Organizer/Campaign and Membership Mobilization Coordinator

Organizers are one of the union’s most vital connections to its membership. Organizers build networks within existing departments and communities on campus in order to address GEO members’ ideas and concerns and understand how the union may best represent its members’ interests. The CMM Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of assisting on union organizing campaigns, including campaign start-up, committee building, assessments, developing literature and running meetings and workplace actions. Previous organizing experience is highly recommended.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Convene and co-Chair the Organizing Committee.

Craft the message communicated to GEO members in order to transform internal mobilization into turnout for events and actions.

Preparing materials and working with the Press with the political advocate.

Organize turnout from particular departments (fostering activism, recruiting stewards and leadership) and/or specific university communities, including GEO caucuses.

Outreach and network with GSS, Graduate Student Organizations, SGA, and Registered Student Organizations to build connections on overlapping issues of concern such as tuition and fee increases, budget cuts, and university policies and plans that directly affect students.

Organizing GEO campaigns, facilitate membership drives, and sign up new members.

Participate in ongoing planning and evaluation of organizing efforts.

Educate and train graduate student employees about the union and the organizing process.

Integrate existing members into overall GEO plans for the organization as a whole and into current GEO campaigns in particular.

Organizers should be familiar enough with the GEO contract and grievance procedures to answer general questions that may arise when speaking to members. This job requires a lot of face-to-face interaction and applications must be comfortable approaching and talking with members in both individual and group settings.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e. holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members who come into the office, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required.

This position is for 20 hours per week for the 2010 Spring semester. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We will pay for university health benefits, if necessary. In the past, all GEO staff employees who have needed tuition waivers have received them, but we cannot guarantee that this will continue to be the case.

In some cases, funding for these positions will come from UAW Local 2322.  In those cases, applicants must legally qualify for an internship with a non-university organization (UAW Local 2322).

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have been active on campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.
In order to apply, please submit:

A resume.
A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
A completed GEO Staff Application Form (see second page of this document).
Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by Monday, January 25th, by 4pm.

GEO STAFF POSITION APPLICATION FORM

Name:

Home/Cell Phone Number:

Alternate Phone Number:

Email Address:

1. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
2. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?
4. Do you plan on having another assistantship or paid position that will require a significant commitment of your time? If so, please provide details of this position.
5. [OPTIONAL] Do you identify as a member of a protected class, which includes race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age and ancestry?