PFF Community Leadership Program

1. PFF Community Leadership Program Information Session Thursday, November 17th, 2011 Leacock Building Room 232

2. PFF Community Leadership Program Community-Based Change Student-Led Innovation • PFF Community Leadership Fellowships offer McGill students with innovative ideas extraordinary opportunities to bring sustainable and positive social change to the communities in which they work. • Student-designed community projects can be based anywhere in the world, in any field- social work, public health, business, engineering, education, psychology, the arts, sports- • your imagination and vision are the only limits! • Successful applicants receive up to $20,000 for an 8-month project or up to $30,000 for a 12-month project.

3. PFF Community Leadership Program • Ms. Sara-Michèle Bard • Program Coordinator- Community Leadership Program • Representative of the PFF

4. PFF Community Leadership Program Eligibility and Terms of the Program 1. General Guidelines: Location: The Fellowship project can be performed anywhere in the world (with a DFAIT level of < 3). Sector: No limitations. Length: Fellows must be in the field for 8 to 12 months. Scope: Projects can be as small as helping a community to set up a sports program in a school, or as large as changing a country’s health policy, as long as it is feasible within the proposed time and budget. Sponsorship: Projects do not require affiliation with a sponsoring organization, but endorsement from a local organization or community leader (referred to as “partner”) is essential. Type of organization: Projects are not limited to non-profit organizations, as businesses with a social purpose within the community will also be considered.

5. PFF Community Leadership Program • Eligibility and Terms of the Program • 2. Eligibility Criteria: • The project must be created and led by the student (i.e., it cannot be a volunteer position or an internship). The project aim should not be research, though research may be included as one aspect of the project. • The applicant must be: • The age of majority (over 18 years old) • A full-time McGill undergraduate, master’s or Ph.D. student in his/her last year of a degree, in any Faculty • A Canadian citizen or permanent resident • In good academic standing

6. PFF Community Leadership Program • Project Preparation • It is essential that projects be viable not only on paper but also in practice. Students are encouraged to seek advice from professors and the Internship Offices Network to ensure that their projects are strong.

7. PFF Community Leadership Program • Project Preparation • Designing a Project • Essential components to think about when designing your project: • Sustainability: How will you ensure that your project is feasible within the 8 to 12 month scope of the fellowship, and sustainable afterwards? • Preparation: What research, courses, or training will you need to prepare yourself for your project? What academic background or practical experience do you have that will prepare you to lead and implement your project? • Ethics: How will you ensure that your project respects the agency of the community members, and that it responds to a demonstrated and prioritized need in the community (as opposed to one that you – unwittingly even– impose)?

8. PFF Community Leadership Program • Project Preparation • 2. The Community • When choosing a community in which to base your project, keep in mind: • Definition of community: How do you define the community in which you will work, and how will that affect your project design? How will your project benefit and strengthen the community as a whole? • Your knowledge of the community’s culture, language, and way of life: Have you lived or worked in this community before? What efforts will you have to make to be accepted by the community, in order to successfully implement your project? • Community partner: It is essential that your project be endorsed by a community leader or organization based in the community. You may or may not choose to implement your project in partnership with the individual or organization.

9. PFF Community Leadership Program • Project Preparation • 3. Budget • The PFF Community Leadership Program awards Fellows up to $20,000 for an 8-month project, or up to $30,000 for a 12-month project. How much you are awarded will depend in large part upon your budget proposal. • What travel costs will be required? • What is the cost of any preparatory measures you will take? e.g.: language classes • What is the daily cost of living in the community in which you will be based? • What start-up and running costs will your project require? • What are the long-term costs associated with your project? How will they be funded? • Please note: projects are intended to be full-time jobs for the duration of the fellowship. Fellows should not plan on taking holidays or visiting family (except in case of emergency).

10. PFF Community Leadership Program • Project Preparation • 4. Personal Commitment • The project you design should be something you believe in and are committed to implementing. When choosing a project, be sure to think about: • Why do you want to implement a project in the community you have chosen? • How does this project fit in with your future career goals? • What experiences have you had that have inspired you to create your project? • What qualifies you to lead and implement a project in the community you have chosen? How will you earn the community’s trust? • How will you identify and prepare for potential risks and dangers during your project? • What will you do following the completion of the fellowship? Can the project continue or expand if you leave?

