The Details

The Feminist Action Board (FAB) program is for high school girls and nonbinary youth across the state who are passionate about gender equity and social justice. FAB meets monthly in three regional groups (Bangor, Augusta, and Portland) to foster community, grow leadership skills and confidence to raise a ruckus, and to challenge the status quo. Our program year, from October to May, builds toward creating and facilitating our spring Be You Boldly! Conferences, which reach hundreds of middle schoolers across the state.

From September to May, FABers meet monthly to form connections with each other, learn about themselves as changemakers, and gain the skills to step into their own leadership. Through training, local speakers, and creative projects, FABers learn about social action and choose ways to take action themselves. As youth leaders, FABers work together to identify the topics they wish they had learned about in middle school, and in April, they host three regional conferences, with workshops, action spots, speakers, and more.

We invite applications from future FABers who are ready to:

• Grow into their roles as leaders: As FAB members, we play an important role in planning and delivering the spring conferences for girls and nonbinary youth in grades 5-8. All FAB members will receive training, and there’s a role for every skill set.

• Learn how to effectively cause a ruckus: We each have the potential to be a changemaker in any community that we belong to. We do so by exploring our interests and unique talents to cause a ruckus (this could involve volunteering, organizing, information sharing, advocating for representation, etc).

• Nurture a community of caring: We work together to set and respect community agreements to make sure everyone feels safe, heard, and respected.

FAB applicants should be ready to commit to the following:

Active Engagement

• FAB members ‘show up’. We attend our monthly meetings and the conferences in April, and we actively participate and contribute while there.

• We recognize that being absent or disengaged impacts the group’s ability to build coalition and create a thriving community.

• We communicate as soon as possible with the FAB Advisor in the event of any scheduling conflict.

Respectful Communication

• We believe that every voice should be heard and that every FAB member adds unique value to the entire group. We respect each others’ perspectives, backgrounds, and opinions.

• We will learn how to have tough conversations together, even when it makes us uncomfortable.

• We are engaged and respectful listeners. We use nonverbal communication and positive body language so that we do not talk over each other.

Accountability

• We do what is expected of us and we follow through on commitments we’ve made. If expectations are not clear to us, we ask questions until they are.

• We arrive prepared at meetings and events.

• We strive to lead with kindness when giving and receiving feedback about what we perceive as going well, and as worthy of change.

Hardy Girls’ staff commits to the following:

• Creating safety. We do all we can to create safe, respectful spaces where participants can grow and learn;
  

• Being accessible. We will work to make all FAB gatherings accessible. For example, we will help to coordinate carpools; provide gas cards to offset travel to meetings and events; and provide a remote connection option for meetings. We are open to any suggestions of other ways to ensure that everyone can show up;
  

• Creating a learning and growing environment. We provide all participants with opportunities to grow their critical thinking skills, ignite their curiosity, build coalition, and challenge the status quo. We aim to make sure that all FABers receive the training and practice to become confident leaders and changemakers in their communities; and
  

• Taking you seriously. We believe in the brilliance of girls and nonbinary youth. We will step up to give you information and opportunities, while also trusting you to step up as accountable, respectful leaders.

We meet on the first Sunday of each month. We gather in a hybrid model, alternating between in-person and virtual meetings. In-person meetings happen in Augusta and Portland, and we organize carpools for every meeting. Outside of the meetings, FABbers spend about 5 hours a month on all things Hardy Girls, with the time commitment increasing around conferences in March and April.

Once applications close, Hardy Girls’ staff will begin to map out FAB’s calendar of meeting and event dates for each regional group. For now, please plan for the FAB kick-off event to happen in late summer/early fall.

We hope all FAB participants are able to attend the three day-long spring conference dates in April (excused absence forms will be provided by agreement between Hardy Girls and Members’ schools).

Applications are now open for the 25-26 academic year. Click here to apply.

If you know of a high school student living anywhere from Bangor to Portland, please share the FAB opportunity with them! This is an incredible leadership opportunity for girls and nonbinary youth in Maine.

If you were a member of FAB in 2024-25, you do not need to reapply and are still considered a member so long as you wish to remain one. HOWEVER, we do ask that you submit the application form again this year so that we have your most current information AND your updated responses to the 3 application questions. This also lets us know that you are planning to return to FAB this year.

Give us a call at 207-536-9191 or email Kathy!