| During an 18-30 month enrollment, participating leaders from diverse communities take part in three major activities:
1) They develop a community development project (RDLN Field Project) in cooperation with a Sponsoring Organization and other community people;
2) They pursue an independent study program to support the Project and enhance their long-term community development work;
3) They attend a four-and-a-half week RDLN Rural Development Institute with Leaders from various rural regions at the University of California at Davis for intensive study, exchange and networking. Qualified participants may earn an RDLN Certificate, a B.A. degree through Regents College (designed especially for people with two years of college who have basic distribution credits), or a master's degree through Antioch University.
Each RDLN Leader works with the guidance of a Field Resource Advisor and Study Resource Advisors. Each has a Sponsoring Organization which serves as an umbrella for the Field Project and contributes financially to RDLN.
Criteria for selection for RDLN Rural Development Leaders:
1) Proven dedication to community-based rural community development.
2) For those seeking a master's degree, ability to function at a high level with skills of a college graduate; B.A. degree.
3) Commitment to building relationships with other rural people and communities.
4) Willingness to report regularly to RDLN.
5) Ability to work cooperatively and in self-directed, self-motivated way.
6) Presentation of a feasible and valuable RDLN Community Development Project.
7) Sponsorship by an organization which can make the required programmatic and financial contribution to RDLN.
Criteria for Selection for Sponsoring Organizations:
1) Programmatic focus on rural community development. 2) Willingness and capacity to sponsor a participating Rural Development Leader's RDLN Field Project and in most cases to provide a qualified Field Resource Advisor for that person and Project and help identify a qualified Study Resource Advisor. 3) Ability, if necessary, to provide logistical support, such as office space, telephone, typewriter, local transportation, benefits. 4) Contribution to RDLN of $7,500 (RDLN Certificate or bachelor's degree) or $36,000 (master's degree) for overhead and academic expenses, plus an additional $15,000 as an educational grant to the participant for the first fifteen months.
Note: Salary payments may be substituted for the $15,000 educational grant, which in addition may be waived by the participant. Please feel free to call and discuss arrangements. |
