What is required to participate in the Girls Build Virtual Voter Mobilization & Civic Engagement Challenge?
The best applications will paint a picture for how your team of students will create a dynamic and impactful project. Participating teams will be selected on the below criteria:
- Clear understanding of challenge – you should be deliberate in selecting your impact area, and developing your project to help address it. We know you may not have a detailed project in mind now, but we want to know what impact area is important to your students and why. There are descriptions of each impact area later in the application.
- Specific, measurable and actionable outcomes – the best projects will make a real difference in your school community. That means you are able to collect data that demonstrates your impact. It also means that you are realistic about what you can accomplish between now and when you present your project.
- School based team coordinator – we are counting on a site lead to help direct, and facilitate great student work. If you are filling out this application, chances are that this person is going to be you if your team is selected. Please tell us about the vision, how the team was started and how you will engage them in this work.
- Shared ownership by team members – working collaboratively as a cohesive team is a big part of this project. We want to see that each student is engaged, has a role, and is making meaningful contributions.
Do we only have to do a voter registration/mobilization project?
Yes! Everyone who participated last year can apply again - whether it is a repeat team or repeat students. It is a fresh slate. We will base and score all applications using the same standard rubric. The projects are selected based on vision and commitment of the current team.
My students are in middle school - can we still participate?
Ideally every team has their own, unique site coordinator as there is a lot of logistics to track with one team. However, if a site coordinator runs more than one team they will ONLY GET THE STIPEND ONCE. The site coordinator will not be paid twice.
Can a team have two site coordinators?
Yes, just let us know and we can divide the stipend into $600 for each person and share the communication with both people.
Can a team have two site coordinators?
Yes, just let us know and we can divide the stipend into $600 for each person and share the communication with both people.
Can private schools participate?
Every site coordinator will receive a $1200 stipend in December provided they meet all the conditions of the contract. As the site coordinator you are responsible for:
- Recruiting girls to participate in the project
- Creating a time and space for teams to meet
- Communicating regularly with Girls Build
- Take care of logistics for events from the school side
- Manage how and to whom checks will be deposited at school site for the team budget and secure how funds can be and will be properly spent.
- Collect information from the students in the event the team wins one of the scholarships
How do I get started with my voter mobilization project?
The Girls Build Challenge is intended to be student driven and led with support from a project coordinator throughout the duration of the project. This support includes, but is not limited to:
SITE COORDINATOR DEADLINES:
- Coordinating team activities
- Facilitating regular team meetings
- Assigning team roles
- Managing timelines
- Managing logistics for events
- Managing grant funds
- Communicating with LA Promise Fund
- Mediate between school and LA Promise Fund to get principal’s sign off and to process the check for the budget
- Turn in all necessary materials by pre-determined deadline.
SITE COORDINATOR DEADLINES:
- Sign Grant, Coordinator Agreement and W9 by October 31, 2019.
- Submit Media Release Forms for ALL students by October 31, 2019.
- If all these deadlines are met then the Stipend will be processed by December 2019 and a 1099 will be issued in January 2020.
How do we mobilize voters virtually?
That's alright, but we do mandate that teams maintain at least 5-6 members at all times. It is too hard to do a meaningful project without a team. We hope your team grows to be a vibrant and sustainable club on campus and we do know there may be changes to the team throughout the year.
Is there a minimum number of voters that we need to register/pre-register to vote?
We are building a movement of civically engaged students through Girls Build.
Projects this year will have a direct Civic Engagement Component through: Service, Representation, or Advocacy. Please remind yourself about examples of this here.
We are building a movement of civically engaged students through Girls Build.
Projects this year will have a direct Civic Engagement Component through: Service, Representation, or Advocacy. Please remind yourself about examples of this here.
Why should we participate in the challenge?
Yes! Of course you can still do this project. Part of the goal of this project is to teach the team 21st Century Learning Skills. We will supply support to build a social media campaign, build a website using Weebly.com (you are free to use any site of your choice, we will just offer training for this one) and create videos. The only technology you will need is access to the Internet - everything we do will not require specific software, it is all in the cloud, free, and can be password protected. We have seen elementary students pick up these tools quickly, the students will be fine and engaged. You can get a head start with the technology here. Please share with your team.
What technology or device will we need to do this project?
It will be best if your team has access to laptops for mobility but any access to the Internet works. The only technology needed for this project is access to the Internet. Phones could even work for the video and social media aspect. The website is best built on a computer - no additional software will be necessary.
What are the rules for spending the budget?
Funded Girls Build teams will receive $1000 to spend, and funding can be allocated at the discretion of the team.
In order to receive funding by January, the Site Coordinator must submit all financial forms by October 31st, and teams will be required to submit a budget proposal, project plan and the start of a website by December 15th. All funds must be tied to the implementation of the established project, and pertinent to the identified impact area. Projects can benefit the neighborhood, and broader school community, and do not need to be limited to a school campus. The funds cannot be used for outside service providers. Consider using funds to help feed the team and create t-shirts and swag that support unity and brand recognition.
In order to receive funding by January, the Site Coordinator must submit all financial forms by October 31st, and teams will be required to submit a budget proposal, project plan and the start of a website by December 15th. All funds must be tied to the implementation of the established project, and pertinent to the identified impact area. Projects can benefit the neighborhood, and broader school community, and do not need to be limited to a school campus. The funds cannot be used for outside service providers. Consider using funds to help feed the team and create t-shirts and swag that support unity and brand recognition.
Will we get assistance with our Girls Build project?
Yes! We post all the materials here on our website. We will also send weekly newsletters with guidance and support for your project along with additional enrichment opportunities that are available for you to share with students. We hold advisory webinars with guest experts and will happily help search for support when needed.
My question isn't answered by the FAQ or the Girls Build website.
Please contact Scarlett Park at [email protected]!
