Blog: On the Move
Why do we need a #movement to end #VAWG? #MovementMaker Heidi Lehmann of @theIRC on the blog. http://t.co/H74c80BdAs
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Frequently Asked Questions
How will you select participants?
When will participants be announced?
Can I apply for future cohorts?
Can more than one person from the same organization apply to the program?
Can more than one person from the same organization participate in the program?
What if I am already a grantee of the NoVo Foundation?
What role will the NoVo Foundation play in the program?
What is the time commitment outside of the convenings?
What is the social change practicum?
What if I cannot attend one or more of the convenings?
What grants will my organization receive if I am selected for this program?
What happens if I leave my organization during the course of the program?
What commitment does my organization need to make in order for me to be part of this program?
What if my Executive Director or Board Chair does not support my application?
We are looking for people who are passionate about building a collaborative movement to truly end violence against girls and women in the United States.
While no positional authority is required, we are looking for self-described leaders who are established in their careers and who anticipate that ending violence against girls and women will be a significant part of their life’s work. Applicants must be based at an organization that is committed to ending violence against girls and women and/or using a gendered analysis. In addition, applicants must have five years of experience working in social justice.
For a more detailed description of who we encourage to apply, visit the Who Should Apply section of the website. Potential applicants should also review the eligibility, attendance, and participation requirement outlined on the Program Benefits and Obligations page.
How will you select participants?
Participants will be selected by the NoVo Foundation in consultation with MEV staff. We will evaluate the individual applicant as well as the organization she or he represents. To be eligible for consideration, organizations must align with NoVo’s mission and vision. Decisions will be based on the online application, individual interviews, and other information as requested.
When will participants be announced?
Participants for the second cohort will be announced no later than October 31, 2012.
I was not accepted for a previous cohort. Can I apply for future cohorts?
If you are not selected for a cohort, you are welcome to apply for future cohorts.
Can more than one person from the same organization apply to the program?
There is no limit on the number of applicants who may apply from an organization. Each applicant will be judged on her or his own merits. Each applicant must submit the Support for Application from the Executive Director or Board Chair, as appropriate.
Can more than one person from the same organization participate in the program?
We place a high value on supporting the individuals and organizations that go through MEV and see a great benefit to having more than one person from an organization participate over the course of the program.
If doing so would help create the best cohort mix and would not be too great a burden on the applicants’ organization, it is possible that more than one individual from an organization could be selected to participate in the same cohort. Before inviting two people from the same organization to participate in the same cohort, MEV staff would speak with the appropriate organizational leaders.
It is perhaps more likely that individuals from the same organization will be selected for successive cohorts in order to allow the program to invest more deeply in a core group of leaders and organizations over time.
What if I am already a grantee of the NoVo Foundation?
Individuals working for organizations that are current grantees of the NoVo Foundation are encouraged to submit an application to the program. All of the benefits and responsibilities described here will apply, with the exception of the two-year general support grant. Whether or not the organization will receive an additional general support grant, as well as the amount and duration of that grant, will depend on the terms of the existing grant. All decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the NoVo Foundation.
What role will the NoVo Foundation play in the program?
MEV is a project of the NoVo Foundation. NoVo’s board and staff are intimately involved in the design and implementation of the program. They participate in many aspects of the convenings and some intersession work. As consultants to the NoVo Foundation, MEV staff administers all aspects of the program and are generally the direct liaison with Movement Makers.
Move to End Violence is a 10-year project, and each cohort cycle lasts two years. Over the program’s lifetime, we expect to complete five full cohort cycles. The program is iterative, with each cohort building upon the work and thinking of those that came before. Once an individual participates in a cohort, she/he is encouraged to exercise movement leadership, continue to engage with the program as alumni, and attend future movement convenings (the final convening of each cohort cycle).
What is the time commitment outside of the convenings?
The inter-session work required of participants can be sorted into five categories: preparation; advancing the work; bringing it home; engaging allies; and evaluation.
