2008 Summer Organizing Fellowship

June 9, 2008–August 15, 2008

What is the Organizing & Training department?

Our Organizing & Training team partners with leaders, organizations, and campaigns to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in measurable ways at the state and local level.

As the LGBT community’s most experienced corps of trainers and organizers, we provide practical, in-the-trenches support to win elections, defeat anti-LGBT ballot measures and stop anti-LGBT legislation.

What is the Organizing & Training Fellowship?

This is not your average fellowship.

The O&T Fellowship is a social justice fellowship that's fast and furiously intense. You'll learn to organize to defeat anti-LGBT ballot measures, get real campaign experience, and recruit hundreds of volunteers to build large-scale grassroots campaigns that change voters’ minds and hearts about the lives of LGBT people.

Fellows will work as part of a dynamic field team based in high priority campaigns around the country.

O&T fellows will:

• Recruit, train and motivate volunteers to understand and then carry out actions.
• Talk face-to-face with voters about issues of importance to the LGBT community.
• Create and lead training related to organizing action, in the field as well as at meetings, conferences, and events.
• Collaborate with Task Force staff nationwide on Task Force priority projects.
• Travel an average of 15 days a month to local communities, helping them build political power.

Stipend and Placement

Summer fellows are paid a stipend of $500 per week. The summer 2008 term runs from June through August with a possible November extension. Organizing fellows work out of our offices in New York, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles, or are placed in high-priority states working to defeat anti-LGBT ballot measures or pass pro-LGBT legislation. Summer organizers are responsible for their own housing and living expenses.

Qualifications

Applicants interested should have:

• Openness and thirst for learning; strong desire to excel as an organizer, even if it means unlearning some things.
• Enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful social change.
• Enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and responsible self-starter.
• Excellent listening, speaking and writing skills.
• Knowledge of and great curiosity about all aspects of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
• Ability and desire to travel. This fellowship requires extensive time on the road.
• Willingness to work evening and weekend hours when projects demand it.
• Capacity and desire to work in a multicultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and physical ability is an important institutional value.

To apply

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter outlining your motivation in applying for the fellowship
2. Resume
3. Contact information for three references
4. Your college transcript (if applicable)

Applications must be received by Sunday, March 30, 2008. Decisions will be made and communicated by Monday, April 28, 2008.

Step 1: Send cover letter, resume and references in the body of an e-mail to jsage@theTaskForce.org [1]. Verify your e-mail address by replying to the auto response.

Step 2: Mail college transcript (if applicable) to:

Jovan Sage — O&T Fellowship Program
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1504
New York, NY 10038

Questions? Contact Jovan Sage, field organizer at jsage@theTaskForce.org [2], or call 646.358.1483.

The Task Force is an equal opportunity employer. Women, transgender people, and people of color are especially encouraged to apply.