Spaces Still Available: Nov. 3-6 UFE ToT Institute in Minnesota

Spaces Still Available: Nov. 3-6 UFE ToT Institute in Minnesota
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There are still a few spaces available at our November 3-6 Training of Trainers Institute (ToT) in South Haven, MN. This is an opportunity for social and economic justice leaders, organizers, educators and activists to build a stronger analysis of economic issues and enhanced ability to communicate about those issues. We hope you'll  apply today to reserve a space. If you have already applied, THANK YOU, and please share this event announcement with others in your network who you feel may be interested in this opportunity.

UFE's Popular Economics Education Institute

An intensive Training of Trainers program for activists working for social & economic justice

This Institute prepares people to lead UFE’s popular economics education workshop, and helps build support for campaigns to reduce economic inequality.

EVENT DETAILS —

Date:

Thursday, Nov. 3, 3:00 p.m. – Sunday, Nov. 6, 1:30 P.M.
Application deadline is October 21, 2011

Location:

Koinonia Retreat Center
South Haven, MN
(90 minutes northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul)

About this Institute:

UFE's Senior Education Coordinators, Jeannette Huezo and Steve Schnapp, will train you in how to lead UFE-style popular economics education workshops that educate, inspire, and mobilize people to take political action.

It is right for you if you are:

• An organizer, leader, activist, teacher, or trainer engaged in campaigns for economic or social justice, or
• If you are seeking to improve your training and facilitation skills in order to more effectively present information and engage people in dialogue about the economy.

You will learn about:

• National economic trends, the rules and policies that contributed to the Great Recession & the jobless recovery;
• The impacts of economic policies in terms of race and gender;
• Some history about popular resistance to economic inequality in the U.S.;
• Strategies to advance the economic recovery and to close the economic divides; and
• Principles and practices of popular education.

You will have opportunities to:

• Work in small groups to plan and practice leading either UFE's or original popular economics education workshop activities;
• Receive constructive feedback on how to effectively present workshops and lead productive discussions on economic inequality; 
• Discuss how to best adapt UFE's materials to your communities and constituents;
• Practice responding to challenging questions and difficult workshop situations; and
• Network, build solidarity and open doors for collaboration with others working for economic justice.

Schedule:

• Participants should arrive at the Koinonia Retreat Center on Thursday, Nov. 3, between 3:00 and 6:00 pm for registration. 
• The program begins after dinner on Thursday and concludes after lunch on Sunday.
• Sessions will be conducted in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
• Breaks will be provided throughout the day to allow participants to reflect and network with other participants.

The program includes presentations of activities from UFE's workshops, including:

• Shrink, Shift & Shaft (a modified version of The Growing Divide)
• Bankers, Brokers, Bubbles, and Bailouts
• Immigration and the Growing Divide
• Closing the Racial Wealth Divide

It is important that participants plan to attend the full Institute session in order to get the maximum benefit of the training, and preference will be given to those applicants who can make that commitment. Materials, including a detailed agenda for the Institute and short readings will be sent to all registrants prior to the training to help participants prepare for the Institute.

Institute Fees:

The registration fee for this Institute has been reduced to $300 in recognition of high transportation costs to the conference center. This fee includes meals, room and board, materials and the TOT fee. (Transportation is not included.)

A minimum $25 deposit is due with your application, and a payment of at least 50% of registration must be paid two (2) weeks prior to the Institute. Payment in full is due one week before the start of the Institute.

Scholarships:

We are committed to helping people figure out how to attend this Institute. We have limited funds to help defray a portion of the Institute fee for participants from low-income communities or from organizations with very limited resources. Please don¹t apply unless you require financial assistance to attend. A scholarship request form can be completed along with an application to attend the Institute. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, October 21, 2011.

A minimum $25 deposit is required with your application. A payment of at least 50% of the fee must be paid two (2) weeks prior to the Institute. Payment in full is due one week before the start of the Institute.

Please apply to attend this event prior to completing a scholarship application.

Apply now

Job Opening: Assistant Director of Advocacy-Public Benefits

Job Opening:  Assistant Director of Advocacy-Public Benefits 

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The Assistant Director of Advocacy ("ADA") will provide leadership,

support, and mentoring to Legal Aid staff on direct representation of

low-income clients and will spearhead systemic, statewide advocacy

related to public benefits and employment. The ADA will work closely

with advocates in Legal Aid's 13 offices, providing consultation and

support on casework and keeping staff apprised of relevant changes in

policy and law relative to public benefits and employment.

