Application Process

We encourage you to begin your application well in advance of the closing date due to the detailed nature of the application.

Who Should Apply?

Emerge Maryland seeks Democratic women who are committed to effective political leadership and are interested in running for elective office and who have:

Evidence of political leadership experience or potential, and meaningful involvement in workplace or community;
Interest in running for political office;
Ability and desire to build effective networks;
Ability to articulate a personal political vision;
Commitment to full participation and attendance requirements of the training.
Applicants must be women who are Democrats and who reside in the state of Maryland.

Emerge Maryland will select up to 20 women from across the state who meet the above criteria and who we believe have the potential to be political leaders.

Emerge embraces diversity and encourages applications from all 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 as well as the barriers women impose on themselves.

To be considered for the 2019 Emerge Maryland training program, applicants must complete a written application on or before Nov 7, 2018. Written applications will be evaluated by a selection committee and qualified applicants will be invited to an in-person interview in mid-December. Invitations to join the 2018 class will be extended in within a week of the interviews.

Time Commitment

The success of the Emerge Maryland program depends upon the commitment to the program’s entire schedule by each participant. Over the four-month period, approximately 75 program hours are scheduled. Some time outside of regularly scheduled training will be necessary for homework and training preparation. While emergencies sometimes arise, attendance at the first and second 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.

2019 Training Dates – Save these dates

Jan 5, 2019
Jan 19, 2019
Jan 30, 2019 (Feb 6th-Snow Day)
Feb 16, 2019
March 2, 2019
March 16, 2019
March 30, 2019
April 13, 2019
April 27, 2019
Snow days- May 4th and May 11

Arrival 8-8:30am. Dismissal varies, plan on 5:00 pm

Interviews

Emerge Maryland will review completed written applications and select finalists for in-person interviews. Finalists will be invited to attend an interview with the selection committee over the December 8-9 weekend.

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 Maryland P.O. Box 185, Monrovia, MD 21770.

Tuition

Participation in the Emerge Maryland program requires a tuition of $500 which includes material fees, meals etc. Please note that travel expenses are not included. There is another $500 obligation to be raised through each program members fundraising efforts for the program. The total obligation is $1000.00.

This money offsets but does not nearly cover, the cost of Emerge Maryland’s out-of-pocket costs for providing the training sessions. Emerge Maryland believes that individual circumstances should NOT be a barrier to participation in the program.

Partial financial aid up $150 may be awarded after admission to the program. A completed application for this aid will be required. This does not cover the fundraising requirement.

The program takes place in various parts of the state on Saturdays each month, and travel and overnight accommodations may be necessary depending on your location. Emerge Maryland will endeavor to assist with supporter housing when needed, but travel costs are not covered by the program.