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Harriet Tubman Internship in Community Organizing


Detroit, Michigan 48210
United States

Supervisor: Bill O'Brien, Executive Director
Level of Education Required:

General Information

The Harriet Tubman Center for Community Organizing (based in Detroit, Michigan) is presently accepting applications/resumes for a three-monthInternship in Community Organizing.

In the cover letter please include your response to the following questions:

  • What is your experience as an organizer or what leadership experience do you have that you can draw upon for community organizing?
  • What is your definition of a community organizer?
  • What are your future goals for community organizing?

Responsibilities

During the 3-month Internship, successful interns become increasingly clear about “power,” how to build power.  They build strategic public relationships, move public relationships into powerful action and reflect on the process of organizing.  The successful first phase intern will demonstrate the following capacities:

  • Build relationships in the public arena systematically and strategically.
  • Discover and articulate self-interest in potential leaders.
  • Cut issues, strategize and move groups of people into action (e.g. core teams).
  • Articulate the process of organizing.
  • Reflect on the process of organizing.
  • Take training from mentors and supervisors.

Specific objectives for the intern include the following:

  • A weekly meeting with host supervisor to develop goals and work plans and to reflect on his/her development as an organizer.
  • Weekly reports according to format due on Monday mornings.
  • At least 20 one-on-one’s weekly with completed reflection forms.
  • Several minor actions involving a minimum of 6 people per action; one major action involving 100 people (including leadership team, issues, targets).
  • Reading at least two books on organizing, ability to articulate the elements of organizing, familiarity with General Standards for Organizers in the Tubman Center.

Qualifications

At least a sophomore, graduating senior have preference, possession of a valid driver's license, access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance, cell phone, and a laptop compute.

Compensation

Stipend available to students who successfully complete internship at the end of the summer.  Local travel expenses are reimbursed.