Cabinet Application

8/6/2019 Cabinet Application

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Junior State of America

2011-2012 Cabinet Application

Northern California JSA

Stephanie Ribet Jason Yu Lorraine Ye

Governor Lieutenant Governor Speaker of the Assembly


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Dear Northern California JSA Delegate,

Welcome to the beginning of a remarkable JSA year! We would like to take this

opportunity to commend you for the leadership you have already shown by your choiceto consider applying for cabinet. Regardless of what position you end up with next year,

your leadership will be and already is highly valued. With that in mind, we urge you to

read through this entire cabinet application and then decide where you envision

yourself for the upcoming year.

You may notice that there have been a lot of changes to the cabinet structure.

After collecting data and discussing cabinet with a number of individuals, we decided to

enact major changes that will hopefully make our cabinet structure more efficient and

successful. Because there are so many new positions, keep an open mind when

reading through the job descriptions; more than half the positions are slightly

modified or brand new. Additionally, no aspect of JSA has been eliminated; insteadcertain jobs have been re-divided amongst different positions. If you felt attached to a

certain job or a certain task, please feel free to ask how it manifests itself in the new

cabinet structure.

Many benefits as well as responsibilities come with being a cabinet member. First

and foremost you will have the opportunity to lead a student-run organization. Not

many organizations can claim to be student-run as JSA can, so your leadership within the

organization will certainly stand out among your peers. In addition, being a cabinet

member comes with the satisfaction of seeing all the fruits of your labor culminate in

interesting and educational events for your peers. In Cabinet you will collaborate and

become close with some of the most driven and interesting students in the organization.

For me, being on the JSA Cabinet has been one of the most gratifying experiences in highschool; by applying to cabinet, you are giving yourself the chance to have the same

experience.

Remember to take your positions seriously, but have an enjoyable time as well.

As a cabinet member you will be expected to attend all JSA events. However, we do have

weekly meetings at the JSA office which are encouraged, but not mandatory. If you are

interested in getting more deeply involved in JSA this summer there are still a few spots

available in the JSA Summer Schools at Princeton, Georgetown, and Stanford and at the

California Institute. For more information about how to apply, please talk to our

program Director, Jaime Contreras ([email protected]). Finally, cabinet meetings are

mandatory. The first cabinet meeting, which includes regional cabinet, will be held onAugust 20th, location TBA.

As with any decision you make, there are a few things that you should consider

before deciding to apply for state cabinet. First of all, each of these positions requires a

great deal of time and immense diligence. Don't let this discourage you from applying,

but please prepare yourself for undertaking the position. It is critical for our success that

every member of Cabinet performs to the utmost of his/her ability. In this packet you

will find a brief description outlining the duties and responsibilities of each position and


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the skills that are needed in order to be successful. An estimate of the minimum time

and work requirements for the post are also listed after each position's description. We

are looking for leaders who will set even higher standards for their positions in the year

to come, and thus, we need leaders who can fulfill at least the minimum time

commitment. We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure you that these

positions are not solely their descriptions; JSA is what you make of it, so with the properinitiative and dedication, whatever goals you have for the 2011-2012 JSA year can be

reached through the positions of your choice.

While you are reading through the application, you should be thinking about your

top four choices for state cabinet. Allow yourself the opportunity to carefully consider

the position in which you think will be most productive, most comfortable, and above all,

most enjoyable. Please apply for the position that you really would like to have and feel

qualified for, not the position that "you think you can get." Above all, do not pass over a

position because you think that you will not be appointed. I want to know what you

WANT to do. The cabinet selection process is completely open - no positions have

been promised or pre-determined.Please be advised that this cabinet application is an outline for next year's

cabinet. The positions are subject to change depending on the qualifications and

experience of those who apply. All Cabinet Applications are due Monday, July 25.

Next year will be an exciting and rewarding year for all of us, but it will also be

very challenging. Cabinet requires you to utilize all of your talents in order to make the

most cohesive and effective cabinet possible. On a final note, we are looking for passion,

potential, dedication, and ideas when reading applications - not just experience. It is in

your best interest to portray to us why you are dedicated, motivated, and enthusiastic

about JSA in your application. Be creative, and please do not hesitate to contact me with

any questions!

