As an AmeriCorps Legal Fellow, you will be receiving an email with instructions on how to access the Equal Justice Works Profile Management System. As part of your fellowship, you are required to create and maintain a public profile that will help present you and your project in a compelling and professional manner.

The Profile Management System provides you with online access so you can update your information as often as you like - before, during and after your fellowship. It also provides easy online viewing and prints easily and attractively on letter-sized sheets. Completing your profile should take no more than a half-hour. The basic information - Inspiration, Project and biographical information is essential; the other responses help to personalize your profile for sponsors, fellow classmates, and others.

Please submit your profile no later than Monday, August 31 at 11:00 p.m. EST. It will be reviewed and published by an Equal Justice Works employee. Some helpful tips and instructions are listed below.

Tips

1. You will receive an email with your account login information. Your user name will the email address from your enrollment form. Go to www.equaljusticeworks.org/user to begin.
2. After logging in, you may customize your password by using the "Change my password" link on the left. You also may change the email address to where alerts and notifications are sent. Keep in mind that if you change your email, you will need to use the new email as your user name the next time you login.
3. Click on "Create/edit my profile."
4. Enter your information into the available fields. We ask that you complete at least your biographical information, Inspiration and Project Description.
5. Don't forget to upload your profile photo. Click here for directions and tips. Please remember to name your image file with your first and last name!
6. At the bottom of the profile entry page, you have the option to save your work or submit for review. Please make sure your profile is complete before submitting it, as you will not be able to make changes or updates in the system until your profile is published by an Equal Justice Works employee. Once your profile is published, you will be able to log back into the profile management system and make any necessary changes.
7. After you save your profile, you will have the option to preview your profile.
8. Once you have completed your profile and have uploaded a photo, you will need to submit your profile for review. Equal Justice Works will edit your profile for style and clarity. Your photo will also be formatted to fit neatly in your profile page. Please submit your profile to Equal Justice Works no later than August 31, 2009.
9. Please note that if you click on "View my profile" after you have submitted for review, the page will be blank. You will not be able to view your final profile until it has been approved and published by an Equal Justice Works administrator. You will receive an email notification once your profile has been published

PREFERRED FORMAT AND PHOTO SPECS

The photo you submit as part of your profile should be a print-quality color jpeg (at least 300 dpi). Please note that some digital cameras are automatically set to 72 dpi. However, if your image quality and image size options are set to the highest levels, the image produced will have enough pixels for us to resize. For more information about image size and resolution, here is a good resource: www.booksurgepages.com/Downloads/digital_image_guide.pdf. When determining if your image file is print-quality, a good gauge is the file size. Your file size should be at least 500KB. IMPORTANT: please be sure to rename your photo file with your first and last name (e.g. sarah_mahoney.jpg).

If you are scanning a print, please make sure the original print is not damaged. You should set your scanner to scan the photo in 24-bit color, 300 dpi and target the original size. If you do not have access to a digital camera or scanner, please mail a non-returnable print to: Fellowship Photo, Att: Sarah Mahoney, 2120 L Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037.

Photos should be a solo shot that may be cropped to include your torso. Vertical images are preferred. Please do not resize, crop or alter your image—a graphic designer will make sure all images are presented in the best possible manner. Also, please do not paste your image into a document, such as Word or PowerPoint, before submitting it. We will not be able to use it.

For excellent examples of the art direction we would like to achieve, please visit our Programs page and browse through the featured portraits.

If you have questions about photo resolution, file format or image size, please contact Sarah Mahoney at (202) 466-3686 ext. 136 or smahoney@equaljusticeworks.org.

PROFILE PHOTO TIPS

• Make sure your camera is set at the finest quality and largest file size.
• Try to wear a top or jacket that will stand out from your background. Solid colors work best. Avoid busy patterns such as herringbone and stripes. Professional attire is highly recommended.
• Make sure your photograph is taken with good lighting or with a flash. If you wear glasses, it may be a good idea to remove them or take an outdoor photo so you will not need a flash. Overcast conditions or shade provide the best outdoor lighting.
• Take a few moments to consider your background. A solid, plain background will work best for this format. If you want something “more” to your background, try to find locations that enhance your photo and will not distract viewers from the most important part of the image—you! Also, please do not add a background after the fact with Photoshop or other image editing programs.
• Here are some examples of creative, yet professional looking profile images:
  http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/files/profilephotos/1705.jpg
  http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/files/profilephotos/2006003.jpg
  http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/files/profilephotos/2006042.jpg
• The more thought, time and effort you put into this project the better your profile image will be. This profile will represent you for the next couple years and beyond. Be sure to make a lasting impression!