The ADA will identify systemic barriers experienced by clients across

the state, develop strategies to address those barriers (litigation,

policy, other), and work in collaboration with Legal Aid staff and other

organizations to implement those strategies and monitor the outcomes.

Systemic advocacy undertaken by the ADA includes serving as lead and

co-counsel on complex litigation, appellate advocacy, permissible

legislative work, community education, and collaborative work with

community organizations and other legal services providers. The ADA

also will supervise Legal Aid's Migrant Farmworker Program.

The ADA must be familiar with legal services practice, the

legal needs of low income persons, have in-depth knowledge of publicly

funded cash and in-kind assistance programs and law (such as SSI, SSD,

UI, SNAP, TCA and TDAP), have substantial litigation or administrative

law practice experience, and have demonstrated an aggressive and

innovative approach to advocacy. A working knowledge of employment law

and issues facing low-income workers is highly desirable. The ADA must

also have a commitment to staff development, including hands-on

involvement in formal and informal training. The ADA must demonstrate

an ability to supervise staff and otherwise meet all of the

qualifications of a Chief Attorney for Legal Aid.

The ADA must have a law degree, plus a minimum of 5 years

experience as an attorney. Prior supervisory experience in a legal

services or similar program is highly desirable. Excellent

interpersonal, mentoring and communication skills (oral and written) are

required, as is a mastery of basic computer skills. The ADA must be

admitted to the Maryland Bar or eligible and willing to take the first

available Maryland Bar examination. Salary shall be based on a Chief

Attorney scale ($68,150+, depending on experience.)

Notice: This e-mail is from a not-for-profit law firm, the Legal Aid Bureau,

Inc. (Legal Aid). It is intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to

whom it is addressed. The contents of this message, together with any

attachments, may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential

and/or exempt from disclosure. If you believe you have received this e-mail in

error, please notify the sender immediately, delete the e-mail from your

computer, and do not copy or disclose it to anyone else. If you properly

received this e-mail as a client, co-counsel, employee, agent or retained expert

of Legal Aid, you should maintain its contents in confidence in order to

preserve any applicable privileges.

"Norton, Nathaniel" nnorton@mdlab.org natcnorton

United for a Fair Economy Popular Economics Training in November

Popular Economics Training

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Trainers, Teachers, Organizers, Activists

Save the Date!

UFE’s next intensive Popular Economics Education Training of Trainers Institute is scheduled for

Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6, 2011

At the Koinonia Retreat Center

In South Haven, Minnesota (about 90 minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul)

Reduced Price on Institute fee

There has never been a greater need for transforming our national conversations on the Great Recession and ongoing financial crisis, taxes, the deficit, and the role of government.

UFE’s TOT Institute offers tools to help build a powerful movement, and opportunities to learn from each other.

 More details to follow soon.

For more information contact:

Jeannette Huezo UFE Education Team 857-277-7881 jhuezo@faireconomy.org

Steve Schnapp UFE Education Team 857-277-7868 sschnapp@faireconomy.org

Training for Social Action Trainers returns to the Bay Area in November

Training for Social Action Trainers - returning to the Bay Area in November!
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Training for Change > info@trainingforchange.org > (215) 776-8444

November 4-6, 2011
Oakland, CA

To register, contact Ken at kenpreston@paceebene.org

Join us for an intensive training designed for experienced facilitators wanting to revitalize their work, new trainers wanting to inspire, teachers, community leaders, activists -- anyone wanting to take their skills to a new level and learn how training can be used more effectively.

AS A PARTICIPANT, YOU WILL...

Gain greater awareness about yourself and your strengths as a facilitator;
Get a chance to take risks, experiment and refine skills in a safe and supportive environment;
Get the stimulation of fresh approaches and increased options;
Receive personal guidance from experienced trainers in a small group setting ;
Learn new tools that are easily adapted, principles of workshop design, skills for working with diversity and a better understanding of how to use experiential education methods effectively.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP?
Experienced and less-experienced facilitators, consultants and trainers...Activists and organizers wanting to use training more effectively in their work... Teachers, community leaders, pastors, consultants and others who want more experiential tools.

The TSAT is a great way to learn the core approach to Training for Change's elicitive style of activist training, or if you are considering bringing TFC trainers to work more closely with your organization. Anyone who takes the TSAT is then qualified to be a participant at TFC’s Advanced Training of Trainers, an extended 5-day intensive the delves more thoroughly into group dynamics, conflict in groups, and working cross-culturally.

