Apply to the Civic Saturday Fellowship
Through the Civic Saturday Fellowship, you’ll learn how to create a series of Civic Saturday gatherings in your community that strengthen social ties and help people rebuild faith in one another — and our democracy. Selected Fellows will join a cohort in the fall with about a dozen others to explore the purpose and practicalities of hosting Civic Saturdays.
Here’s what you need to know…
- The Civic Saturday Fellowship is a six-month experience in which you develop and host at least two Civic Saturday gatherings in your hometown, with the intention to continue thereafter.
- New Fellows begin with a cohort-based experience in Seattle on either August 6-9, September 17-20, or October 15-18. Jump to learn more about the experience →
- Applications to join a fall 2024 cohort are open; now through May 17! All applicants will be notified if they have been selected by early June. Jump to the section on how to apply →
- There is no cost to participate! Jump to learn what we’re expecting of each other →
- Bring your questions to a Q&A session with Senior Program Relationships Manager, Rob Pabon. Join a Zoom call on April 25.
Who should apply?
We are looking for Fellows who meet these criteria…
- A professional or community leader: You are ready to embed these repeated gatherings into your work or service with a community organization (with their enthusiasm and committed support!). We encourage you to invite a colleague to apply as well so that you can work as a team.
Or…
- A small group with dedication and capacity: You have a small team of friends or collaborators who are committed to working together, eager to engage your existing networks, and able to dedicate time to hosting gatherings in your community.
We are looking for Fellows who say…
- I see why Civic Saturdays are needed! I’m curious, caring, and in tune with the needs of my neighbors. I want to help create a culture where powerful, responsible citizenship is understood, practiced, and celebrated. I have a sense of how my community could benefit from this model, and I’m committed to integrating this into the life of my community over time.
- I am a civic catalyst. I’ve been involved in local activities or projects, and find energy and purpose in bringing people together. I have experience organizing group-based or community activities, and do so with creativity and spirit.
- I’m prepared to plan and implement gatherings within the program period. I have active relationships around town, I have a sense of who our Civic Saturdays will be “for” and can bring groups of 15+ people together as a starting point. I’m ready and prepared to do this!
Please give a close read to our FAQs to know more about the qualities we’re looking for in applicants to the Civic Saturday Fellowship.
What are other Fellows like?
Whether from small towns or big cities, Civic Saturday Fellows share a commitment to improving the civic “atmosphere,” and an enthusiasm for hosting gatherings. They know the power of ritual in deepening connections and strengthening faith within their communities!
Whether you’re coming as a small team or as a representative of an organization, we know that civic learning experiences are stronger when they are filled with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
We welcome people across the web of identities and ideologies that make this country so vibrant. We build Fellowship cohorts with your commonalities and differences in mind so that people feel both seen and productively challenged. The Fellowship provides a sense of belonging, connection, and affection that blossoms in each cohort. From the close-knit nature of your cohort of about a dozen people — to the breadth and diversity of the entire Fellowship network — we’re guessing you’ll make some life-changing connections.
Get to know the current cohorts of Fellows →
What is the experience like?
You’ll join a cohort of Fellows that meets throughout six-months to…
- Reflect on what it can look like and take to build a culture of citizenship and democracy
- Study the Civic Saturday model as a strategy for strengthening civic faith and culture
- Adopt or adapt the model, by organizing and beginning to host your versions of this civic ritual (tailored to the needs and texture of your community)
- Access a robust array of tools and resources to structure and support your work of embedding these gatherings
- Join a dynamic, diverse and deeply caring network of other civic catalysts who serve as thought partners and cheerleaders
You’ll be supported by Citizen University staff as you plan and host at least two gatherings, and plan for this to become an ongoing practice over time.
The details
Join Civic Seminary
You’ll begin with a virtual orientation, then take a trip to Seattle for a three-and-a-half day training we call Civic Seminary. This is your chance to step back and reflect on the civic health of your community and how they could benefit from Civic Saturdays or similar gatherings as a shared ritual. With your cohort, you explore the ideas, values, and tensions of American civic life and talk about what it means to practice — and inspire others into — responsible citizenship.
The CU team will help you learn the nuts and bolts of organizing your own Civic Saturday gatherings, and you’ll create an action plan for putting things in motion at home. You will leave Civic Seminary with a strong philosophical and practical foundation, and a roadmap for getting started!
