Community Organizer

SOCM, a statewide, multi-issue, multi-racial community organization working for social, economic, and environmental justice in Tennessee, is seeking applications for several community organizer positions. Originally based in the coalfields of east Tennessee and named Save Our Cumberland Mountains, SOCM has changed its name to Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment to reflect a more diverse constituency, issues, and geographic areas. SOCM is democratically run by its members and invests in member leadership development as well as winning issues that affect their lives.

SOCM works on a broad platform of issue goals including social, economic, and environmental justice issues. Parallel to our issue work run complimentary tracks of grassroots leadership development, organizational development, and building strategic alliances with like-minded organizations.

SOCM is led by a Board of Directors, composed of 1 elected representative from each of our 6 chapters plus 4 officers who are elected by the full membership. This volunteer board is responsible for setting and evaluating organizational policies, as well as developing goals and strategic direction. SOCM's staff team works with grassroots members and leaders to implement organizational goals and priorities, as well as local chapter campaigns. Currently we have a staff of 9 people, including 3 organizers.

Position Overview:

SOCM Organizers work with members in chapters on local issues and in issue committees on statewide campaigns to help set strategy, build leadership, carry out work plans, and move campaigns forward. SOCM is committed to anti- racism work and to organizing that builds greater racial diversity. Positions require some internal fundraising and extensive writing duties.

SOCM invests significant time and resources in professional development of individual employees and the staff team as a whole. Each Organizer is responsible for pursuing an annual Professional Development and Growth Plan with guidance from the organizing team director. Organizers are also provided annual growth leave to pursue professional development opportunities.

Current situation and challenges:

Chapters are the building blocks of SOCM's democratic structure and grassroots approach. Each chapter has its own character, traditions, issue interests and challenges. In Cumberland County, members are involved in a fight to keep TVA's toxic ash from the massive spill out of an abandoned mine on Smith Mountain. In Jackson, Putnam, and Overton counties (known as the Roaring River Chapter), members are actively involved in monitoring state water quality legislation and enforcement efforts. And the Campbell/Anderson County chapter continues to monitor activities on Zeb Mountain, the site of a 2100-acre strip mine.

The organizer will work with chapter leaders to clarify and implement shared goals, including the development of local issue campaigns, participation in SOCM's statewide campaigns, coalition building, membership growth, fundraising, nonpartisan voter outreach, and strategic communications.

Current challenges of organizer positions include:

• Developing a growing base of young, racially diverse members with the skills and knowledge to provide vision and leadership within SOCM, our issue campaigns and the broader community.
• Creating ongoing opportunities for SOCM members living in rural areas to learn about and contribute to the larger public debate about social, economic and environmental justice issues.
• Implementing a very challenging workplan with minimal supervision and often working in isolation from other staff members.

Responsibilities:

I. Develop a broad, diverse base of skilled, active and politically conscious leaders.

• Make good use of leadership development methods, including one-to-one conversations, individual mentoring, workshops and on-the-job training; opportunities for individual and collective action, reflection and evaluation; and exposure to events and information that deepen members' understanding of community organizing as a tool for building power;
• Foster members' understanding of and commitment to diversity, including challenging members to deepen their understanding of racism and ensuring members are aware of SOCM's ART team;
• Build members' understanding of and commitment to SOCM, including our vision, mission, goals, strategies, structure and democratic process;
• Foster members' involvement in fundraising, membership recruitment, governance and other activities that strengthen the statewide organization;
• Assist and train members in essential organizing skills, including speaking in public, working with the media, planning direct actions, lobbying, involving others, running good meetings, doing targeted research, developing campaign strategy, and building diverse, powerful organizations;
• Model "best practices" such as thoughtful design and use of agendas, workplans, and strategies; consistent evaluation; and the encouragement of new leaders;
• Encourage the development of strategic relationships among SOCM leaders and between those leaders and key external players and organizations.

II. Develop diverse and powerful local chapters including Roaring River and the Cumberland County Chapter.

• Continually recruit and build a diverse base of active members, leaders, and donors. Assist the group in developing and implementing plans for strengthening the chapter, including membership recruitment, grassroots fundraising and publicity;
• Work with members and leaders to select issues that advance a broader vision for social change and develop and implement effective direct action campaign strategies;
• Assist the chapter in developing an effective local structure, including communication and decision-making mechanisms that foster member participation;
• Engage the chapter in consistent planning and evaluation;
• Ensure the chapter makes regular, thoughtful use of the SOCM Sentinel, our website, and other forms of communication to educate and enhance their organizing goals;
• Regularly provide content (articles, photos, cartoons and/or graphics) for the SOCM Sentinel, Enews and other SOCM publications;
• Work with SOCM's Communications Director and members to develop press releases and other communications to media about Chapter work;
• Foster a spirit of mutual support and solidarity within and among SOCM chapters that crosses geographic, issue, race, class and other boundaries.

III. Coordinate SOCM's state-level environmental justice legislative strategy.

• Provide coordination for a SOCM legislative committee comprised of members from across the state;
• Serve as SOCM's point person for collaboration with ally organizations on environmental justice legislative initiatives;
• Conduct research and analysis to support SOCM's environmental justice legislative initiatives;
• Work with SOCM's Communications Director to develop a strategic communications plan aimed at informing and empowering voters in TN to act on important environmental justice legislation;
• Research options for legislative consultants and work with them and/or our own expert members to implement a plan for success;
• Develop and strengthen SOCM's relationships with key allies working on similar legislative efforts.