GOALS

To enhance workshop facilitation and design skills
To increase the training tools you can use effectively
To gain greater awareness of yourself as facilitator
To meet and receive support from other trainers and learn about new developments in the field

WORKSHOP FORMAT
The workshop begins with dinner and registration at 6 p.m. Friday and runs until 6 p.m. Sunday. On Friday and Saturday evenings the workshop will include an evening session after dinner, the session typically ends between 9:00-10:00 pm.

The workshop is designed as an experiential package with each session building on the previous session. We want to create the best learning environment possible for participants to absorb the combined learning of each session and therefore WE DO NOT ALLOW PARTIAL ATTENDANCE, you must commit to taking the entire workshop.

FEE
If taken separately, this workshop costs $150 US-$375 US, sliding scale based on income. The fee includes over 23 hours of training, meals during workshop hours, and simple lodging for people who request it. To determine your fee, use the chart below.
If your income is... You pay...
under $15,000 $150
$15,001-$25,000 $180
$25,001-$35,000 $210
$35,001-$45,000 $250
$45,001-$55,000 $300
over $55,000 $375


STAFF RATES
Are you being sent to the training by your employer? If so, don't use your income to determine the fee -- use the annual budget of the organization.

REGISTER OR QUESTIONS
To register or get more information about the fee or the workshop, please contact the organizer, Ken Preston at kenpreston@paceebene.org.

Internships - Houston Interfaith Worker Justice Center

Houston Interfaith Worker Justice Center
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Read online at: http://www.hiwj.org/internships

Internships

postdateicon Last Updated on Thursday, 05 May 2011 01:16 | Print | E-mail

interns_with_wage_theft_posters

Workers’ Rights Advocate


HIWJ is seeking bilingual, responsible individuals committed to social justice to serve as Workers’ Rights Advocates. As a Workers’ Rights Promoter, you are charged with the honor and responsibility of fighting for justice alongside low-wage workers in the Houston area. Workers come to the Center with various problems at work such as non-payment of wages, discrimination, and injury on the job.



Your role is that of a partner, guide, educator, facilitator, and link, rather than a service provider or decision-making authority. As a promoter, you will educate workers about their rights and labor law and provide them with information about potential courses of action. You will support and facilitate their decision-making process, helping workers realize their own power and agency. You will also stand in solidarity with workers, actively participating in their struggles to improve workplace conditions.

Other internships may also be available, according to our needs and your interests and skills. If you are interested in interning with HIWJ, please contact Laura Boston: http://www.hiwj.org/component/contact/9-hiwjc-office/2-laura-boston

Writing to Make a Difference: How to Create Fundraising and Outreach Materials that Get Results

http://www.grassrootsfundraising.org/article.php/webinars#upcomingwebinars

featuring Dalya F. Massachi
September 13, 2011 10am PT/11am MT/12pm CT/1pm ET



This highly interactive and practical webinar draws on the award-winning book, "Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact."



You will learn:

The ABC's of copywriting: understanding and advancing your "brand", understanding your intended readers and their needs, and focusing on the benefits you offer

The top characteristics of effective writing and how to apply them to social change work

What to look for when editing your piece, and how to give constructive feedback to others (including a checklist to take with you!)

Cost: $50-$150 per site, depending on your group's budget size. More than one participant per site is encouraged!



Click here to register online or call Ryan Li toll-free at 888-458-8588 x301.



Please contact Ryan Li Dahlstrom for assistance with coordinating additional sites.

For more info and to register: http://www.grassrootsfundraising.org/article.php/webinars#upcomingwebinars

Training Institute for Organizers: Sustaining Momentum and Avoiding Burnout

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https://www.eventbrite.com/event/2105827587/efblike

Friday, November 11, 2011 at 9:00 AM - Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 5:00 PM (ET)

New York, NY

Join experienced community organizers Tom Kertes and Greg Rosenthal for an intensive two-day training institute on how to effectively apply power building principles and strategies in order to sustain momentum and avoid burnout. We’ll provide community and labor organizers, non-profit managers, and fund raisers with practical tools to purposefully pace your campaign in ways that keep things going without burning people out.
Who it's for

• community organizers
• labor organizers
• non-profit managers
• fund raisers
• grassroots volunteers
• students

