APPALACHIAN TRANSITION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2013 Community Outreach Meetings Informational Presentation

AppFellows’ Vision The Appalachian Transition Fellowship (AppFellows) seeks to increase the connectivity, collaboration, and capacity of Central Appalachian institutions and leaders by building a collective analysis and seeding projects that solve regional systemic problems and foster a just and sustainable Appalachian economy

Presentation Overview  Resource and Management Team Introductions  AppFellows Background & Overview  Host Definition, Roles, Responsibilities, & Selection Criteria  Fellow Definition, Benefits & Selection Criteria  Application Process  AppFellows Match Funding Ideas

Resource & Management Team Introductions

Management Team  Highlander Research and Education Center  Rural Support Partners

Resource Team Mary Hunt Benedum Foundation Sandra Mikush Babcock Foundation Robin Gabbard Foundation for Appalachian KY Michelle Decker Rural Action Stephanie Tyree WV Community Hub Rachel Edens Tusculum College Steve Fisher Emory & Henry College Jacki Arthur Three Rivers Market Marlo Long BB&T Margaret Feieraband Bristol City Council

AppFellows Background & Overview

Background: Appalachian Transition

Background AppFellows

AppFellows Research Background  Research across Appalachia  Over 100 participants Focus groups: KY, OH, WV, VA, TN, NC 33 survey responses Face-to-face conversations  Best Practices Research  Organizations include: The Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship, The Center for Progressive Leadership, The CORO Fellows Program in Public Affairs

Research Findings  According to research participants an ideal regional fellowship would: Provide cross-sector placements Increase connectivity and capacity Support multi-generational leadership Invest in regional partnerships and organizational development

AppFellows Overview  Opportunity for work and learning  Targeted to 15 emerging leaders  Placement within host communities for 1 year  Fellows and hosts connected through monthly & quarterly training events  Involves research or implementation of a specific, practical project that helps the host organization and/or the region

Fellowship Projects  Fellows will be engaged in two projects: Cross-Sector Placement Project- Host Communities will identify a project and define activities to achieve project goals Individual Projects - Fellows will identify an extension of their cross-sector placement project where they will develop, identify goals & potential impact, and fundraise for this project

Host Community Project Ideas  A cross-sector placement project can be, but are not limited to: Online materials and resources development to support “green jobs” growth in West Virginia Local & regional food system development Inventory of development sites that influences high- value long-term regional development Crowdsourcing and/or other community financing that supports a collaborative community project with best practices & training module

Fellow Project Ideas  A fellows’ can be, but are not limited to: Policy research that inhibit or strengthen “green job” growth in West Virginia Filming, directing, & producing visual media that showcases the work within their host community In-depth interviews for best practices research within a particular sector Developing a media toolkit that will help launch a crowdsourcing project

Host Community Definition, Benefits, Roles & Responsibilities, Selection Criteria

Host Community  Two or three institutions from a Central Appalachian sub-region or a network of three or more institutions  Institutions represent at least two of the five following sectors: non-profit, business, government, education, and philanthropy.  Can rotate a fellow from one organization to another for a designated time or have a fellow work with multiple organizations consistently throughout the year

Host Community Benefits  An immediate capacity boost  Skill building tools  Staff & organizational development  Strengthened regional collaboration & connectivity  Peer learning opportunities around emerging initiatives happening within the region

Host Community Roles & Responsibilities  Work collaboratively with the management team to create a preliminary work plan, vision for fellows  Draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the fellowship outlining their roles and responsibilities to other hosts, their fellow, and the fellowship  Agree to attend quarterly gatherings  Allow fellows to meet their obligations to the fellowship  Secure half of the fellow's salary at $12,000

Host Community Criteria  Partnership between cross-sectoral network or 2-3 institutions  Projects rooted within the Appalachian Economic Transition Framework that support entrepreneurial opportunities within the promising sectors of renewable energy/energy efficiency, local food systems, health, and other sectors that support an economy based on human and natural assets of the region  Enthusiasm for supporting and encouraging the skills of emerging leaders  Commitment to developing sustainable and just economic development programs within Central Appalachia

Host Community Criteria (continued)  Works well with others on collective visions and goals  Maintains equitable and inclusive work environment  Understands their community and the issues they are committed to impacting  Can support half of the fellow's salary at $12,000 or ability to secure funding from an outside source

Fellow Definition, Benefits, Curriculum & Selection Criteria

Fellow Definition Appalachian Transition Fellows are innovative and creative Emerging Leaders dedicated to Central Appalachia that are interested in becoming a more effective leader with a deep understanding of the economic and social complexities on both the local and regional level that enables them to work with community partners and other fellows to find innovative solutions to foster a just and sustainable Appalachian economy.

