Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) educates, organizes, and inspires center- and right-leaning women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders once there. We are building a network of support across the country that includes state-based organizations to identify, engage, and train women on the ground. We offer tools and opportunities designed to equip women with the knowledge and resources they need, including online content and access to a community of like-minded individuals who can help them on their journey.

ABOUT THE WPLN FELLOWSHIP

The WPLN Fellowship program will engage Fellows to help build the capacity of our network of state-based organizations, which identify and train women on the ground to run for office. In 2022/23, WPLN will bring on four Fellows, each of whom will be paired with a single partner organization in one of four states/regions (New England, Georgia, Michigan, and Louisiana). Through this program, Fellows will receive mentorship opportunities and hands-on training on practical skills needed to support and scale nonprofits. Each Fellow will support the program design, marketing, data management, and brand building efforts to help scale one of these four WPLN training partners.

Requirements 

Applicants must be enrolled in an institution of higher education at the AA, BA or graduate level. Ideal candidates will have a passion for increasing women’s representation in public office, especially those who identify as center- and right-leaning in their political ideology and want to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the nonprofit sector.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Program Administrator and in partnership with their state-based WPLN partner Executive Director, the Fellow is responsible for accelerating the WPLN State Partner’s mission in their city/region through the following activities:

• Create a state prospectus that examines the status of women in public office in the state to which the Fellow has been assigned.

• Assist in the development and implementation of two state-based program events (ie: Facebook Live, in-person training, etc.) to reach more women.

• Write at least one blog post per semester, on a subject germane to the work of the WPLN State Partner.

• Help the State Partner organization implement a signature fundraising luncheon event in Q1 of 2023.

• Design organization marketing materials to support these and other programs as needed, along with other communication needs.

 Time Commitment and Payment

The WPLN Fellowship is eight months long, September 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $1,250 for a total of $10,000 over the Fellowship period. In order to fulfill the responsibilities of this fellowship, Fellows must be able to:

• Attend in-person Fellowship kickoff training in Washington D.C. over Labor Day weekend, September 3-5 (travel expenses covered by WPLN).

• Meet with their supervisor during standard work hours at least once a week.

• Spend an average of 10 hours a week, at least half of which will need to take place during standard business hours of 9-6 pm.

• Beyond required meetings and training, Fellows have flexibility managing time in executing their role and other responsibilities.

• Attend the WPLN National Summit April 28-30, 2023, location TBD (travel expenses covered by WPLN), which will also include a “Fellowship Graduation” event.

• Attend the designated State Partner signature fundraising luncheon in Q1 of 2023 (travel expenses covered by WPLN).

Opportunities and Benefits

• Expand your professional network

• Meet women leaders nationally and in your home state

• Build professional skills in both the political and non-profit realms

• Receive professional mentorship from WPLN State Partner Executive Director and WPLN staff

• Virtual Brown bag lunches 2x a semester to build your professional skills and networks

• Attend WPLN Fellowship kickoff in Washington, D.C. with tour of capitol and opportunities to meet with women leaders (expenses covered by WPLN)

• Attend WPLN’s annual National Summit (location TBD) with Fellowship Graduation ceremony, with a special  lunch and certificate upon completion (expenses covered by WPLN)

• If your academic institution can provide credit for the internship we can work with you to facilitate that process

Qualifications

• Passion for WPLN mission, specifically, and civic engagement, generally

• Highly organized, self-starter who can work virtually and consistently meet deadlines

• Computer literate, fully proficient with MS Office suite and Google drive

• Strong knowledge and proficiency with social media applications (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat); graphic design skills and experience with Canva a plus

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships

• Experience with relationship building via in person and phone contact consistently

• Strong project management skills, especially remotely

• An affinity for working with a culturally and politically diverse community

• Political experience a plus

APPLICATION DETAILS AND PROCESS

To become a WPLN Fellowship member, you must complete the application by June 30, 2022. Applicants who are selected for a final interview will be asked for a letter of recommendation in the latter half of July.  To apply please complete the following information here*. Applications are due by June 30, 2022, at 5 pm PST. Finalists will be interviewed in the third week of July with final interviews by August 1.

 WPLN is committed to making reasonable accommodations for all employees. Anyone with disability related barriers is encouraged to apply. WPLN is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to creating an environment and team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, styles, and experiences. We encourage all to apply because we believe a diversity of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.

*If the link to the application does not open, please copy and paste into your browser: https://share.hsforms.com/1GJz4cOdiTM2weS0Q5WGB-Q54wr8. Please reach out to the WPLN team at hello@womenspublicleadership.net with any questions.

Our Mission

Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN) educates, organizes, and inspires center- and right-leaning women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders once there. We are building a network of support across the country that includes state-based organizations to identify, engage, and train women on the ground. We offer tools and opportunities designed to equip women with the knowledge and resources they need, including online content and access to a community of like-minded individuals who can help them on their journey.

WPLN Structure

WPLN has a national office in Alexandria, VA with five staff members who collectively:

• Source WPLN State Partner organizations across the country

• Support the strength and capacity building efforts of these state-based partner organizations

• Raise funds and build partnerships with state and federal entities and individuals to support our mission

• Provide online programming through our free platform, Facebook Lives, and Zoom webinars

• Convene the network at in-person events throughout the year including our National Summit and State Partner Retreat

• Use various mediums to change the narrative to increase support of women in office

CONSIDER BECOMING A SPONSOR OF THIS PROGRAM

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Maureen McInerney at maureen@womenspublicleadership.net.