Call for Applications for Volunteer Delegates – Summer 2022 Cohort
Are you a refugee/former refugee or asylee/asylum seeker who is active in the community and wants to become an even more powerful advocate for refugees/asylees in your state? If so, apply today!
Refugee Congress seeks applications from committed refugee/former refugee and asylee/asylum seeker leaders to serve as the volunteer Delegate to Refugee Congress for a term of three years. We currently seek to recruit a Delegate for these states: Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
What is Refugee Congress?
Refugee Congress is a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization comprised of refugees, former refugees, asylees/asylum seekers from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Our mission is to promote the well-being, integration, and dignity of all refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants in the U.S. and beyond. We are grateful for the support of our key partners - USA for UNHCR, Church World Service, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), and We Are All America. Learn more at: www.refugeecongress.org.
What is the role of a Refugee Congress Delegate?
Delegates represent the Refugee Congress in their state. Delegates are expected to:
Speak in public (such as schools, places of worship, rallies, etc.) and in the media to raise awareness about refugee/asylee issues and increase public support for welcoming refugees.
Build “champions” for refugees/asylees among their local, state, and national-level elected officials.
Connect with different refugee communities in your state, encourage them to share their stories, and mentor new refugee advocates.
Respond to/promote Refugee Congress and RCUSA advocacy action alerts with networks in their states.
Participate in community/stakeholder meetings to build relationships, network, and share information.
Lead by example and participate regularly in Refugee Congress monthly calls, trainings, regional meetings, and committees/caucuses.
Participate actively in grassroots fundraising campaigns.
Uphold the mission and values of Refugee Congress and sign a Commitment/Code of Conduct.
What are the Benefits of Serving as a Refugee Congress Delegate?
Refugee and asylee leaders who serve as a Refugee Congress Delegate:
Get connected to a network of refugee/asylee advocates around the country and amplify your voice.
Have access to information/training opportunities to build advocacy, organizing, and communications skills.
Receive mentoring from experienced refugee leaders and advocates.
How to Apply: If you are interested in applying to serve as the Delegate from your state - and your state is listed above as a state that does not currently have a lead Delegate - complete the Application Form Linked Here. The Application Form asks you to upload a brief personal statement and a resume. The personal statement should briefly describe your refugee/asylum journey, how you are involved in serving and advocating for the community, why you would like to be a Refugee Congress Delegate, and any particular issues you are passionate about advocating around and why.
If you know a refugee or asylee leader in one of our empty states who you think would be interested and a good fit, please forward this Call for Applications to them along with the link to the Application Form Linked Here.
Deadline for Applications: August 12, 2022
Refugee Congress aims to represent the diverse populations of refugees and asylees resettled in the U.S. We seek a diversity of candidates in terms of race and ethnicity, age, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, as well as educational and professional backgrounds. We welcome nominations from all backgrounds and especially encourage applications and nominations from asylee and asylum-seeker communities, refugees and asylees from LGBTQI+ communities, youth under 25, and refugee leaders from countries and regions in Southeast Asia, the former USSR, former Yugoslavia, Central America, and South America.
Questions?
Contact:
Ali Aljundi, Membership Engagement & Leadership Development Manager, Refugee Congress
Office: 202-696-3138 Email: ali.aljundi@refugeecongress.org