Best of luck,

Stephanie Ribet

Northern California JSA Governor

[email protected]


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Executive DepartmentChief of Staff *

As Chief of Staff, you will be working closely with each and every one of the members on

cabinet. You will also be working especially with the Governor to ensure that everything

is running smoothly both within cabinet and within the entire state; the Chief of Staffis a virtual extension of the Governor. You will be overseeing a multitude of the major

changes that we are making to cabinet this year, most importantly the Communications

Department. The requirements for this position include creativity, dedication, and a

knowledge of JSA and how it functions. This position is both very time consuming and

rewarding. You must be willing to attend ALL JSA events, including state conventions,

regional conferences and mini-cons.

Time Commitment: 12-14 hours/week

JSA Intern

This is a brand new position in JSA Cabinet. Northern California JSA is unique in the

fact that we are the only state that gets the privilege of using the national office space.Therefore, as JSA intern, you would get the opportunity to work in the office a couple

of days per week after school, which would enable you to learn how the office and how

JSA works on a deeper level. You will work closely with Jaime and the other program

directors in the office, and it is important that you can commit to coming to the office

on a regular basis. In addition to getting a broader perspective of JSA, you will get a

real and unique opportunity to learn marketable skills and to participate in project-

based learning experiences that can translate into real work experience. This is such a

tremendous opportunity, so do not pass it by lightly!


Convention DepartmentConvention Coordinator *

As Convention Coordinator, you will be responsible for every aspect of the overnight

conventions throughout the year. You are also responsible for managing and directing

the Convention Department including the Debate Director, Convention Manager, Special

Activities Director, and anyone else who intends to host a meeting. Although the Council

of Governors determines the theme of our conventions, you will be responsible for

making the theme come alive through activities. Creating political awareness activities

that fit within the theme of making the convention experience both educational andexciting will be a vital job for you. One nuance of this position is talking to your

constituents and using their ideas to help create new and innovative activities. You will

create the agenda and plan out many of the various events that will be held throughout

the weekend. This is a VERY time consuming position, especially around the convention,

so be prepared for a very challenging but rewarding job.



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Convention Manager *

As Convention Manager, you will be working hand in hand with the Convention

Coordinator to make sure that our conventions are the best possible. You will also be

responsible for the logistical side of the convention to ensure that it runs smoothly

and is chaos-free. Conventions are great, but at times logistical bottle-necking andovercrowding can mar an activity. You will assemble a team of logistics workers to

answer questions at the information table, help find people to step in when a debater or

moderator does not show up, help delegates find meeting rooms, run the tally room to

assist other cabinet members, help delegates from one place to another, and ensure that

blocks are running smoothly. In short, you will be the behind-the-scenes "Field General"

who makes the convention go as efficiently as possible.


Special Activities Coordinator

As Special Activities Coordinator, it will be your responsibility to come up with, plan, andrun all special activities (Crisis Scenarios, Mock Trials, etc.) at conventions. It is crucial

that we are keeping our delegates interested in conventions through diverse, thought-

provoking activities. You will work very closely with the Convention Coordinator and

the Convention Manager to reach out to delegates, to integrate their ideas and to create

new activities. Creativity is key for this position.


Social Activities Coordinator

In addition to being responsible for the usual dances, the Social Activities Coordinator

will be responsible for compiling a diverse set of evening activities that appeals to a

variety of delegates. It is important to keep the activities interesting and to ensurethat everyone is having fun! You will be working really closely with the Convention

Coordinator and the Convention Manager, and like most convention jobs, creativity is

very important for this position.


Political Fair Director

You will be responsible for coordinating the entire political fair. This is a big job that

involves contacting as many organizations as possible and inviting them to the political

fair. You will be working very closely with the Speaker of the Assembly, but unlike in the

past you will be in charge of and overseeing the political fair. This job is crucial becausethe political fair is such an integral part of what JSA stands for. Be prepared to work

hard, to experiment with new ideas and to put forward a substantial amount of time

towards revamping the political fair.


