By Abby Flottemesch | Development & Engagement Director
Atlas Corps Prepares for Class 7 - September 2011
Wow! We just closed our application cycle for September 2011, which means we received more than 1,000 applications from outstanding nonprofit leaders from around the world. These dynamic individuals learned about Atlas Corps through our current Fellows, Alumni, Nominator Network, listserv, job postings sites, and the list continues. It amazes me how our headquarters in Washington, DC can reach as far as Nepal and South Africa. It is this collaboration that will inspire positive impact in the global nonprofit sector. When a community health leader from Uganda can connect with a social services expert from Michigan, we are making it happen. This month, we focus on that network effect and how each one of us has the ability to build those bridges that are not easily divided. In effect, we are all citizen diplomats, ready to be ambassadors of our own countries and causes and eager to share and learn from others. Scott & the Atlas Corps Team
Fellow Feature: Collaboration Gets Results! Networking - more than an action, it is a necessity within the global nonprofit sector. Collaboration is essential to achieve solutions, at least that is the lesson that Becky Nerima (Uganda, Class 6 Fellow) learned in her first two months in the United States. "There is a strong environment of networking in DC," shares Becky, who serves at CORE Group and recently helped facilitate their Annual Meeting. "It is interesting how you meet people and it just clicks. This sense of collaboration is not present in all parts of the world." At CORE Group, Becky promotes this collaborative spirit as coordinator of a community health task force. She also experienced the value of the "network effect" during the CORE Group Annual Meeting. "You really have to communicate with people," were her words of advice for other events planners. In fact, it was networking that led Becky to the Atlas Corps Fellowship. She meet Amira Resnick (USA, Class 4) through the Peace and Collaborative Network. Amira inspired Becky to apply and she became a Fellow in March 2011. When Becky completes her term of service in 2012, she plans to utilize these networking skills to enhance existing community health activities in Uganda, "I really want to create a small project that will enhance the current work being done in Uganda." She is excited to bring this collaborative spirit to her home country. Atlas Corps Fellows - Building the Citizen Diplomat Network! The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a "comprehensive learning journey", as described by the Fellows. From service at a Host Organization to navigating public transportation to interacting with people from around the world, we like to call it "citizen diplomats in action!" Last weekend, the Fellows took their style of citizen diplomacy on the road to Richmond, Virginia, to build that network of citizen diplomats. From the Civil War Museum to a picnic in the park and even a Bollywood film, the Fellows gained unique insight on southern-style America while also learning more about each others' cultures. "The trip was an amazing opportunity to experience an American family setting and gain authentic insight into American history" expressed Gbenga Ogunjimi (Nigeria, Class 6). Atlas Corps thanks our gracious hosts and looks forward to future "citizen diplomacy" adventures with the Fellows.
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