What's included

• two days of workshops, small group sessions, and exercises
• follow-up facilitated conference call a few months after the the institute
• extensive hands-on materials and resources to apply immediately
• light breakfast and lunch on both days

You'll learn how to

• design effective campaigns, funding or membership drives, and other initiatives with compelling and captivating energy throughout (from launch to victory)
• intentionally pace things, without slowing things down or running out of steam
• implement building components that help keep leaders, staff, and members going strong and motivated through all phases of a campaign, drive or initiative
• develop strategic plans that achieve many goals, in as few steps as possible, by "stacking" each component to maximize results

You'll have time for

• reflecting with other organizers about common challenges and solutions to the kinds of problems we face in our work
• sharing ideas with each other, gaining from a range of experiences and perspectives
• carefully structured exercises and planning sessions to put ideas into action
• facilitated discussions about how to bring it all together, distilling big-picture challenges and exploring practical solutions

All our training institutes include

• materials and resources that you can immediately apply when you go back to your organization
• community building and leadership development components that model effective practices
• a follow-up facilitated conference call a few months after the institute, to reflect on application and continue the sharing process

Institute format

• two full days that include detailed overview of how to apply the model to solve specific challenges faced by organizers
• fully facilitated break out groups that apply the model through hands-on exercises
• facilitated dialogues and problem solving sessions
• community building exercises that model how to develop leadership capacity within your organization (includes homemade lunch)

Cancellation policy

• Cancel on or before October 21, 2011 (early bird deadline):
  • Full refund
• Cancel on or before November 10, 2011 (day before institute):
  • Partial refund (minus $75 cancellation fee) or
  • Full credit applied toward a future institute
• Cancel on or after the day of institute:
  
  • Full credit applied toward a future institute

Questions?

• E-mail: info@invertedpower.org
• US: (301) 922-3938
• Canada: (604) 600-4926

 

Upcoming GIFT Fundraising Webinar

Writing to Make a Difference: How to Create Fundraising & Outreach Materials that Get Results

 

featuring Dalya F. Massachi

September 13, 2011 10am PT/11am MT/12pm CT/1pm ET 

Particularly in these challenging times, you must communicate effectively in writing if you want your words to capture the interest and attention of potential funders, partners, and other stakeholders. Effective writing is clear, concise, and engaging-and prompts your readers' critical thinking and action. It also leaves them wanting more. But how can you make sure that your words "land" as you intend? Wouldn't you like some strategic tools to help you write more efficiently, creatively, and confidently?

Join us as we explore how to plan, draft, and edit polished pieces that will help you reach a whole new level of effectiveness. You will leave inspired and equipped with at least 5 practical tips to begin using immediately. This highly interactive and practical webinar draws on the award-winning book, "Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact."

You will learn:               

1. The ABC's of copywriting: understanding and advancing your "brand", understanding your intended readers and their needs, and focusing on the benefits you offer
2. The top characteristics of effective writing and how to apply them to social change work
3. What to look for when editing your piece, and how to give constructive feedback to others (including a checklist to take with you!)

Cost: $50-$150 per site*, depending on your group's budget size:

$150 for groups with budgets over $1 million

$100 for groups with budgets between $250,000 and $1 million

$50 for groups with budgets less than $250,000

*More than one participant per site is encouraged

FOR MORE INFO: CLICK HERE

Enlace Institute Fall Trainings

Enlace Institute 2011

The Institute assists social, economic and environmental justice organizations that serve low-wage communities to develop effective mutually accountable teams who continually improve the work of the organizations for their constituencies. Download the Peer Training Program flyer for more information.

We are currently enrolling participants for two training programs: the Peer Trainer Program (basic and advanced) and the Supervisor Program.

Trainings on Evaluation Star (Team analysis and evaluation) Framework
October 18-19, New York
November 15-16, Portland, OR
December 9-10, Mexico

Trainings on 4 Sages (Crisis Management Planning) Framework
October 21-22, New York
November 18-19, Los Angeles
December 13-14, Mexico

Read more about the Enlace frameworks

For more information, please contact the LA office at 213-284-3802 or the Portland office at 503-295-6466. Or write to us at info@enlaceintl.org

NCBI Leadership for Diversity Institute

NCBI Leadership for Diversity Institute

November 2-6, 2011
Hunt Valley, MD USA (Baltimore)

Registration Is Currently Open!