If selected, you will be placed into a cohort and take part in Civic Seminary during one of these weeks (in your application, you’ll rank your date preferences) with six months of ongoing learning, connection, and organizing to follow:
- Civic Seminary: August 6–9, 2024 // Fellowship period: August 2024–February 2025
- Civic Seminary: September 17–20, 2024 // Fellowship period: September 2024–March 2025
- Civic Seminary: October 3–6, 2024 // Fellowship period: October 2024–April 2025
Note that we are regularly and carefully considering COVID safety precautions and reserve the right to transition to a virtual Civic Seminary experience if needed.
Begin Organizing Your Gatherings
You’ll organize your own Civic Saturday gatherings, whether as part of your professional or community work — or with your planning team of fellow Fellows! Civic Seminary will equip you to design and create at least two Civic Saturday gatherings over the next six months, with the intention for many more. The impacts of shared community experiences — experiencing civic rituals together — builds over time. From picnics in the park to Zoom calls to library programs, each Fellow’s gatherings look a little different. You have room to play and evolve what it means to join together and we’ll support you along the way.
You’ll take part in a series of cohort calls and personalized coaching. Three virtual meetings with your peers will anchor the rest of the Fellowship, creating space to share updates, ideate with creativity, workshop challenges, and extend the learning. A series of interspersed check ins with CU staff offer touchpoints for support, thought partnership, tailored training, and caring accountability.
Connect with the CU Community
You’ll build relationships that propel you far after this experience. We’ll make sure you have ways to keep in touch with your cohort during the Fellowship and beyond. You’ll get to learn, problem-solve, cheerlead, and celebrate with your fellow Fellows. You’ll get to know people who have been in the program for years and get to trade tips and support each other through the successes and the challenges! After six months, you’ll join a national network of others who are continuing the work in their communities. You’ll stay in the loop on resources, learnings, and collaborations within the program community.
Want to go deeper? Join us for an informational Q&A zoom call with Senior Program Relationships Manager Rob Pabon to learn more and ask your specific follow up questions.
What’s expected of me — and what can I expect from Citizen University?
When applying, be familiar with Civic Saturdays and the Fellowship!
- Absorb the spirit and nature of Civic Saturdays and make sure you’ve watched or attended one, too! Need a refresher? Here are a few examples.
- Review the Fellowship Participation Agreement, which outlines core responsibilities you’ll take on if accepted — and everything we commit to, as well
To make the most of this experience, we expect that you…
- Attend the three-and-a-half day Civic Seminary in Seattle, showing up ready to fully engage
- Organize and lead at least two Civic Saturday-inspired gatherings within the six month Fellowship period
- Join three cohort calls post-Seminary, plus personalized calls with CU staff, to extend the learning and feel supported along the way
- Maintain communication with CU throughout your Fellowship, sharing what you’re up to and how we can support you
- Explore ways to sustain Civic Saturdays as an ongoing practice in your community after the Fellowship
You can expect that we will…
- Lead you through an engaging, experiential Civic Seminary training
- Orient you to a Civic Saturday toolkit with resources, sample materials, and countless tips and tricks
- Provide stipends up to $300 per gathering to cover costs you may encounter
- Engage in personalized support periodically and as needed
- Create ongoing learning opportunities throughout the Fellowship experience (and beyond!), nurturing a community of support through your cohort and the broader CU community
How do I apply?
- Starting now: Organize your team or secure support from your organization. Collaborate on and polish up your application responses!
- If you are applying as part of a group, we ask that each person completes the application form individually; you are welcome to craft shared responses to the longer form questions and submit the same answers within each individual form.
- May 17, 2024 at 11:59 PT: Applications close
- Mid June: Applicants will be notified of decisions
- Fall 2024: Cohorts begin
Step One: Review the application. We recommend you review the questions and type up your answers in advance (aim for about 250-300 words/each). There is also an option to record and share a video of yourself speaking your answers if you prefer.
Step Two: Attend an (optional) info session. Bring your questions to these casual Zoom calls with Senior Relationships Manager Rob Pabon to help you feel prepared to apply and join the Fellowship.
Step Three: Prepare some supplemental items — there will be a submission box for you to upload these as PDFs:
1. Your resume
2. If you are applying representing an organization as a staff member or community leader, please include a formal letter that affirms institutional interest and willingness to dedicate capacity (e.g. staff time, funding, supplies, etc.) to making Civic Saturday-like activities a part of programming or other offerings over the next 6-12 months.
Step Four: Submit your application. Finalize all your materials, then visit our form to submit them! Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to make any changes, so please proofread your materials thoroughly before submission.
Deadline: May 17, 2024 at 11:59 PT. You can expect to hear back from us around the middle of June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What qualities do Fellows have?
Here are the kinds of things that we often see and hear from those who join this program…
I see why this is needed!
