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.