Application Process

NOTE: Due to heightened health and safety concerns, Emerge is making the wellbeing of all our employees and cohort members a top priority.

In 2021, our trainings may be hosted in person or virtually depending on state and national health guidelines and the comfort of the women in our network. Trainings in 2022 will be held in person. 

Who Should Apply?

Emerge Oregon seeks individuals who identify as women, who are registered Democrats and who want to run for public office. We also look for:

• Evidence of professional or voluntary public policy or political leadership experience;
• Meaningful involvement in their community;
• Genuine interest in running for political office;
• Ability and desire to build effective networks;
• Ability to articulate a personal political vision; and
• Commitment to full participation and attendance requirements of the trainings.

Our capacity for each program is different. For our signature program, Emerge Oregon will select about 25-30 women from across the state who best meet the criteria above and who we believe have the potential to be elected leaders. Our other trainings tend to serve smaller numbers of women, but capacity is largely defined by number of women who apply, we choose to accept and the training space available to us.

Emerge embraces diversity and encourages applications from all individuals who identify as women regardless of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or physical ability.  Our mission to build the bench of Democratic women ready to run for office acknowledges both systemic and historic barriers to running for office.

To be considered for our signature program in 2022, applicants must complete a written application by October 30, 2021. Written applications will be evaluated by a selection committee and qualified applicants will be invited to an in-person interview in mid November. Invitations to join the 2021 class will be extended by December 15, 2020.

**Applications, for any of our programs, will not be considered complete until references have responded to the message our system sends once an email address is entered and the application fee has been paid.**

Apply today!

Time Commitment

The success of the Emerge Oregon program depends upon commitment to the program’s entire schedule by each participant.  For our signature program, approximately 70 program hours are scheduled.  Some time outside of regularly scheduled trainings will be necessary for homework and training preparation. While emergencies sometimes arise, attendance at the first day of training is mandatory and absence for any reason will result in a deferral to the following year.  Please review the schedule below to ensure your availability to attend every training day.

Training Dates

Training dates for the 2022 Signature Program will be announced soon.

Training dates for the 2021 Southern Oregon Cohort

The first training day/weekend is absolutely mandatory. One absence after that day is okay.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $35 is required and must be submitted along with a completed application.  The application fee can be paid here or mail a check payable to Emerge Oregon, PO Box 3493, Portland, Oregon 97208.

Tuition

Tuition for the signature program is $500. Of that amount, $100 is immediately due upon acceptance in our program. The remaining portion is due on the first class instruction day.

Payment plans are available and Emerge Oregon will assist program members with fundraising their tuition if needed. Financial need should not be a barrier to applying to the program.

The signature program does take place in various parts of the state. Travel and overnight accommodations may be necessary depending on your location to trainings. Emerge Oregon will endeavor to assist with supporter housing when needed, but travel costs are not covered by the program.