[act-ma] Boston CISPES is hiring a Chapter Coordinator

[boston cispes]

**PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY**

Boston CISPES is hiring a Chapter Coordinator!
Location: 2161 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
Application Deadline: until position filled
Start Date: August 2009
Contact: Lisa Fuller; 617.650.8138



ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Boston CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador) is
the local Boston chapter of a national, grassroots, solidarity organization.
We have been working since 1980 in solidarity with the FMLN (Farabundo Marti
National Liberation Front) and the Salvadoran social justice movement to
promote an alternative to the oppressive US-backed policies of the
Salvadoran right-wing.  Today the struggle for a more just society in El
Salvador has arrived at a new era, with the democratic election of FMLN
president Mauricio Funes this past March‹the first leftist head of state in
the country¹s history.  Now is an incredibly optimistic time in El Salvador
for those who have endured decades of right-wing repression and
poverty-inducing policies.  The next few years will a rugged test for the
new administration and the social movement as they work to tackle a bankrupt
government, corrupt institutions, and a stubborn right-wing opposition to
enact transformative democratic and economic policies.  CISPES will be
accompanying our allies through this new and difficult phase of the
struggle, and as always we will be ready to rally against efforts by the US
government to undermine the sovereignty of El Salvador.

Boston CISPES mobilizes and organizes volunteer activists to carry out
national CISPES campaigns supporting the social justice movement in El
Salvador and in opposition to US economic and military aggression, and
political intervention in Latin America.  In addition to coordinating
speaking tours, delegations to El Salvador, educational events and public
protests, CISPES raises money for radical organizing in El Salvador,
directly supporting the grassroots organizing efforts of labor unions,
feminist organizations, and the broader social movement organizations that
are leading important struggles against repression and neoliberal policies.

CISPES is supported almost entirely by grassroots fundraising efforts,
receiving over 95% of funding from individuals.  We see fundraising as an
integral part of organizing, and seek to make our work self-sustainable by
building and maintaining relationships with a strong base of politically and
socially aware supporters.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteer Coordination ­ Recruiting and coordinating local chapter
volunteers is the heart of the position.  Working with new contacts to bring
them into the committee; developing political consciousness and organizing
skills among the members; developing members¹ capacity to carry out the work
of the committee, and eventually teach others those skills, is a large focus
of the position.

Program Coordination ­ Working with Boston members and the CISPES national
organization to implement national and local program.  Coordinating projects
such as the Fall Tour with Salvadoran movement leaders; recruiting
participants for national CISPES delegations to El Salvador and other
national gatherings; coordinating grassroots outreach; participating in
local coalition-building and working with allied groups to carry out more
effective campaigns; coordinating Congressional pressure campaigns and
legislative meetings; leading street actions; organizing public educational
events, fundraising events and parties.

Fundraising ­ Supervise and implement a chapter development plan to meet the
chapter¹s financial needs.   The fundraising programs in place include
sustainers, individual donors, fundraising events and funding requests from
institutions.  These programs are carried out by the chapter members and
supervised by the coordinator, who will coordinate activities such as
phoning for contributions, sending out regular appeal letters, organizing
major donor fundraisers, and pitching event attendees for donations.

Media­ Ensuring outreach to the general public and media outlets--in English
and Spanish--for CISPES program and events. Coordinate the preparation of
media materials and outreach to media outlets, including writing/sending
press releases, prepping interview talking points, writing articles or
letters to the editor; organize press conferences.

Administration ­ Staffing the office, creating and overseeing the
maintenance of office systems such as the member database, computers, phones
and financial books; maintaining chapter materials and equipment such as
banners, merchandise, flyers, books and movies.

Since chapter members often work full-time day jobs or are enrolled in
school, many committee activities fall on nights and weekends. The
coordinator is expected to participate in all aspects of chapter work,
attend chapter gatherings, coalition meetings, trainings, and other relevant
events as necessary to carry out chapter work.  The coordinator is
accountable to the chapter membership and is expected to meet regularly with
chapter members to coordinate activities, assess progress and development of
the program, projects, events etc.

Other responsibilities could include:

·      Occasional travel to El Salvador as a delegate (or coordinator) with
national CISPES delegations

·      Attending & involvement in organizing national CISPES gatherings such
as the bi-annual Convention and internal educational gatherings like Summer
Camp and Political School

·      Attending trainings for activists in basic political, organizational,
and program-related skills

·      Attending & facilitating workshops at regional or national
progressive gatherings like the US Social Forum and the Latin American
Solidarity Coalition (LASC) Conference


QUALIFICATIONS:

·      1 year of grassroots organizing experience

·      Grassroots fundraising experience, or a strong desire and ability to
learn fundraising skills quickly

·      Experience with collective group functioning

·      Highly organized and self-motivated

·      Ability to meet frequent deadlines and work under pressure in a
healthy way

·      Flexibility to travel occasionally

·      Working knowledge of the impact of US policies internationally,
particularly in El Salvador and Latin America.  This includes understanding
of globalization, neoliberalism and movements creating resistance and
alternatives to those policies

·      Strong personal identification and dedication to political activism
and social justice work

·      Familiarity with the organizing of other progressive groups and a
working knowledge of US social movements

·      Basic computer skills: Microsoft Office, internet research, email
software

·      1 year commitment, minimum

 

STRONGLY DESIRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED:

·      Bilingual in Spanish and English

·      Experience in supporting leadership and skills development in
activists

·      Experience with media work

·      Working knowledge of graphic design and database management software

 

SALARY: 

Half-time (20-25hrs a week), $12,260/yr plus health benefits. Two weeks paid
vacation after 6 months, 4 weeks after one year.  Extra stipend available
for people with children.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Send a letter (details below) and a detailed description of your relevant
organizing experience by mail, email or fax to:

Boston CISPES
2161 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140

Email: boscispes at speakeasy.net

Fax: (617) 661-0829

Your 1-2 page letter should address:

·      Your conception of solidarity and why you are/want to be a solidarity
organizer

·      Why you would like to work with CISPES

·      What strengths and experiences in organization building that you
bring to the position

·      Which areas you would like to improve while working as coordinator

·      Any other relevant information you want us to know about you

Call Lisa Fuller (current coordinator) with questions: (617) 650-8138

CISPES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER:
People of color, women, gays, lesbians, transgender and gender
non-conforming people, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to
apply.

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