educators rising application guidelines & campaign ...€¦ · ambassador for the organization...

Submit completed application and all supporting materials online by Jan. 13, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.

Apply now at educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus/national-officers.

ApplicATion GuidElinES & cAmpAiGn inSTrucTionS

for National Student Officer Candidacy

EducATorS riSinG

https://www.educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus/national-officers

rEfErEncE mATEriAlS

02 Job Description

03 Election Process

03 How to Apply

04 Timeline for the Election Process

05 Materials Description and Submission Checklist

ApplicATion mATEriAlS

07 Applicant Biographical Information

08 Statements of Understanding

10 Essay Prompts

10 Campaign Speech Video

11 Administrator Approval Form

12 Transcript Release Agreement

12 Photo Consent and Release Agreement

cAmpAiGn informATion for cAndidATES

15 Campaign Requirements and Guidelines

15 Candidate Bio

16 Campaign Speech Video

16 Optional Campaign Activity: Social Media

TAblE of conTEnTS

Educators rising Application for national Student officer candidacy

2 Application for Educators Rising National Student Officer Candidacy

Job dEScripTionThe primary responsibility of the national student officers of Educators Rising is to be an ambassador for the organization and the future of the teacher profession. Effective national officers are articulate, self-motivated, outgoing, conscientious students with a passion for Educators Rising’s mission and vision, who will promote the organization as essential to the cultivation of tomorrow’s great educators. Officers must be comfortable with public speaking and connecting with education stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators, policy-makers, etc.) both virtually and in person.

Specific roles (ex. President, Vice President) will be selected at National Student Officer training in summer 2016. The dates of the 3-day training will be determined by the elected officers’ schedules. Each role may contain specific duties unique to it, but all national student officers of Educators Rising will:

ff Travel several times throughout their term to Educators Rising events, including but not limited to:

ff National education events in Washington, D.C.;

ff National student officer/leadership training;

ff State and/or regional Educators Rising conference(s);

ff 2016 Educators Rising National Conference;

ff 2017 Educators Rising National Conference;

ff Help plan the annual 2017 Educators Rising National Conference;

ff Attend the 2017 Educators Rising National Conference, at which they will:

ff Collaborate to lead the conference;

ff Lead a workshop for students interested in Educators Rising leadership roles;

ff Participate in regular conference calls with other national student officers and Educators Rising staff;

ff Write for Educators Rising publications as well as pieces for other organizations’ publications;

ff Participate in Educators Rising social media campaigns, including blogging and posting regularly to Educators Rising sites and other education organizations’ sites;

ff Perform other duties as assigned as a positive, professional role model.

The national student officers of Educators Rising will accomplish these and other responsibilities with the support of Educators Rising staff. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by Educators Rising. The term of office shall be one year, beginning at the 2016 Educators Rising National Conference and ending at the 2017 Educators Rising National Conference.

rEfErEncE mATEriAlS


ElEcTion procESSIn 2016, all Educators Rising student members registered in the EdRising Virtual Campus will be eligible to vote for their national student officers. The balloting will be done online. Every voter will be able to vote for up to two candidates.

How To Applywhy should Educators rising have national student officers? The goal of Educators Rising is to attract promising students to pursue education-related careers and to help them develop the skills and strong leadership traits that are found in high-quality educators. In addition to providing students with valuable leadership opportunities, the Educators Rising national student officers program is an important way for Educators Rising to include student voices in key decisions regarding the direction of the organization. Students serving as national officers will serve as ambassadors for the organization and will have multiple opportunities to engage in activities to build their leadership skills. We encourage all eligible students to consider applying for candidacy as an Educators Rising national student officer.

which national offices do elected student leaders hold?Candidates will run for national office without selecting the specific title. The two students receiving the most votes by their constituents will be named national officers, and their specific roles will be determined during national student officer training in summer 2016.

what are the requirements to apply? To apply for candidacy, you must:

ff Be a member of Educators Rising and have signed up in the EdRising Virtual Campus (Students do not have to be affiliated with a chapter to run for office.);

ff Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;

ff Be a high school junior or senior at the time of application;

ff Submit a completed application and all required materials by Jan. 13 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.

