IWR News
Employment Opportunities
- 2008-2009 Health and Wholeness Advocacy Intern (Posted 03.20.08)
- Voices of Equality Program Manager (Posted 01.31.08)
- Media Relations Coordinator (Posted 01.31.08)
- Aging Policy Analyst (Posted 01.16.08)
- Field Organizer / Senior Field Organizer (Posted 01.16.08)
2008-2009 Health and Wholeness Advocacy Intern
Position Description:
Term: 11 months, September 15, 2008 - August 14, 2009 (full-time)
Stipend: $25,000 paid semi-monthly (no other benefits)
Location: UCC National Offices, Cleveland, OH
Job Description
The successful candidate will work with the Health and Wholeness Advocacy Executive on various projects and programs of the Health and Wholeness Advocacy office.
Tasks may include:
- Planning, preparation and implementation of HWA programs and activities
- Development of HWA content for the UCC web site
- Management of the HWA database
- Development of HWA program related projects identified by the intern and approved by the Executive
- Others duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Seminarian or minimum 2 years college education
- High level of interest in working on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) concerns and HIV and AIDS ministries
- Strong verbal and writing skills (communication skills)
- Computer proficiency (Microsoft office)
- Ability to multi-task and to work independently
- Commitment to the mission of the UCC, WCM and the HWA Office
Benefits to the Intern:
This internship is an excellent opportunity to work closely with a national and global ministry program of the United Church of Christ. The Intern will work with and relate to a diversity of people including: local church pastors, lay leaders, individuals, conference ministers, ecumenical partners and Global Ministries’ mission personnel and partners. The Intern will also have opportunities to meet with national UCC staff to learn about their ministries. The Intern will be afforded the opportunity to hone his/her leadership skills, learning how to effectively develop resources, advocate on issues and concerns, and respond to the variety of HWA related inquiries and requests. This is a wonderful opportunity for the intern to do ministry within and beyond the United Church of Christ and to interface with people who, like the intern, seek to make a difference in the church, community and world.
About the Office for Health and Wholeness Advocacy
The HWA Office provides leadership for LGBT concerns, HIV and AIDS, and global health. Working with individuals, congregations and other settings of the church, and a variety of faith-based and secular organizations, the HWA office resources Open and Affirming programs, provides technical assistance for faith-based HIV and AIDS prevention programs, offers pastoral outreach support to individuals, their families and friends; coordinates advocacy on HWA related concerns; facilitates educational workshops and conferences; and develops resources in a variety of media.
Application Deadline: Monday, April 14, 2008.
To apply, please email, fax or mail:
- Your resume and/or UCC profile
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Your response to the following questions. This document should be no more than 2 pages in length.
- 1. Why are you interested in this internship?
- 2. What do you hope to gain from the internship experience?
- 3. What do you believe you will contribute to the internship?
Send to Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer
Email: schuenem@ucc.org
Fax: 216-736-3203
Wider Church Ministries-HWA
700 Prospect Avenue E.
Cleveland, OH 44115
For more information: Phone: 866-822-8224, ext. 3217; Web: http://www.ucc.org/lgbt and http://www.ucc.org/health/hivaids
Voices of Equality Program Manager
The new Voices of Equality Program Manager will assume the duties of daily operations of the Voices of Equality program. The Voices of Equality program is a national high profile strategic speakers bureau and media ambassadors program that seeks to advance messages of marriage equality through prominent civic leaders to targeted populations.
The new Voices of Equality Program Manager will be charged with leading and managing the VOE team to realize the vision of Freedom to Marry and its Executive Director through the Voices of Equality program. The Voices of Equality Program Manager will supervise a 2-person staff team that will include talent booking and media advocacy functions. Responsibilities of the team will include:
- Developing the Voices of Equality annual plan in conjunction with the annual organizational budget planning process.
- Determining key audience segments that should be influenced through the VOE program, drawing on expertise within the organization and from its partners and others.
- Identifying, recruiting, training and maintaining relationships with a team of prominent civic leaders to speak on behalf of marriage equality.
