CIE at WIS

FAQ's About the Fellows Program

1. What is the Fellows Program?
   The Fellows program was created in 2005 to train talented high school youth who are interested in changing the world. CIE has partnered with Youth Venture, an organization that provides young people with the knowledge, inspiration, and confidence they need to be agents of positive social change in their communities and helps them turn an idea into reality. The Institute for Education (IFE) has been a founding sponsor.
2. What is the format of the program?
   This diverse group of young people meet twice per month with organizations and leaders creating sustainable change. In addition to these meetings, there are training sessions designed to teach the Fellows about social entrepreneurship. The final project is to create a Venture Action Plan to address an issue in the community.
3. What is a social entrepreneur?
   A social entrepreneur is someone who sees a way to solve a problem in his or her community, a solution that is both economically and programmatically sustainable. Youth Venture is the organization for 12-18 year olds associated with Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. Ashoka Fellows are individuals who come from around the world and have been recognized for their solutions.
4. When do the Fellows meet?
   Fellows meet after school on Thursdays, usually twice per month; meetings typically run from 4:30-6:30. Other mandatory events include two Saturday meetings and one over-night retreat. Please see the schedule for more information.
5. Where do the Fellows meet?
   Meeting sites change depending on the organization or individuals we are meeting with. All meetings will be accessible by public transportation. Meetings that are not site-visits will be held at Washington International School (map) or Youth Venture (map).
6. What other requirements do Fellows have in addition to attending the meetings?
   There will be some assigned readings but nothing so demanding that it would preclude your school work. Fellows are also expected to respond to discussions posted in the Connector after each meeting.
7. Who are the teachers or staff of the program?
   The co-leaders are Jill Perry, a former Peace Corps volunteer who has a career in global education and serves as CIE's Program Director, and Scott Rechler, who works at Ashoka and has a background is in social change.
8. What will a person accomplish by being a Fellow?
   He or she will gain the knowledge and skills to bring systemic change and improvement to a community in need. He or she will design a project or Venture Action Plan where working with other Fellows to address a specific need in his or her community. Finally, a Fellow is a prestigious honor granted to a select number of exceptional candidates.
9. What is a Venture Action Plan?
   Over the course of the year, Fellows will create, design, and implement a Venture Action Plan. This is a creative response to a social issue that the Fellow wishes to act to solve in his or her community. It is a detailed process similar to a business plan. Fellows will present their final Venture Action Plans for a panel of judges to be awarded up to a $1,000 to launch their plan a reality. Once funded, Fellows are expected to launch and manage their venture.
10. If I have more questions, whom do I ask?
    The best way is by talking to your nominating teacher/advisor (each Fellow needs a teacher who will advise them through the program). A teacher sponsor will meet with the student regularly to review what the Fellow is learning and doing and assist the Fellow in sharing with their school what he/she is learning and accomplishing.
11. How does a student get nominated?
    To be nominated by a school, a student must be selected by a teacher/advisor who has communicated with CIE about the program. At that point the student may complete an application.
12. What if I have personal questions that are better answered via email?
    If you have a question of a more personal nature, please email us directly.
13. This seems like a big commitment—is it worth it?
    It is a big time commitment, and CIE has communicated this to your teachers and administrators so they understand the commitment you are being asked to make. The rewards to the program are immeasurable—if you commit fully, you will learn how to make a difference in the lives of others. Fellows who make the effort will see the world from an entirely new perspective.