Position: Chicago Organizer
Reports To: Chicago Director
Position Available: Immediately (start date flexible)
Stand for Children – a bold independent voice for public education reform – seeks an exceptional individual to help build and maintain the Chicago chapter for its state affiliate in Illinois.
The Organizations Stand for Children is a powerful voice for students. Our mission is to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for, and with access to, a college education. To date, Stand for Children’s ten state affiliates (AZ, CO, IL, IN, LA, MA, OR, TN, TX, and WA) have won more than one hundred sixty victories that have impacted the lives of millions of children, work which has included playing a key role in passing important education legislation in five states in 2010 and six states in 2011.
The Stand for Children family consists of two separate organizations—Stand for Children, a grassroots membership lobby for children exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, and Stand for Children Leadership Center, a leadership development organization exempt under section 501(c)(3).
Stand for Children and the Stand for Children Leadership Center work together to:
-Educate and empower parents, teachers, and community members to demand excellent schools;
-Advocate for effective local, state, and national education policies and investments and ensure that those policies impact classrooms and students; and
-Elect courageous leaders who will stand up for our priorities.
We believe all children deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in life. Education is the key that unlocks the door to success, but far too many children, through no fault of their own, aren’t getting the education they need to make it in life. We are passionately committed to righting this wrong. Our vision is of vibrant schools where:
-Strong leaders, strong teachers, and engaged communities of parents work effectively together with a shared vision of success;
-Educators receive the support of mentors, relevant professional development, and meaningful feedback so they stay engaged and inspired;
1 This activity is conducted exclusively on behalf of Stand for Children, subject to applicable law.
-Educators hold high expectations and are accountable for their own and students’ success; and Funding is stable and adequate.
The Position
Working as a key member of the Stand for Children Illinois staff, the Chicago Organizer will be responsible for the implementation of an established organizing model in Chicago. The Chicago Organizer will build and manage an engaged army of at least 18-20 leaders and 180-200 members within Chicago who take local action, develop the leadership skills of members, and initiate and lead campaigns.
The Chicago Organizer will contribute to Stand for Children’s mission to improve public education by:
o Building strong chapter teams made up of parents and teachers
o Scheduling and executing 8-10 meetings per week with parents and community members;
o Recruiting parent leaders and working with them to recruit and develop new members;
o Consistently raising money in order to make the Chapter financially sustainable by asking for membership contributions; and
o Presenting information about Stand and the issues we’re working on to large groups of interested community members.
o Engaging and developing leaders and members
o Developing the skills of our parents and leaders as education advocates through rigorous, ongoing training and coaching;
o Planning and facilitating productive, efficient group recruitment events and meetings with team leaders; and
o Cultivating members and contacts to deepen their connection to the chapter and to build out their toolkit as advocates.
oStrategizing to Win for Kids
o Empowering chapter leaders and members to win issue campaigns as strategically planned by city and state management; and
o Implementing campaign strategies and tactics to create political champions willing to fight for better educational policies.
The Chicago Organizer will be joining a national team of professionals committed to improving children’s lives. Stand for Children’s managers and supervisors are empowering, entrepreneurial
leaders who are committed to providing outstanding supervision in order for staff to develop as professionals and grow within the organization.
Qualifications and Qualities Required
-Passionate and unwavering belief in Stand for Children’s mission and strategy to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, graduate from high school prepared for and with access to a college education;
- At least 3 years of professional experience preferred; political or community organizing experience a plus, experience (volunteer or paid) recruiting, training, and mobilizing a team of 10 or more volunteers/members preferred;
- Deep community ties to the city of Chicago and the constituencies served by Chicago Public Schools required;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the history and current landscape of education policy and political issues in Chicago and Illinois;
- Ability to execute an established model of organizing within the local context of the city of Chicago;
- Proven ability to achieve measurable, meaningful results in a fast-paced environment;
- Very strong interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills; ability to initiate, foster, and leverage contacts and networks to achieve strong, positive outcomes;
- Ability to be flexible and steadfast in the face of ambiguity; strong problem-solver and critical thinker;
- A learning orientation and an ability to embrace and incorporate direct feedback crucial;
- Experience working with diverse populations preferred;
- Fluency in Spanish preferred, but not required; and
- Willingness to work flexible hours including 1-2 evenings per week and occasional weekends; full-time access to a car.
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits: full health and dental coverage; life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care coverage; 401K with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; holidays and vacation accrual.
To Apply
Stand for Children and Stand for Children Leadership Center are equal opportunity employers and candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply for this position, please visit http://stand.org/careers to fill out our online application. No calls please.
To learn more about Stand – Illinois, please visit www.stand.org/il.