The CAMP (Campaign Activity and Management Program) Fellowship is a competitive, paid opportunity focused on deepening community members’ understanding of Austin education politics, while equipping participants with the necessary skills to support elected officials and candidates seeking office. Electing and supporting leaders focused on making decisions with the best interests of public-school kids in mind and supporting students in the classroom is not a want...it is a need.
The CAMP Fellowship is launching its first Fellows cohort in Austin in 2020 to continue empowering local communities to understand and participate in the governance and campaign process. Fellows will gain exposure to non-profit leaders, elected officials, media, candidates, business leaders, and community organizers with decades of experience in Austin politics and education related activities.
CAMP Vision: Every elected official influencing education in Austin will govern in the best interest of all students.
CAMP Mission: Empower communities and those impacted most by local policy to support and elect future Austin leaders.
CAMP Values:
Ideal CAMP Fellow:
History of CAMP Fellowship
The CAMP Fellowship launched in Dallas in 2016 and is currently working with its fourth class of fellows. Candidates supported by CAMP fellows have been elected and have driven measurable gains for student achievement through policy decisions and community leadership, including the nation’s most comprehensive teacher and principal evaluation system, the creation of the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) schools, and record Pre-K enrollment and gains.
In three years, CAMP fellows knocked over 60,000 doors during three election cycles, building relationships with voters and turning them out for endorsed candidates. CAMP has won every election in which fellows engage.
Structure
The 20-person cohort will follow a three-month curriculum designed to educate participants on the impact of school boards on student outcomes and to develop essential skills for effective campaign leadership. The skills developed are applied in real time, and Fellows will actively engage in both community engagement and the school board election cycle for November 2020. Fellows will build lasting colleagues/friendships, be compensated for their time, and gain skills that can be applied to any future endeavor.
Benefits
Requirements
Compensation
All CAMP Fellows that meet program requirements will be eligible for up to a $2500 total stipend. Compensation is distributed over the course of the Fellowship as requirements are met.
The CAMP Fellowship is launching its first Fellows cohort in Austin in 2020 to continue empowering local communities to understand and participate in the governance and campaign process. Fellows will gain exposure to non-profit leaders, elected officials, media, candidates, business leaders, and community organizers with decades of experience in Austin politics and education related activities.
CAMP Vision: Every elected official influencing education in Austin will govern in the best interest of all students.
CAMP Mission: Empower communities and those impacted most by local policy to support and elect future Austin leaders.
CAMP Values:
- Equity
- Optimism & Resilience
- Relentless Pursuit of Results
- Learning and Continuous Improvement
- Empowerment
Ideal CAMP Fellow:
- Mission-driven – wants what is best for kids
- Strong time management skills
- Not currently over-committed to evening/weekend responsibilities
- Demonstrates strong follow-through on commitments
History of CAMP Fellowship
The CAMP Fellowship launched in Dallas in 2016 and is currently working with its fourth class of fellows. Candidates supported by CAMP fellows have been elected and have driven measurable gains for student achievement through policy decisions and community leadership, including the nation’s most comprehensive teacher and principal evaluation system, the creation of the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) schools, and record Pre-K enrollment and gains.
In three years, CAMP fellows knocked over 60,000 doors during three election cycles, building relationships with voters and turning them out for endorsed candidates. CAMP has won every election in which fellows engage.
Structure
The 20-person cohort will follow a three-month curriculum designed to educate participants on the impact of school boards on student outcomes and to develop essential skills for effective campaign leadership. The skills developed are applied in real time, and Fellows will actively engage in both community engagement and the school board election cycle for November 2020. Fellows will build lasting colleagues/friendships, be compensated for their time, and gain skills that can be applied to any future endeavor.
Benefits
- A structured opportunity to build skills and camaraderie
- Unique opportunity to explore and learn about Austin and its communities
- Support quality elected leadership to represent all students in AISD
- Support public schools and family empowerment
- In-depth knowledge of local campaign tactics, strategies, and techniques
- Stipend competitive with standard campaign compensation
- Individual support in developing a personal campaign style
- Relationships w/ a close-knit cohort of people dedicated to a better future for Austin
- Interaction with individuals and organizations involved with Austin education and politics
Requirements
- Attend training sessions (there are on average two sessions per month, held on the weekend). One absence is permitted for summer in case of emergencies or previously scheduled commitments. Two tardy arrivals to session equates to one absence.
- Attend full “CAMP Kick-Off Session” in mid- June
- 100 hours of campaign services during the 2020 election cycle OR approximately 9 hours per week from May-November
- 15 hours of community engagement from August – November (average of 1 hour a week)
- Mandatory participation on early vote weekend, general election day, and the day prior to election day (this also applies to runoff when necessary)
- Participate in the interview process for candidates
- Support endorsed candidates to victory
Compensation
All CAMP Fellows that meet program requirements will be eligible for up to a $2500 total stipend. Compensation is distributed over the course of the Fellowship as requirements are met.
Our Team
John HIll - Co-Founder and Director
John Hill is the Co-Founder, Director, and Curriculum Designer of CAMP Fellowship. A Dallas native, Hill returned home to become a public school teacher in Dallas ISD. Prior to entering education, Hill served as a fundraiser for the Harvard College Fund and a communications consultant for mayoral and city council candidates in Los Angeles. In 2019, he directly influenced the successful nomination of three new Dallas ISD Trustees simultaneously, including the youngest trustee ever elected in Dallas and the first Latina, transforming the make up of the school board in the process. Most recently, he designed and implemented a voter outreach and mobilization program for a U.S. Congresswoman that led to her successful primary victory over three opponents, avoiding a runoff election in the process. In the past seven years, Hill has been a key adviser in over 20 successful campaign operations at various levels and has worked closely with local organizations to support candidates seeking office.
Hill received his B.A. in Government from Harvard University and his M.Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership from Southern Methodist University.
Hill received his B.A. in Government from Harvard University and his M.Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership from Southern Methodist University.