Organizer

THE ORGANIZATION: TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide people’s network that brings democracy alive in communities across our state. We connect individuals and organizations to each other, creating a powerful force that makes change happen where it wasn’t possible before. Since its founding ten years ago, TakeAction Minnesota has grown its breadth and depth. Our membership has grown 10-fold and touches every legislative district in the state. Our social media presence is robust. Our grassroots leadership is well-trained and shapes and implements the strategy of our various campaigns. As a result, TakeAction Minnesota has a track record of increasingly bold victories that change people’s lives for the better: the defeat of a photo ID constitutional amendment, massive public health care expansions, ban the box legislation, winning back $100million from HMOs, more than $400 million in corporate tax loopholes now closed, grassroots leaders running for – and winning – elected office.

POSITION SUMMARY: This organizer will work with our organizing team to powerfully connect grassroots organizing, issue campaigns, and electoral politics in order to win real change in our state by building power with women of color in Minnesota and connecting them to the rest of TakeAction’s work. They will develop an active team of women of color who are growing as leaders and taking action on electoral and issue campaigns alongside other TakeAction organizers, leaders, members, and allies, guiding our work, bringing new ideas, and creating a greater vision for women of color in Minnesota. The organizer will reach out to women of color through electoral campaigns to activate them as voters and engage them in our work, and deeply invest in the leadership development of a core team of women of color through base-building, political education, and narrative development.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES — Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Use organizing tools (canvassing, doorknocking, phonebanking, one-to-one’s, powerful asks, etc.) to engage women of color in our work, develop deep relationships with them, and support their leadership.
• Identify, recruit, train, and move women of color activists into regular action and positions of leadership throughout our campaigns, supporting their leadership to guide how they engage with campaigns and how we center racial and gender justice in our campaigns.
• Invest in and develop a core team of women of color leaders through intentional leadership development. Support leaders in building their own bases with organizing tools (propositions, trainings, accountability, agitations, etc.), facilitate political education to deepen a shared analysis of the structural barriers facing our communities, engage them in leading campaigns, and continuing to build a greater vision for our women of color organizing during and after the elections.
• Plan and lead effective organizing meetings and trainings with the core team to build community, develop leadership, and move work forward.
• Work with the organizing team to manage and meet our electoral goals: build relationships among our leaders and candidates, meet shift goals, talk with voters and volunteers on the doors and phones, recruit shifts from your base and from volunteer recruitment calls, manage shift logistics, build community among volunteers, create scripts, train volunteers, pull phone and door lists, etc.
• Develop and meet goals for each of these responsibilities, and update organizational database systems with member and event information as a way to ensure and track successful completion of goals, understanding of challenges, and development of troubleshooting plans.
• Work with other staff to plan and execute cross-organizational events, grassroots fundraising and new member cultivation, communications plans, digital outreach plans, trainings, and other issue campaign actions.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year of experience organizing others, whether through community organizing, electoral politics, issue advocacy, or by being active in your community, and a proven track record of delivery and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• A natural sense of curiosity about people and the ability to relate to them. Experience initiating conversations with community members about their stories, hopes, fears, and challenges, and a willingness to be bold in conversations with strangers and volunteers.
• Experience facilitating meetings, trainings, and/or group gatherings that move people to action.
• Ability to pay attention to the details, be vigilant about tracking goal progress, and meet deadlines. Computer literacy and experience with MS Office Suite.
• Willingness to speak up, suggest new ideas, receive feedback, adjust plans to ensure successful completion of goals, and be part of the solution.
• Excellent communications skills through a variety of channels, including written and oral.
• A relational leader and good team player, able to work with a broad team of staff and grassroots leaders, work well with others in a coalition setting, and motivate diverse groups of people. Ability to practice showing up for co-workers with consistent follow-through and good communication.
• A demonstrated commitment to economic, racial, and gender justice and commitment to progressive political change.
• Enthusiastically promote TakeAction Minnesota’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures, and have a deep investment in our shared agenda for change.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

A valid Minnesota State Driver’s License is required and access to a reliable vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours that include evenings and weekends, and work extended hours to accomplish requirements of the position.

DURATION:

This position is funded through November 15^th, 2016, with the possibility of extension if more funding is secured.

SALARY/BENEFITS/OTHER INFORMATION

• Salary: $38,500. This position is a member of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild unit and salary is based on its contract.
• Full medical insurance, dental insurance, retirement packages.
• Ongoing leadership development of staff, including access to relevant trainings and conferences.

REPORTS TO & LOCATION

• This position reports directly to the Deputy Organizing Director. Position is located in our St. Paul Office but will require occasional travel.

HOW TO APPLY

Send electronic cover letter, resume and three references attention Amanda Otero, Deputy Organizing Director, care of tyler@takeactionminnesota.org  with the subject line ORGANIZER by no later than 11:59pm on May 20^th, 2016.

NO PHONE CALLS or EMAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

TakeAction Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBT individuals, and women.

- See more at: http://www.takeactionminnesota.org/about-us/job-postings/organizer/#stha...