Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice

About the Fellowship

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http://www.familiesusa.org/fellowships/wellstone-fellowship-about.html
 

About Paul Wellstone

Paul Wellstone was a professor of political science at Carleton College for 21 years before being elected in 1990 to the first of two terms in the United States Senate. While serving in the Senate, he earned a reputation as an advocate for social justice and as an outspoken champion for those who lack a voice in the national arena. Senator Wellstone strongly believed that the purpose of holding public office was to serve others, and he lived his convictions. His time in the Senate was distinguished by his devotion to liberal causes, including a strong commitment to the achievement of universal health care for all. On October 25, 2002, his mission was cut short when he died in a plane crash. However, his death stimulated interest in his progressive political vision, and his life inspired others to act in the interest of the common good.

Fellowship Description

The Wellstone Fellow’s primary responsibilities include assisting in the organization of conferences and trainings for advocates and community leaders; drafting talking points, blogs, fact sheets, and other publications; and developing content for the Families USA website and email lists. During the year, the Fellow will learn about health reform implementation, health equity, Medicaid, Medicare, and other important health policy issues. At the same time, the Wellstone Fellow will develop an understanding of the tactics and strategies used in state-based consumer health advocacy organizations and will work directly with our network of state consumer health advocates and organizations.
The fellowship will last one year, from August 2012 through July 2013, and the Fellow will receive a compensatory package that includes an annual salary of approximately $38,000 and excellent health care benefits. One Wellstone Fellow is selected each year.

Qualifications and Procedures

The Wellstone Fellowship is designed to increase the number of low-income, American Indian & Alaska Native, Asian American, Black/African American, Latino, and Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander social justice leaders. Candidates seeking consideration for the Wellstone Fellowship must demonstrate an interest in using organizing and advocacy skills to achieve health care justice and social change. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to social justice advocacy following their year of hands-on experience as a fellow.

Please follow the application directions carefully.
Candidates must submit the following:

• A completed application form
• A personal statement and response to two short answer questions
• A resume

Candidates must have both of the following sent by others:

• An official copy of her or his most recent college or graduate school transcript (not required for applicants who have not been enrolled in a degree program after January 2009) sent directly from the school’s registrar’s office. No annotated transcripts, please.
• Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references and/or references who can attest to the applicant’s community involvement, sent directly from the references themselves. Letters can be emailed if the letter is an attached pdf of a signed original letter sent from the reference’s professional email account.

All application materials can be sent by mail to:  Families USA, Wellstone Fellowship, 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005 or email to: wellstonefellowship@familiesusa.org.
All materials must be postmarked on or received by January 27, 2012. Application materials that are postmarked after that date will not be considered.
Letters of recommendation or transcripts sent by the applicant or in an improper format will not be accepted.
Finalists for the position will be contacted for an interview. The final decision will be made some time in April 2012. If selected as a finalist, the applicant’s references will be contacted.