I’m curious, caring, and in tune with the needs of my neighbors. I care about this place, and I want to help us deepen our faith in ourselves and one another, because I know this is what it takes to strengthen our social fabric, and democracy itself. I want to help create a culture where powerful, responsible citizenship is understood, practiced, and celebrated — and that community gatherings and shared rituals, like Civic Saturday — are an important way to build and maintain healthy civic culture. I have a sense of how my community could benefit from this model, and I’m committed to integrating this into the life of my community over time.
I am a civic catalyst.
I’ve been involved in local activities or projects, and find energy and purpose in bringing people together. I have experience organizing group-based or community activities, and do so with creativity and spirit. I feel comfortable talking with people like me, and those whose identities or ideology may differ. I lean into opportunities for reflection about the challenges we’re facing as a community and imagining new possibilities. When I see a need, I take initiative; I think about how to channel my own skills and values, and how to activate others’. I can imagine how a new “civic ritual” could help build or strengthen our community’s infrastructure, and I have the relationships and networks to help this become an ongoing practice!
I’m prepared to plan and implement gatherings within the program period!
I have active relationships around town, I have a sense of who our Civic Saturdays will be “for” and can bring groups of 15+ people together as a starting point. I have some planning skills and am familiar with event logistics — or am connected with people who will support in these areas. I have time to dedicate to the training, and to be in touch with CU along the way. I’m ready and prepared to do this!
Q: Can I apply for the Fellowship with a friend or co-worker? Or as a representative of my organization?
A: Absolutely — in fact, we’re asking you to do so! We find that Fellows who have partners or come with their “work hat” on are the most successful at establishing Civic Saturdays as a lasting civic practice in their communities. There is space on the application where you can let us know how and/or with whom you are applying. Each individual person should submit their own application.
Q: Ok, but can I apply on my own, as a single individual?
A: Work with Fellows across many cohorts has shown that it takes great effort — and time! — to learn and convene Civic Saturday-like gatherings independently. It can be a challenge to experience the training solo, then try to relay what this is to others, ask for their help, and project manage planning and hosting on your own. Collaboration is the name of this game — and necessary no matter what! So we’re excited to receive applications from people who have already established connections and intentions to collaborate and apply together — or people who represent organizations/groups that are committed to weaving Civic Saturday into existing work.
Q: What are the costs associated with the Fellowship?
A: CU covers the costs of flights, lodging, and all major meals for all Fellows while attending Civic Seminary in Seattle. For costs you may incur in hosting your Civic Saturdays, we offer stipends; up to $300 total per gathering.
Q: Is there an age or education requirement?
A: The work of a Fellow requires communication, organizing, and planning skills. While we find that people who have some experience with hosting community events are generally best equipped to host Civic Saturdays, we do not have any formal age or education requirements.
Q: How will I know if the training experience meets my accessibility needs?
A: We strive for this learning experience to be interesting, feasible, and fun for people arriving with a wide range of backgrounds and learning styles. If accepted into the Fellowship, you will be asked to complete a Welcome Form that requests information about access needs you may have. Here are a few things to note:
- Language: Civic Seminary and our virtual calls take place in English and are highly interactive and conversational. We also rely on English language readings and videos, and use subtitles and visual references whenever turning to pieces of media. We will happily arrange for ASL interpreting services if requested. This said, we encourage you to organize and host your own Civic Saturday-inspired activities in whatever language is spoken by your own community!
- Physical accessibility: We are committed to hosting Civic Seminary trainings and arranging overnight accommodation in spaces that are wheelchair accessible, and/or meet other access needs we learn about.
- Meeting cultural and dietary needs: We hope you will inform us of religious or cultural practices that are important to you, so that we may factor them into our logistical planning and scheduling of activities.
If you have any access-related questions at this point, please contact Rob Pabon ([email protected]) to discuss more.
Q: If I or my team are not selected for the Fellowship on a first attempt, can I/we re-apply?
A: Yes! We don’t guarantee acceptance the second time around, but encourage you to apply again — and are happy to share feedback on your application.
Q: What happens after the Fellowship is over?
A: During your six-month Fellowship, you’ll establish Civic Saturdays as a civic practice in your communities and build upon that practice over time. After that, your network of support will grow as you stay part of the CU Community: a vibrant ecosystem of dedicated Americans who are strengthening the civic culture in the places they call home. Being part of this ongoing Community will help you find collaborators, circulate wisdom and resources, and feel part of a nationwide movement of civic activity.
Have more questions?
If you need help, or if you’d like to discuss partnering with Citizen University as a Civic Saturday Fellowship convener — organizing and hosting a cohort made up of people in your own organization’s network, please get in touch with Rob Pabon ([email protected]).