Contact Information
NCBI
1120 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Suite 450
Washington DC 20036
202-785-9400 x10
gvollrath@ncbi.org
The Leadership for Diversity Institute teaches hands-on, practical skills for building cultural competency, welcoming diversity, increasing unity and inclusion. Skills include:

• Building inclusive environments at all levels: in the workplace, in the classroom, on a campus, in government, in a community, in customer service - where everyone’s contribution is valued and inclusivity is an integral part of the environment;
• Resolving conflicts between individuals and groups in a way that increases cooperation;
• Assessing an organization’s strength in cultural competency; and
• Building a team of support for ones own leadership on diversity issues.

Whether you are a college administrator or faculty member; a school teacher or parent; a manager in government or in the corporate world who is responsible for supervising diverse employees; a police officer or community activist - this Institute will give you the hands-on skills needed to be an innovative leader. In large group classes, participants learn a replicable set of practical skills.  Then in small group settings, there is a choice of one of two learning tracks to practice the skills with support and encouragement from others. In a lively consultation session towards the end of the Institute, participants have the opportunity to present their own workplace issues and receive concrete help from other participants, utilizing all of the skills learned from the Institute.
The NCBI Leadership for Diversity Institute brings together participants from different countries and cultures, providing the unique opportunity to learn diversity and cultural competency skills in an international group setting.
IDENTIFYING THE LEARNING TRACK THAT FITS YOUR GOALS: Each Institute participant will have the opportunity to practice diversity leadership skills in small learning groups that follow one of two tracks:
Track I: Leading the NCBI Welcoming Diversity & Inclusion Workshop - In this track, participants will learn in a train-the-trainer format, how to replicate back home, the award-winning NCBI Welcoming Diversity & Inclusion Workshop. The workshop consists of a series of incremental, experiential activities that engage participants in the leadership skills necessary to build inclusive environments and increase cultural competence. These skills include:

• Valuing and welcoming similarities and differences among group members and staff;
• Examining the stereotypes that impact our actions and attitude toward others;
• Identifying the harmful effects of stereotypes directed toward one’s own group;
• Learning specific skills for preventing and interrupting bigoted remarks and behaviors; and
• Developing empathy toward others by hearing their personal stories.

NCBI’s approach of combining concrete skill development with small group practice enables participants to learn quickly, in a safe environment, how to replicate NCBI diversity workshops.
Track II: Skills for Effective Diversity & Inclusion Leadership - The Diversity Savvy Leader - In this track, participants practice how to implement NCBI skills and practices back home in their own workplace settings. Individual coaching is provided in small group settings in these skills:

• Giving and receiving feedback, particularly in cross-cultural relationships;
• Increasing participation from all members of a workplace or school community;
• Leading effective meetings that include everyone’s voice;
• Building a team of support for one’s own leadership on diversity issues;
• Structuring effective, respectful conversations about race and differences; and
• Increasing an organization’s strengths in cultural competency.

In both Track I and Track II, participants will also learn the NCBI Controversial Issue Process that demonstrates how to move hotly contested issues forward by listening to the heartfelt concerns on all sides, and then reframe the debate in a way that builds bridges.
At the conclusion of the Leadership for Diversity Institute, participants will have an opportunity to join a local NCBI community, campus or organizational team back home to receive advanced training, guidance, and support.

READ MORE

Highlander Job Openings

 

Highlander Job Openings

About Highlander

Founded in 1932, the Highlander Research and Education Center is a popular education center that works with grassroots groups in Appalachia and the South to promote social, racial and economic justice. Highlander is located 25 miles northeast of Knoxville, TN on a 186 acre farm. Highlander's program work takes place at the Center and in local communities across the South, as well as the country and sometimes world. Highlander's long and proud history includes cutting edge work with labor education and organizing, the Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice in Appalachia, and more recently, on globalization, immigration and the changing demographics of our region. Highlander is world-renowned as a beacon for progressive organizing and widely acclaimed as a leadership development center for grassroots activists across race, culture and generations.

Fundamentally, Highlander is an intersectional resource for the South, a place where leaders, networks, and movement strands come together to interact, build relationships, craft joint strategy and develop tools and mechanisms to advance a multi-racial, intergenerational movement for justice in our region with impact nationally. Highlander helps build the skills of grassroots people and the capacity of organizations for long haul work, and connects people and issues for holistic analysis and broad based movement building. In its simplest, Highlander brings people together to learn from each other, using methodologies of popular education, cultural organizing, participatory research and multilingual capacity building.

