CECC is Back!
The Community Equity Crash Course (CECC) is a 4 session-intensive political and advocacy leadership program designed for advocates, allies, community members, and those just interested in learning about the political process. The program equips participants with the necessary tools to engage meaningfully with the Minnesota legislative process and ensure that Capitol policies reflect their needs and those of their community. CECC is a condensed version of Wilder's Community Equity Program (CEP), whose graduates have gone on to become legislators, mayors, campaign organizers, non-profit leaders, and powerful advocates. CECC is ideal for individuals who cannot commit to the 9-month program required for CEP. No experience is required but even those with intermediate experience with legislative advocacy will gain valuable skills and connections.
Is there a fee to participate in this program? NO
Why participate in CECC? By participating in the program you will:
- Develop skills and knowledge necessary for navigating and advocating during a legislative session including: government structures, legislative timelines, navigating the Capitol campus, reading/drafting bill language, coalition building, preparing and delivering testimonies, and more
- Collectively cultivate a space to discuss and critique the historic and present harms of political systems, its impact on BIPOC communities' physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and dream up and integrate restorative pathways of governance
- Examine and cultivate personal leadership through reflection and critical analysis of your experience navigating the legislative process
- Share your knowledge from this program and help to engage others' in advocacy
Who should participate in CECC? Our program is open to applicants who are early in their political leadership journeys. We want applicants that are committed to activating change in community. Everyone has something to learn and share from/with one another and we welcome the unique experiences that each person brings with them to the program. In order to apply, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older by June 1st, 2024
- Reside in the Twin Cities metro area - Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. This program will be in-person.
- Have an interest and commitment to impacting state-level legislative policy in Minnesota
- Be committed and available to attend all of the scheduled cohort meetings.
What does the commitment look like?
Cohort members should expect to spend about 20 hours throughtout the month of June on CECC-related activities. Cohort members should expect to spend time on the following:
- 2.5-hour cohort educational sessions every Monday from 5:30pm - 8:00pm during the month of June (exact program dates are below and are not subject to change)
- 5-6 hours total spent on individual assignments outside of session
- 2-3 hour(s) for a tentative social gathering
Program Format: This program will take place in person at the Wilder Center - 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104.
2024 CECC Program Dates
Monday, June 3rd - 5:30-8:00pm
Monday, June 10th - 5:30-8:00pm
Monday, June 17th - 5:30-8:00pm
Monday, June 24th - 5:30-8:00pm
Timeline/Process:
Applications are accepted from Friday, April 12th - Friday, May 10th at 11:59pm Central Time.
Final Decision: Applicants will receive an email notification regarding the final determination on/before Friday, May 17th by 7pm.
Have questions or need assistance? JotForm supports standard input mechanisms such as user-provided keyboards, screen readers, and pointing devices. If for some reason you are having difficulty viewing and filling out this form or if you have any additional questions that would help you with submitting your application, please contact Michelle Koffa Dormoh, Community Equity Program Manager, at michelle.koffadormoh@wilder.org. We're here to help :)
Other Opportunities: The Community Equity Program (CEP) is an intensive version of the CECC program. This 9-month immersive political leadership program brings together Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) who want to get involved in Minnesota’s legislative policy and fight for change in their communities. Led by a BIPOC team, CEP provides participants with a cohort experience along with knowledge and tools to: advocate and advance state-level legislation, engage with policymakers, question existing systems of power, create space for dreaming, and ultimately, build community power and solidarity to advance justice at the Capitol. The application opens on Friday, April 12th.
Check out our website for more information: www.wilder.org/cep