Hala Maksoud Foundation Seeks Applications for Arab-American Leadership Training Seminars
The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation for Arab-American Leadership is now welcoming applications for its intensive, 5-day training seminars scheduled for 2008 in Washington, DC. The 2008 First Round seminars are scheduled for:
March, Weds 12-Sun 16;
June, Weds 25- Sun 29;
September, Sat 13- Weds 17;
and December, Sat 6- Weds 10.
Applicants for all seminars are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and all applications for the March seminar should be
submitted by Friday, February 15, 2008.
There is no charge for the training sessions, which are held in
Washington, DC, but participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. The training will be led and coordinated by the Hala Foundation’s Program Director, Dr. Hussein Ibish. Participants must commit to attending the full five days of the program.
Applicants should be young Arab-American professionals who have completed their education and have already begun their professional careers, or those in the final stages of a Ph.D. program. They should have a demonstrable commitment to advocacy on behalf of Arab-American concerns, and a desire to devote substantial time and effort to leadership on behalf of the community.
Feedback from participants in previous leadership training seminars:
“Like its namesake, the Hala Salaam Maksoud Leadership Training Program is innovative, progressive, and inspiring. The major issues facing Arab-Americans are tackled in-depth in a comfortable and stimulating environment comprised of accomplished co-participants, impressive guest speakers, and Hussein Ibish, a remarkably powerful and distinguished voice in Arab-American advocacy. It’s well worth shuffling your schedule around to get the week off. If you’re serious about working for the Arab-American community, and joining a growing network of forward-thinking people committed to progress for Arabs,
apply for this program.”
Farid Farid, MD, Columbia University Medical Center
“I found the training sessions at the Hala Foundation to be one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences I’ve had in some time. Dynamic speakers, fascinating topics and an inviting environment are some of the factors that made this experience worthwhile. Already, I have been able to take what I learned in Washington and apply it to my classes and my own research.”
Professor Dave Zoby, Casper College
“This was by far the most effective leadership training I have ever received. It was absolutely worth juggling my schedule and sacrificing my precious few days off because the skills and network I developed there will last a lifetime. This is a genius endeavor – it is groundbreaking, cutting edge, and brilliant, much like its namesake.”
Maysoon Zayid, Comedian and actress
“My week at the Hala Foundation training was one of the most valuable and inspiring of my professional career. I was given access to our community’s sharpest minds and most accomplished leaders. Even more important, the learning doesn’t end when you leave Washington. I’m now lucky to be a part of a growing network of Arab Americans from all ends of the political spectrum unified in our dedication to the empowerment of the Arab American community.”
Rebecca Abou-Chedid, Government Relations Specialist, Arab American Institute
“It is by far the best training of its kind that I have ever received. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that, if offered widely, this project could have a significant impact on the quality of Arab American activism in this country. The seminar’s underlying rational and methodic approach is badly needed to rehabilitate the often emotional and loosely argued case of Arab Americans.”
Ammar Askari, Ph.D., President, ADC Wisconsin; community education administrator, Marshall and Ilsley Bank
“This program improved my knowledge and savvy about Arab issues by a quantum leap. I have been dedicated to justice for Arabs and Arab Americans for many years, but the talking points and strategies we discussed enable me to now address those issues more effectively and without generating as much backlash as the approaches traditionally used by Arab Americans and Palestine supporters. The program was intelligent, intellectually honest, substantive, strategic and wholly enjoyable. Thank you so much.”
Katherine Metres Abbadi, Former US Foreign Service Officer
“I am fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to engage in sessions that were rejuvenating on a professional, political and even spiritual level. I made new friends and saw old ones in a different light. The fact that we could converse, discuss and debate a wide variety of issues over dinner and coffee for two to four hours following eight-hour intensive training sessions speaks volumes. It was truly a remarkable experience on many levels and I am honored to have been a participant.”
Engy AbdelKader, attorney; Board member of the Association of Muslim American Lawyers and author of “A Muslim Woman’s Guide to Her Rights”
“Loved it, loved it, loved it. It’s a testimony to the Program’s
unique approach that, after being brought together for a week of intense dialogue on the most difficult issues facing Arab Americans, we each left determined but also inspired and uplifted. The week was as much about grasping a hard situation as it was about discovering ways to address it–not as remote, besieged individuals, but as part of an active, committed collective that, despite internal differences,
reaches out, and supports each other. Incredibly, in one fantastic,boogey-down, get-your-soulmates-on week, the workshop provided the tools necessary – i.e. knowledge (including an encyclopedic amount of information, as well as valuable lessons imparted by those long-active within the community), skills, contacts, encouragement and support –
to develop that attitude.”
Kristin Shamas, University of Oklahoma
“The Leadership Training Program exceeded ALL of my expectations. We were encouraged to think for ourselves and to act on our goals in a proactive, effective manner to benefit the Arab-American community as a whole. To potential participants: Please take advantage of this opportunity!”
Yasmine Hannaney, Film-maker and actress
The Leadership Training Program is designed to create a national network of highly trained, informed and focused young Arab-American professionals equipped to take on the advocacy and organizational efforts required for community leadership.
The Leadership Program provides extensive training in:
* Command of the Issues: mastery of both information and arguments
* Presentation Skills: making the case effectively
* Interpersonal Skills: making friends and influencing people
* Organizational Skills: mobilizing the community
* Collaborative Skills: building effective teams
* Coalition Building Techniques: finding unexpected allies
* Networking: building a national network of trained activists
* Continuous Improvement: developing long-term relationships with trainees
Applicants should send a letter of interest explaining their desire to become community leaders or activists, a CV and a writing sample or any other relevant material to:
The Hala Salaam Maksoud Foundation
815 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC
20006
Or email them to director@halafoundation.org
Please visit http://www.halafoundation.org for more details
Email director@halafoundation.org with any questions
For more information on the Hala Foundation, the Leadership Training Program, sample syllabi, more testimonials, previous trainee bios, guest speaker bios and more, please see:
http://www.halafoundation.org