GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

11. Williams College/ Mystic Seaport Accepting Submissions for 2009 Essay Contest
12. GVPT Undergraduate Advising: Fall Walk-In Hours

1. Internship Opportunity at Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Government Affairs office seeks an undergraduate student for a Fall 2009 internship in its Washington DC Government Affairs office. Receiving more than $250 million in federal funds, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago supports a network of more than 120 health and human services agencies serving more than 300,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and hundreds of thousand more in 59 countries around the world.

Qualifications: Prior exposure to government relations, non-profits, and domestic policy would be helpful. The selected candidate will gain exposure to Capitol Hill and the Administration, develop an understanding of a variety of domestic social policy issues, and a first-hand look inside the Jewish communal world. The candidate should have excellent writing and research skills, be able to juggle multiple projects at once, and have a solid foundation in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities: Attend and/or watch congressional hearings and provide notes to Government Affairs staff, prepare and update materials for Capitol Hill visits, assist with all phases of preparation for special outreach events, including advocacy missions, compile and analyze surveys, research and draft documents on issues which include, but are not limited to, senior transportation, aging, Israel, Medicaid, Darfur, Medicare, Iran, and family caregiving.

*The Federal Policy Internship is a part-time internship (flexible but consistent 15-20/hour/week). This internship is unpaid*

Application Process: Forward a resume/cover letter, writing sample, and any questions to: gov@juf.org or fax at 202-466-7092. Please visit www.juf.org/gov for an overview of JUF/JF’s Government Affairs Program.

2. Internship Opportunity with Campaign for Annapolis Delegate

Candidate Judd Legum seeks interns to work for his campaign for Annapolis delegate during the Fall semester. Legum was formerly the research director for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and the Center for American Progress. Legum seeks part-time interns who can work from 2-3 days per week.

Duties: Intern will work directly with the candidate on all aspects of the campaign intern field. From communications, political outreach, finance and online.

Qualifications: Experience helpful, but not required. Enthusiasm and energy non-negotiable. Ability to travel to Annapolis preferred.

Application Process: Interested candidates should send resume to care of Judd Legum at judd@juddlegum.com

3. Capitol Partners Inc. seeks Fall Interns

Capitol Partners, Inc., founded in 1999, is a full service, Washington, D.C. based public affairs consulting firm which provides effective public affairs counsel and strategic guidance to a host of clients, including institutions of higher education, biotechnology companies, municipalities, public authorities, manufacturers, hospitals, museums, major businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Capitol Partners specializes in developing partnerships between clients, Congress, and the federal government.

Responsibilities: Include conducting research, attending/reporting congressional hearings on the Hill. Researching and reporting on policy areas and congressional news, client follow up, potential client research, research for proposals, marketing, assist with website. Some assistance with bookkeeping, handling some expenses, invoices, lobbying reports, scheduling meetings, compiling itineraries, running errands, coordinating events, and fundraisers etc.

Requirements: Junior or Senior. Public Affairs, International Relations and/or Political Science Major (or related field). Strong research and writing skills. Computer/web/marketing skills are a plus, but not required

*This is an unpaid internship. However, a travel/meal stipend is provided*

Application Process: Interested applicants are asked to email a resume, cover letter and relevant writing sample to Laura Jones at Ljones@capitol-partners.com. More information can be found at www.capitol-partners.com.

4. Internship Opportunities with the Center for Competitive Politics

The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) seeks Fall communications, development and government relations interns. CCP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on protecting the First Amendment political rights of speech, assembly, and petition. Through litigation, research, education, and outreach, CCP opposes limits and regulations on First Amendment rights such as campaign finance “reform,” the “fairness doctrine” in talk radio, and taxpayer funded political campaigns.

Communications Intern: CCP’s communications intern will write op-eds and press releases, schedule media interviews, track media coverage of CCP’s issues, develop press lists, blog on CCP’s issues and assist with minimal clerical work.

Development Intern: CCP’s development intern will assist with donor relations and database administration. Day-to-day responsibilities will primarily consist of producing, editing and writing donor correspondence, identifying prospective donors through internet research, and maintaining accurate records for CCP supporters.

Government & Coalition Relations Intern:CCP’s government and coalition relations intern will research introduced legislation, write letters on active state and federal legislation, assist with our outreach to like-minded advocates across the country, blog on political speech issues and assist other departments in the office with projects and tasks.

Qualifications: Candidates for CCP’s internships should have completed at least two years of undergraduate study. Interns should have excellent writing skills, solid analytical ability and internet research skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word and Excel, detail-oriented, a strong initiative and demonstrated resourcefulness, and a willingness to take on a variety of assignment types — working independently and as part of a team. Candidates should be politically aware and involved (no specific political preference is required), and have a commitment to full protection of the First Amendment’s political rights.

