Environmental Justice Community Organizer position

Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island (EJLRI)
Community Organizer


The Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island (EJLRI) seeks an experienced community organizer who is ready to take on responsibility for developing the CARE Alliance in Providence, RI and for building the strength of our organization. CARE stands for Community Action for a Renewed Environment, a project to assess environmental justice issues in Providence and developing a plan to address them.

Duties Include:

* Identifying and recruiting new members by planning and implementing outreach strategies and building relationships. This will include outreach to, and collaborations with, a diverse selection of community-based and governmental organizations.
* Organizing, coordinating, and facilitating community meetings and committee meetings.
* Developing and using instruments to measure the effectiveness of all activities related to the CARE Alliance including: recruitment, training, and communication of issues and outcomes.
* Conducting research, maintaining databases, analyzing data, and preparing reports to EPA and EJLRI on the CARE Alliance activities.
* Taking on key roles in developing the overall capacity of the organization.
* Assisting in the development of funding proposals to sustain and expand program activities.
* Assisting with duties such as member renewal, special events, and routine office tasks, as needed.
* Hours will include some evenings and weekends, as needed.



Qualifications Include:

* Experience and passion for working towards social justice and improving the lives of low income and/or minority people.
* Proven experience in the planning, organizing and implementing grassroots advocacy campaigns including effective outreach, recruitment and mobilization techniques and strategies.
* Ability to work independently and cooperatively with volunteers, members, and Board of Directors in a culturally diverse environment.
* Proficiency in another language other than English is a plus.
* Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience in preparing and delivering public presentations.
* Proven team player with effective interpersonal skills, such as leadership and team building.
* Ability to design a work plan, prioritize and meet goals.
* Experience with database systems and grants management highly desirable. Knowledge of Word and Excel programs also desirable.
* Familiarity and/or experience with environmental and public health issues.


Salary for the position is $39,000/year plus health benefits. This position is funded for 2 years. Start date projected for November 10, 2008. Send resume and cover letter (preferably by email) by October 15, 2008 to:

Personnel Committee
c/o ECRI
PO Box 9061
Providence, RI 02940
resume@ejlri.org

The Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island (EJLRI) is an alliance of individuals and organizations working together to promote environmental justice (EJ) in Rhode Island through advocacy, education, networking, organizing, and research. The Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island developed out of the Providence Environmental Justice Forum, which had held a series of education meetings for three years where environmental justice and other environmental activists shared their efforts and built a friendly network. With a $50,000 EPA Healthy Communities grant, we conducted education and outreach activities in Providence on environmental justice, and sponsored a major statewide environmental justice conference in November 2007, attended by 75 people. Conference participants followed up with a meeting in December of 2007, where the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island (EJLRI), was formed. The EJLRI has a vibrant set of people representing a wide range of community-based organizations and health providers, and has much potential to play a leading role in improving environmental health in our state. The EJLRI developed sufficient infrastructure and membership in a short time, enabling us to write a successful EPA CARE grant proposal ($100,000, awarded in 2008). The EJLRI’s first major public presence was at a large press conference/rally in May 2008 at the RI Supreme Court, where an appeal was heard on the RI Attorney General’s nationally significant lead paint suit.
The EJLRI has much of its origins in activism around building schools on contaminated sites in communities of color. In addition to continuing that work, we are engaged in statewide efforts for environmental justice guidelines for brownfields, and for broader environmental justice policies in the state. Through the CARE grant we will conduct a two-year assessment of EJ needs in Providence, and write a larger level-2 CARE grant to attain those needs. We will be presenting our “What is EJ?” slideshow to many civic, educational, and community groups, in order to build broad awareness of EJ. Our membership consists of both unafilliated individuals and activists with specific connection to like-minded organizations. We have an office in the building that houses the Childhood Lead Action Project.

Student Liaison Update

As far as I know the contract negotiations with the janitors went well.

YAY for a success story!

Currently, we are working on reassembling those involved in last semesters open letter so that we can continue to discuss our concerns with the administration and board of trustees. Thanks to all members of TPAN who supported us in that effort and signed the letter.

As you may have heard the director of the LGBT Center left Tufts for a job at Emory. Her replacement will start in a few weeks. I am very interested to see what his priorities will be and how he will work with the social justice community. New directors have also been hired and have started at the Women's Center and Africana Center (we like to think the open-letter contributed to these positions FINALLY being fulfilled). I am equally interested in the contributions of these two new directors.
There have been some recent concerns about trans issues on campus. An area that I pay special attention to (as I identify with that community).