Director of Debate: Research *

Debate has always been the foundation of JSA and this year will be no exception.


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Debate quality must be of the highest caliber. As Director of Debate Research, it will

be your responsibility to make sure that all debate resolutions are superb. It is your

duty to oversee resolution and blurb writing for both Fall and Spring State. You would

be working very closely with the Debate Staff to come up with a debate list for the

conventions that embodies the theme of the convention and the message that JSA stands

for. A love for debate and dedication to research is an absolute must!Time Commitment: 10-12 hours/week

Director of Debate: Training and Recruitment *

As Director of Debate Training and Recruitment you will be responsible for ensuring

the success of debate throughout the year. You will be responsible for overseeing all

the debaters at the convention. This includes working with some rookie debaters

individually, helping them prepare and guaranteeing that the Debateware process is as

smooth as possible. You will be working with the entire debate staff to accomplish this

task. Debate experience is a must, and you need to be willing to work with delegates to

make the convention a success.Time Commitment: 10-12 hours/week

Debate Staff

You will be working very closely with the other members of the Debate Department to

plan unique, exciting and thought-provoking debates and to ensure that both debaters

and moderators are well prepared. At the convention itself, you will be the ones

facilitating the debates and making sure that they run smoothly. Being a member of

the Debate Staff is an extremely fun way to get involved and to shape the way that

the convention unfolds. Familiarity with JSA, debate, and parliamentary procedure is

encouraged, because debate ideas and special activity ideas for the convention are going

to be coming from you.Time Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Fundraising Department

Fundraising Director *

As Fundraising Director, you will oversee all fundraising activities. Our goal is to

raise money to try to help struggling chapters cover convention costs. Since this is a

completely new department, you will be responsible for setting a precedent for the

future of this department and the future of Northern California JSA Fundraising. Inaddition to continuing the Central Valley Transportation Fund, you will be responsible

for finding new ways to raise money and help our chapters. Since there are a vast

quantity of chapters that need our help, this job requires dedication and a true love for

improving our state and our chapters.



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Fundraising Coordinators

As a Fundraising Coordinator, you will be in charge of one project of your choosing.

Your goal will be to create an interesting and innovative way to raise as much money for

our chapters as possible. Since this is a brand new job in cabinet, this gives you a chance

to make it your own and influence the way that this brand new Fundraising Department

develops.Time Commitment: 3-5 hours/week

Central Valley Transportation Fundraising Coordinator

As Central Valley Transportation Fundraising Coordinator, you will be working with

Henna Kaushal, the Central Valley Regions Mayor, and the rest of the Fundraising

Department to raise money for the recently developed Central Valley Transportation

Fund. You must be committed to raising as much money as possible to help our Central

Valley chapters thrive. A knowledge of the Central Valley, creativity, and determination

to help less fortunate chapters is crucial!


Expansion DepartmentExpansion Director *

As Expansion Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the Expansion

Department. You and the Lieutenant Governor will work hand-in-hand to make sure that

all expansion is running smoothly. Additionally, much like the Expansion Coordinators,

you will be working with individuals on creating chapters. Troubleshooting chapter

issues is a vital part of this position, so you must have a vast knowledge how JSA works.

This is a tremendous responsibility, and experience in chapter affairs, particularly in

expansion is a must!


Expansion Coordinators

As an Expansion Coordinator, it will be your job to coordinate our expansion efforts

with the Lieutenant Governor and the other Expansion Coordinators. At the beginning

of the year, you will receive a list of potential chapters and contact information for

those chapters. Your goal by the end of the year is to start as many chapters as possible.

Connecting with chapter presidents and helping them start their own chapters from the

ground up is a very rewarding experience. This job is especially good for those who have

experience on a chapter level and with expansion.


