Political job posting in NC

Some former coworkers passed this along to me:

The Obama campaign is looking to hire North Carolina Field Organizers to come be a part of history.

Field Organizers will be responsible for:
- Helping to register new voters and lead a statewide voter registration drive
- Recruiting and managing a team of volunteers to assist identifying Obama supporters
- Helping organize meetings and events within different constituency groups in your area
- Organize and execute an early vote program
- Helping prepare and run a GOTV (Get Out the Vote) program in your area in the week leading up to the May 6th North Carolina primary

Requirements:
- Previous campaign experience is a plus but not required
- Willingness to work long hours and seven days a week
- Must be able to provide your own transportation

Interested parties should e-mail ncobamajobs@gmail.com.

April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Blog

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Expand volunteer roles to gain experience in your field

For twenty-somethings, volunteering has long been a part of our lives. Our parents made us volunteer as kids, our high schools required it, and we needed it for college admissions and resumes post-undergrad. We built Habitat houses, volunteered in soup kitchens, mentored kids, worked in group homes, and all kinds of things that help our community.

Continuing our volunteer work is important to personal growth, but expanding our roles as volunteers can give us a professional boost. We should considering joining boards and committees for non-profit organizations they believe in — and taking leadership roles in them.

Joining non-profit boards and committees and providing pro-bono services to organizations give great experience and learning opportunities to young professionals. And twenty-somethings can get involved with local organizations who need our knowledge and skills.

My best friend Josh, a 23-year-old construction executive in South Carolina, recently stepped up as a Trustee of his church, which he’s been a member of his entire life. He’s taken on a heavy role with the church’s finances, learning about non-profit accounting and governance.

Because he’s done a great job as a Trustee, he’s been asked to lead the church’s capital campaign to build a new sanctuary. He asked me to volunteer, and I’m trying on a consultant hat for the first time by giving them some fundraising advice as they plan their campaign.

We’ve already prepared a strategy document for the church (attached below), had one excellent meeting with the church’s leadership, and I’ll be working with Josh to train church members, prepare materials, and coach them through the fundraising process.

These experiences will not only accomplish good things for his church, but they’ll give us added experience that will hopefully help us in our careers.

Look at non-profit organizations. At my job, the Ronald McDonald House and Family Room of Durham, volunteers are crucial to our operations and leadership. Volunteers help us provide direct service to the families; advise us on operational, legal, fiscal and strategic moves; and are actively involved in our fundraising and special events. We have several young professionals, including two Duke MBA students, on our Board of Trustees and committees.

Political committees need volunteer leaders. When I worked in politics, volunteers were key to fundraising, get out the vote (GOTV), and events. Political experience is applicable to many careers, especially fundraising.

Also, public boards and commissions are always looking for young people to serve. A college friend of mine with an interest in city planning was the only person under 30 who applied to serve on the Town of Chapel Hill’s Transportation Board, and he had a very successful term.

So get involved! No matter your field, I bet there is an organization in your area who could use your help. You’re doing great work, and it gives you valuable experience that could be helpful in future career endeavors.

April 2, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Career, Fundraising, Non-Profits

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