Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund
Organizer – Fund Healthcare Not Warfare
Across the nation millions of health care workers are under great stress and direct danger. The 140 million poor and low wealth Americans are at significant health and economic risk. Hundreds of articles, interviews, webinars and broadcasts call attention to the nation’s failure to properly invest in the healthcare and public health systems. Even the Republicans in Congress voted for the radical trillion-dollar stimulus. But silence on the diversion of trillions of taxpayers’ dollars to the war machine continues.
Now is the time to make common cause with folks on the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak, by putting forward clearly the need to Fund Public Health Not Foreign Wars; More Nurses, Fewer Nukes.
The organizer will work part time from approximately September 2020 to January 2021. The work is supported by a $6,000 grant from the Agape Foundation.
We are a collaborative workplace and welcome your experience and ideas. We are looking for someone who has worked on an organizing project or campaign and is looking to take that experience to the next level. We welcome background in areas of justice work beyond the peace movement. The most important qualities are shared values and an organizing mindset. We are happy to orient you to the specifics of the issues and you do not need to come in as an expert
Responsibilities
Build the Committee
Work with the existing campaign committee to sustain and grow the committee.
Coalition Building
Together with the committee, write a Fund Healthcare Not Warfare declaration, calling for both COVID relief packages and military budget cuts, designed for economic and social justice organizations to sign.
Engage allied organizations to sign the declaration. Arrange presentations to their key staff and boards. Try to bring them into the coalition.
Political and Legislative
Follow debate at the federal and state level for better COVID relief packages. Write, post and send out action alerts and statements to mobilize supporters.
Education
Continue the Fund Healthcare Not Warfare webinar series to build awareness and build our e-list.
Help organize a Forum on Fund Healthcare not Warfare with the partners recruited.
Media campaign
Develop a media campaign that raises the issue of military spending and related issues, in contrast with healthcare and other COVID relief spending, in Boston-area media outlets – print, television, and radio – through op-eds, talk shows, and letters to the editor
Desired Skills and Experience
Self-starter, motivated, organized
Experienced at organizing effective advocacy campaigns and political campaigns
Experience working with media and establishing media contacts would be welcome
Motivating and organizing volunteers
Organize and lead meetings
Writing: Synthesize issues into accessible documents, handouts, advocacy messages and talking points
Computer: Google Drive/ Docs, EveryAction, Zoom
Terms of employment
This is a part time, hourly position. Compensation will be an hourly rate for 15-20 hours a week with a total compensation of roughly $5,500. Taxes will be withheld and income reported on a W-2.
Supervision
The Organizer reports to MAPA EF’s Executive Director and to the chair of the Fund Healthcare Not Warfare campaign committee.
You are expected to initiate and carry out projects, work closely with supervisors and committee on your plans, receive assignments and accept direction. In case of a conflict you may consult with the Massachusetts Peace Action board’s Personnel Committee for problem solving.
To Apply
Send resume, cover letter and a sample of your work to Cole Harrison, Executive Director, cole@masspeaceaction.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received by August 28. We hope to select a candidate and start work shortly after Sept. 1.
People of color and members of marginalized groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
Rev. 8/13/2020