[It is critical that a vibrant and loud Arab-American voice be heard in this country . . .]
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
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, ADC New York Office Director
"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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please visit http://www.halafoundation.org for more details Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions