[Antiracism] AFSC CT Hiring Program Coordinator -- Job

[American Friends Service Committee]

JOB TITLE: Connecticut Program Coordinator (Community Organizer)
LOCATION: The program is statewide and based in Hartford
SUPERVISOR: New England Regional Director of Programs
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF RESUMES: April 18, 2006


INTRODUCTION: The American Friends Service Committee, established in 1917, 
is a Quaker-based organization that conducts social change, service, and 
education programs across the United States and internationally.  AFSC work 
is rooted in the testimonies and principles of the Society of Friends 
(Quakers.)  It seeks to eliminate the causes of war, oppression and 
injustice and to promote understanding and reconciliation among people 
holding differing views.  AFSC's commitment to nonviolence is integral to 
all of its work.

The New England Regional Office (NERO) of AFSC operates programs for 
justice, peace, and youth development in the six-state New England Region.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CONNECTICUT PROGRAM:  The Connecticut program, 
begun in 1973, is based in Hartford and works throughout the state. 
AFSC-CT's program work focuses on three major areas: peacebuilding and 
demilitarization, social justice, and youth empowerment work. The program 
works primarily with and through community-based networks and coalitions, 
while also developing its constituencies, taking initiatives on its own as 
necessary, and organizing independent AFSC events.

AFSC-CT strives for social change and anti-racist education through all its 
program commitments and activities. Connecticut AFSC plays a critical and 
unique role in building and supporting the peace movement and related 
networks and coalitions, and is relied on to provide the glue - and some of 
the inspiration - to hold the peace movement together. It co-founded and is 
a lead partner in Connecticut United for Peace and works closely with 
community-based peace and disarmament organizations.  In recent years, 
AFSC-CT's social justice commitments have deepened and expanded.  In 
addition to long-term work to oppose the death penalty, the program has 
become more active in support of community-based immigrant rights work, 
urban economic and social justice issues, and LGBT rights initiatives and 
advocacy.  The program's youth work is currently focused on 
counter-military recruitment, and support of youth-led initiatives


RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Initiate, coordinate, support, and provide leadership for coalitions, 
networks and campaigns on a local and state-wide basis, concentrating on 
U.S. foreign military interventions (currently Iraq); preparations for war; 
elimination of the causes of war; social and economic justice. Activities 
include - in part - mobilization; production of resources; organizing 
lobbying; sponsoring speaking tours; and organizing workshops, conferences, 
and popular education initiatives.

Network with community-based peace and justice activists and community, 
religious, and school-based organizations across the state.

Maintain and creatively use the program's web page, e-mail lists and online 
community calendar to augment organizing; emit action alerts; and connect 
and unite different constituencies in the state.

Provide support for the AFSC-CT Program Committee, helping it to become a 
more diverse and fully engaged body.

Identify and develop constituency. Work with the Program Committee to 
identify, nurture, and develop key constituencies as the program's base, 
including Quakers, youth, urban justice activists, peace movement activists.

Provide public communication, including serving as the spokesperson for 
AFSC in Connecticut, working with the print and electronic media, editing 
and producing the program's newsletters (electronic & hard copy).

Fundraise a significant portion of the AFSC-CT program budget in 
collaboration with the Program Committee.  This includes producing two 
direct mail fundraising appeals per year, organizing annual fundraising 
events, writing grants to support AFSC-CT's program.

Administer and manage the operations of the Hartford office. This includes 
budgeting and basic recordkeeping; regular reporting of financial and 
program work; handling of mail and telephone communication; attracting, 
supervising, managing, and supporting interns and volunteers; meeting and 
coordinating regularly with supervisor; and attending New England AFSC 
staff and appropriate committee meetings.


QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated understanding of the theory and practice of nonviolence and 
commitment to its use as a means of effecting social and political change

Demonstrated history of inclusive and successful networking, organizing and 
coalition work with diverse communities

General familiarity with current peace and justice issues and related 
organizations and organizing campaigns

Ability to maintain an office, including familiarity with office equipment 
and procedures; computer literacy

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to work with Quaker process, including consultation and 
decision-making by consensus; ability to work cooperatively with other AFSC 
staff and Friends Meetings

Ability to recruit, supervise, and work cooperatively with volunteers and 
interns

Familiarity with Connecticut communities, political culture, and social 
change dynamics an asset

Valid driver's license and access to a car

Ability to manage time and energy effectively

Ability to set personal limits



SALARY:  The salary depends on experience; excellent fringe benefits 
include health and dental insurance; dependent allowance; four weeks paid 
vacation; sick and personal days; etc.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  Submit resume and letter of interest by April 18th 
to Phyllis Cohen Gately at: 2161 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, 
or (Fax) 617-354-2832, or        (e-mail) pcohengately at afsc.org.

The AFSC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  People of 
Color; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people; people with 
disabilities; and ex-prisoners are especially encouraged to apply.  All 
applicants will be considered on the basis of their qualifications.  The 
New England Regional office of the AFSC is a unionized workplace. This 
position is included in the bargaining unit.

"Peace is all around us.  It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of 
practice."  ~ Thich Nhat Hanh


Jo Comerford
American Friends Service Committee, Western Massachusetts
140 Pine Street, Room 10
Florence, Massachusetts 01062
413.584.8975 (W)
413.584.8987 (F)
413.695.6059 (C)
afsc at crocker.com
www.WesternMassAFSC.org

New Resource:
Ten Reasons Why the US Must Leave Iraq:
http://www.afsc.org/iraq/activism/10-reasons.pdf
http://www.afsc.org/iraq/activism/10-reasons.htm (Text)