Because you believe in a Montana that believes in you.
Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation is seeking 10 high school students to participate in our High School Fellowship this coming fall! We’re seeking candidates who are invested in utilizing democracy to create changes they wish to see, who are self-reliant leaders looking to address issues in their communities, and who love to learn about issues deeply and implement those learnings through practice.
This fellowship will take place from mid-August through the end of November. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, you’ll receive a $500 stipend, and will walk away with a robust civic education, some nice merch, and skills in event planning and community organizing. The priority application deadline is July 15th at 5PM.
Who We Are
Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people and high school students on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.
What You’ll Do
High school fellows report to the Civic Education Organizer, and are responsible for the following:
- There will be an in-person retreat to kick-off the fellowship. This retreat is tentatively scheduled for August 20th-21st.*
- Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in biweekly leadership training sessions throughout the fall (about 7 total). These training sessions will cover topics like how to tell your story of self and how to utilize different styles of organizing. These training sessions are a chance to deepen your knowledge of community organizing, relationship building, and to bond with your fellow fellow. Each session will be about an hour and a half, and the date & time will be determined based on the fellows’ and the facilitators’ availability. Attendance is expected at these training sessions, and if a fellow is unable to attend, arrangements will be made to complete an independent training equivalent to the session.
- Fellows will also engage in leading field efforts in their communities. Fellows will learn how to be confident holding a clipboard, and talking to strangers–all while supporting democracy. Fellows will have the opportunity to plan, coordinate and execute fun events to engage your peers in National Voter Registration Day and other voter-registration opportunities.
- In addition to registering people to vote, fellows will work alongside Forward Montana’s GOTV (get out the vote) efforts to ensure that those who are registered have the resources they need & a plan to vote in the midterm election.
- Fellows will also be asked to facilitate one of our Underage Democracy templates in their high school or broader community. These templates are essentially lessons that aim to provide some of the civic education that most people don’t typically receive. These can be presented to a class, to a group of peers, or to the community!
- Lastly, fellows will produce a final project that ties together all of the things that have been gleaned from the fellowship. This project is meant to be fun and impactful! Typically these projects have been focused on election day activities or getting out the vote, but creativity is always welcomed!
Logistics
- Aside from an initial retreat, most of the fellowship will take place remotely. However, there will be many opportunities for fellows to execute work within their community.*
- Fellows should be comfortable working remotely while adhering to deadlines and managing time effectively.
- Fellows must be high school students during the Fall of 2022.
- Applications will close on July 15th at 5pm.
- Anticipated time commitment is no more than 5-7 hours a week.
If you are a high school student in Montana, or you know one who may be interested, please direct any questions to Devin (he/him) at devin@forwardmontana.org
If you’re ready to apply, you can get started HERE.
People of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
*All in person events are to be determined based on CDC regulations regarding COVID-19