Job Title: Canvasser, Field Manager, or Campaign Organizer
Location: Chicago, IL
Term: Fall 2013
Hours: 1:45 PM – 10:00 PM
Campaign Description: Here in Chicago, we’re working with Illinois PIRG on a campaign to end taxpayer subsidies going to big agribusiness corporations like Monsanto and Cargill. Every year, taxpayers spend billions of dollars on subsidies for cash crops like corn that are processed into junk food ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. These subsidies are set to expire this fall—September 30th to be exact—and these companies have hired an army of lobbyists to ensure they continue to receive billions in taxpayer handouts. In 2012 these companies spent $220 million lobbying to keep these subsidies in the farm bill; we’ll never be able to outspend these companies, but we do have the opportunity to mobilize public support and put grassroots pressure on our elected officials to do the right thing: end this wasteful use of our tax dollars by ending these subsidies.
Almost anything you can think of would be a better use of our tax dollars than subsidizing the ingredients in junk food, but every year more than a billion taxpayer dollars do just that. Huge, profitable corporations, like Cargill and Monsanto, have pocketed $19 billion since 1995 and turned subsidized crops into junk food ingredients — including high fructose corn syrup.
These taxpayer giveaways are all the more absurd at a time when one-in-three kids is overweight or obese, and obesity-related diseases like diabetes are turning into an epidemic.
No one in Congress wants to be seen standing up for taxpayer giveaways to junk food. Cutting wasteful spending while attacking childhood obesity could be the perfect storm we need to push past the junk food industry.
Job Activities/Scope: We sign up members and fundraise for Illinois PIRG through street canvassing. We get out into public places and talk with as many people as possible about the work of Illinois PIRG. We identify people who support the issue and get them involved. Canvassers will receive rigorous training on the skill of canvassing, and will have the opportunity to receive optional, additional trainings on campaign skills such as generating local media coverage, petitioning, and campaign strategy.
Knowledge and Skills: There are no requirements for prior knowledge or skills. Broadly, we are looking for candidates who work hard, communicate well, and are interested in working toward positive social change.
Compensation/Pay: The average pay is $10-$15 per hour.
To apply: Apply online HERE, and we will be in touch shortly. You can also call our office directly at (312) 559 -4701
Location: Chicago, IL
Term: Fall 2013
Hours: 1:45 PM – 10:00 PM
Campaign Description: Here in Chicago, we’re working with Illinois PIRG on a campaign to end taxpayer subsidies going to big agribusiness corporations like Monsanto and Cargill. Every year, taxpayers spend billions of dollars on subsidies for cash crops like corn that are processed into junk food ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. These subsidies are set to expire this fall—September 30th to be exact—and these companies have hired an army of lobbyists to ensure they continue to receive billions in taxpayer handouts. In 2012 these companies spent $220 million lobbying to keep these subsidies in the farm bill; we’ll never be able to outspend these companies, but we do have the opportunity to mobilize public support and put grassroots pressure on our elected officials to do the right thing: end this wasteful use of our tax dollars by ending these subsidies.
Almost anything you can think of would be a better use of our tax dollars than subsidizing the ingredients in junk food, but every year more than a billion taxpayer dollars do just that. Huge, profitable corporations, like Cargill and Monsanto, have pocketed $19 billion since 1995 and turned subsidized crops into junk food ingredients — including high fructose corn syrup.
These taxpayer giveaways are all the more absurd at a time when one-in-three kids is overweight or obese, and obesity-related diseases like diabetes are turning into an epidemic.
No one in Congress wants to be seen standing up for taxpayer giveaways to junk food. Cutting wasteful spending while attacking childhood obesity could be the perfect storm we need to push past the junk food industry.
Job Activities/Scope: We sign up members and fundraise for Illinois PIRG through street canvassing. We get out into public places and talk with as many people as possible about the work of Illinois PIRG. We identify people who support the issue and get them involved. Canvassers will receive rigorous training on the skill of canvassing, and will have the opportunity to receive optional, additional trainings on campaign skills such as generating local media coverage, petitioning, and campaign strategy.
Knowledge and Skills: There are no requirements for prior knowledge or skills. Broadly, we are looking for candidates who work hard, communicate well, and are interested in working toward positive social change.
Compensation/Pay: The average pay is $10-$15 per hour.
To apply: Apply online HERE, and we will be in touch shortly. You can also call our office directly at (312) 559 -4701