Top Tips

“A strong candidate and genuine institutional need will drive the creation of a successful, meaningful Fellowship portfolio,”
Penny Blackwood, Executive Director of Development, Memorial University

In 2014, Terry Cockerline, Co-Chair of the 2015 TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement Selection Committee (Director, Alumni Relations, University of Victoria); and Penny Blackwood (Executive Director of Development, Memorial University), supervisor of a 2013-14 TD Fellow, co-presented a CCAE Professional Service Webinar free to all CCAE member representatives: TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellowships in Advancement Success Tips.

Terry’s and Penny’s Top Tips for a successful TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement:

The Candidate

• Treat the search for a TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellowship in Advancement candidate like a hiring process, with a flexible job description depending on the candidates’ skills and experience.
• Look for a highly-qualified candidate with transferable skills:
  • High energy, motivation, initiative, organization
  • High engagement, perhaps serving in a student leadership position
  • Orientation toward advancement
  • Attachment to your institution

The Fellowship Program

• Use a team approach with your candidate to craft the Fellowship structure, playing to the candidate’s strengths and interests.
• Don’t underestimate the amount and quality of work an enthused, well-prepared Fellow can accomplish.
• Anticipate a substantial time commitment in preparing the Fellowship application and in supervising the Fellow; it pays off in results.
• Set specific goals and deliverables; check in on milestones along the way.
• Consider having a peer mentor for the Fellow.
• Include a strong professional development plan.

The Application

• Put care and thought into the process, as though it were a grant application.
• Offer a succinct, persuasive cover letter and statement of support based on institutional need, candidate quality and good fit.
• Carefully review and provide feedback on the candidate’s responses to the two essay questions.
• Provide a balance of complementary letters of recommendation that cover different aspects of the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
• Address how the Fellowship will change and progress your advancement operation and your school.