*Full-time interns will receive a stipend of $500 per month; part-time interns will receive a pro-rated stipend based on their hours*

Application Process: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. A Fall start date is flexible (preferably in mid-to-late August). Please send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples, one recommendation from a professor, candidate or elected official, political leader, or similar person, and a transcript or list of all college-level classes to Sean Parnell, sparnell@campaignfreedom.org.

5. American Jewish Committee seeks Fall Interns

The AJC seeks paid and unpaid interns looking for experience for the Fall semester.

Responsibilities: Include reporting on congressional hearings, representing the agency at coalition meetings, drafting official letters to members of Congress, drafting action alerts for the committee website, researching legislation, contributing services to the publication 'Capital Alert'.

Application Process: Interested candidates shall send a resume including major and GPA, a writing sample that is no longer than two pages, and a brief letter of intent detailing interest in interning with the American Jewish Committee. Be sure to indicate availability in the cover letter. Please send all materials to nadas@ajc.org. More information can be found at: www.ajc.org.

6. Project Meridian Foundation seeks Fall Interns

The Project Meridian Foundation is dedicated to end human trafficking. Each year four million victims are affected by human trafficking; 50% of victims are under the age of 18 and 80% are women. It is the fastest-growing illegal operation in the world, prevalent both nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities: Include drafting legislation, aiding team in fundraising ventures, attending meetings, contributing to public relations, and performing administrative and other vital work to help the Foundation's mission.

Application Process: More information and the full application can be found online at http://www.projectmeridianfoundation.org/index.php/site/interns.

7. National Science Foundation Fellowship Talk

Seniors and incoming graduate students planning to apply for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship this Fall are encouraged to attend an informative talk to be held by an NSF representative. The representative of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program will deliver a talk on "Creating a Competitive Application for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship"

Venue: Maryland Room of Marie Mount Hall (lower level)

Time/ Date: 2:00PM on Tuesday, September 8.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to duvinage@umd.edu if planning to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The application and more information about the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship at their website: http://www.nsfgrfp.org/.

8. Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance Program

The Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance program at the University of Maryland is designed to help students avoid dropping out of school when faced with unforeseen financial difficulties. Dreamkeepers can help ease student worries about housing, food and utilities, books, transportation, childcare and medical needs, allowing students faced with sudden financial obstacles to focus their energy on education.

Developed by Scholarship America with support from Lumina Foundation for Education and the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Dreamkeepers program provides students with emergency funding to allow them to remain in school and obtain a post-secondary education.

For further information about Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Assistance, please see your Financial Aid Counselor, call 301-314-9000 or visit www.financialaid.umd.edu or http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/scholarships/dreamkeepers.html.

9. New GVPT Fall 2009 Course Available

GVPT 449H Seminar in Political Philosophy: Distributive Justice in Theory and Practice

Restricted to Honors GVPT majors only, all others will be placed on the holdfile.

10. Federal Semester News Flash for BSOS Students

Engage in a Washington internship for credit! Apply now to the innovative Federal Semester Program, 2009-10! For details and information: http://www.federalsemester.umd.edu. Rising juniors and seniors of all majors are welcome. Yearlong program includes workshops on federal careers and professional development; trips to Capitol Hill; help obtaining internships in federal agencies, congressional offices, think tanks, NGOs dealing with federal policy, etc. Places still available in all three concentrations: U.S. Policy in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Homeland Security Policy, and Federal Health Policy. Rolling admission.

News flash: The Federal Semester program has received a Federal Grant for next year. There are now even more opportunities and support available for 2009-10 participants!

11. Williams-Mystic 2009 Joseph Conrad Essay Contest

Williams College and Mystic Seaport are holding their 2009 essay contest in honor of writer Joseph Conrad.

Qualifications: Any student currently attending an accredited University or College in any major. Must be interested in spending a future semester at Williams-Mystic as part of collegiate career.

Entry Fee: None

Award: Winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship for one semester of study at the Maritime Studies Program at Williams College and Mystic Seaport.

Application Process: Paper manuscripts only; Email submissions will not be accepted. Cover letter including candidate's full name, email, college/university, intended year of graduation, title of submission and word count should be mailed with the manuscript to: Williams-Mystic/ Joseph Conrad Essay Contest, Williams-Mystic, Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355. Deadline is October 15, 2009. More information can be found online at: http://www.williams.edu/williamsmystic/academics/ConradContest.html.

12. GVPT Advising Fall Walk-In Hours

Fall walk-in hours will resume starting Monday, August 24th. Walk-in hours will be held Monday through Friday from 1pm - 5pm.

The newsletter is sent out on Fridays to all current University of Maryland students who have declared and been accepted into the GVPT major. Only information relevant to academic and extra-curricular opportunities for these students will be sent through the newsletter. The government advising office reserves the right to edit and review all submissions to the GVPT newsletter and deny any submissions at their sole discretion.

If you would like to submit information or announcements, please email ADVISING@gvpt.umd.edu. Only those submissions which are denied or delayed will be contacted further.