These slides are from the webinar "Rotary Peace Fellowships: How to Strengthen your Application" produced on 7 February, 2017.

1. Rotary Peace Fellowship: How to Strengthen your Application
7 February 2017
Host: Samantha Sorin, Rotary Peace Centers Coordinator
Panelist: Susan Carroll, Managing Director Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center

2. Goals for this webinar
• An overview of Eligibility Requirements
• How to Begin your Application
• How to Choose the Right Program
• Preparing for your Application
• How to Write a Resume
• How to Write the Ideal Essay
• Remembering the Dos & Don’ts
• Application Checklist

3. Overview Eligibility Requirements
The ideal candidate
• Strong commitment to global understanding & peace
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong personal statement
• Meets all application requirements
– All applicants must be proficient in English
– For the master’s program: bachelor’s degree & 3+ years full-time related work experience
– For the certificate program: strong academic background & 5+ years full-time related work
experience
Those not eligible to apply
• Rotarians Employee of a club, district, or other Rotary entity
• Spouse, lineal descendant, spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor of any living person in
the above categories
• Former Rotarian within 36 months of resignation from Rotary

4. How to Begin your Application
Read the application guidelines
thoroughly before beginning your
application!
Questions about the application guidelines?
Ask your Rotary club or district
Ask the Rotary Peace Centers at rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org

5. How to Choose the Right Program- Take Action!
Our Rotary Peace Centers
1. Duke University & the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA (fact sheet)
Fellows can earn either a master’s degree in international development policy from Duke or a graduate
certificate in international peace and conflict resolution from the University of North Carolina.
2. International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan (fact sheet)
The Department of Public Policy and Social Research offers master’s degrees in social sciences, natural
sciences, and interdisciplinary studies.
3. University of Bradford, Bradford, English (fact sheet)
The Department of Peace Studies at Bradford is the largest in the world and offers several master’s degrees.
4. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (fact sheet)
Fellows earn a master’s degree in international studies and peace and conflict studies in the Graduate Centre of
Governance and International Affairs.
5. Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (fact sheet)
The Department of Peace and Conflict Research offers a master’s degree in social science. It is internationally
renowned for its free and globally accessible collection of data related to conflict.
6. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (fact sheet)
The professional development certificate is awarded to experienced professionals who complete the center’s
intensive three-month program in peace and conflict prevention and resolution.
Visit our webpage and review the fact sheets for
each Rotary Peace Center!

6. Preparing your Application
Contact your Rotary club or district
Contact your references
Professional References: 2 for Professional Certificate Program & 1 for Master’s Degree Program
Ex. Supervisor/Manager, Former Employer, Colleague
Academic References: 1 for Master’s Degree Program
Ex. Professor, Academic Counselor, School Advisor
Master’s Degree Program only:
Register and take exams: TOEFL or IELTS exam and/or GRE exam (Duke-UNC only)
Request academic transcripts
Transcripts not in English are required to be translated into English by a
professional certified translator.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

7. Preparing your Application continued…
Building your Résumé or CV
R
É ÉS U
M C
V

8. Types of Resumes
• Chronological: List education / relevant work experience in reverse
chronological order (most recent to past).
• Functional: Focus on group experience by particular skills areas and then
list work history.
• Combination: A combination of chronological and functional
Why do we suggest applicants using the combination format?
The combination format allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and
qualifications first followed by a detailed account of your professional work history.

9. Combination Resume
Qualifications Summary: At the top of your resume put a short qualifications statement
that highlights your experiences relevant to the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
Conflict Resolution Practitioner with over five years
experience conducting mediation, training and
facilitation in the US and Latin America. Trained over
500 people in basic mediation techniques in over 10
countries. Specialization includes: youth and conflict,
community-based processes. VA certified mediator
and fluent in English and Spanish.

