Civic Collaboration Fellows FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article by the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the generous funder of the Civic Collaboration Fellows Program, Dr. Dwayne T. James and Claire Rippel, the Program's Co-Founders, discuss the creation of the CCF Program. 

Rewiring the System: A New Model for Civic Leadership in St. Louis

Videos and Webinars on Social Capital, Civic Networks, and Civic Infrastructure 

Articles, Reports, and Resources on Social Capital, Civic Networks, and Civic Infrastructure 

Economic Mobility can be defined narrowly or broadly. In the simplest terms, Economic Mobility is the ability of a person or group to change their economic status over time. Different organizations define and measure Economic Mobility in a variety of ways. Here are several resources for you to assess how your current, past, and future work relates to Economic Mobility: 

Videos and Webinars: 

 

Resources and Reports: 

Strategic Doing is a structured, action-oriented community planning process that enable people to form collaborations quickly, to move them toward measurable outcomes, and to adjust along the way. Additional information can be found at the Strategic Doing Institute. 

  • Civic Collaboration Fellows expects a high level of commitment to program sessions in order to establish a successful foundational knowledge of learning and program outcomes. We understand that Fellows may be employed while participating in the Cohort. Fellows are expected to inform their employer of time commitments scheduled during your position's working hours. 
  • While there are currently set dates and times for workshop sessions, please communicate to your employer that additional time commitments will be scheduled as the Cohort defines and implements the Economic Mobility Initiative. These commitments could be during traditional business hours, in the evenings, and/or on weekends.
    • We recognize that personal, family, and work emergencies occur and demand your attention. In the event of a Fellow's inability to attend an in-person session or event, we ask that Fellows  inform the Program Coordinator of a change in attendance. 
  • The Civic Collaboration Fellows Program is a year-long Cohort that will run from October - September. It is expected that Fellows will stay committed and consistent with the Program, their Cohort, and the Economic Mobility Initiative throughout that duration. 
  • Fellows can expect a minimum time commitment over the course of the Cohort year of 240 hours plus the time associated with the Experiential Learning Trip. 
  • CCF will have three (3) phases with specific, required, in-person time commitments as well as the following minimum participation requirements: 
    • Workshop Phase: There will be six (6) in-person sessions, totaling approximately 30 hours. Additionally, each session will have associated preparatory learning work prior to workshop sessions as well as collaborative assignments with their Cohort and their Civic Network to begin structuring their Economic Mobility Initiative collective project. Participants can expect an approximate five (5) hour commitment for each workshop session's assignments totaling 30 hours. 
      • October - January: minimum of 60 hours 
    • Experiential Learning Trip: There will be a 2-3 day trip. The Year 1 Cohort will be traveling to New Orleans. 
    • Economic Mobility Initiative: The CCF Program is currently discussing potential collaborative initiatives with key partner organizations. The Cohort and key partner organizations will collaboratively discuss and decide on exact days, times, activities, actions, and events that will be required for the Economic Mobility Initiative project. The CCF Program is anticipating a minimum time commitment of five (5) hours per week, totaling twenty (20) hours per month. 
      • January - September: minimum of 180 hours
  • No, there is no registration fee or tuition to participate in CCF. 
  • In order to offset the costs of participation in the program, as well as to honor the time and expertise of participants, Fellows will be give a $2,500 stipend. 
  • The stipend will be disbursed in three (3) increments - (1) $500 upon completion of the Workshop Phase in January (2) $1,000 halfway through the implementation of the Economic Mobility Initiative in May (3) $1,000 at the end of the formal Cohort year in September 
    • To honor and respect the collective work and commitment of the Cohort, stipends may be reduced as defined in the Cohort Participation Agreement.

Travel and hotel accommodation costs will be covered by the CCF Program. Fellows will also be given a per diem for food while on the learning trip. Any additional purchases or expenses will be covered by the Fellows themselves.

Please ensure that upon acceptance in the CCF Program that your state issued photo ID has your current information and has Real ID status to ensure the CCF Program can accurately book your travel arrangements. 

Please refer to the Application page for information on how to apply. 

Civic Collaboration Fellows is a partnership between University of Missouri - Extension (MU Extension) and the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) with generous funding from the James S. McDonnell Foundation. 



Application 

Contact Information

For questions about the program or application process, please see the FAQs page or contact: 

Jessica Lake
Civic Collaboration Fellows Program Coordinator
Email Jessica