Communications Department

Press Secretary *

This year the Communications Department is the sole department responsible for

sending information out to delegates and to chapters. As Press Secretary, you will be


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responsible for working with the Chief of Staff to manage this completely re-vamped

Communications Department. The bulk of your work will involve working with the

Reporters, the Photographer, the Videographer and the other Directors to generate

material and write articles for all of our communication mediums. However, you will

also be responsible for working with the other managers to make sure that information

is being released. As Press Secretary, you will be in charge of shaping the messageof JSA, because to a large extent you decide what we publish and write about within

our own state, on a national JSA level, and in world politics. You must be willing to

commit a great deal of time as well as be willing to attend ALL JSA events, including state

conventions, regional conferences and mini-cons.


Reporter

As a Reporter, you will be responsible for writing the articles that Northern California

JSA publishes - in the Northstar, on the website, through Facebook etc. This is a huge

responsibility because you will be supplying the information to all the delegates.Although this can be a rigorous job, it is also very rewarding. You will learn how to

write news articles, and as a reporter you will get a chance to see JSA events from the

inside. Solid writing skills are a requirement for this job, so you must be willing to set

a bit of time aside in the beginning of the fall (starting at Cabinet Confirmation) to learn

the correct article writing style. You must commit a great deal of time as well as attend

ALL JSA events, including state conventions, regional conferences and mini-cons. If you

decide to apply for this position, send in an example of your writing ability along with

your application.


PhotographerGood photos are imperative for a successful state! This job is relatively self explanatory-

as photographer, your job will be to photograph all JSA events. Your photos will be put

in all of our communication mediums and in some cases on the National JSA Website.

At conventions, you will need to move around various blocks and debates and to take

photos of the convention. You will also be in charge of our Northern California Flickr

account. Photography experience is encouraged, but not necessary. In your application

please include either pictures that you have taken at a JSA event or in another similar

setting.


Videographer

As Videographer, your job will be to take videos of the convention. Of course you are

not expected to videotape every moment of the convention, but you will be expected to

document impressive speeches and parts of landmark debates, such as the penny debate

last year at Fall State. Much like the photos taken by the photographer, your videos will

be posted online in various forms including occasionally on the national JSA website.

You will also be responsible for our JSA Youtube account. Therefore, videography and


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video editing experience are preferable.


North Star Editor-in-Chief

As Northstar Editor-in-Chief, you will be responsible for producing three issues of

the state newspaper - one at each overnight convention. You will be responsible forcommunicating with the other departments in cabinet to generate interesting stories

for your newspaper. While the majority of your content will come from the journalists,

you may assign others to write articles and set deadlines for them. You should have

experience formatting and putting together a newspaper.


Director of Technology *

As Director of Technology, you will be responsible for the State's web page. At the

moment our website is highly streamlined, so posting to our webpage is only slightly

more complicated than posting to a social media site. Therefore, the bulk of your workwill focus on making the page current and informative ensuring that the web page will

be a useful tool for everyone in Northern California. Programming experience is not

necessary, but you must be a great communicator!


Feedback Analyst

As the Feedback Analyst, you will be required to take in all delegate feedback of

conventions and chapter issues. Through a variety of mediums (polls, surveys, forums,

etc), you will be directly troubleshooting concerns. Having basic knowledge of how

JSA works is a must. Your job will be to maintain, revamp, and renew our ways of

running JSA to ensure that we can stay innovative and grow with the delegates as anorganization.


Social Networking Coordinator

Social networks are rapidly becoming the most efficient and successful way to

communicate with large groups of people. As Social Networking Coordinator, your job

will be to oversee our Facebook and Twitter pages. You must ensure that the content on

both mediums are current, informative, and useful. In the past our Facebook page has

been a very successful tool and a very rapid way to disperse information to all delegates.

Your goal for next year will be to utilize our Facebook page to its furthest capability andcreate our Twitter account, so they become useful tools of communication. Experience

and familiarity with using social networking mediums is of the utmost importance!

Time Commitment: 3- 5 hours/week

Newsletter Liaison

As Newsletter Liaison, you will be responsible for sending out information to Chapter

Presidents and Assembly members in the forms of newsletters. With the help


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of programs such as MailChimp, you will be responsible for sending out regular,

professional looking, and current newsletters to keep everyone informed. This job

can have a huge impact on our delegation, and it is a fun, creative way to influence the

message of Northern California JSA.


