Corps organizers to lead grassroots efforts in their communities.
The program aims to develop selected participants into well-trained and well-connected organizers that build and lead local networks of constituents. These networks will unite stakeholders from across the service movement: community volunteers, nonprofit staff and leadership, AmeriCorps alumni, teachers who work with service and service-learning programs, recipients of service, local business leaders, youth and seniors in service, faith-based community, college students, and more. The goal is simple: use collective grassroots action to elevate the voice and visibility of service and social innovation so more people serve and key leaders across all sectors understand the value of these fields.
Program Details
Field Corps is a selective, six-month program designed to fit the schedules of working professionals. We are looking for a cohort with diverse backgrounds, community leadership abilities and ambitions, eager to gain new skills and relationships, and, of course, passionate about service and social change.
Core activities of Field Corps Organizers include:
- Build, manage, and mobilize a volunteer network of 75-100 fellow constituents and a local leadership council of 3-5 active community members.
- Cultivate strong relationships with local leaders in politics, business, media, faith-based, etc., as well as with partners in the service community.
- Deliver presentations and lead meetings about the service and social innovation movements.
Benefits for Field Corps Organizers include:
- Receive extensive training in areas such as communications, strategic planning, community organizing, online outreach and new media strategies, legislative advocacy, electoral engagement, and more. This will take place at the retreat and through distance one-on-one training during the six month program.
- Make extensive connections with a wide-range of leaders and community members.
- All expenses paid trip to the Field Corps training retreat
- A stipend
Program Requirements
- Applicants, if chosen, must be available to attend the Field Corps training retreat.
- Applicants must possess a strong background in the service field OR a genuine passion for the role service can play in addressing social challenges and improving democracy.
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate a previous commitment to improving and serving their current communities.
- While traditional community organizing experience is not required, experience organizing and motivating a group of people towards a common goal is.
- Applicants must live in their current area of residence for the foreseeable future.
- Organizers will need to commit about 10-15 hours per week for the duration of the program.
If you would like to be updated about the progress of Field Corps 2010 or the details for Field Corps 2011 when they are ready, please join our email list here.