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Program Elements
This is a two-year program. Upon successful completion of the program, Fellows will have gained leadership skills they will use for the rest of their professional lives. In 2012 EERI anticipates selecting 8 candidates. Three will be supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) of the World Bank, and will be known as GFDRR-Housner Fellows upon completion of the program.
The basic elements of the program include:
- a kick-off orientation and motivation one-day session, held in conjunction with EERI’s Annual Meeting (April 9, 2012);
- a one-week Housner Institute, focused on leadership training, to be held at Asilomar, California, June 16-21, 2012;
- ongoing mentoring between senior EERI leaders and the Housner Fellows;
- participation in a group project, developed in consultation with the Housner Institute trainer and Fellows. Fellows will work on their project over the two-year period of the program.
- possible participation on an EERI reconnaissance team after an earthquake or to document recovery issues;
- participation in a national policy-influencing activity
All candidates selected as Housner Fellows MUST be able to participate in the orientation (April 9, 2012) and the one week Housner Institute (June 16-21, 2012). Travel support will be provided.
Opportunities for Potential Fellows in Developing Countries
The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) at the World Bank in supporting up to three Fellows from developing countries who will be known as GFDRR-EERI Housner Fellows upon completion of the program. Please use the same application process.
Summary of the Package
The application package consists of the following:
- Contact information for the applicant
- Answers to the questions below
- A professional resume, summarizing educational background, significant work assignments, current position, involvement with EERI and other major volunteer activities
- 2 letters of recommendation, including one from your current employer [sent directly to Juliane Lane at EERI: juliane@eeri.org]
- Supporting materials (optional) that represent a sample of your work—for example, articles or other publications you have written, other work that could demonstrate your interest and experience in the promotion of seismic risk reduction
Essay Questions (please provide answers on a separate piece of paper, 200-400 words for each question)
- What are the issues in seismic safety and risk reduction that most concern you?
- Please provide an example of your experience in exercising leadership to accomplish something you believe in at work or another setting that could demonstrate your interest and experience in public policy and/or the promotion of seismic risk reduction.
- What are the three most important professional goals that you would like to accomplish over the next decade? Why these goals? How would enhanced leadership skills, gained through this program, help you achieve your goals?
- Why is this a good time in your career to be selected as a Housner Fellow?
Mentor Selection
An important element of the Housner Fellows Program is a mentorship program. This relationship will last from 18 months to two years. Each Fellow will be matched up with a mentor who will provide one-on-one advice regarding professional development, advice regarding the group project, and general career advice. EERI will help you select a mentor if you have no preference, but if you have ideas for who you would like to be your mentor, please provide up to three names.
Sending the Application
Application package can be sent electronically to EERI, attention Juliane Lane at juliane@eeri.org. The package should include all of the items listed above. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the recommender(s) to Juliane Lane at juliane@eeri.org. Applications must be received at EERI by NOVEMBER 18th 2011. Questions concerning the application process can be directed to EERI at eeri@eeri.org.