- Engaging Freedom to Marry Steering Committee Members as part of the VOE team of ambassadors.
- Developing and implementing effective speaker/ambassador training program.
- Developing key messages targeted for each audience for use by each VOE ambassadors.
- Proactively placing the Voice of Equality ambassadors in public venues and media opportunities.
- Cultivating potential venues and new opportunities for appearances of VOE ambassadors.
- Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage.
- Coordinating public appearances and media coverage of Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director to maximize impact of his field travel in reaching targeted audiences.
- Coordinating with Freedom to Marry’s website team to maximize the impact of the VOE program.
The Voices of Equality Program Manager Position and Key Qualifications
Reporting to the Managing Director and in coordination with the Executive Director, the Voices of Equality Program Manager is generally responsible for the following:
- Providing leadership and management for the day-to-day operation of the Voices of Equality Program by management of VOE staff and proactive interaction with VOE ambassadors
- Creating and implementing a VOE program that demonstrably improves the acceptance of the Freedom to Marry with the public while enhancing the reputation and public standing of VOE ambassadors
- Ensuring a high level of quality for the VOE program so that we deliver a valuable resource to Freedom to Marry and its partners
- Ensuring effective integration of the VOE program with other Freedom to Marry programs and priorities.
- Facilitating a strong working relationship with the Executive Director, Managing Director, other staff, Steering Committee, and volunteers.
Ideal candidates for this position will have personnel management acumen, thrive on being a team manager and consensus builder, excel at partnering with a strong visionary leader, and share a deep commitment to the organization’s core operating values and mission. The individual Freedom to Marry is seeking should have experience in management, program development/implementation and an understanding of talent management and media coverage/placement.
The candidate will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to the organization including, but not limited to the following:
- Record of effectively managing high profile ambassador or speakers bureau program.
- Proven and confident leadership/management with experience in building a strong team and effectively leading staff and volunteers
- Record of developing and engaging strong, high profile civic and business leaders
- Dispute resolution and negotiation skills and the ability to facilitate creative and positive problem solving
- Demonstrated networking skills and the ability to sustain and build partnerships and collaborations with a wide variety of stakeholders
- Record of developing and implementing media campaigns using free media
- Demonstrated experience in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal issues
- Strong analytical and planning skills
- Advanced written and oral communication skills
- Record of honesty and trustworthiness
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required; advanced degree in media, marketing, or communication. Three to five years of experience in media, talent management, speakers bureau management.
The position is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, religious affiliation, etc.
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Ideally, the new Voices of Equality Program Manager would be available to assume responsibilities for this full-time, New York City based, position as soon as possible.
Forward resumes and cover letters to:
Scott Davenport
Managing Director, Freedom to Marry
116 W. 23rd St Suite 500
New York, NY 10011
scott-[AT]-freedomtomarry.org
Media Relations Coordinator
The Voices of Equality program is a national high profile strategic speakers bureau and media ambassadors program that seeks to advance messages of marriage equality through prominent civic leaders to targeted populations.
Voices of Equality Program
The Voices of Equality Program will consist of a 3-person staff team that will include program management, talent booking, and media advocacy functions. Responsibilities of the team will include:
- Developing the Voices of Equality annual plan in conjunction with the annual organizational budget planning process.
- Determining key audience segments that should be influenced through the VOE program.
- Identifying, recruiting, training and maintaining relationships with a team of prominent civic leaders to speak on behalf of marriage equality.
- Engaging Freedom to Marry Steering Committee Members as part of the VOE team of ambassadors.
- Developing and implementing effective speaker/ambassador training program.
- Developing key messages targeted for each audience for use by each VOE ambassadors.
- Proactively placing the Voice of Equality ambassadors in public venues and media opportunities.
- Cultivating potential venues and new opportunities for appearances of VOE ambassadors.
- Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage.
- Coordinating public appearances and media coverage of Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director to maximize impact of his field travel in reaching targeted audiences.
