Willamette Valley Legislative Fellowship

WILLAMETTE VALLEY LEGISLATIVE FELLOWSHIP

Introduction:

This is a competitive 11-week Late-Summer/Early-Fall fellowship hosted by Representative Dan Rayfield.  Students will be involved in statewide legislative election campaigns, development of policy for the upcoming 2017 legislative session, and will participate in a unique guest-speaker series with policy and campaign experts.

Requirements:

  • A time commitment of one night per week and staffing 4 events:
    • Workshops will occur every other week on Monday or Wednesday nights from 5:30-8:30PM
    • In off-weeks, students will meet Monday or Wednesday nights from 5:30-8:30PM to work on various legislative and campaign related projects and tasks.
    • Students will commit to staffing 4 half-day campaign events that will occur on Saturdays during September and October.
  • Fellows must be interested in pursuing a college degree
  • Preferred Experience:
    • Political science background
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills
    • Ability to work well with others in a collaborative process
    • Ability to complete work independently

Goals/Benefits for Participants:

  • Provide fellows with a practical, hands-on experience that will empower them to pursue career opportunities in legislative policy, government administration, and campaign organization.
  • Fellows will learn tangible job skills and will develop professional networks with influential stakeholders throughout the State. 
  • Fellows will be exposed to the full range of skills necessary to develop smart policy and run a political campaign.
  • Fellows will partake in a uniquely crafted curriculum consisting of professional workshops, a guest-speaker series, and staffing of 4 campaign events throughout the state.
  • Fellows will learn how to build a professional network and meet experienced leaders in career fields that interest them
  • Upon completing the program, fellows will have the opportunity to develop professional references and meet mentors who can assist them in starting their careers.
  • Empower fellows to build relationships with influential leaders and decision makers in state government and learn how to interact with them.

Selection Process:

  • The application process will open May 1st, 2016, and will close June 10th, 2016.
  • Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter indicating why they are applying for the fellowship to Ryan Beaston at ryan@danrayfield.com. 
  • Qualified applicants will be contacted for an in person interview the week of June 20th, 2016.
  • Fellowship will begin the week of August 22, 2016.

Fellowship Structure:

  • Fellowship will take place over an 11-week period from August 22, 2016 to November 8, 2016.
  • Fellows will be required partake in fellowship activities on a weekly basis
    • Workshops/Guest-Speaker Series: will be scheduled on a bi-weekly basis.  Various leaders in the political world, who have mastered a particular aspect/skill needed for policymaking, communication, campaigning, fundraising, etc., will host the workshops.
    • Off-Weeks: During the weeks when there is no workshop scheduled, fellows will meet together to work on various legislative and campaign related projects and tasks.  Projects will relate to the skill developed at the prior week’s workshop.
    • Policy Groups:  Fellows will work in a group or groups throughout the fellowship to develop a policy concept for a specific area of interest.  The group that develops the best policy proposal during the fellowship will have the opportunity to develop that legislative concept with the office of Legislative Counsel for the 2017 legislative session.
    • Staffing Campaign Events: Fellows will staff 4 campaign events held throughout the state. They will have the opportunity to network with other representatives and candidates seeking legislative office, and assist in their campaigns. Transportation will be provided.
  • Workshop weeks will begin or end with a one-hour check-in with Representative Rayfield and the team of fellows. Fellows will have the opportunity to provide feedback regarding that week’s schedule and will additionally be briefed on upcoming political strategy and goals. In addition, they will update the staff on the progress they are making with their individualized/subgroup projects.
  • Curriculum:
    • Workshop 1 (Week 1): Introduction/Orientation/Dinner
    • Workshop 2 (Week 2): Developing and drafting legislation
    • Workshop 3 (Week 4): Voter Database Targeting and Training
    • Workshop 4 (Week 6): Campaign Field Training – Developing scripts, organizing, volunteer strategy, canvassing, etc.
    • Workshop 5 (Week 8):  Campaign Fundraising Training
    • Workshop 6 (Week 10): Communications Training

Questions:

Please contact Ryan Beaston at 541-740-7744 or ryan@danrayfield.com with any questions regarding the fellowship program.