IV. Conduct and inspire effective, consistent grassroots fundraising.

• Motivate and challenge members, leaders and the chapter to understand the importance of grassroots fundraising and increase their fundraising skills and involvement;
• Develop and implement an annual workplan with the chapter and leaders that results in increased membership recruitment and retention, enhanced chapter fundraising, an expanding donor base, and strong participation in the organization-wide fundraising campaigns;
• Build relationships with members and donors in assigned at-large counties to solicit major gifts and coordinate donor and fundraising events within the at-large region, when feasible;
• Model fundraising "best practices" by consistently and visibly asking people to join and/or contribute to SOCM and by fostering a spirit of celebration and accountability.

V. Contribute to effective, successful statewide issue committees and campaigns.

• Contribute to statewide campaign strategies that are based on a shared analysis, shaped by smart goals, targets and messages, and inclusive of base-building, media, research, alliances, direct action tactics, fundraising, leadership development and other components of an effective organizing strategy;
• Provide members with research, information, and training they need to make good decisions and participate actively in statewide campaigns;
• Create the expectation and opportunity for all members, chapters, and staff to participate in SOCM's statewide campaign strategies;
• Assist members in planning and carrying out public meetings, doing direct actions, preparing testimony, acting as spokespeople, lobbying and other organizing tactics;
• Foster strategic relationships between SOCM and our allies, media, decision-makers and other external players.

VI. Contribute to the development and success of staff teams.

• Work with team director to develop, use and evaluate annual, quarterly and weekly workplans, including self-development plans, which reflect the priority goals of the organization;
• Participate fully and constructively in Organizing Team meetings and other staff meetings, and periodically help to plan and facilitate those discussions;
• Contribute to a culture of mutual respect, support, accountability, appreciation and learning, based on good working relationships and communication with other staff.

VII. Contribute to effective work by SOCM in the state legislature.

• Encourage, train and orient members to lobby the legislature, and coordinate regular lobbying trips to Nashville with members from the chapter and at-large regions;
• Coordinate at-home lobbying by establishing phone/email trees; providing members with quality, timely information; and facilitating meetings between members and local legislators;
• Contribute to strategy development by coordinating and participating in conference calls and other timely communication with staff and leaders;
• Foster ongoing dialogue and communication with our allies in order to enhance mutual understanding, effectiveness and accountability.

VIII. Other

• Provide limited organizing support to at-large members when requested, appropriate and feasible;
• Efficiently fulfill administrative responsibilities, including email, phone and mail correspondence; expense forms; timesheets; board reports; maintaining accurate and legible files, both hard copy and electronic, in an effort to leave an accessible trail for future staff and members;
• Participate in and help organize the Annual Meeting and other major organization-wide activities;
• Maintain an orderly and professional field office and ensure care and maintenance of SOCM equipment and property, including cars, computers, and other technology.

Qualifications:

Professional Experiences and Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to member-led community organizing: Commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice through community organizing; a passion for community organizing work and desire to pursue organizing goals for the long-haul; experience as a volunteer member or leader in a member-led grassroots organizing group.
• Self-motivated multitasker: takes initiative; self-starting; organized; creative; attention to detail; own a car or have daily access to reliable transportation; ability to work independently and cooperatively in teams; demonstrated ability to work with multiple goals and responsibilities, prioritize work effectively, and to build and carry out workplans; continual learning and disciplined self-development.
• Personable and charismatic leader: empathetic and compassionate; ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds (including race, income-level, age, and ability); integrity; patient; hopeful; positive and encouraging; ability to build trusting, challenging relationships; good communication skills including listening, asking challenging questions, and writing; confident and capable.
• Flexibility: must be able to travel to different parts of state and region and accommodate work schedule that includes evening and weekend commitments; ability to adjust work style to diverse needs of members; ability to cope with changing and uncertain circumstances.
• Previous organizing experience: at least 1 year of previous, paid organizing experience required; ability to create conditions that empower others to take ownership and become leaders; demonstrated problem solving abilities and abilities to think and work strategically; evidence of a commitment to diversity and an understanding of how to work effectively in and with diverse communities, especially low-income communities and communities of color; experience as a facilitator, trainer and designer of participatory workshops with adults; experience organizing fundraising events: coordinating events and donor campaigns; experience in developing and implementing successful media campaigns; experience in direct communication with voters, including canvassing, tabling and phone banks.
• Ability to use technology to strengthen work product: knowledge of Microsoft Word; familiarity with Apple computers and ability to work in an all-Mac office; Knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and other software is helpful; experience using listservs to communicate with members; experience using digital cameras to capture event photos or willingness to learn;
• Knowledge of and commitment to SOCM and our work: knowledge of TN politics, regions, issues, people and organizations is desirable; Commitment to attend a mandatory anti-racism workshop and support efforts of organization to implement within all work SOCM's commitment to become an anti-racist organization; knowledge of SOCM's active issue campaigns.

Compensation: Salary is negotiable based upon relevant experience. The SOCM base salary is $27,000. SOCM offers full family health insurance for all employees that includes dental coverage. Organizers are also provided with a work-issued laptop, digital camera, and cell phone/internet stipend when appropriate. Time off includes 15 vacation days per year, 10 holidays, 9 sick days and 3 personal days. We have a compensation time policy and a 1 month maternity/paternity/family leave policy. SOCM provides sabbaticals after 5 years, and we offer a pension plan and begin making contributions after 2 years.

To Apply:

Please send resume, letter of interest and 3 references.

Organizer Hiring Team
c/o Cassie Watters
SOCM
P.O. Box 479
Lake City, TN 37769

SOCM is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.