4. How it Works
How to join
- Understand our approach by reviewing our website and this handbook
- Develop a basic project idea that matches your skills with community needs
- Submit your application when the quarterly window opens; you can complete this form to be notified when applications formally open.
- If selected, you'll begin at the start of our next 6-week cycle
The 6-week cycle
We work in 6-week cycles with 2-week "cool downs" between. This creates urgency, prevents scope creep, and builds in time to reflect. You'll move through three phases:
DISCOVER (1 cycle) Define the problem, understand community needs, build relationships, and create a clear project proposal. You will have three check-in meetings:
- Kickoff & Orientation: Align on goals, roles, and expectations
- Midpoint: Share research insights and emerging proposal draft
- End-of-Discover Cycle: Finalize and present project proposal for feedback and approval
DESIGN (1 cycle) Develop detailed plans including stakeholders, resources, timeline, evaluation, and sustainability. You will have three check-in meetings: beginning, middle and end, for this cycle. You will have three check-in meetings:
- Planning: Review proposal and begin outlining project plan
- Midpoint: Present timeline, resource plan, and initial M&E framework
- Final Design: Finalize and submit comprehensive implementation plan
BUILD (2 cycles) Implement your project, adapt based on feedback, document impact, and present progress. You will have four check-in meetings, two per cycle:
- Build Cycle 1:
- Launch Ready?: Confirm implementation readiness
- End of Cycle 1: Adjust plan as needed, share initial outcomes
- Build Cycle 2:
- Cycle 2 Kickoff: Review revised plan, align next steps
- Final Check-in: Present final deliverables, impact summary, and reflect on sustainability
Between cycles, you'll have 2 weeks to “cool down,” wrap up loose ends, document progress, prepare for what's next, and recharge.