Permalink: http://www.vayd.org/2010LegislativeFellows
Position: Virginia Young Democrats Legislative Fellow
Stipend: $400 - $600 pending hours worked
Application Deadline: December 9th, 2009
Requirements: 20 Hours per Week, January 12th through March 13th
Qualifications: Must be able to work in fast paced environment, think on feet, and follow deadlines. An interest in the inner workings of politics and the legislative process is a must.
Description
Rarely does an opportunity like this arise for young people to play such an active role in policy. The Young Democrats and the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses have joined forces to provide a fellowship program where young people can become experts on an issue area and work closely with elected officials during the General Assembly session.
Candidates for a fellowship will apply for a committee assignment and if chosen will work closely with the Caucus Whip or Committee Chair of the committee. This fellowship is unique because it allows young people to be an active part of the legislative process and interface directly with lawmakers. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, attending all assigned committee and subcommittee meetings, following legislation through the committee process and through the legislature, monitoring amendments to legislation, keeping track of who is in favor and against legislation, observing meetings between legislators and lobbyists (both constituent and professional), drafting correspondence to constituent contacts on legislation before your committee, preparing background briefing information daily for legislation up for votes on the floor of the General Assembly, taking visual record (pictures) of your experience and reporting about your work on the VAYD blog, and other duties as assigned.
There are 20 fellowship positions available. Each comes with a $400-$600 stipend. Candidates must be able to commit to no less than 20 hours per week, January 12 - March 13. Availability and flexibility will be weighted equally to qualifications and references during the selection process. Any questions should be emailed to Toby.Quaranta@vayd.org.
Deadline
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 9th at 5:00 p.m.
Information on how to apply below
How to Apply
Submit an application to Toby.Quaranta@vayd.org with the following information:
Full Name
Address
E-Mail Address
Cell Phone and Home Phone
Preferred Chamber (House/Senate)
Preferred Committees (List Three; click for the list of House and Senate Committees)
Include answers to the following in your application:
- Briefly describe your qualifications and knowledge of the subject areas of the three committees you chose above.
- What do you believe is the most important issue that passed one of your committees of choice during the 2009 General Assembly Session? (You can use the list of House and Senate Committees to see legislation that was "Reported Out" of committee )
- What is the most important issue facing Virginia in the 2010 General Assembly?
- Briefly tell us more about yourself: Where you're from, your interest in politics, etc.
- How would participation in the Fellowship Program help you achieve your goals for the future?
- Please provide 3 political/professional/scholastic references
- Are you an active member of a Virginia Young Democrats Chapter? If so, which one?
- What is your availability January 12 - March 13? (Do you have any planned vacations? Are you available Monday/Wednesday/Fridays, or Tuesday/Thursdays? Etc.)