Preparation: There is limited reading, diagnostic assessment, and preparation for occasional program facilitation responsibilities in advance of convenings.
Advancing the Work: Much of the work and thinking of the cohort will evolve during the intersession through the efforts of workgroups. Movement Makers are expected to actively engage in at least one workgroup over the course of the program (15-30 hours). In addition, participants have the opportunity to engage in the social change practicum (read more below) over the summer of 2014 (25 hours). The pilot cohort also opted to hold a cohort-directed monthly call, which Cohort 2 may choose to do as well.
Bringing it Home: At MEV we believe that we need strong leaders based in strong organizations. Movement Makers are responsible for helping to integrate the learnings and practices of MEV into their organizations. Tools and support will be provided to help participants do so at staff meetings, through the two-day workshop for organizations, and through the OD assessment, planning, and implementation.
Engaging Allies: In order to strengthen a movement to end violence against girls and women we must engage allies in our work and thinking. Participants are expected to produce 5 blogs or vlogs over the course of the program for On the Move. Participants should also seek out other opportunities to engage allies in this work and expand the impact of the program.
Evaluation: Participants agree to provide feedback and evaluation on the program to our independent evaluation team (3 one-hour interviews).
What is the social change practicum?
The objective of the practicum is to provide a real-life (not hypothetical), hands-on experience with a sophisticated tool or strategy that can be used to affect social change. Beyond gaining the experience and skills needed to implement such a strategy or tool, the practicum will ideally produce learnings or products that can easily be shared with the rest of the movement and benefit everyone working to end violence against girls and women.
As an example, the practicum for the pilot cohort is to engage in public opinion research and focus groups to test and develop effective messages around ending violence against girls and women.
The virtual practicum would be conducted by expert providers and trainers via phone and web between the fourth and fifth convenings. To the degree possible, colleagues of Movement Makers will be invited to join the practicum in an observational role.
What if I cannot attend one or more of the convenings?
Barring extraordinary circumstances, it is a requirement for all participants to fully participate in every cohort convening in her/his cycle. If you cannot commit to blocking off those dates when applying, it is recommended that you wait for the next cohort cycle.
What grants will my organization receive if I am selected for this program?
Participating 501c3 advocacy organizations will receive a two-year general support grant. The amount of the grant will be determined on an organization-by-organization basis by the NoVo Foundation staff. If the organization is a current grantee of the NoVo Foundation, NoVo staff will determine on a case-by-case basis if any additional general support funding will be awarded.
Additionally, each participating 501c3 advocacy organization will be eligible to apply for a one-time grant of up to $30,000 for organizational development. Participating organizations are required to take an online assessment, work with a coach to analyze the results, prioritize the organization’s needs, and develop a proposal for consideration by the NoVo Foundation.
Both grants would require periodic reporting and are subject to all other grantmaking guidelines of the NoVo Foundation.
If an applicant from another type of institution (i.e. government agency or foundation) is accepted into the program these grants may not apply.
What happens if I leave my organization during the course of the program?
This program is intended to operate at the individual, organizational, and movement levels. When applying for this program, applicants should genuinely anticipate staying in their current organization for the next two years. However, we know that circumstances change.
Should a participant leave her/his organization during the course of the program, decisions regarding the ongoing participation of the individual and organization will be determined based on the specific circumstances of the case. The NoVo Foundation in consultation with MEV staff will make that decision. Our priority will continue to be on strategic investments that strengthen the movement’s capacity to affect lasting social change.
What commitment does my organization need to make in order for me to be part of this program?
Your organization needs to commit to full participation in the program, by both the individual and the organization. We require that each applicant’s Executive Director complete and sign the Support for Application form, which stipulates all of the commitments that the organization must make. If the applicant is the Executive Director, the Board Chair must give her/his approval.
What if my Executive Director or Board Chair does not support my application?
This program is highly intensive and requires time, energy, and resources from both the individual and the organization. Therefore, we will only consider applicants who can demonstrate total and complete support from their organizational leaders.