The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the uncompromising national voice for full lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Task Force creates change by building LGBT political power from the ground up. We bolster the strength of local activism in rural enclaves, small towns and cities nationwide. We build grassroots political muscle at every level by training activists, strengthening the infrastructure of local and state allies and organizing broad-based campaigns creating public support for full equality of LGBT people.
What is the Organizing & Training department?
Our Organizing & Training team partners with leaders, organizations, and campaigns to build the political power of the 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 either our New York, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles office.
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, events, and the Task Force's annual Creating Change conference.
*Collaborate with Task Force staff nationwide on Task Force
priority projects. Current high priority projects include helping communities that are under attack from right-wing extremist groups to defeat anti-LGBT ballot measures.
*Travel an average of 10 days a month to local communities,
helping them build political power.
Stipend
Summer fellows are paid a stipend of $500 per week. The summer 2007 term runs from June through August with a possible November extension. Organizing fellows may be placed in strategic locations where anti-LGBT measures are being waged against the LGBT community. 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 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.
Application deadline is Friday, March 30, 2007. Decisions will be made and communicated by April 16, 2007.
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 Friday, March 30, 2007.
Step 1: Send cover letter, resume and references in the body of an e-mail to rahuja@theTaskForce.org.
Step 2: Mail college transcript (if applicable) to:
Becca Ahuja - O&T Fellowship Program
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1504
New York, NY 10038
Questions? Contact Becca Ahuja, field organizer, at rahuja@theTaskForce.org or call 646.358.1475.
