USAction Education Fund Organizing Fellowship

USAction Education Fund (USAEF), a national leader in increasing civic and voter participation among traditionally under-represented constituencies, is seeking applicants for a progressive Organizing Fellowship, paying $10,000 for 20 weeks of full-time work, July 20th - December 4th, 2009.

USAEF Fellows will take part in a 4-day training and orientation. They will learn how organizers choose issues; develop strategy; asses their own organizational power and that of their targets, allies, and opponents; recruit constituents and move into action (costs for the training, including room/board and transportation, are covered). Fellows will then work with USAEF state affiliates in designated states across the country. The Midwest Academy, a national training institute for community organizing, will coordinate the orientation and provide ongoing training and mentoring. Fellows will work as part of the USAEF campaign to frame the public debate about our national budget and economic security in under-represented communities, helping develop the longer-term conversation about the need to invest in America's future. This will involve community outreach and other organizing tasks, focused in communities of color and other traditionally under-represented constituencies.

Applicants should have some organizing experience, either paid or volunteer. Strong preference will be given to fellows who are currently living in the locations where they will be working. Fellows must have housing in the area; it is not provided. The work will also require that fellows have a car (mileage will be reimbursed). Both the Academy and USAEF will provide job search assistance at the end of the fellowship for qualified and interested fellows.

Download the application to apply. USAEF will place fellows in the following states: Rhode Island (Providence); New York (Syracuse); Maine (Portland); North Dakota (Bismarck); Missouri (Kansas City); Oregon (Medford); Wisconsin (Milwaukee); and Washington (Seattle).

The deadline for applications is June 30th. Likely candidates will be interviewed by phone as applications are received. Decisions will be made by July 6th, and the training will begin July 20th.