Changes to take place in 2014-2015. For more information, contact Laura Di Maio at ion [at] mcgill.ca
PFF Community Leadership Program Fellows are expected to start their projects within six months of the announcement of the final Fellowship recipients. ION will support Fellowship recipients throughout the implementation process, including preparation and project implementation. Please consult the 2013-2014 Fellow's_Handbook [.pdf] for detailed guidelines and responsibilities.
Preparation:
- Recipients will participate in all mandatory orientation sessions offered by McGill, including a University-wide Pre-Departure Session and an International Preparedness Workshop if the project is taking place in an international setting, or its equivalents for projects in Canada.
- Recipients may want to consider other courses/training/workshops prior to project implementation and should mention these in their application. Please note that the expenses associated with such training can be covered by the fellowship award money.
- ION staff will support recipients in preparing their projects and assist recipients as required.
Fellowships are valued at up to $20,000 for 8-month projects or up to $30,000 for 12-month projects (nonrenewable, taxable). These amounts include both living and project operational expenses.
All Fellows will receive a detailed handbook that describes their responsibilities and includes all Fellowship processes and requirements, as well as other useful information for running their projects.
University-Wide Pre-Departure Information Session
At this session, Fellows will hear from McGill and Canadian government officials regarding consular services, regional safety, health and travel tips, and they will also participate in regional break-out sessions where they will meet country specialists and students who will be travelling to the same region.
International Preparedness Workshop
This one-day workshop covers themes such as: strategies to improve cross-cultural communication and social behaviour; country context and its impact on professional and personal objectives; stages of adaptation and managing the stress of culture shock; health and safety, etc.
McGill Travel Registry
All Fellows will register on the McGill travel registry. The registry collects information about itineraries, host organization contact information, emergency contact information, travel documentation, insurance, vaccinations, etc.
McGill monitors all University-related travel on the registry. Fellows will not be permitted to travel to a country with a level 3 or 4 travel advisory as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). University guidelines require that travel be cancelled if the travel advisory is in place prior to departure and that the Fellow return to Canada if a travel advisory is issued once the recipient is in country. All Fellows will register their travel outside of Montreal on the McGill travel registry and if outside of Canada with DFATD on the Registry of Canadians Abroad (ROCA).
Responsibilities During and After the Project
ION will continue to offer support and maintain regular communication with Fellowship recipients once they are in the field. ION staff will monitor the progress of projects through periodic reports and monthly updates from Fellows. Fellows must consent to have all reports shared with the Pathy Family Foundation.
In addition to monthly reports, Fellows will prepare a halfway and final written report which will include:
- A detailed project summary, including descriptions of what was accomplished during the project, the challenges faced and how they were addressed, and how the project and its impact will be sustained within the community.
- Personal comments regarding the perceived effects on the community and the impact of the experience on them as individuals.
A detailed summary of expenses should be attached to both the halfway and the final written report.
Fellows will participate in post-program activities offered by McGill, such as group debriefings and returning workshops. A debriefing session (a follow-up to the International Preparedness Workshop) will be provided for Fellows who worked on projects outside of Canada, the United States or Europe. Fellows will also complete the University projects and program evaluation (e.g., answering surveys, attending interviews, etc.).
Fellows will be invited to promote the PFF Community Leadership Program – for example, by presenting their experience at University information events. Materials submitted by recipients may be used on ION’s PFF Community Leadership Program website.