*Dear P2PU*
*
*
*This is a long mail - but if you're interested in joining us un Berlin in
July, it's important that you read it all. Process, planning and deadlines
are all detailed below...*

P2PU is going back to Berlin! Since we like this city so much, and seem to
get good work done there, we've decided to set up a temporary office in
Berlin in July 2012. Isn't that just the most exciting thing you've heard
all week? Thought so.

*Why are we doing this?*

   - When you put smart and committed people into a room with each other
   great things will happen

   - We are an extremely virtual organization - but some things are easier,
   faster, more fun in the real world

   - We can't afford to hire dozens of people, but we can provide a space
   for the community to come together and build the future of education
   together

   - We have lots of projects, ideas, plans - we want to move faster

*How will it work?*

   - The core P2PU office time will be July 2012, in a location still to be
   confirmed.  Core staff will be there during this time, some will be there
   for a few days on either side.

   - We have an open door policy - anyone can come and work on P2PU!

   - For those who need help getting to Berlin or a place to stay, we're
   offering a limited number of Berlin Fellowships.

*Berlin Fellowship*
 What is included?

   - A place to work and free meals.

   - Shared accommodation for free. If you can't stay in shared
   accommodation, let's figure something out that could work for you.

   - Help with (economy class) travel for those who need it.

   - In some cases, the fellowship may not cover 100% of your costs, but
   we'll try to make it work on a case by case basis

*Who can come?*

   - Anyone committed to working on P2PU (but if we have too many
   applications - we may not be able to bring everyone)

   - Minimum time in Berlin to qualify for the fellowship is 2 weeks

   - For those who need travel support, a longer commitment will justify a
   larger fellowship grant

*How can you apply?*

   - Pick a project you want to work on!

   - There are some ideas on this etherpad, but you are totally free to
   come up with your own project: http://pad.p2pu.org/p/summer-projects

   - Discuss your project idea with a P2PU community member and ask them to
   write you a reference.

   - Send your application to Bekka (be...@p2pu.org) which includes:

   - Your name

   - What has been your involvement in P2PU in the past?

   - What is your project? What will you be working on in Berlin?

   - What will you achieve / complete during your time in Berlin?

   - What skills can you offer?

   - How long you will stay (dates)?

   - Will you stay in shared accommodation, or provide your own?

   - Where are you traveling from?

   - (Include the reference)

*How do we choose who gets the fellowship?*

   - A review group made up of 2 staff members and 2 volunteer members
   makes recommendations (and our Executive Director makes the final call) on
   the basis of the following:

   - Track record in the community

   - Quality of the proposal

   - Skills and expertise

   - Length of stay

*What's the deadline and general timeline?*

   - 1 April - application deadline (no joke!)

   - 1 April - 15 April: Review applications

   - 15 April - 1 May: Confirm attendance

   - 1 May: All travel booked

*
*
*There will be further discussion about this in this week's Community Call,
so if you have questions, feel free to add them to the call agenda. *
*You can also look at the Berlin planning etherpad, which has a discussion
section near the bottom of the pad - http://pad.p2pu.org/p/berlin*