Wiggio Manager

As Wiggio Manager, the majority of your job will be working with the Wiggio program

to organize the weekly phone conferences. With help from the Wiggio program, we can

easily send out text messages to all our delegates, so they are getting information straight

from their phones. This is a new, cool technology that we have begun experimenting

with this year, but next year you will get the chance to hone in our Wiggio Conferencing

and to make intercabinet communication and information dispersal exceptionally more

efficient.


Chapter Department

Comptroller (kntrlr) *

As Comptroller, you will be in charge of the entire registration process. You (with

help from the Membership Services Director) will be in charge of helping chapters

register through our JSA portal. You will get the unique opportunity to learn how to

use Salesforce, a program that enables us to store an enormous amount of information.

You will also be in charge of verifying the chapter registration lists are correct before

we send out rooming lists and invoices. Since this is such a delicate process, you must

be willing to commit a significant amount of time to meeting with Jaime in the office,so you can master how to use our software and ensure that everything is running

smoothly. This is a VERY time consuming position, especially around the convention, so

be prepared for a very challenging but rewarding job.

Time Commitment: 8- 11 hours/week

Assistant Comptrollers

As an Assistant Comptroller, you will be directly responsible for ensuring that the

registration process goes smoothly for your region. The bulk of your work will we

talking to elected officials and chapter presidents to target problems. However, you

and your fellow comptrollers will be working as a team to accomplish registration.

Your basic duty is to work with chapters, but you have wiggle room to learn how to useSalesforce and become a more integral part of registration. This job can be a lot of fun,

and you will get the opportunity to make a big difference in your regions.


Chapter Coordinator *

As Chapter Coordinator you are responsible for our chapters. You will be the advocate


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for our chapters - making sure that they have the materials and support that they need.

You will work with the Communications Department to make sure that chapters are

thriving. On a weekly basis, you will be responsible for creating packets for chapters,

which include sample meeting ideas. In short, you are in charge of making sure that our

chapter are thriving on a school level and developing creative ideas for their meetings.

Chapter experience is crucial!Time Commitment 4-7 hours/week

Membership Services Director *

As a Membership Services Director you will be working directly with the Chapter

Coordinator and with chapters. You are responsible for making sure members are

getting the information they need - tax paid member cards, brochures, pamphlets,

convention agendas, etc. Additionally, you are going to be our advocate for collecting

taxes, which is a crucial part of JSA because taxes illustrate the strength of a chapter

and of our state as a whole. You are going to be our link to chapters! If a chapter is not

receiving the information it needs, you will be responsible for identifying the problemand directing them to the Communications Department. Chapter experience is vital and

necessary!


Chapter Conferences Coordinator:

The Chapter Conferences Coordinator will be responsible for developing a proposal for

chapters to submit if they would like to host a mini-con. You will be responsible for

encouraging chapters to hold one days, keeping a master calendar of events, helping

chapters plan their conferences, and publicizing each of them. The Chapter Conference

Coordinator will work very closely with the Chapter Department. You will be expected

to assist Chapter presidents in any way needed to conduct their mini-cons. Familiaritywith mini-cons is a plus!


Speaker's DepartmentSpeaker Pro Tempore *

A 'new' old position! As Speaker Pro Tempore, you will work hand in hand with the

Speaker of the Assembly. Just as how the Chief of Staff is an extension of the Governor,

the Pro Tempore is an extension of the Speaker. You will be an integral part of planning

and running the Assembly as well as ensuring quality of meetings. This year the Speaker

will be planning the majority of Winter Congress as opposed to years prior, thereforeyou must be willing to assume leadership roles when the convention rolls around. You

will also be required to have at least a basic knowledge of how JSA runs and flexibility is

a must. If the Speaker of the Assembly is ever unavailable, you must be ready to assume

the position.

Time Commitment: 6-8 Hours/Week


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Legislative Counsel

Another 'new' old position! As Legislative Counsel, you will work with both the Speaker

of the Assembly and the Speaker Pro Tempore to research and write proposals for

upcoming Assembly meetings. This position will require you to search for sources of

possible debate topics for the Assembly, as well as write a proposal to argue during

meeting time. It is helpful to be knowledgeable about current events, particularly thosethat pertain to either students or youth in general. You will also be required to be

impartial and write summaries of all the bills proposed on the floor or in committee of

Assembly.


