DMI Scholars

Two opportunities are available for those looking to get their feet wet in the world of progressive public policy.

First, DMI Scholars, the summer training program created by the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is now accepting applications for its summer 2008 program. DMI is one of the premier progressive policy shops, doing really innovative work, especially around the middle class. This is the second year their youth training program is in operation, and spots are limited, so I'd get cracking now. For info on the program and last year's crop of trainees, check out the video below.

Second, the Roosevelt Institution, the nation's only progressive, student-run think tank is now accepting submission for its 2008 policy journal. You can find guidelines for submissions here.

We all have the drum major instinct. We all want to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade. ...And the great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct. It is a good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it. Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity. - Martin Luther King Jr.

So I've been lax in my duties. I'm on the blog host committee for an event put on by the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy here in NYC. The benefit will present awards to Tavis Smiley, for outstanding work as a voice for social change in the news media, and Mayor Mike Bloomberg, for his PlaNYC - an effort to make NYC a model in sustainable urban development. The tix are pretty expensive, so I don't expect y'all to go rushing out and buy one (though there are discount rates for students and struggling activists), but you should go check out DMI and get a feel for what they do.

I agreed to be on the host committee for a number of reasons. The Drum Major institute is one of the premier progressive policy shops. They're pushing a lot of policy that is good for the middle class (and young folks), they've got one of the most kick-ass policy blogs around, they're innovating online, and, most importantly for Future Majority, they are working hard to fill some holes in progressive youth infrastructure through their new DMI Scholars program.

I've written before about the social justice/progressive politics divide. DMI Scholars is one of the few organizations working to bridge that divide. Structured as a summer boot camp in public policy 101, the program provides young activists with the skills and connections they need to pursue a career in public policy. The program is just getting started this summer. If successful, it will help lay the groundwork to bring fresh ideas steeped in social justice and community organizing into the progressive policy world, and help young community organizers take their activism to the next level.

If you are a young person and think policy might be your game, I'd look into snagging a spot in next summer's program. If you are a funder reading this blog, the work of DMI Scholars is a great reason to support the Institute.

DMI Scholars has officially launched. This is a fantastic and much needed program designed to train the next generation of progressive leaders:

The DMI Scholars program addresses one of the most critical challenges facing the progressive movement today: the lack of a pipeline dedicated to supporting and guiding talented young people into the field of public policy. DMI Scholars will identify progressive college students from diverse communities and train them in the skills necessary to obtain and succeed in entry-level public policy positions. Our mission is to increase and diversify the pool of strong candidates that enters key professions in the field, better equipping the movement to affect reforms on a policy level. With DMI's network and expertise, DMI Scholars will become the future Legislative Directors, Issues Directors, Policy Analysts and Strategists that fuel the progressive movement with new ideas and effective advocacy.

Tsedey Betru of the Drum Major Institute has a blog about the launch posted on Kos. If you've got an account, go give it a recommend.