FELLOWSHIP FAQS
Have questions about the Fellowship program? Our current Fellows answered some of our more frequently asked questions about Fellowship.
What does the day to day of a Fellow look like?
That really depends on the school, which is part of the beauty of the Fellowship program. As Fellows are TI’s boots on the ground on their campus, it helps that every Fellow is their own campus’s expert. Some things that typically happen in the day-to-day of a Fellow are presenting at SAAC meetings, talking with teams who might be interested in having a match, planning awareness events, and doing outreach. While it sounds like a lot, the typical Fellow probably spends ~6 hours each month on TI-related work, and this is meant to fit into every student-athlete’s unique schedule. We recognize that people are busy during season, and throughout the year with class, practice, etc. This is an incredibly flexible opportunity for that reason! Not only is the work flexible, but it’s very school-specific. Each Fellowship campus has its own way of incorporating TI into the operations of their athletic department, and Fellows play a huge part in figuring out what that is. Additionally, there are monthly meetings with a small group of Fellows to discuss what’s working, ask questions, and bounce ideas off of each other, as well as personal/professional development opportunities throughout the semester. Every Fellow does the Fellowship Program a little differently, but there is plenty of support from other student-athletes and TI staff along the way so no one feels like they’re in it alone.
How is Fellowship different from being on the leadership team for a match on campus? Can I do both?
The Leadership Team is more focused on your team’s match, while Fellowship is focused on program expansion and enhancement on your campus as a whole. For example, Fellowship could include working with new matches, talking with administrators, running campus-wide events, or partaking in medical outreach. You can absolutely do both!
What are some examples of initiatives that Fellows have taken on their campus?
Some examples of initiatives you can lead on your campus are; discussing Team IMPACT with coaches and administrators to encourage their team to get matched, keeping in touch with the leadership team of other matches to ensure relationships are going well, organizing events to connect matches and families from different teams, and planning awareness and/or fundraising events. These could range from having a table at a game to having a fun run to scheduling a recognition at a break in the game.
How long does Fellowship last?
Fellowship can last for the remainder of your college career depending on your performance. If at the end of the year you decide Fellowship is no longer the right fit, you can choose not to return.
How much time is spent on Fellowship weekly? Will I be able to balance it with athletics?
Team IMPACT's Fellowship commitment level depends on the current situation. For example, if you have an upcoming event it can require more time. Most of the time the schedule is very flexible. For example, you can avoid scheduling awareness games during the busiest parts of your season.
How do I start planning an event as a Fellow at my school?
First, you will submit an event application prior to the event (will be provided to you) approximately eight weeks prior to the event. Six weeks leading up to the event, schedule a meeting with all parties involved to iron out details. Three weeks before the event, send final details to Team IMPACT so details can be sent out to families. After the event, reach out to Team IMPACT to send photos or videos for marketing materials and social media.
What are the benefits of being a Team IMPACT Fellow compared to just having a match?
Fellowship provides so many benefits! You have the unique opportunity to meet athletes from across the country who are equally passionate about Team IMPACT and its mission. You also get to exercise professionalism through networking opportunities with companies across all industries. Furthermore, there is an immense amount of personal growth attained through the leadership, creativity, collaboration, and service that the program provides.
I have no leadership experience. Can I still apply?
Of course you can apply! In fact, lots of people at this education level have not had opportunities to gain valuable leadership skills. The Fellowship program was designed to provide leadership training with our in-person summit in the summer and various workshops throughout the year.
Do you only work with NCAA schools?
Team IMPACT works with most athletic programs, including NAIA and NCAA Divisions I, II, and III. We will be sure to schedule a ‘coach call’ before moving forward with any match to make sure it is the right fit for the program. Team IMPACT works across all divisions and with all sports in all 50 states.
I am an international student who is not an American citizen. Can I still apply for Fellowship?
If you are an international student or not an American citizen, you can still apply to Team IMPACT's Fellowship program. We have built our culture on diversity and inclusion. We currently have Fellows from the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Monaco, and Columbia!
What does Fellowship look like during the summer?
The summer of Fellowship involves two to three zoom retreats that last several hours. Summit is an in-person event for three days and is a great opportunity to meet other Fellows, exchange ideas, set goals for the year, and learn how to make a lasting impact.
How much outside support will I get as a Fellow?
Considering the nature of the program, it is central to Team IMPACT to support athletes in sport, school, and life. Fellowship opens up a community of support full of genuine, empowered people. The Team IMPACT staff is always ready to help student-athletes however they can. In addition, Fellows are provided with a wealth of resources to plan and execute events on their campuses, be it sample flyers, social media posts, schedules, and more.
How do I raise awareness about Team IMPACT on my campus?
The best place to start is to reach out to other student-athlete organizations, like SAAC, to speak to the student-athlete body. Reach out to teams that may not be matched and talk to them about the process of getting matched with a Team IMPACT teammate. On your campus and in your community, reach out to organizations that aide individuals with chronic illnesses and develop relationships with support staff at local hospitals. Provide them details about what Team IMPACT does and how they can help patients get involved.
Do all Fellowships at Team IMPACT look the same?
While we have many of the same responsibilities and overlapping tasks to help fulfill the needs of this Fellowship, each individual Fellow has a different experience than the others. Each Fellow can help mold and create the experience they need and want.
Is there a fundraising component to the Fellowship program?
Fundraising can be a key part of being a Fellow, but it’s not required. Some campuses have more success with fundraising due to things like the size and support from the community/ campus. For other campuses, it can make more sense to focus on spreading awareness about TI rather than trying to raise money. All Fellows are given campus-specific fundraising pages, and all of the information needed to accomplish this, if that is something they’re interested in!
Will I be working alone?
Not necessarily. Most established campuses will be working with a team of fellows. However, if your campus is new, you might only have one fellow. I would encourage you as a potential prospect to recruit other student athletes to work with you. Also, the Team Impact executive board is incredible. Even though they are not on campus with you, they are always willing to help, brainstorm, and connect you with contacts at the University to make things happen.
What I see on the Team IMPACT website is overwhelming to me. I’m not sure I can pull that all off next year. Is that ok?
Absolutely! While all campuses have the same goal, it looks different at each campus. I would encourage new campuses that it is okay if it doesn’t “look like” the Instagram matches from right off the bat. It is a process and any little progress is progress to help get Team Impact up and running at the campus. The goal is always just to make the experience as positive for the kids as possible. For everyone, that looks different.
What is the relationship between SAAC and Team IMPACT Fellowship on campuses?
SAAC and the Team Impact Fellowship tend to work cohesively, as they have some similar goals related to engagement in the community. SAAC leadership can work closely with Fellows in planning and executing events. Some Fellows are also SAAC members but other Fellows are not.