My Experience with the Nonprofit Leaders of Tomorrow

Rosalie Plofchan January 13, 2016

By Rosalie Plofchan

This month, I attended the Alliance Management Institute in Houston, Texas along with Fair Trade Campaigns Staff.

Kylie and Billy led a workshop on consumer activation, held informational interviews for students, and led roundtable discussions about sustainability and consumer activism.

Kylie and Billy led a workshop on consumer activation, held informational interviews for students, and led roundtable discussions about sustainability and consumer activism.

Since 1948, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) has worked to strengthen the social sector and prepare students for careers at nonprofit organizations. Alliance Management Institute (AMI) is an annual conference hosted by NLA, a partner of Fair Trade Campaigns.

This year’s three-day conference focused on creating lasting social change and brought together hundreds of university students and non-profit professionals to connect, share, and learn.

As a student and Certified Nonprofit Professional Designate at the University of San Diego, I attended workshops on measuring social impact, interviewing and negotiation, nonprofit finance, and intercultural competency. The conference also featured three keynote speakers with decades of nonprofit experience and inspiring wisdom! On the final day, students dispersed throughout Houston to dozens of local nonprofits to address issues they were having and collaboratively problem solve.

What is the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance All About?

On the final day of the conference, students dispersed throughout Houston to dozens of local nonprofits to address issues they were having and collaborative problem solve.

On the final day of the conference, students dispersed throughout Houston to visit dozens of local nonprofits.

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a network of 40+ universities, 3,000+ students, 9,000+ Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNPs), and nonprofit partners like Fair Trade Campaigns dedicated to strengthening our nation’s social sector through education and collaboration.

The universities and colleges belonging to the Alliance certify graduates as CNPs and prepare students for careers in nonprofit management through coursework, leadership development, and hands-on internship experience.

 

A Unique Internship

In order to receive the CNP designation, students must log a minimum of 300 internship hours in addition to coursework, attendance at AMI, and leadership and service.

Because Fair Trade Campaigns is an NLA partner organization, the amazing work that you are doing on your campus Fair Trade campaign can count toward this requirement! If your campus doesn’t currently have an active Fair Trade campaign, you can start one as your internship!

Hours spent building your team, reaching out to campus outlets, hosting Fair Trade events, and working to pass a Fair Trade Resolution can count toward your CNP credential. Students pursuing the Fair Trade Campaigns internship choose from two tracks, one-semester and multi-semester.

University of San Diego students at AMI

University of San Diego students at AMI

How?

1. Find out if your school is a part of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. A complete list is available here.

2. Become a part of the CNP program at your college or university.

3. Apply! For the full internship description and information on how to apply, contact Kylie Nealis, National Organizer Fair Trade Colleges & Universities at knealis@fairtrade.org.

4.  Start or join a Fair Trade Campaign!

 

I have had an amazing experience in my university’s NLA program and feel better prepared for a career in the nonprofit sector due to the CNP coursework, AMI conference, and my experience at Fair Trade Campaigns. I am passionate about Fair Trade, and it is a bonus to receive recognition of my work through NLA and the CNP program! Take advantage of this internship opportunity today!

 

Rosalie is the Southwest Fellow for Fair Trade Colleges & Universities and lead organizer with USD Students for Fair Trade. Read Rosalie’s full bio here.

 

 

One Comment

  1. Neat experience, Rosalie!

    Tori Curbelo - 8 years ago

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Rosalie Plofchan, 2015-2016 Southern California College and University Fellow