Expectations of staff fulfilling these positions at Highlander:

• Passionate about Highlander's purpose and able to communicate our purpose and program work.
• Committed to racial, gender, economic, environmental and social justice.
• Self-starter as well as a team player.
• Computer literate.
• Organized and ability to balance multiple responsibilities with grace.
• Be an active participant in a democratically managed center.
• Keep Highlander's purpose and the people we serve central to the work.
• Sense of humor welcome and most helpful.
• High degree of honesty and integrity.
  

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Education Coordinator

Overview of Position and Highlander’s Program Work

The Education Coordinator will manage the work of the education team, ensuring strategic planning, program implementation, and the documentation and dissemination of educational communications about social justice issues and Highlander’s work to address those issues.

The Education Team conducts the heart of the program work of the Highlander Center. Highlander’s program work takes place at our residential workshop center and in local communities. In its simplest, Highlander brings people together to learn from each other. We use methodologies of popular education, cultural organizing, participatory research and multilingual capacity building.

Fundamentally, Highlander is an intersectional resource for the South, a place where leaders, networks, and movement strands come together to interact, build relationships, craft joint strategy and develop tools and mechanisms to advance a multi-racial, intergenerational movement for justice in our region. Cornerstones of the work building the skills of grassroots people and capacity of organizations for long haul work, and connecting people and issues for holistic analysis and broad based movement building.

Highlander works on a variety of issues because we believe issues are connected, because the needs in the region are deep, and because we are asked by the people we serve. We also target specific issues where we believe strategic focus will maximize our impact and help develop a critical mass of people to make change. These currently include the economy, the environment, immigration, and juvenile justice.

As a regional intermediary with an extensive history, widespread network of friends, contacts and associations, and a physical place connected to a history of struggle of which people want to be part, we work with local, state, regional, national and international organizations, networks, and coalitions.

General Responsibilities and Organizational Values

• Coordinate the work of the education team members and education interns based on analysis, strategic planning, implementation, documentation and evaluation.
• Serve on the Leadership Team of Highlander in conjunction with the Director and other team Coordinators.
• Strong collaboration with the Development and Communications team for the external educational communications of the organization.
• Represent Highlander in meetings, fieldwork and events, sharing Highlander’s history and educational processes with others.
• Coordinate the educational needs of hosting visitors and groups.
• Liaison to the Board Education Committee.
• Liaison to the Development and Communications Team in fundraising for program work.
• Help write grants and reports.
• Ensure and participate in organizational and team planning and evaluation.
• Keep the purpose of our work and the people with whom we work at the center of our activities and decisions.
• Actively participate as a member of a democratic participatory staff.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in and understanding of progressive social justice community organizing and popular education.
• Previous team leadership experience with proven track record of helping diverse, strong team members work together.
• Workshop facilitation and curriculum development skills.
• Work well with people.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Passionate about Highlander’s mission and purpose and able to communicate our program work effectively.
• Commitment to racial, gender, economic, environmental and social justice and civil and human rights.
• Able to establish rapport with activists and community members in diverse ethnic, racial, social and economic groups.
• Diligence.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours.
• Willingness to travel.
• Self-starter and team player.
• Computer savvy and willingness to explore and utilize new technologies.
• Organized.
• Sense of humor.
• Experience in the South and/or Appalachia.
• High degree of integrity among peers.

Location Highlander is a rural based residential workshop center located on 186 acres in east Tennessee just outside Knoxville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the position is based there. Some staff live on the Highlander grounds while others live in the surrounding areas, including Knoxville.

Start Date

Highlander hopes to fill this position by November 1, 2011.

To Apply 

Send letter of interest, resume, writing sample and 3 references to:

Search Committee:
Education Coordinator
Highlander Center
1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN, 37820

Email applications are accepted at hrec@highlandercenter.org or by fax at 865-933-3424. Position is open until filled and applications will be considered as received. Women, people of color, and lesbigaytrans encouraged to apply.

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Workshop Center Manager

Overview of Position and Highlander's Workshop Center Management
This position is an opportunity to carry forward and expand upon the great decades-long tradition of feeding people well and on time, and offering clean, comfortable welcoming spaces for learning and gathering. The successful candidate will maximize natural and human resources to deepen the experience for workshop participants and visitors. Part of the expansion of this position is connection to Highlander's organic garden and orchard and area farmers. Highlander's workshop center can house up to 45 people and the Horton House 5-7 people. Workshops at Highlander are mostly on weekends, and we also have week-long leadership programs and camps particularly during the summer months. Additionally, Highlander has special events where larger numbers of people come, including our annual Homecoming. This position is a working manager.

