Call for Nominations

The Community Technology Foundation Announces A Call for Nominations for the ZeroDivide Fellowship, Class III.

Nominations must be received by JULY 16, 2007

The Community Technology Foundation (CTF) is requesting nominations for the ZeroDivide Fellowship. This program seeks to foster a network of community leaders who effectively engage technology tools, strategies and policies to impact social change in California. Additional support for the ZeroDivide Fellowship program is provided by AT&T, Hewlett Packard and Union Bank of California Foundation.

CTF seeks nominations for community leaders who are interested in joining and shaping the community technology movement in the state of California. Nominees should share a commitment to CTF's mission and values, and have an interest in advocating for underserved communities in information and communications technology issues and policies. Individuals may nominate themselves.

About the ZeroDivide Fellowship

Over the course of the two-year Fellowship, ZeroDivide Fellows (ZFellows) will gain skills and tools to be more effective agents of social change in their communities. ZFellows will explore new strategies and relationships, work across traditional boundaries, and develop new ideas and solutions that will advance the field of community technology.

ZFellows will join and help lead a group of individuals working together to advance a community-based technology policy agenda that is reflective of the needs and concerns of California’s underserved communities.

The ZeroDivide Fellowship:

• Equips leaders with technology information, tools and skills
• Builds a network of skilled, technologically savvy, visible and committed advocates who will shape inclusive and equitable community technology policies
• Links leaders to each other, to policymakers, and to information and communications technology (ICT) industry leaders
• Impacts public policies that affect underserved communities

“Being a ZFellow has not only been an amazing professional development experience but a personally enriching one. The combination of learning alongside and getting to know such inspiring individuals (my fellow Zs) in the nonprofit and government sectors and exposure to customized, innovative sessions on community technology has been empowering. I’m learning how to “connect-the-dots” in a way that I hope will allow me to better serve California’s underserved populations and get results!”
--Camille Ramani, Class II ZFellow

Program Elements

Training Sessions and Convenings:

Orientation/Reception: October 14 - 15, 2007
Session 1: Personal and Community Vision: November 1 - 4, 2007
Session 2: Local Strategies for Community Impact: May 2008
Session 3: Innovative Partnerships: December 2008
Session 4: Strategic Advocacy: May 2009
Graduation: Fall 2009

• Between session network-building activities such as workshops, weblogs, listservs, online discussions, and webinars.
• In addition to the official trainings and convenings of the program, ZFellows may also have the opportunity to attend various conferences, convenings, meetings and events sponsored or hosted by the Foundation.

Strategic Impact Project:

• ZFellows are eligible for up to $5,000 to complete a Strategic Impact Project which employs information and communications technology to impact a social and/or policy issue in an underserved community in California.
• Applicants should be prepared to share some ideas for potential projects during the application process.

Program Requirements

Each ZFellow makes a two-year commitment including:

• Attendance and participation at a two-day orientation session and four four-day sessions over the course of two years (see above for specific dates)
• Participation in between session network-building activities
• Completion of a Strategic Impact Project in the second year

“Being a Z-Fellows participant has taught me that anyone who works with a community or a certain population has the responsibility to advocate for that population, and affecting and changing policy is a slow and tedious process but the rewards are truly systemic and long lasting in their impact. The voiceless can have a voice.”
-- Robert Cabeza, Class I ZFellow

Application Process

Admission is open to individuals who have demonstrated leadership in underserved communities in a variety of capacities including: senior staff of nonprofit organizations, mutual assistance associations, and faith-based organizations; individuals from the business or public sectors involved in community work (including on a volunteer basis); community or social entrepreneurs; individuals who serve on Boards of Directors, and/or coalitions of community-based groups; and individuals who have demonstrated leadership outside of their current employment. Those involved in technology-based community or social enterprises and those specifically interested in mobile, wireless and social media technologies are encouraged to apply.

Nominees must submit:

• Completed application form
• One-page resume
• Two letters of reference from individuals in their community who can attest to the applicant’s leadership and commitment to social change

ZeroDivide Fellows will be chosen through an open nomination process. Applicants may nominate themselves.

Completed nomination forms, including a resume and two letters of reference, must be received at the CTF offices by 5:00 PM on Friday, June 29, 2007.
Finalists will participate in interviews with representatives of CTF in July and August 2007.
Successful nominees will be notified in September 2007 of their selection.

Selection Criteria

ZFellows will be selected based on the following criteria:

(1) Demonstrated leadership in an underserved community.
(2) Commitment to social change and civic engagement.
(3) Interest in advocating for underserved communities on information and communications technology issues.
(4) Experience with or demonstrated interest in building economic opportunities and/or social or community enterprises in underserved communities.
(5) Ability to work in partnerships and contribute to peer-learning.
(6) Commitment to applying information and communications technology as a strategy and tool in community advocacy efforts.
(7) Shared commitment to CTF’s values of cultural competence and disability access.

Additional Information

• This is a non-cash fellowship. Travel, lodging, and meal expenses for ZFellows participating in Fellowship activities will be paid by CTF.
• ZFellows must be residents of California (and must reside in California for the duration of the Fellowship).

“The ZeroDivide Fellowship program was an amazing experience. Not only was I exposed to a number of cutting edge tools and strategies for leveraging technology in my work in the social sector, but more importantly, I have a new circle of friends and expert practitioners who continuously inspire and challenge me. Much of my work previously was done in the context of my own organization. As a result of the Z-Fellowship, I now have an ever growing community of support, learning, and fellowship that has opened my eyes to new possibilities.”
-- Paul Lamb, Class I ZFellow

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