BECOME AN APPRENTICE
AOP Changes 2008-2009 Apprentice Schedule
Wondering why AOP apprentice and mentor applications haven’t been released? Given the busy election season, AOP has decided to adjust the schedule of its cohort term for the next class of apprentices. The upcoming cohort will begin in early 2009, instead of fall 2008, as has been the schedule in the past two cohorts.
We will have more information posted shortly, and expect to release the applications this fall.
What is a Community Organizer?
Community organizing is the process of bringing communities together, to define their visions and values and build their collective power to realize those visions, win improvements in people's lives, and challenge the structures of oppression.
Community organizers work with communities to come together to develop the power, skills, relationships and organization they need to collectively bring about positive social change for themselves and others in their community.
Community organizers, including those who partner with AOP, work with a variety of communities and on a range of issues. AOP develops organizers through apprenticeships focused specifically on creating social change on issues of racial, social, economic and environmental justice, and is dedicated to recruiting and developing organizers from within Wisconsin's oppressed and underrepresented communities.
organizer to develop their community organizing skills and theories.
AOP offers apprentice organizers the opportunity to learn community organizing skills on the job with the supervision of a mentor, and to learn skills and theories form some of the leaders in the field in Wisconsin. Most AOP apprentices have been active in their community, and have a fundamental understanding of the need for progressive social change. Once accepted into the program, apprentices will work with their mentors and AOP throughout the course of their 7 month apprenticeship.
Apprentices develop written work plans, including goals and tasks, with their mentors and AOP. Apprentices and mentors should then meet regularly with each other to check in on progress of the work plan they developed together. AOP program staff members also make a commitment to meet with apprentices regularly to address any questions or concerns apprentices may have.
Become an Apprentice?
Thank you for your interest in becoming an apprentice with AOP! Unfortunately, we have just started working with our most recent cohort for the 2007-2008 cycle.
We will be releasing applications for the 2008-2009 cycle in the summer of 2008. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Crites or Talia Schank.