APPLICATION INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES FOR THE TWO-YEAR INVST COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Applications available online here for the INVST Community Leadership Program Class of 2010-2012.

Early application deadline by Monday, November 9, 2009 at noon. Final application deadline by Monday, March 8, 2010 at noon.

Download Scholarship Application Here

INVST COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COMMITMENT TO MULTICULTURAL PLURALISM
We actively seek and support the participation of individuals and communities that reflect diversity of ability status, age, color, ethnicity, gender, gender variance, life experience, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.

WHO MAY APPLY?  The INVST Community Leadership Program is open to CU undergrads from all majors and departments. You may be a freshman, sophomore, or junior when you apply, as long as you plan to be at CU-Boulder for two consecutive years. For those who plan to finish earning their undergraduate degree from CU before completing their commitment to the INVST Community Leadership Program, the courses listed below may be taken through Continuing Education.

HOW IS THE PROGRAM STRUCTURED?  The INVST Community Leadership Program prepares young people to be social justice workers and environmental stewards. Each year, up to 16 college students are admitted for this life-changing, cohort-based learning opportunity. Over 2 years, they engage in 4 skills classes, 2 theory classes and 2 month-long Summer Service Learning Experiences, one domestic and one international. Our students serve at least 6 hours each week as interns with community-based organizations during their first year and they research, design and implement their own community service projects during their second year. Throughout the CLP, students critically reflect on concepts of leadership, democracy, nonviolence and sustainable development. They practice facilitating meetings, consensus decision-making, conflict resolution, fundraising, grant proposal writing, grassroots organizing, lobbying and public speaking. Please note that the design may change due to community feedback or budget restrictions.

Domestic Summer Service Learning Experience (mid-July to mid-August, 2010):
The summer kicks off with one week of orientation and preparation. The first summer deepens students' understanding about issues such as environmental stewardship, energy, homelessness in cities like Denver, and many other issues facing our nation. Although each summer is different, in the past groups have visited the Taos Pueblo in Northern New Mexico; Denver where they work and live with people who are homeless and living in poverty; and Arizona where they learn and serve with Native American families on a Diné reservation.

Fall 2010:
INVS 3302 Facilitating Peaceful Community Change (theory class) – 3 credits
INVS 3932 Community Leadership Internship (skills class, with community service) – 3 credits

Spring 2011:
INVS 3932 Community Leadership Internship (skills class, with community service) – 3 credits

International Summer Service Learning Experience (mid-July to mid-August, 2011):
The second Summer Service Learning Experience gives students the opportunity to learn and serve in another nation, which is essential for educating INVST students about the global scope of social and environmental justice. Students observe the impact of U.S. policy on neighboring nations and gain exposure to hopeful possibilities for addressing global issues from diverse perspectives. In the past, students spent time at the U.S./Mexico border where they volunteered with Annunciation House, a shelter for refugees seeking political asylum. Last year students also traveled with the Mexico Solidarity Network and learned first-hand about social movement theory, by examining social, political & cultural contexts and learning about grassroots change. These first-hand experiences deeply impact students and help them choose their professional paths. Our graduates demonstrate personal and social responsibility in their life choices, going on to work in policy-making, education, grassroots organizing, environmental advocacy and other important fields, after they graduate from CU.

Fall 2011:
INVS 4932 Community Leadership in Action (skills class, with community service) – 3 credits

Spring 2012:
INVS 4402/SOCY 4111 Nonviolent Social Movements (theory class) – 3 credits
INVS 4932 Community Leadership In Action (skills class, with community service) – 3 credits

Successful participation in community service activities may earn students an Education Award from AmeriCorps in the amount of $2,000 and students who successfully complete the INVST Community Leadership Program in its entirety will be eligible for the Certificate in the Study and Practice of Leadership at CU-Boulder.

For more information, please see the following web sites:

CU Leadership Certificate
http://www.colorado.edu/chancellorslrap/lccert.html

AmeriCorps Education Award
http://www.colorado.edu/servicelearning/Americorps/americorps%20members.html

WHAT TIME COMMITMENTS ARE REQUIRED?   We ask you to carefully consider the time commitment required for the INVST Community Leadership Program. Participants are required to do community service six hours per week along with their coursework. In addition, students in the INVST Community Leadership Program occasionally attend committee meetings and help with outreach, fundraising, curriculum design and staff hiring. If you are taking a heavy course load or you already engage in multiple extra-curricular activities, please be realistic about making a commitment to the INVST Community Leadership Program. The INVST staff (303-492-7516 and 303-492-7719) will be happy to discuss how your current activities might be incorporated with program requirements.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED? The program is designed as a community-based learning experience that gives students the opportunity to practice being effective in intentional communities. The INVST Community Leadership Program admits up to 16 students each year in order to foster a small, interactive environment. These students work with each other throughout the two-year experience, traveling together during the summers and taking theory and skills-based courses together.

WHAT IS THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS?   Interested students must submit a completed application by either the early deadline of Monday, November 9, 2009 at noon or the final deadline of Monday, March 8, 2010 at noon. An interview will be granted to all applicants who meet the minimum criteria. You will be notified of your interview time by the end of March. Interviews will be conducted by a team of one INVST Community Leadership Program student and one staff member. Applicants will receive admissions notification in April. The first meeting for the INVST CLP class of 2010-2012 will be on Friday, April 30, 2010, beginning at 3:00 p.m. (All applicants should set this afternoon aside.)

WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED? INVST Community Leadership Program students have two financial obligations to the program. The Summer Program Activity Fee is paid by each individual: $1,500 per person is due on June 15, 2010 to cover the costs of the month-long Domestic Summer Service Learning Experience. $1,500 per person is due on June 15, 2011 to cover the costs of the month-long International Summer Service Learning Experience. NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM THE INVST COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR LACK OF FUNDS. FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE NEED BY TURNING IN THE FINANCIAL FORMS WITH THEIR APPLICATION!

Download Scholarship Application Here or fill out a FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

CAN I EXPECT ANY FINANCIAL AID? Yes. We endeavor to provide financial assistance to students who do not have the means, either as individuals or with the support of their families -- to pay the Summer Program Activity Fees. In order to ensure inclusive and diverse involvement across socio-economic lines, please contact the Program Director for more information about the following financial aid options:

Academic Year Need-Based Work Study:
Students who qualify for need-based work-study assistance can earn up to $2,500 during the academic year in federal or state work study for the community service they do in association with their skills classes. Students must apply for work-study awards through the Office of Financial Aid and then through the INVST CLP. The work study classification is Student Assistant II, paid at the base level.

Summer Program Activity Fee Scholarship:
Scholarships range from partial to full coverage of Summer Program Activity Fees, based on funding availability and a sliding scale for eligibility. Students must apply through the INVST CLP.

Summer Program Activity Fee Work Exchange:
Some students may work off portions of the Summer Program Activity Fee by assisting in the administrative office at an exchange rate that equates each hour of work to $8.44, discounted off the fee. The amount a student is eligible to work is based on the sliding scale. A contract must be completed for work exchange through the INVST CLP.

Summer Program Activity Fee Interest-Free Payment Plans:
Some students may delay payment of the Summer Program Activity Fees. Repayment amounts and eligibility are decided on a case-by-case basis. A contract with the INVST CLP must be completed for a short-term option, to be repaid by December 31, or a long-term option, to be repaid by April 30. Any student who does not fulfill their obligation will not be eligible to participate in the next summer service learning experience. Monthly and quarterly payments are options for re-payment.

Additional Support:

Americorps Education Award:
Students admitted to the INVST CLP can choose each year to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award in the amount of $1,000 for their participation. The tuition waiver is distributed after the completion of 300 community service hours each year and cannot be applied to the Summer Program Activity Fees.

The Jim Downton Scholarship:
Finally, a limited number of scholarships may be granted to those who demonstrate need and are residents of the state of Colorado. The Jim Downton Scholarship may be awarded to one student in the incoming class of our Community Leadership Program.

Students are encouraged to speak with the Program Director as soon as they know that they will not be able to meet the financial requirements, so that there is plenty of time to consider all options. No one will be turned away from the INVST Community Leadership Program for lack of funds. Financial aid is available for those who demonstrate need!

WHERE SHOULD THE APPLICATION BE RETURNED? You may hand-deliver the application to the INVST Community Studies office in IBS #5, Suite 11 (next to the Armory on University Avenue, across the street from the back of Macky Auditorium). You may also mail it to INVST Community Studies, 471 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0471.

For more information, contact us at 303-492-7516 or invst@colorado.edu, or visit www.colorado.edu/communitystudies.