South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop Program Description
FLEX-Alumni Bringing Ideas, Leadership, and Initiative To Youth.
American Councils for International Education is searching for interested senior FLEX Alumni from program years 1994-2010 to serve as mentors at the South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop to be held in Kvareli, Georgia on August 30 – September 3, 2017. The South Caucasus FLEX-Ability Workshop 2017 is a four-day training for 36 FLEX alumni from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The theme of the workshop is storytelling and public speaking. A trainer from the Shakespeare Theater Company and mentors will prepare participant alumni on how to effectively present their community projects and prepare presentations about the value of international exchange programs.
As a follow up to the workshop, American Councils offices in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will organize TED-like talks, where mentors along with alumni participants of the workshop will present to the community. These events will aim to promote international education, exchanges, and promote recruitment of students to participate in the FLEX program. The best presenters will be invited to attend a formal FLEX Talks event in Tbilisi, Georgia in November 2017. At the FLEX Talks event, videographers will film the talks and the videos will be used to highlight some of the aspects of the FLEX program including: The value of international education in personal and professional development; How exchange programs bridge the gap between people of different nations and the U.S; How FLEX and other programs are developing regional cooperation and fostering regional security; Why hosting matters; and How alumni impact on their home community. The videos will be edited and shared widely on social media as examples of the value of the FLEX program.
Qualifications:
We are searching for six successful senior FLEX alumni who have experience presenting to large audiences and/or have experience giving TED-like talks. Preference will be given to those applicants who love teaching younger alumni, have an intriguing FLEX story to share, and who have a passion for the FLEX program.
Requirements:
- Be a successful participant of the FLEX program between the program years of 1994-2010.
- Be from, or currently reside in, one of the participating countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia.
- Have demonstrable training, expertise, and experience in one of the workshop theme area.
- Have past mentoring or coaching experience and the ability to follow the set curriculum in the designated theme area.
- Have exceptional English language skills.
- Be available to attend and actively participate in both the workshop and pre-workshop training in Tbilisi and Kvareli, Georgia for the entire period August 29 – September 3, 2017.
- Be available and ready to present your own FLEX story at a follow on TED-like event in Tbilisi, Georgia in November 2017.
Selected mentors will be asked to arrive to Tbilisi on August 29th to attend a training with the lead trainer Dan Crane from the Shakespeare Theater Company on August 30th, 2017.
Mentors are expected to:
- Follow the guidelines given from staff of American Councils and Shakespeare Theatre Company.
- Work closely with six assigned participants.
- Be available to work with FLEX Alumni Program workshop organizers from August 30 for a half day Training of Mentors and to be present at the workshop from August 30th (travel day) and on August 31st – September 3rd for the entirety of the workshop.
- Be able to inspire alumni participant as a mentor, senior alum, and an instructor.
- Assist the social media team in identifying unique and interesting content at the workshop and from the groups they work in.
Logistics:
Accommodation, meals, and travel costs are covered by the workshop. Additionally, every selected mentor will receive a symbolic engagement fee of $300 for their role at the workshop.
Application Information:
Interested candidates must complete and submit the online application with all accompanying materials and a picture for the workshop handbook by July 30th, 2017 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted!
All questions should be addressed to Natia Sharikadze at natia@amcouncils.ge
