FAQ - GIRLS BUILD LA

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1. How can we make our application stand out?

The best applications will paint a picture for how your team of students will create a dynamic and impactful project. Participating teams will be selected on the below criteria:

Clear understanding of challenge – you should be deliberate in selecting your impact area, and developing your project to help address it. We know you may not have a project in mind now, but we want to know what impact area is important to your students and why. There are descriptions of each impact area later in the application.
Specific, measurable and actionable outcomes – the best projects will make a real difference in your school community. That means you are able to collect data that demonstrates your impact. It also means that you are realistic about what you can accomplish between now and when you present your project.
School based team coordinator – we are counting on a site lead to help direct, and facilitate great student work. If you are filling out this application, chances are that this person is going to be you if your team is selected. Please tell us about the vision, how the team was started and how you will engage them in this work.
Shared ownership by team members – working collaboratively as a cohesive team is a big part of this project. We want to see that each student is engaged, has a role, and is making meaningful contributions.

2. Can the same team / student apply again if they did it last year?

Yes! Everyone who participated last year can apply again - whether it is a repeat team or repeat students. It is a fresh slate. We will base and score all applications using the same standard rubric. The projects are selected based on vision and commitment of the current team.

3. Can the same person be the site coordinator for more than one team?

Ideally, every team has their own, unique site coordinator as there is a lot of logistics to track with one team. However, if a site coordinator runs more than one team they will ONLY GET THE STIPEND ONCE. The site coordinator will not be paid twice.

4. What happens if girls drop out and new girls are added?

We do mandate that in order to continue to the Expo in April that your team maintain at least 6 members at all times. It is too hard to do a meaningful project without a team. We hope your team grows to be a vibrant and sustainable club on campus and we do know there may be changes to the team members throughout the year.

5. I heard we are using technology for this project - web site, social media, and video - I am inexperienced in all of this. Can we still do this project?

Yes! Of course you can still do this project. Part of the goal of this project is to teach the team 21st Century Learning Skills. We will supply support to build a social media campaign, build a website using Weebly.com (you are free to use any site of your choice, we will just offer training for this one), and create videos. The only technology you will need is access to the Internet - everything we do will not require specific software, it is all in the cloud, free, and password protected. We have seen elementary students pick up these tools quickly, the students will be fine and engaged. You can get a head start with the technology here. Please share with your team.

6. What technology or device will we need to do this project

It will be best if your team has access to laptops for mobility but any access to desktop computers will work. The only technology needed for this project is access to the Internet. Phones could even work for the video and social media aspect. The website is best built on a computer - no additional software will be necessary.

7. What are the rules for spending the budget?

Girls Build LA funding can be allocated at the discretion of the team. You will receive $500 after signing the contracts and submitting your budget. Every team that completes a student retreat and submits their website will then receive another $500. The LA Promise Fund reserves the right to withhold funding if the proposal is deemed deficient.

All funds must be tied to the implementation of the established project, and pertinent to the identified impact area. Projects can benefit the neighborhood, and broader school community, and do not need to be limited to a school campus. The funds cannot be used for outside service providers. Consider using funds to help feed the team during meetings and create t-shirts that support unity and brand recognition.

LA Promise Fund may seek receipts for all supplies and items procured using award dollars. If receipts are not procured, the award can be recouped by LA Promise Fund.

Any elements of the project that are implemented using additional resources will not be considered when making scholarship or prize decisions.

8. How does the $1200 stipend for the coordinator work?

Every site coordinator will receive a $1200 stipend in December provided they meet all the conditions of the contract. As the site coordinator you are responsible for:

Recruiting girls to participate in the project
Creating a time and space for teams to meet
Communicating regularly with GBLA
Take care of logistics for events from the school side
Manage how and to whom checks will be deposited at school site for the team budget and secure how funds can be and will be properly spent.
Collect information from the students in the event the team wins one of the scholarships

Site Coordinator Deadlines:

Turn in Media Release Forms for ALL students by October 17, 2017
Turn in completed W9 and signed contract by November 1, 2017
Have Principal sign the GBLA contract.
If all these deadlines are met then the Stipend will be processed December 2017 and a 1099 will be issued in January 2018.

9. What is the responsibility of the site coordinator

The Girls Build LA Challenge is intended to be student driven and led with support from a project coordinator throughout the duration of the project. This support includes, but is not limited to:

Coordinating team activities
Facilitating regular team meetings
Assigning team roles
Managing timelines
Managing logistics for events
Managing grant funds
Communicating with LA Promise Fund
Mediate between school and LA Promise Fund to get principal’s sign off and to process the check for the budget
Turn in all necessary materials by pre-determined deadline

10. Will we get assistance with our GBLA project?

Yes! We post all the materials here on our website. We will also send weekly newsletters with guidance and support for your project along with additional enrichment opportunities that are available for you to share with students. We hold advisory webinars with guest experts and will happily search for support when needed.