How does the application process work?This application is for national student officer candidacy. That means it’s an application to be selected as a candidate for one of the national student officer roles. Specific roles for elected officers will be determined after the election, and will be based on the specific skills and interests of the officers.

Pages 7-13 of this application and all required materials must be completed and submitted online by Jan. 13, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.


Only one candidacy application will be accepted per chapter. However, students do not have to be affiliated with a chapter to apply.

The Educators Rising nominating committee will review all applications to determine the slate of candidates eligible to run for each national office. The slate shall consist of no more than eight candidates.

will i be interviewed?Students applying for national student office will be notified whether they qualified for the interview phase of the application process by Feb. 5, 2016. Phone interviews with the nominating committee will take place Feb. 8-19, 2016.

when will i know if i’m a candidate?All students applying for national student office will be notified whether they have been selected as a candidate by Feb. 26, 2016.

TimElinE for THE ElEcTion procESSoctober 12, 2015–January 13, 2016: Students apply for national student officer candidacy.

ff Only one application will be accepted per chapter.

ff Each applicant must:

ff Be a member of Educators Rising and have signed up in the EdRising Virtual Campus;

ff Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;

ff Be a high school junior or senior at the time of application;

ff Submit a completed application and all required materials by Jan. 13, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST.

January 14–28, 2016: Educators Rising nominating committee reviews all candidate applications.

february 5, 2016: Deadline for the Educators Rising office to inform applicants whether they have advanced to the phone interview phase.

february 8–19, 2016: Phone interviews with the nominating committee for those students advancing to this phase.

february 26, 2016: Deadline for the Educators Rising office to inform all students whether they have been selected for candidacy.

march 11, 2016: All candidate bios and campaign speech videos are due to the Educators Rising national office.

march 18, 2016: Educators Rising office posts candidate bios and campaign speech videos to the EdRising Virtual Campus.

march 22, 2016: Educators Rising office announces to entire membership (via email) that candidate bios, photos, and campaign speeches are available online for viewing.


April 2016: On a date to be determined, candidates will participate in a public, moderated Google Hangout which will be promoted and shared across the Educators Rising national network.

April 26–may 4, 2016: Online balloting is open for the Educators Rising National Student Officer general election. Each Educators Rising student member registered in the EdRising Virtual Campus can vote.

may 5, 2015: Educators Rising announces 2016-2017 Educators Rising National Student Officers.

June 24–27, 2016: 2016 Educators Rising National Conference. Newly elected officers will attend and participate as apprentices to the 2015-2016 officers.

mATEriAlS dEScripTion And SubmiSSion cHEckliSTBelow is a complete description of all materials you must submit ONLINE when applying for national student officer candidacy. You may use this as a checklist to make sure you have all materials prepared correctly.

£ résumé (This should focus on your work and academic experiences, including your involvement in Educators Rising at the local or state level. Your résumé should highlight the skills and accomplishments that make you an exemplary candidate for a national student officer position.)

£ Are you prepared to upload your résumé in word or pdf format?

£ cover letter (This should complement your résumé and introduce you to the Educators Rising nominating committee.)

£ Are you prepared to upload your cover letter in word or pdf format?

£ Applicant biographical information (See page 7)

£ Do you have all the information you need to answer these questions online?

£ Statements of understanding (See page 8)

£ Did you initial next to every statement?

£ Did you sign and date it and insert your name?

£ Did your teacher leader sign and date it and insert his/her name (if applicable)?

£ Did your parent/guardian sign and date it and insert his/her name?

£ Are you prepared to upload the completed document?

£ Essays (See page 10)

£ Did you write 300-500 words that thoroughly and articulately answer each essay prompt?

£ Are you prepared to upload your essays in word or pdf format?

£ campaign Speech Video (See page 10)

£ Are you prepared to upload your video in .mp4 format?

£ Administrator Approval form (See page 11)

£ Did the administrator initial next to every statement?

£ Did (s)he sign and date it and insert his/her name and title?



£ Transcript release Agreement (See page 12)

£ Did you insert your name?



