Mission & Purpose of FORCE Internship Organization
Organization:
The FORCE internship organization is housed under the Women & Gender Resource Center (WGRC) at the University of Arizona. This internship can either be for-credit, or volunteer for no-credit, however, each individual will be held to the same standards regardless of credit or no-credit.
Mission & Purpose:
One of the main goals of the FORCE internship program is to create a safe space for individuals to grow as scholars, activists, and professionals within a community setting. Specifically, this sense of community is nurtured through the use of an intersectional feminist framework, identity development and proclamation, as well as an intentional, creation of space to have discussions about social justice and campus change. Provided that, the FORCE internship leaders, supervisors, and affiliates are there to support, advocate, and find creative solutions/resources to aid interns in any way possible.
Nature of FORCE Work Engagement
Overview of Works Engaged in:
**Significantly, during my time within the digital-model of FORCE, there have been a variety of works that we have engaged in, both as a collective, as well as individually. At the same time, however, it is important to note that there are some elements that were inherently missing from this fully-digital model.**
Community Norms
At the beginning of each semester, the FORCE Co-Directors explore and establish community norms (with intern’s input), in order to help guide expectations and strengthen the communal space throughout the internship experience.
Definition & Purpose of Community Norms as described in the FORCE Internship
“Unanimous agreements that are created and adapted with a collective group of people. The agreements have the ability to evolve or be modified”
“Community norms are meant to honor, respect, and value the members of the group as well as the mission/goal”
Communication Protocol & Practice
At the beginning of the semester, after community norms have been established, there were in-class activities where interns practice communication with one another. Specifically, this looked like:
Communication Protocol
Reflect on the information being shared or discussed. Give yourself time to process this information
Suggest or state opinions/changes that the group could consider
Reflect on the responses of others and think about multiple perspectives
Refine or identify what the communication needs
Clarify what you’ve heard, and ask clarifying questions
Mutual Understanding: State again, or reaffirm that you understand what other folks have shared, and that they understand you
Act: Designate a lead or roles, so that each person knows their responsibility
‘Sip n Bitch’ Events
‘Sip n Bitch’ events are a chance for interns to choose a topic that they either have a lot of knowledge on, or would like to know more about, and subsequently, interns work together to host their specific event.
Similar to the in-person ‘Sip n Bitch’ event, this is an opportunity for interns to take initiative, build leadership skills, learn how to create intentional dialogue, and ultimately, build deeper connections with their fellow interns.
Some pieces that were inherently missed as a result of the fully digital model included supplying food/drink, art supplies, and any interactive activity supplies, in general. Still, however, I believe that the fundamentals of the ‘Sip n Bitch’ events were transformed to the best of each intern’s ability during this pandemic.
‘Community Convos’
Essentially, ‘Community Convos’ follow the same format of ‘Sip n Bitch’ events; the main difference is that ‘Community Convos’ are created and hosted by FORCE Co-Directors, rather than by the interns.
Slut Walk & Other Activist-Centered Events
From what I understand, although not from personal experience, FORCE is known for their yearly slut-walk, in addition to other activist-centered events throughout the year/semester(s). Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I have yet to experience these events, but I am hopeful that starting in the Fall of 2021, these events will be taking place.
Valuable Skills & Information Acquired through FORCE Internship Experience
From my experience within FORCE, I have gained both leadership and communication skills through my relationships with the Agency Supervisor, Mariah Harvey, as well as the FORCE 2020-2021 Co-Directors, Vane Gomez and Daniela Garcia. Specifically, through the transparency of each individual previously mentioned, I recognize what it means to truly be accountable, open-minded, and creative when it comes to problem solving and interpersonal communication. In other words, FORCE has helped to guide me as both an individual, and as a collective, through their openness to feedback, creative strategies for support and understanding, as well as their intentional reflection on ways that they can improve as leaders. To this end, FORCE continues to exemplify the strength of intentionality, honesty, and imaginative thinking when it comes to leadership and community-building, which I will take with me into my life, learning, and career.
How FORCE has aided my Gender & Women's Studies Education
Social Justice/Intersectional Feminism Class:
Undoubtedly, FORCE has aided my education in my GWS classes, in addition to my personal growth as an intersectional feminist. Specifically, FORCE incorporates the intersectional feminist lens/framework as a driving force for the work that we do, the work that we analyze, and how we interpret the social reality that we live in. Equally important, FORCE takes the time to acknowledge Kimberlé Crenshaw as the original creator of this framework, due to the fact that many frameworks and works get used within society-- without giving their creators the recognition that they deserve. That said, the intersectional feminist framework is explored and applied within both the GWS program, as well as in the FORCE internship program. However, FORCE brings a complementary perspective and understanding of the intersectional framework that goes well beyond academia, which I have really appreciated. Provided that, FORCE and my education in GWS continue to inform and enhance one another through their critical analysis of readings, poetry, creative writing, and real-world experiences.
Emerson Carmen Mary Lampert Mayorga, GWS & Psychology Undergraduate at the University of Arizona.
Credits:
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