WELL UnTapped 2020: Water Policy Program Application
Deadline: November 15, 2019
What is WELL UnTapped?
WELL UnTapped is a selective program for local elected leaders aimed at helping participants make an impact in California water policy while addressing community challenges with water. WELL UnTapped accomplishes its mission by comprehensive and active exploration of history, governance, public policy, geography, and economics and their relationship to human rights and climate change. UnTapped Fellows meet for two-day sessions every month over a six-month period.
2020 UnTapped Session Dates
- Session 1: January 17-18-19 (Fri-Sat-Sun) – Los Angeles
- Session 2: February 7-8 (Fri-Sat) – Orange County
- Session 3: March 6-7 (Fri-Sat) – Salton Sea
- Session 4: April 10-11 (Fri-Sat) – Bakersfield
- Session 5: May 1-2 (Fri-Sat) – Fresno
- Session 6: June 3-4 (Wed-Thu) – Sacramento
Participant Commitment
I certify that all the information I have provided is complete and accurate, and is my own work. If selected, I am prepared to be an active participant throughout the WELL UnTapped program by attending the 2 and ½ day retreat and all monthly 1 and ½ day sessions and dedicating time to develop my professional project. I understand that upon selection, a $750 deposit will be required. The deposit is fully refundable at the end of the program with 100% commitment and will be otherwise relinquished.
A Note about the Selection Process
Selection of WELL UnTapped Fellows will be made by a panel comprised of the WELL Board and local elected officials peers who are familiar with the program. In addition to an assessment of candidate qualifications through the application review and strength of proposed projects, consideration will be given to ensuring regional representation and a commitment to reflecting the diversity of the pool of elected officials in California. Applications are expected to exceed capacity and therefore necessitate diligence in weighing the ability and commitment of applicants to participate and complete the full program.
WELL’s programs are open to all elected officials who wish to participate regardless of race or ethnicity. Our philosophy is that anyone who represents Latino constituents is a Latino leader.
Program Cost
The program fee for participation in WELL UnTapped is $2,500. This fee covers curriculum, lodging, food, professional trainers, training materials, and staff and operational expenses. This fee does not include transportation expenses. Participants are responsible for all transportation-related costs to and from activities associated with the fellowship.
Limited scholarships funded through generous donations from partner foundations, businesses, and water agencies are available per request to participants who are unable to cover the program participation fee.
The deadline to apply to the program is November 15th, 2019.
WELL UnTapped 2020 Fellowship Application
Application Materials
For full consideration please attach the following:
1. A current biography which details your educational, employment, and civic engagement history.
2. Please also include responses to the following questions (a, b, & c). We suggest each response to be written separately on one page (300-500 words), using 8 ½ x 11 paper with 1 inch margins, single spaced, 12 point font, then copied and pasted onto the pertinent box.
- WELL UnTapped will engage each participant in a project focused on a local water issue. Please describe in one page what local water challenge, issue, or problem in your city, school district, or region you would like to work on while you are in the WELL UnTapped program. Potential projects might focus on needed infrastructure, conservation, public outreach related to water quality or rates, securing grant resources, or other topics you and your community may identify as priorities.
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- Please describe in one page where in your career you encountered a leadership challenge associated with a community project or initiative and how you navigated it? (Do not include your election to public office).
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- Please review the Human Right to Water Law (AB 685 Eng) below and in one page share your analysis of how it might apply in your community. As possible, please address historical significance, relevance to infrastructure, finance, governance, public communications, and intersection with local needs.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 106.3 is added to the Water Code, to read:
106.3. (a) It is hereby declared to be the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.
(b) All relevant state agencies, including the department, the state board, and the State Department of Public Health, shall consider this state policy when revising, adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, and grant criteria when those policies, regulations, and criteria are pertinent to the uses of water described in this section.
(c) This section does not expand any obligation of the state to provide water or to require the expenditure of additional resources to develop water infrastructure beyond the obligations that may exist pursuant to subdivision (b).
(d) This section shall not apply to water supplies for new development.
(e) The implementation of this section shall not infringe on the rights or responsibilities of any public water system.