It's like AmeriCorps, but you don't have to abstain from politics while you serve. In fact, we encourage voting.*
It's like the Peace Corps, but you won't get malaria. (We promise. Oregon's been malaria-free for years.)*
It's PolitiCorps. A term of service for democracy.

Do you know a hotshot young activist ready to run a campaign, polish up her public speaking skills, and manage a volunteer team? You should nominate her or him now.

This week PolitiCorps will accept the first dozen Fellows for the 2009 Summer Bootcamp, based in Portland, Oregon. Applications are due on March 20th.

Fellowships provide a total of 24 promising young activists a free 10 week training in high impact grassroots organizing skills and next generation leadership skills.

This national Fellowship for young progressives offers:

• A cleared path toward a career in the public interest
• Training in communications, community organizing, public policy analysis, networking, data management, and project management
• Round-table conversations with nationally-known politics, wonks, strategists, and progressive change-agents
• Close friendships with some of the brightest and most dedicated activists in the country
• Housing and cost of living stipends are offered on top of tuition for the 10 week training

PolitiCorps Fellows are college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (up to 24 years old) who have a demonstrated commitment to progressive values and an interest in the political process.

To learn more, download our shiny brochure.

There are two applications periods for Summer 2009.
Round 1: Applications due March 20th (12 Fellows)
Round 2: Rolling admissions until the program is full (12 Fellows)

To apply today, submit a nomination form now.

*Obviously, we think AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps (and all the other Corps) are neato. Really super.

The Obama Campaign just announced the launch of a summer training program, Obama Felowships. Considering the truly impressive field (and internet) operation the Obama campaign has put together this year, this is a unique opportunity to learn a really good ground game. If I was just finishing school (or still a student), I'd jump at the chance to be on the inside and learn from the campaign.

Introducing the Obama Organizing Fellows

This summer we are looking for people who want to be a part of a new generation of leadership that believes, like Senator Obama, that real change comes from the ground up.

Fellows will be trained on the basics of organizing & campaign fundamentals and then placed in a community to carry out grassroots activities. Fellows will be asked to commit to a minimum of 30 hours per week and will:

• participate in training on field organizing, messaging, and other activities
• organize in a community, working in conjunction with grassroots leaders and campaign staff
• continue to build the movement

Applications are due at the latest by Monday, May 5th at midnight eastern time. We strongly encourage individuals to apply early. Applicants should expect to receive further communication in May. Program participation will start on June 5 and run through the end of the summer.

Note: this is an unpaid position.

Questions? Please email fellowship@barackobama.com.

If Hillary is your woman, or if you're looking to join the movement outside the bounds of the campaign, there are a number of other high-quality training opportunities this summer. A colleague at the Oregon Bus Project sent me a brief email to remind me of them:

"One of the most inspiring things about the Obama campaign is their desire to build for the future and their commitment to training young leaders in grassroots organizing. Organizations like the Bus Project's PolitiCorps Summer, Center for Progressive Leadership's New Leaders Fellowship, EMILY's List Campaign Corps, GreenCorps, and many others are also providing leadership training programs for young progressive leaders this summer. Some of these opportunities are paid, and all of them have deadlines rapidly approaching.

Here is a calendar of trainings for young progressive leaders in 2008."

For questions about the Bus Project's PolitiCorps Program, email emily.kintzer@busproject.org or call 503 233 3018