The Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Summit will take place August 15th-17th, 2020 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Summit is a multi-day conference for high school students who are selected for seats on the coming school year's Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council. Complete this application to be considered for both the Summit and a full year's participation in the Council.
The GSA Leadership Council is a project of the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, a joint initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council creates and informs policy, promotes inclusive learning environments for all students, supports the development of leadership skills, and fosters statewide collaboration among LGBTQ students and allies. Council members develop and implement projects designed to make changes in local schools, districts and regions. Council members are expected to participate in monthly meetings (5 State Meetings in Malden, MA & 5 Regional Meetings) through the school year. Students must maintain strong academic standing in order to participate in this leadership development program.
Applications are being accepted from students who will be in grades 9-12 during the 2020-21 school year. The Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Summit is free to attend. All individuals who are accepted will be provided with overnight accommodations at UMass Amherst, meals and limited transportation (from select pick-up/drop-off locations throughout the state). All individuals who participate in the Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Summit commit to being a part of the 2020-21 Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council.
The following application must be completed in one session. The application contains both demographic information and short-answer questions. Please plan to dedicate approximately 20-30 minutes to completing the application process. Be sure to have the following items available:
- contact information for your GSA Adviser
- contact information for one personal reference (non-relative)
- a photograph of yourself
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on April 15th, 2020. Applicants will be notified regarding their status by May 15th, 2020. Please contact the Safe Schools Program by email with any questions at safeschoolsprogram@doe.mass.edu.