£ most recent Transcript Available (A photocopy or scanned image is acceptable.)

£ Are you prepared to upload a copy of your transcript?

£ photo consent and release Agreement (See page 12)

£ Did you insert your name in each required blank?

£ Did you sign and date it?



£ photo (Please upload a high-resolution headshot or school portrait-style photo, preferably in color.)

£ Two Signed letters of recommendation (Each must be from an adult who is not a relative or parent/guardian and should explain why you are an excellent candidate for a national student officer position. You should ask for the letters in PDF format.)

£ Are you prepared to upload the pdfs of your two letters of recommendations?

Please save a copy of everything you submit for your own records.

Submit completed application and all supporting materials online by Jan. 13 2016, at 5 p.m. EST. Apply now at educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus/national-officers.



ApplicAnT bioGrApHicAl informATionWhen you apply online, you will be asked for the following personal information:

ff First/Last name

ff Birth date (month/day/year)

ff Anticipated graduation date (Only students who are high school juniors or seniors may apply.)

ff Cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

ff Email address

ff Phone number

ff Home address

ff Name(s) of parent(s)/guardian(s)

When you apply online, you will be asked the following school information:

ff School name

ff School address

ff Is Educators Rising part of a co-curricular course for you? (Yes or No)

ff Educators Rising teacher leader’s name

ff Educators Rising teacher leader’s email

ff Educators Rising teacher leader’s phone number

ApplicATion mATEriAlS


STATEmEnTS of undErSTAndinGPlease read the statements below thoroughly. Next to each statement, write your initials to affirm your understanding. You will be asked to upload this completed document when applying online.

I understand that this is an application for Educators Rising national student officer candidacy, and that my candidacy is not guaranteed unless and until I receive confirmation from Educators Rising staff that I have been selected for national student officer candidacy.

______ ApplicAnt initiAls

I understand that I am running as a candidate for general Educators Rising National Student Office— not for a specific office (i.e. President). If I am selected as an Educators Rising National Student Officer, I am prepared to take on the specific office offered to me (i.e. President, Vice President).


I understand that Educators Rising staff will notify me no later than Feb. 26, 2016, whether I have been selected for national student officer candidacy.


I understand that if I am selected for candidacy, I will submit required materials by the stated deadlines and will participate in a public, moderated Google Hangout with the candidates.


I understand that if I am elected as a 2016-2017 National Student Officer, I must attend the 2016 Educators Rising National Conference, which will be held June 24-27, 2016 at Boston University. I understand that if I am elected, Educators Rising will register me for the 2016 National Conference after my election and cover my conference registration cost.


I understand that if I am elected as a 2016-2017 National Student Officer, I must attend the 2017 Educators Rising National Conference, which will be held June 2017, with the location and specific dates to be determined. Educators Rising will cover my conference registration cost.


I have read the requirements and job description for national student officers, and I agree to abide by them if elected to office.



I understand that, if elected, I may be relieved of said office during my term based on cause, including legal or school-based serious disciplinary action, or dereliction of duty. Such situations will be reviewed and decided on a case-by-case basis by Educators Rising staff.


I understand that Educators Rising national student officers are required to travel during the term of office. I am able to travel unaccompanied and am able to take indirect flights if necessary. If elected to office, I agree to cooperate with Educators Rising in arranging official travel, with office-related expenses paid by Educators Rising.


I understand that Educators Rising national student officers are required to travel during the term of office. If elected to office, I agree to take the necessary steps to ensure that all school absences and missed work are pre-approved by my school administration.


I understand and agree to abide by all of the above statements.

APPlICANT SIGNATURE DATE

APPlICANT NAME (PlEASE PRINT OR TYPE)

I understand and agree to support my student in abiding by all of the above statements.

TEACHER lEADER SIGNATURE (IF APPlICABlE) DATE

TEACHER lEADER NAME (PlEASE PRINT OR TYPE)

I understand and agree to support the applicant in abiding by all of the above statements.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME (PlEASE PRINT OR TYPE)


ESSAy prompTSApplicants must submit three 300-500 word essays. You may type your responses and upload them in Word or PDF format. Please be careful to avoid spelling and grammar errors. These essays will be publicly posted for your constituents across the country to see, both prior to and during the election in April 2016. Your application for national student officer candidacy may be impacted if your essay is poorly crafted.