- Coordinating with Freedom to Marry’s website team to maximize the impact of the VOE program.
Media Relations Coordinator Position and Key Qualifications
Reporting to the Voices of Equality Program Manager and in coordination with the Executive Director, the Media Relations Coordinator is an integral part of the Voices of Equality team while also providing media management support for the entire Freedom to Marry organization. The Media Relations Coordinator is generally responsible for the following:
- Maximizing the impact of VOE ambassadors with target audiences through aggressive media placements and coverage
- Assisting in preparation and placement of op-eds and other such pieces for VOE
- Securing and coordinating media coverage for Freedom to Marry’s Executive Director
- Securing and coordinating media coverage for Steering Committee members
- Tracking print, broadcast and online coverage and preparing reports for both VOE placements and for Freedom to Marry as a whole
- Maintaining media relations on behalf of Freedom to Marry and movement partners
Ideal candidates for this position will have significant media management and communications experience, thrive on being a team player, excel at partnering with a strong visionary leader, and share a deep commitment to the organization’s core operating values and mission. The individual Freedom to Marry is seeking should have experience in media management and channels, message development and audience targeting and an understanding of media coverage and placement.
The candidate will bring a variety of experiences and attributes to the organization including, but not limited to the following:
- Record of effective involvement with a high profile ambassador or speakers bureau program.
- Proven ability to work well within structured and ad hoc teams
- Record of interacting well with strong, high profile civic and business leaders
- Dispute resolution and negotiation skills and the ability to facilitate creative and positive problem solving
- Demonstrated networking skills and the ability to sustain and build partnerships and collaborations with a wide variety of stakeholders and members of the media
- Record of developing and implementing media campaigns using free media
- Demonstrated experience in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal issues
- Strong analytical and planning skills
- Advanced written and oral communication skills
- Record of honesty and trustworthiness
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution required; advanced degree in media, marketing, or communication. Three years of experience in media, talent management, speakers bureau management.
The position is open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity and national origin, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, religious affiliation, etc.
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Ideally, the new Voices of Equality Media Relations Coordinator would be available to assume responsibilities for this full-time, New York City based, position as soon as possible.
Forward resumes and cover letters to:
Scott Davenport
Managing Director, Freedom to Marry
116 W. 23rd St Suite 500
New York, NY 10011
scott@freedomtomarry.org
Aging Policy Analyst
Position Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs
Summary
The Aging Policy Analyst works with other federal policy staff to identify changes to federal regulations and funding streams that will benefit LGBT elders. The Aging Policy Analyst is responsible for developing the Task Force's federal aging policy strategies and partnering with allied organizations to secure short-term and middle-term results. The Aging Policy Analyst will be a core part of the Washington, DC Task Force staff team that works to make changes within the federal government for the LGBT community.
Responsibilities: Work in coalition with SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and other national partner organizations, to identify federal policy fixes that would benefit LGBT seniors and that are attainable in the near to middle term. Among issues to consider:
- Amending the Older Americans Act (OAA) to include a definition of "vulnerable aging populations" or a non discrimination clause that would include race, gender and gender identities, religion, disability, sexual orientation, economic status etc, such as the model clause created by the American Society on Aging and submitted to the Policy Committee of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. This is an option only after the results of the 2008 national election.
- Working with the AoA to include sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS and gender identity in all future federally funded research and survey activities focused on aging, or to adopt "flexible" definitions of family in federally-funded aging programs.
- Working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to designate federal monies for "LGBT welcoming" low and middle income housing projects.
- Investigate getting language that would be inclusive of LGBT people in critical aging bills and appropriations.
- Incorporate the recommendations of the National Aging Roundtable into a thorough review of the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Veterans Administration, and other federal agencies in determining where opportunities exist.
- Identify potential changes to laws such as the Older Americans Act, changes to policies of federal departments and agencies, as well as new funding opportunities that Congress can support through appropriations bills in coming sessions of Congress.
SAGE and the Task Force will jointly engage SAGE affiliates and other LGBT aging organizations around the country to provide input on priority needs and build geographically-diverse community support where necessary to achieve identified policy changes.
