Timeline | Benefits| Elegibility | Selection Process | Requirements

Important: RARE Program particpant placements for year 2009-2010 are contingent on availability of program funding.

Timeline

Below is the anticipated schedule for placement of 2009-2010 RARE participants. Please note that the participants will begin their service in late September of 2009.

Application, Selection and Placement Schedule:

• May 15:  Participant Applications due to RARE office
• June 22: Participants invited to participate
• July 27-31: Participants will interview in potential communities
• August 14: Final placement decisions will be made
• September 16-18: Orientation
• September 21: Placement in RARE community begins

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Benefits

RARE participants receive the following:

• Living Stipend/Monthly: $1, 500.00
• Medical Insurance
• Nine Graduate Credits: Each RARE Partipant will be eligible for 9 graduate credits from the University of Oregon’s Community and Regional Planning Program.
• In-state Tuition: If a partipant is moving to Oregon, after the successful completion of one year’s service they MAY be eligible for in-state tuition

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Elegibility

To participate in the RARE Program you must have:

• U.S. citizenship or be a permanent U.S. resident
• A completed bachelor's degree
• Six months applied community experience
• Coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas:
  
  • Planning or statistical analysis
  • Planning or economic theory
  • Project management
  • Community or economic development
  • Environmental planning
  • Geographic information systems
  • Grantwriting;
• Proficiency in Windows based computer applications and
• An interest in the ideology of service-learning

Please Note: Criminal background checks will be conducted before any final placement is made.

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Selection Process and Criteria

RARE staff will review completed applications. They will then select potential participants and conduct interviews (in person or by telephone) with those selected. Following these interviews, a preliminary pool of potential participants will be selected and will be given information on communities that have successfully applied for a RARE participant. Those selected will be invited to visit up to three communities where they will interview with the local supervisor. Selected communities and participants then indicate their top choices to the RARE staff. Every effort is made to match both the community’s and the member’s first or second preference. All placements are mutual decisions made by community supervisor, participant, and RARE staff. We cannot ensure that every person who interviews will find an appropriate placement.

Selection Criteria

Applicants for 2009-2010 RARE placement must be college graduates (with a bachelor's degree) and U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents who have successfully completed the following:

• Six months applied community experience: internship, practicum, Community Planning Workshop, Peace Corps, or a relevant job.
• Coursework or equivalent experience in three or more of the following areas:
  • Planning or economic theory
  • Project management
  • Community or economic development
  • Environmental planning
  • Geographic information systems
  • Grantwriting
• Proficiency in Windows based computer applications.

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Application Requirements

The following items are required to complete your 2009-2010 RARE Application.

Section 1: Application Form.

Section 2: Essay Questions:Please observe the following guidelines in preparing your essays. 1) Restate the essay question at the beginning of each essay; 2) Indicate your full name at the upper right hand corner of each page; and 3) Use 12-point font size. The maximum length of each essay response is indicated after each question.

Essay #1: Please tell us how participation in the RARE program will help you reach your short and long term personal and professional goals (Limit: 1,000 words).

Essay #2: Please tell us how your background and values will contribute to the community that you will serve and to the RARE program as a whole (Limit: 1,000 words).

Essay #3: Please describe your perspectives on living/working in a rural community (Limit: 500 words)

Essay #4: Please briefly state what you view as your most significant accomplishment (Limig: 250 words).

Essay #5: Please complete the following statement: "People may be surprised when they learn that I..." (Limit: 250 words).

Section 3: Please provide a current resume including information about your education, work experience, and skills. Be sure to include your community, volunteer, or organizational work that demonstrates any special skills and abilities.

Supporting Documents (OPTIONAL): You may submit any supporting documents such as reports or writing samples. Please do not send originals. Supporting documents will NOT be returned.

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