How will your characteristics, dispositions, experience, or expertise contribute to the officer team and allow you to serve as a credible ambassador and thoughtful leader? What are your initial thoughts on how you would contribute next year to the team and meet the organization’s goals? In short, why you?

What are your initial ideas for growing and strengthening our organization? Given your knowledge and experience with Educators Rising, what do you believe are smart, ambitious, and achievable efforts for the organization to undertake? What gaps do you see that if addressed would allow our organization to increase our impact?

What do you see as one crucial contemporary education issue in America? Please explain why you selected this issue and in your opinion and research, what can realistically be done to address it.

Upload your essays in Word or PDF format at educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus/national-officers.

cAmpAiGn SpEEcH VidEoApplicants must provide a two to three minute campaign speech video, with your voting peers in the Educators Rising national network as the intended audience. In less than three minutes, communicate what you can to persuade your peers to choose you as one of the organization’s leaders. This video will be publicly posted for your constituents across the country to see, both prior to and during the election in April 2016.

Upload your video in .MP4 format when applying online at educatorsrising.org/virtualcampus/national-officers. No other file format will be accepted. Please film your speech in landscape orientation and be mindful of the sound quality of the recording.

EssAy A: pErsonAl trAits

EssAy c: contEmporAry EducAtions issuE

EssAy B: Vision






AdminiSTrATor ApproVAl formAsk your school administrator to read the statements below thoroughly, and next to each statement, write his/her initials to affirm understanding. You will be asked to upload this completed document when applying online.

I understand that ________________________________________ (Applicant Name) is applying for consideration as a candidate for a national student officer position in Educators Rising.

I understand that if this student is selected for candidacy, (s)he will be responsible for conducting an election campaign.

______ AdministrAtor initiAls

I understand that if elected, this student must attend the 2016 Educators Rising National Conference, which will be held June 24-27, 2016 at Boston University. I agree to allow this student to attend the conference without penalty to his/her attendance record and to allow him/her to make up any work missed due to conference attendance.


I understand that if selected for candidacy, this student must attend the 2017 Educators Rising National Conference, which will be held in June 2017 at a location to be determined. I agree to allow this student to attend the conference without penalty to his/her attendance record and to allow him/her to make up any work missed due to conference attendance.


I understand that Educators Rising national student officers are required to travel during the term of office. If this student is elected to office, I agree to allow this student to attend Educators Rising events and training without penalty to his/her attendance record and to allow him/her to make up any work missed due to said travel both this academic year and next academic year.


By signing below, I affirm my understanding of the requirements for Educators Rising national student candidates and officers. I agree to support, to the greatest extent possible, this student’s efforts to run for office (and serve as a national student officer, if elected to the position).

ADMINISTRATOR SIGNATURE DATE

ADMINISTRATOR NAME (PlEASE PRINT OR TYPE)

TITlE


TrAnScripT rElEASE AGrEEmEnTYou will be asked to upload this completed document when applying online.

All applicants must complete and submit this form, regardless of their age at the time of application.

APPlICANT NAME

Applicants for candidacy as an Educators Rising national student officer must submit a copy of their most recent school transcript. By signing this form, you consent to release the above-named student’s school transcript to Educators Rising.



pHoTo conSEnT And rElEASE AGrEEmEnTYou will be asked to upload this completed document when applying online.

All applicants must complete and submit this form, regardless of their age at the time of application.

I, ________________________________________ (Applicant Name), hereby give Educators Rising the absolute right and permission to photograph me. I hereby grant to Educators Rising all rights to reproduce and disseminate such photographs and images (as well as those I provide to the organization), in whole or in part, in conjunction with presentations, programs, and publications by Educators Rising

I further grant Educators Rising all rights to make further reproductions of such pictures through any media for educational purposes, art, entertainment, advertising, and internal use for other lawful purposes. I also grant Educators Rising the right to copyright such pictures and images in its own name or to publish, to market, and to assign without compensation or report to me or my parent(s)/guardian(s).