General Responsibilities

• Coordinate, and share in, the cooking and cleaning work to provide safe, efficient and welcoming functions of the Workshop Center and Horton House for meals, lodging and meetings spaces.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal health codes.
• Plan Workshop Center meals and purchase food and supplies.
• Hire, train, schedule and supervise part-time employees for meals and cleaning.
• Provide leadership and training in embracing and serving a wide variety of healthful menus utilizing a maximum of fresh produce and a minimum of processed food.
• Connect part-time staff to Highlander's programmatic work.
• Actively solicit feedback and suggestions from visitors, staff and workshop participants.
• Welcome and engage with workshop participants, and visitors.
• Help with hosting visitors and groups and presentations on Highlander history.
• Communications with staff on other teams for calendar, workshop and invoicing information.
• Help secure facility rentals for open dates in the organizational calendar and other revenue-generating activities in line with Highlander's mission, vision and values
• Secure childcare services when needed.
• Strategize, develop and implement, in conjunction with Director and Staff, policies, procedures and guidelines for workshop center use.
• Work with farm interns to use of produce from on-site organic garden and orchard and develop relationships with local farmers.

Qualifications

• Great cook.
• 3 years successful experience in preparation and planning of tasty, healthful menus for groups.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in utilizing a maximum of fresh produce and a minimum of processed foods and additives.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in providing a lively sampling of flavorful, healthful, imaginative menus for diverse dietary needs.
• Special interest in developing healthful versions of traditional foods of the South and Appalachia as well as traditional foods of the diverse constituencies with whom Highlander works.
• 2-3 years team coordination or supervisory experience with at least one of those years in staff training and development.
• Weekend and irregular hours a must.
• Adaptability and problem solving.
• Appreciation for and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Interest in gardens helpful.

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Bookkeeper (part-time)

Overview of Position
The position is half-time salaried with possibility of expansion and will work out of the Highlander office.

General Responsibilities of Bookkeeper

• Timely and accurate entries into QuickBooks, Highlander's accounting system.
• Timely and accurate payment and recording of all contracts, bills and invoices.
• Ensure accuracy and authorization of all entries (G/L account coding, job coding, and required signatures).
• Generate payroll and pay taxes.
• Update GL and maintain accurate cash balances.
• Prepare monthly journal entries and update balance sheet.
• Generate weekly check runs.
• Maintain vendor files and all paper files for A/P and A/R entries.
• Record revenues as reported by various departments.
• Generate other reports from QuickBooks and Excel as requested to assist financial officer.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years' experience with A/P, A/R payroll.
• Knowledge of QuickBooks.
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate with different kinds of people.
• Experience with non-profit accounting helpful.

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To Apply for any of these positions:

Location
Highlander is a rural based residential workshop center located on 186 acres in east Tennessee just outside Knoxville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and these three positions are based there. Some staff live on the Highlander grounds while others live in the surrounding areas, including Knoxville.

To Apply
Send letter of interest, resume, 3 references, and any other supportive materials.

Mail to:
Search Committee: (Name of position for which you are applying)
Highlander Center
1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN 37820

Email applications are accepted at hrec@highlandercenter.org or by fax at 865-933-3424. Applications will start being reviewed on April 18th, and continued to be reviewed until positions are filled. Women, people of color, and lesbigaytrans people encouraged to apply. 

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Midwest Academy Organizing for Social Change Fall Schedule

Midwest Academy Organizing for Social Change Fall Schedule

• Oct 24, 2011 - Oct 28, 2011 | Chicago
  • Nov 14, 2011 - Nov 18, 2011 | Washington D.C. / Baltimore
     
    The Midwest Academy offers a five day, residential, comprehensive "Organizing for Social Change" training throughout the country. Participants come from a wide variety of organizations. Most are working on specific issue campaigns and building powerful, progressive organizations. The training helps them to be more strategic in their fight for social, economic, racial and environmental justice.
    There are different methods of organizing or ways of making social change, and all have their uses. Midwest Academy uses and teaches the "Direct Action Organizing" concept. Direct Action Organizing is based on the power of people to take collective action on their own behalf. The point is not that one approach is better than others. In fact, often many kinds of organizing are needed, but the Midwest Academy focuses on Direct Action Organizing.
    
    Read more.