PARTICIPATING PARTIES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Host Office Expectations

The Commonwealth Fellowship is an innovative professional training experience and educational opportunity that benefits both fellows and host offices. Participating host offices agree to provide opportunities for involvement in substantive projects that contribute to the fellow’s professional development, education, and career goals, as well as provide adequate and appropriate mentorship. Host offices must maintain a professional relationship with the fellows throughout the program and abide by all codes of conduct procedures regarding discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct policies, and any policy regarding workplace violence.

Participating host offices agree to: 1) Deliver an orientation introducing the office’s mission and goals, priorities, staff, and activities; 2) Provide opportunities for substantive involvement in, and contribution to the office’s activities, including a project and work tasks for the duration of the fellowship; 3) Connect the fellow with a professional mentor and coach within the host office who will develop an Individualized Professional Development plan with the fellow, and regularly engage with him/her during the 12-month program; and 4) Provide a work space, supplies, travel expenses, etc. necessary to achieve the fellow’s tasks. Additionally, the host office will allow the fellow a reasonable amount of time to attend professional development training and other activities. Participating host offices are expected to contribute $20,000 to support the program during the 2024 fellowship year.

Co-funder’s Responsibilities

The recruitment and initial selection of eligible applicants will be managed by VASG as described in detail within the fellowship announcement. Host-fellow matching will involve VASG, VEE, and the host offices with consideration for the applicants’ preferred host office selection. VASG will invite the selected fellows to participate in VASG-sponsored professional development opportunities and related activities where the fellows can grow their professional skills and network with the broader VASG community. Contributed fellowship funds will be administered by VASG and used to cover a portion of the fellow’s stipend and discretionary expenses, as well as support the administration of the fellowship program.

Fellow Responsibilities

Fellows are expected to abide by standard code of conduct policies including, but not limited to, the host office’s personnel policy, policies regarding sexual harassment, policies regarding workplace violence, and policies regarding the acceptable use of computer resources. In addition to work responsibilities for the host office, selected fellows will be required to support VASG communication efforts to publicize their fellowship activities, participate in periodic VASG meetings, submit fellowship status reports to be used for NOAA reporting, and submit a final report at the conclusion of the fellowship. Regular contact between VASG and the fellows will occur throughout the year.