Fellow Benefits  Increase organizational and leadership skills through institutional and individual projects  Expand professional and learning networks  12 month living stipend of $24,000  Comprehensive Orientation and Regional Tour  7 Monthly Skills Workshops and Four Regional Gatherings  Other Learning Opportunities Through Host Community Placements

Fellowship Curriculum The Appalachian Transitions Fellowship program focuses on three leadership areas over the course of the 12 month program. Individual Leadership Development Regional and Systemic Analysis Development Organizational and Community Development Vision Development Personal Strategic Planning Writing and Communications Project Planning Time Management Vision Development Personal Strategic Planning Writing and Communications Project Planning Time Management History of Appalachia Regional Economy and Health Sectoral Understanding Appalachian Transition Economic Models Wealth Creation Framework History of Appalachia Regional Economy and Health Sectoral Understanding Appalachian Transition Economic Models Wealth Creation Framework Communications Conflict Resolution Community Organizing Budgeting Financial Management Policy Development Fundraising Communications Conflict Resolution Community Organizing Budgeting Financial Management Policy Development Fundraising

Fellow Criteria  Dedicated to the Central Appalachian Region  Have shown creativity and innovation in their field of work or study  Serious about a career that will support the transition to a sustainable and equitable region  Interest in supporting economic development programs  Strong collaboration, teamwork and group decision-making skills  Commitment to working in rural areas  Willingness to participate in year-long activities including: skill workshops, regional gatherings with host organizations, one-on- one and small group coaching

Application Process

Host Community Application & Selection Process  Prospective Host Communities will submit an interest application, via  Prospective hosts will outline their initial concept or project  Interest Application Priority Deadline: November 27, 2013  Management team will work with hosts to develop scope of work during extensive planning process for final application  Final Application Deadline: January 31, 2014

Fellow Application & Selection Process  Prospective Fellows will submit an application, via  Application Deadline: February 10, 2014  Three components application process: 1) application and resume; 2) signed Declaration of Commitment and Responsibility; and 3) 3 letters of recommendation  Semi-finalist interviews with Management Team between late February- early March  Interviews between Finalists and Host Communities will occur in March  Final selection by early April

Cross-Sector Funding Ideas & Recommendations

Funding Sources  AppFellows will provide $12,000 match, travel, and educational & training support  Host communities can raise additional funds by: Split fellow costs Partner with community, regional, and/or national foundations Approach larger foundations with discretionary funds Create individual fundraising campaigns (i.e. donors, crowdfunding, community funding)

Host Interest Applications Due: November 27, 2013 Fellow Applications Due: February 10,

AppFellows Coming To A Town Near You!!  Knoxville, TN- November 6 Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Location: Burlington Public Library 4614 Asheville Highway Knoxville, TN  Chattanooga, TN- November 12 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm Location: Concerned Citizens for Justice 701 Hooker Rd. Chattanooga, TN  Berea, KY- November 13 Time: 5:00 – 8:00 pm Location: Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Bruce Building Room North Main St. Berea, KY  Harlan, KY- November 14 Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Location: Harlan Center 201 S. Main St. Harlan, KY

AppFellows Coming To A Town Near You!! (continued)  Charleston, WV- November 19 Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: South Charleston Public Library 312 4th Ave South Charleston, WV  Lewisburg, WV- November 19 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation 804 Industrial Park Rd Maxwelton, WV  Abingdon, VA- November 20 Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center 300 Stanley St Abingdon, VA  Boone, NC- November 20 Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Location: Appalachian State Student Center 263 Locust St. Boone, NC

AppFellows Coming To A Town Near You!! (continued)  Bluefield, WV- November 21 Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Location: Craft Memorial Library 600 Commerce St. Bluefield, WV  Beckley, WV- November 21 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Tamarack Center 1 Tamarack Park Beckley, WV  Clarksburg, WV- November 22 Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: Clarksburg Public Library 404 W. Pike St. Clarksburg, WV  Athens, OH- November 22 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Rural Action Kuhre Center for Rural Renewal 9030 Hocking Hills DR The Plains, OH

Contact Us!  Visit Us:  Webinar recordings are available on our website along with a copy of this PowerPoint.  General Information: x 229  Rural Support Partners  Funding, Speaking Engagements and Program: x 244 

Special Thanks  Current Funding Partners:  Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation  Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation  Ford Foundation

Questions & Answers Thank you for your time!