Activism Director *

Originally, Activism Director has had its own department, but this year, instead

of focusing in on organizations, we will be focusing on civic engagement through

the Assembly. As Activism Director, you will be in charge of coming up with civic

engagement projects with the Legislative Involvement Director and promoting JSAthrough lobbying our views and opinions to the public. You must have new ideas and

the drive to take the position to new heights. Because of our new format, you will have

wiggle room to choose how your position works and ultimately you will be setting

precedent for the future.


Legislative Involvement Director *

Another 'new' old positions! As Legislative Involvement Director, you will be in

charge of advocacy regarding the Assembly. At the Assembly, the Legislative Counsel's

researched debate proposals will be argued then it is the Legislative Involvement

Director's duty to promote the Assembly's platform and promote our advocacy to themedia and politicians. This job is vital because you are responsible for getting JSA's

name and our platform out there. You will be the official representative of the northern

California Junior State when promoting the positions reflected in the legislative platform.

You will be working extensively with the Speaker's Department and parts of the

Communications Department.


Political Affairs Director

The last of the new old positions! As Political Affairs Director, you are going to be our

official political junkie. Your job will be to scour the news coming out of Sacramento,Washington D.C., and school boards across the nation for interesting issues, legislation

and topics that affect young people. Through this political knowledge you should have,

you will be setting up "Action Alerts" to send out to JSA delegates to encourage activism

when student's rights are threatened. In addition, you will work with the mayors and the

vice mayors to find opportunities in regions for delegates to get civically involved. Hard

work ethic and political experience are incredibly important!



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STATE CABINET APPLICATION FORM

All Cabinet Applications are due Monday July 25

Name: __________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________City:________________________________________________State ____ Zip _________

Cell Phone: (_______)________________ Home Phone: (________)__________________

Email Address:__________________________________________________________

High School: ____________________________________Region_________Grad Year: ________

Do you have Skype? ___ If so, what is your username? ______________________________

Have you ever attended a JSA summer program? Yes No

Please attach a photo of yourself (please keep the photo small on a pixel scale!)

electronically in the email and physically in the paper copy.

Top four state cabinet choices:

1.

2.

3.

4.

If you are applying to cabinet, please answer the following questions. Your insights will

help me pick the most productive and proactive cabinet possible. Please answer these

questions with at least 150-300 words each. Please remember, the more detailed and

thorough you are with your answers, the easier it is for us to see your strengths. If you

are applying for a position with a * next to it, please email me ([email protected]) to get the

application supplement for that position. Application supplements consist of around

1-3 extra questions that will help us better understand why you are qualified for thatposition.

1. How and why did you get involved in JSA? What do you love about JSA? Why are you

applying for this position?

2. What experience do you have that has qualified you for your selected position? What

distinguishes you from everyone else applying for this position?

3. What are some new ideas that you want to bring to cabinet? What is one thing that

you would like to change?

4. What else should I know about you? What are you strengths and weaknesses? What

other extracurricular activities do you do?5. Please complete the statement "I will be..," and explain your choice.

If you need ideas, check out our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=noSwHT97ECg&feature=player_embedded#at=16

6. Please answer two of the following questions (your answers can be shorter than

those of the other questions if you would like)

- If you were a type of food, what would you be and why?

- If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see the


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lead role as you? Please explain.

- If you were given a chance to go back in time, where would you go and why?

- What is your favorite holiday and why?

- If you could be any mythical figure, what would you want to be and why?

You may be called for a brief interview in order for us to better assess yourqualifications for the position that you are applying for.

When emailing your application, please title it Cabinet Application on the subject

line of the email. This will help us sort through the applications in a timely manner

The DUE DATE for all positions is Monday July 25th. Late Applications will NOT be

accepted. Please EMAIL your application to [email protected], [email protected],

and [email protected].

Cabinet Application

Documents

Transcript of Cabinet Application