Based on my experience, I have my own personal concerns regarding the lack of awareness and openness of administrative officials to trans issues, and I think this could become a flashpoint issue.

Finally, many of us have been working hard on Carl Sciortino's re-election campaign. I know I have hit the streets of Somerville to knock on doors for Carl and so have many other progressive Tufts students. With the primary this Tuesday, I hope everyone who lives in the district will make it to the polls and write in Carl!
Sorry for the lateness of this update and its brevity. If there is anything TPAN would like me to pass along to the open-letter coalition or other groups on campus (Tufts Dems, The Centers of 6 etc) let me know.

Peace,
Sofia Nelson
TPAN Student Liaison

Chinese Progressive Association Youth/Community Outreach Coordinator

Job Posting September 2008

Full-time Youth/Community Outreach Coordinator

ORGANIZATION'S MISSION:

The Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) is a grassroots community organization, founded in 1977, which works for full equality and empowerment of the Greater Boston and New England Chinese community. Our activities seek to improve the living and working standards of Chinese Americans and to involve ordinary community members in making the decisions which affect our lives.

CPA is seeking a youth coordinator to assist in staffing the Chinese Youth Initiative (CYI) program and internship. CYI seeks to provide avenues for Chinese American youths to develop community awareness, involvement and leadership through a summer internship for high school-aged youth and year-round workshops, field trips, and community organizing projects.

DUTIES:

- Work to develop the leadership potential of youth participants

- Conduct community/youth outreach activities

- Coordinate and implement internship program for high school-aged youth, including an introductory Asian American studies curriculum, workshops, discussions, field trips, and hands-on projects

- Link youth and volunteers with community organizing campaigns

- Assist with program fundraising

- Support other CPA services and activities

- Assist with CPA's civic engagement work: voter registration, education, outreach, and record-keeping

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Committed to the empowerment of youth and community members

- Strong communication skills

- Community organizing experience helpful

- Self-starting and accountable, able to be a team player

- Bilingual in Cantonese, Toishanese, or Mandarin preferred

COMPENSATION:

Starting salary range based on FTE of $28,000 - $32,000, depending on experience and education, plus benefits. Generous holidays. CPA is an equal opportunity employer.

SUBMIT RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO:
Lisette Le, Youth Coordinator

Chinese Progressive Association
28 Ash Street, Boston, MA 02111

If you would like to submit your cover letter and resume electronically, you can email lisette@cpaboston.org, with "Youth/Community Outreach Coordinator" in the subject line. Please note that if you are going to send your cover letter and resume electronically, that we would also like for you to send a hard copy in the mail to ensure receipt.

Position open until filled

ASPIRE Youth Leadership Program

Asian Sisters Participating in Reaching Excellence (ASPIRE) is excited to be starting the fourth year of our Youth Leadership Program (YLP). A leadership development program specifically tailored to the needs of underserved Asian American high school girls, YLP provides participants with mentorship, leadership training, and direct leadership experience.

Through a competitive application process, ASPIRE will select up to 20 young women from various Boston area high schools to become 2008-2009 YLP Scholars. Throughout the school year, they will work with numerous mentors to gain practical leadership experience and will actively participate in ASPIRE and YLP programs. Participants will serve on Advisory Group committees and help develop other ASPIRE programs, such as the annual Asian American Women in Leadership Conference. They will also serve as ASPIRE Ambassadors, working to educate their peers and communities about ASPIRE's mission. These experiences will ultimately help participants in their college application process, personal growth, and career and goal development.

As we launch this year's Youth Leadership Program, we are asking educators (e.g., teachers, guidance counselors, club advisors, etc.) at Boston area high schools and community organizations to help spread the word to Asian American young women you know, and also to serve as liaisons between their schools/organizations and ASPIRE. If you have any questions about the program or referrals for YLP Scholars, or are willing to be a school or organization contact, please contact ASPIRE Executive Director Leslie Wang at leslie@girlsaspire.org.

Please let promising young Asian American women in your community know about YLP! Details about the program and a link to this year's application can also be found at www.girlsaspire.org/ylp

Please note that this year's application deadline is September 29, 2008 (postmark deadline).

Virtual Paint the Cannon

Best thing the Tufts Fund has done, maybe ever:

http://paintthecannon.com/

Post links to your cannons in the comments. Enjoy!