At the end of the review of federal policies, share a detailed "agenda" of the LGBT community's aging needs and priorities with national and local partners working alongside SAGE and the Task Force to advance the needs of LGBT elders by making changes within the federal government.
Work with other Task Force federal policy staff to identify policy changes that can be recommended to federal agencies as part of a transition between Administrations.
Participate in conferences and workshops that relate to aging policy.
Contribute to Task Force publications that seek to educate the LGBT community about the possibilities of changing federal laws, policies and funding streams to benefit the LGBT aging community, in particular the rewrite of "Outing Age."
Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs.
Qualifications:
A minimum of three years full-time experience in developing federal policy initiatives and working to identify funding streams and opportunities for policy changes within federal agencies.
A minimum of three years full-time experience working as a leader within the aging community.
Excellent research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills required, including public speaking.
Ability to conduct accurate research and analysis in a fast-paced advocacy setting.
Well organized and self-directed and able to handle multiple tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
Demonstrated experience working in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement or allied social justice movements preferred.
A minimum two-year commitment is expected.
TO APPLY: Send letter and resume in the body of an e-mail (no attached files) to hr@TheTaskForce.org. The Task Force is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and women are encouraged to apply.
Field Organizer / Senior Field Organizer
SNAPSHOT: This is a career in social justice that is fast and furiously intense, a career where you'll learn to organize to defeat anti-gay ballot measures and to pass pro-LGBT legislation, become an expert at recruiting and training hundreds of volunteers, and build large-scale volunteer-driven campaigns that change the mind of America on issues impacting the LGBT community.
ABOUT THE TASK FORCE: Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national organization working to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people at the local, state and national level. The Task Force trains activists and leaders and organizes broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation. The Task Force Policy Institute, the community's premiere think tank, researches and reports on critical political issues. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, we are creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity and where all people may fully participate in society.
ABOUT THE POSITION: We are currently seeking to fill up to two positions in the Organizing & Training Department. We will hire either at the level of Field Organizer or Senior Field Organizer; the difference in title and salary is related to the experience the applicant brings to bear. Each Field Organizer / Senior Field Organizer will work as part of a dynamic field team on issues of importance to the LGBT community. Under the supervision of the Director of Organizing and Training, these full-time positions start April 1, 2008 and will be based in one of three principal offices of the Task Force (New York City, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Collaborate with Task Force staff in different offices and departments on priority projects. Current high priorities include helping communities under attack from right-wing extremist groups defeat anti-LGBT ballot measures; preserving the possibility of and advancing same-sex marriage rights; and partnering with state and local communities seeking to enact equality legislation through grassroots organizing.
- Create and lead training related to grassroots organizing around anti-LGBT ballot measures and pro-LGBT legislation, both in the field and at actions and conferences including the Task Force's Creating Change conference.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Organizing and Training.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Organizing and Training Ability - demonstrated experience in grassroots organizing including experience in tactics such as in-person volunteer recruitment; and direct voter contact through door-to-door canvassing, and phone banking.
- Attention to Measurable Results - enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful social change.
- Ability to be a Team Player - enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Openness and Thirst for Learning - strong desire to excel as an organizer.
- Work Ethic - Willingness to work evening and weekend hours when projects demand it.
- Knowledge of and great curiosity about all aspects of the LGBT community.
- Ability and desire to travel extensively - a minimum of at least 10 days per month and possibly more.
- Ability to recruit, motivate, train, and support volunteers and staff.
- Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated capacity and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, real or perceived gender identity, and physical ability is an important practiced value.
COMPENSATION: $32,640 to $48,000 per year (Field Organizer); $44,000 to $58,000 per year (Senior Field Organizer). Both provide excellent benefits.
TO APPLY: Send letter and resume in the body of an e-mail (no attached files) to hr@TheTaskForce.org. The Task Force is an equal opportunity employer. People of color and women are encouraged to apply.
For more information, go the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