10. Resume Tips
Quantify your Experience: Be concrete in what your responsibilities
were and what you accomplished in your previous positions.
– Example: Worked at XYZ Conflict Resolution Organization, managed budget and
conducted training.
– Reframe to: Worked at the XYZ Conflict Resolution Organization, organized and
managed a $400,000 project. Successfully wrote grant proposals totaling over
$50,000 from X source. Conducted over 20 trainings in basic conflict resolution
techniques with high school students and teachers, reaching over 500 people.
Tailor: Ensure that you tailor your resume and essays
to address the skills, leadership experiences, and
knowledge you have that relate to the mission of
Rotary and the Rotary Peace Centers.
– Highlight a few key experiences that show your skills and
motivation to apply for the fellowship
– Tell a compelling story of why your experience qualifies
you to be selected as a fellow

11. Rotary Resume Example
Remember to
include the number
of hours you
work(ed) per week.
Qualifications
Summary
Professional
Experience
Education
Volunteer
Experience Professional
Memberships or
Organizations
Honors & Awards

12. The Ideal Essay
The
ideal
essay
Honest
Clearly
answers
question
Grammatically
correct
Organized
Will your essay make the reader feel
something?
Are you directly stating why you are the
best candidate for the program your are
applying to?
Did you put effort into writing the essay?
Important aspects to
remember:

13. Strengthening your Essays
Personal
Statement
Specific
Not
Vague
Intriguing
Opening
Sentence
Finalize
with a
clincher
statement
Focus on
your
strengths.

14. Review: 2018 Application Essay Questions
• All applicants: Provide a personal statement that includes significant events in your life
that have influenced your desire to work in the field of peace and conflict resolution.
• All applicants: Describe a meaningful leadership experience, either in an academic,
community service, or professional setting. What challenges is you encounter? What did
you learn?
• Professional development certificate applicants only: Describe in detail how the
professional development certificate will benefit you and contribute to your career goals.
What do you expect to learn from the course that you will apply to your work?
• Master’s degree applicants only: Explain in detail your first and second center
preferences. Describe your proposed area of concentration, including the specific study of
those institutions. How does your academic training prepare you for this fellowship? If
necessary explain and academic shortcomings.
• Master’s degree applicants only: Explain how a master’s degree from a Rotary
Peace Center university relates to your career objectives in supporting peace and
furthering the Rotary Foundation’s mission?

15. Remembering the DOs & DON’Ts
DO
• Verify if you are eligible for the program.
• Read the application guidelines carefully & thoroughly.
• Research & choose the right program based on your eligibility and career goals.
• Contact your local Rotary club or district and references as soon as possible.
• Request your transcripts and get them translated by a professional certified translator as
soon as possible.
• Register for any exams you need to take and study for them.
• Remember to include whether the positions held in your resume are part-time or full
time to show your relevant work experience.
• Be honest, sincere, & specific throughout.
• Keep a copy of all the forms & documents you submit.
• Double check your application, grammar & spelling errors, and that you have included all
appropriate documentation.

16. Remembering the DOs & DON’Ts
DON’T
• Don’t leave blank spaces in the any section of the application or write “ to be sent later.”
You will not have the opportunity to make adjustments after you submit your application.
• Don’t wait to search for a Rotary club or district just before the 31 May deadline. Contact
them early and if you are having trouble reaching a club or district contact the Rotary
Peace Centers directly at rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org
• Don’t ask your references if they will provide you a recommendation at the last minute.
• Each essay requires you to be specific, don’t be vague.
• Don’t submit additional documentation that is not required.
• Don’t procrastinate. Rushing and procrastinating will reflect in your application.

17. Application Checklist
Master’s Program
Résumé or CV
TOEFL or IELTS score: Required for
all non-native English speakers
GRE score: Required for applicants Duke/UNC
only
Undergraduate transcripts
Two recommendation: one professional & one
academic
Rotary club recommendation, optional
District endorsement
Applicant’s certification, signed & dated
Professional Certificate Program
Résumé or CV
Two professional recommendations
Rotary club recommendation, optional
District endorsement
Applicant’s certification, signed & dated
WATCH
the
Application
Checklist
VIDEO

18. Resources
Visit www.rotary.org/en/peace-fellowships to access resources
• Review application guidelines on the
Application Webpage
• Watch the Application Checklist Video
• Watch a Peace Fellow’s Journey Video
• Social Media:
• Review the Application FAQs
• Read about Tips to improve your application

19. Save the date
Important Reminders:
• 31 May 2017: Submit your
application to the district for
endorsement
• 1 July 2017: Completed
endorsed applications due to
The Rotary Foundation

20. Thank you
Questions?
For additional information, please contact
rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org