11. PFF Community Leadership Program • Fellowship Requirements • 1. Prior to the Fellowship • Fellows are required to participate in all mandatory orientation sessions offered by McGill, including a University-wide Pre-Departure Session and an International Preparedness Workshop if the project will take place in an international setting. • All fellows whose projects take place outside of Canada must register with the McGill Travel Registry. • ION staff will support recipients in preparing their projects and assist recipients as required. All Fellows will receive a detailed handbook that describes their responsibilities and includes all Fellowship processes and requirements, as well as other useful information for running their projects.

12. PFF Community Leadership Program Fellowship Requirements 2. Starting the Fellowship PFF Community Leadership Program Fellows are expected to start their projects within six months of the announcement of the final Fellowship recipients. ION will support Fellowship recipients throughout the implementation process, including preparation and project implementation. Recipients may want to consider other courses/training/workshops prior to project implementation and should mention these in their application.  Please note that the expenses associated with such training can be covered by the fellowship award money.

13. PFF Community Leadership Program Fellowship Requirements 3. During the Fellowship ION will continue to offer support and maintain regular communication with Fellowship recipients once they are in the field. ION staff will monitor the progress of projects through periodic reports and monthly updates from Fellows. Fellows must consent to have all reports shared with the Pathy Family Foundation. Included in the periodic reports must be an updated budget, as fellows refine their project costs and living expenses as they go.

14. PFF Community Leadership Program • Fellowship Requirements • 4. Finishing the Fellowship: Final Report • Fellows will prepare a final written report which will include: • A detailed project summary, including descriptions of what was accomplished during the project, the challenges faced and how they were addressed, and how the project and its impact will be sustained within the community. • Personal comments regarding the perceived effects on the community and the impact of the experience on them as individuals. • A detailed summary of expenses should be attached to the final written report.

15. PFF Community Leadership Program • Fellowship Requirements • 4. Finishing the Fellowship: Debriefing and Evaluation • Fellows will participate in post-program activities offered by McGill, such as group debriefings and returning workshops. • A debriefing session (a follow-up to the International Preparedness Workshop) will be provided for Fellows who worked on international projects. • Fellows will also complete the University projects and program evaluation (e.g., answering surveys, attending interviews, etc.). • Fellows will be invited to promote the PFF Community Leadership Program – for example, by presenting their experience at University information events. • Materials submitted by recipients may be used on ION’s PFF Community Leadership Program website.

16. PFF Community Leadership Program • Application Timeline • January 30th, 2012: Application deadline. Applications must be received by 12pm EST, in the Internship Offices Network, Leacock Building, room 307For a complete list of application requirements, please visit www.mcgill.ca/internships/pffprogram/applying • January 31st to February 2012: Selection process • February 27th to March 2nd 2012: Interviews with finalists • March 16th, 2012: Fellows announced • April to May 2012: Mandatory pre-departure orientations for fellows with international projects • September 2012: Deadline for selected Fellows to begin projects

17. PFF Community Leadership Program Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I apply through this program to fund my research? No. A PFF Fellowship is neither a research fellowship nor a research grant. However, Fellows may conduct research that would contribute to the success of their action-based projects. 2. What factors are considered in the evaluation process? The selection committee will look at many things, including the quality of your application, previous work experience, past internships or fellowships, volunteer positions, training, etc. Your application will also be judged on its potential impact on the community in question, its feasibility, and sustainability. 3. What counts as a graduating student? A graduating student is anyone who will be finishing their degree requirements in the Fall 2011, the Winter 2012 or the Summer 2012 semesters. The only restriction is that your classes and thesis papers must be finished and your project begun by September 2012.

18. PFF Community Leadership Program Frequently Asked Questions 4. How is the award money disbursed? The money will be disbursed in four payments for an 8-month project and in six payments for a 12-month project. The specific payment method will be discussed with the Fellows upon selection. 5. Can I work part-time on the project? Can I hold another job while implementing my project? No. Fellows are expected to work full-time on their projects for the duration of the fellowship. 6. Who sits on the Selection Committee? The Selection Committee will be comprised of five people, including academics from across the university, an administrative professional with relevant experience, and a PFF Representative.

19. PFF Community Leadership Program • Questions? • Contact us: • The Internship Offices Network • Room 307, Leacock Building • McGill University • (514) 398 – 4400, ext. 089688 • ion@mcgill.ca

20. PFF Community Leadership Program Thank you very much! Thursday, November 17th, 2011