Application Procedure & Frequently Asked Questions

The Tavis Smiley Foundation’s 2011 Leadership Institute is scheduled for July 21-25, 2011 at UCLA in Los Angeles. To assist you, we have provided this checklist and FAQs to assist you as you prepare for the application process.

 

What is the Leadership Institute?
The Leadership Institute is a five-day intense, interactive leadership training program for youth ages 13-18. It will be held on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles. The registration cost is $600 and includes meals, housing and program workshops. The deadline is June 30. However, please note students will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach capacity.

Registration opens at 10 AM July 21 with student move-in, a UCLA campus tour and college workshops. All students must arrive no later than 1 PM, July 21. The Institute will begin officially with the Delegate Orientation at 3 PM and conclude at 10 AM Monday, July 25.  Delegates must be present for the entire Institute, including overnight.

What is the Program Objective?
The Institute program is designed around our motto: You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you won't serve the people. We are interested in meeting and training young leaders who want to develop their individual leadership potential and use their gifts and talents to positively impact the world. The workshops on project planning, youth advocacy, volunteerism and civic engagement are designed with that motto in mind. Additionally, because we believe education is an important part of leadership, we will offer sessions related to college admissions and planning.

How are students selected?
We will select delegates based on the application which includes a letter of recommendation and an essay question. Once you have completed the application you will receive an email notifying you that you have been selected. You will then complete registration for housing, workshops, and receive the final conference schedule. You can access the application at www.etouches.com/2011LeadershipInstitute

Tips Before You Begin the Application

What is the essay question?
The world watched as thousands of Egyptians filled the streets of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak during 18 long days of protests beginning on January 25, 2011. Finally, Mubarak resigned. A number of newspapers and organizations have credited the youth leaders in Egypt with toppling decades of an oppressive regime using tools like Facebook.

As a young leader, do you think youth in America could pull off a similar protest? If so, what issue would get young people fired up to stage 18 days of sit-ins? What would the protest look like and what would be result? What did you think of what happened in Egypt?
If you think young Americans could not or would not do this, why do think it couldn’t happen? Share your thoughts and beliefs.

Where at UCLA will the Institute be held?
The Institute workshops and sessions will take place on the campus of UCLA. Sessions will be confined to three main buildings on campus: Dykstra Hall (all students and chaperones will reside in this dormitory), and DeNeve Plaza (workshops and dining will take place in DeNeve Plaza) and Sunset Village (special events).

What is the address?
DeNeve Plaza is located at 351 Charles E. Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90024. All of the buildings are within a 5 to 10 minutes walking distance. Dykstra Hall physically connects to DeNeve Plaza via an inside hallway.  You can visit UCLA’s campus at www.ucla.edu.

What are the Institute workshops and activities like?
The Leadership Institute will include speakers, panel discussions and hands-on activities on leadership, issues facing young people, college, etc.  At the close of the Institute students will be encouraged to engage in a community service project of their choosing to undertake following the Institute to make a difference in their school, community, church, or other area where they have identified a need. The program also includes a dance, a talent show and a closing awards banquet.

I am traveling to the Institute by plane; how will I get to UCLA?
The Tavis Smiley Foundation will arrange for ground transportation to/from campus from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) only. Upon completing your final registration you will be asked to provide detailed travel information so that our transportation company can schedule your pick up from the airport.

Tips for Booking Airline Travel
Please note the earlier you book your flights; the more likely you will have your choice of flights and fares. All flights must be booked to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport for transportation pickup. If you are a student traveling alone under the age of 15; be sure to check with the airlines’ policy for unaccompanied minors. Also please note that most airlines now charge fees for checking baggage.

Regarding arrival times, we would like all students to arrive to campus no later than 1 pm Thursday, July 21, so please book your flights accordingly. The conference ends at 10 am Monday, July 25 so an ideal flight departure time would be 1 pm.

Can we go to the mall?
We will not take trips to the mall or tour historical sights. Those are fine activities but this conference is focused on youth engagement and youth advocacy. Each student will receive a complete schedule of events with times and locations upon check-in.
What are the accommodations like?

All students, chaperones and staff will be housed in non air-conditioned dormitory rooms which accommodate two per room. Males and females will reside on separate floors and youth of the same age and same sex will be paired together. Efforts will be made to house youth who are part of a group together if desired; however registrants may share a room with a person he/she does not know. The dorms are not hotels! Each dorm room includes 2 twin beds, 2 dressers, 2 desks and closets.

Female participants will not be allowed to visit the male rooms; male participants will not be allowed to visit the female rooms.  No exceptions!

All participant rooms are double occupancy - single rooms are not available.  Shower facilities are available on each floor. The university will supply each person with bed linens, a blanket and a pillow. You may wish to bring extra towels and wash cloths.

What are the meals like?
All meals will be held at the DeNeve Plaza dining hall. The food is standard American fare all you can eat. Meals will begin with lunch on July 21 and end with breakfast on July 25. If you arrive after 2 PM your first meal is dinner on July 21.

All meals are buffet-style. Though the menu will change daily, participants will have access to an entrée/vegetable line, a pizza line, a grill, a deli sandwich line, and a fruit/salad bar.  In addition, participants will have access to a variety of beverages, and desserts.  

Will there be supervision?
Adults will supervise students’ activity and behavior throughout the conference. During the overnight hours adults will serve as dorm monitors. UCLA campus security will provide support throughout the conference as well. The doors of the building are locked after 11 pm so students who break curfew and leave the building will not be able to get back in. Youth will be matched with chaperones upon arrival at registration.

What is the conference code of conduct?
All youth selected to attend the Institute will be selected because of their demonstrated capacity for leadership. We expect that as leaders all youth and adults will abide by the Institute rules and regulations. A violation of any sort of the Conference Code of Conduct will result in immediate dismissal from the Institute. The Code will be provided for students and parents to review.

The following are expressly prohibited: use or consumption of alcohol or drugs, fighting, use of profanity, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, gambling, violations of the dress code, sale of merchandise, smoking, possession of weapons, destruction and damage to property, unauthorized visits to dorm rooms and stealing.

 
If necessary, how may I be contacted during the Institute?
Parents, friends, and family members are discouraged from calling students during the Institute due to the disruption caused to panels and activities. Students will be allowed to have their cell phones with them and are free to use them during meals and other free time. They will be asked to turn them off during workshops and other sessions. The Institute is a closed conference. We will not allow outside observers or visitors as a safety precaution.