I hereby waive the rights or interests that I may have in the pictures or images, including any rights to inspect and/or approve the finished photographs and images or the use of which it may be applied so long as its use shall be lawful.

I expressly release Educators Rising, their agents, employees, licensees, assigns, and volunteers from and against any and all claims which I have or may have for invasion of privacy,


defamation, or any other case of action arising out of the production, distribution, publication, and exhibition of the photographs and images.

I understand that the legal entity which operates Educators Rising is Phi Delta Kappa International.

APPlICANT SIGNATURE DATE

APPlICANT NAME (PlEASE PRINT OR TYPE)



The following section contains campaign information for candidates. You should read this material carefully so you are

prepared for campaigning should you be selected as a candidate for Educators Rising national student office.

cAmpAiGn informATion for cAndidATES

EducATorS riSinG


cAmpAiGn rEquirEmEnTS And GuidElinES for cAndidATESCampaigning is an important part of the Educators Rising elections process. Therefore, candidates are required to participate in several campaign activities. Additionally, in an effort to ensure fairness and equality, there are a number of campaign rules and regulations that all candidates must adhere to. Required activities, rules, and regulations are outlined below.

requirements for Approved candidatesIf you are selected as a candidate for Educators Rising national student office, you are required to participate in several campaign activities.

if you ArE A cAndidATE for nATionAl STudEnT officE, you muST:

ff Submit a short bio that will be posted to the EdRising Virtual Campus;

ff Submit a campaign speech video that will be posted to the EdRising Virtual Campus. (This applies only if the approved candidate opts to make a new video rather than to use his/her campaign speech video from the application.)

ff Participate in the required public, moderated Google Hangout along with the other candidates.

If a candidate misses any of the required campaign events or submission deadlines, (s)he will be removed from the ballot. Educators Rising staff will take candidates’ calendars into consideration when scheduling the candidate Google Hangout.

cAndidATE bioAll approved candidates will write a bio about themselves not to exceed 200 words. The bio should highlight the candidate’s Educators Rising experiences and any other relevant information that describes why (s)he should be elected as an Educators Rising student officer. All candidates’ bios will be posted on the EdRising Virtual Campus. The bio is due to the Educators Rising office no later than March 11, 2016. No submissions or changes will be accepted after the deadline.

cAmpAiGn informATion

By mArch 11, 2016

in April 2016

16 Campaign Requirements and Guidelines for Candidates

cAmpAiGn SpEEcH VidEoAll approved candidates must share a video of themselves delivering a campaign speech not to exceed three minutes in length. Approved candidates will have the choice to use their campaign speech video from their application (due January 13, 2016) or to make a new video for posting on the EdRising Virtual Campus.

The featured video should be filmed in a professional setting (i.e. standing behind a podium, on a stage, sitting behind a desk, etc.). Candidates should be dressed professionally. Please record the video in landscape orientation. If the approved candidate opts to make a new video rather than to use the campaign speech video from the application, the new video must be submitted in .MP4 format and is due to the Educators Rising office no later than March 11, 2016. No submissions or changes will be accepted after the March 11, 2016 deadline.

Along with the candidates’ bios and photos, their videos will be posted on the EdRising Virtual Campus and will serve as the candidate’s online campaign materials. On or about March 22, 2016, the Educators Rising office will announce to the entire membership that candidate photos, bios, and campaign videos are available for viewing.

opTionAl cAmpAiGn AcTiViTy: SociAl mEdiACandidates are welcome to campaign online via their own social media channels. Posts must not violate your school’s policies about language, profanity, etc., and must not contain any negative attacks on opponents. Additionally, inappropriate social media posts could result in a candidate’s removal from the ballot per the discretion of Educators Rising.

If you have questions about the Campaign Requirements and Guidelines for Candidates, please contact the Educators Rising national office at 800-766-1156 or [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

educators rising application guidelines & campaign ...€¦ · ambassador for the organization...

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