Ethics & Leadership in Law Politics & Government

July 16, 2015, Filed Under: Internship

Fall Internship at Worker’s Defense Project

ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT:

Created in 2002, WDP is a statewide, membership-based organization devoted to workers’ rights and advocacy, chiefly aiming to build power among Texas construction workers. Its mission – to empower low-income workers to achieve fair employment through education, direct services, organizing and strategic partnerships – is accomplished through a network of dedicated staff, volunteers and members.

WDP is one of the few organizations in Texas focused on addressing workplace abuse faced by low-wage laborers. Among the most established worker centers in the South, and a leader in the national movement of worker centers fighting for fair conditions for working people, WDP has won numerous awards for its cutting-edge achievements within one of the country’s most difficult climates for workers.

Each year, WDP serves over 2,500 workers through offices in Austin and Dallas by way of various social-service and organizing programs. WDP concentrates its efforts on winning better work conditions in the construction industry, which is among the most powerful special interest groups in Texas and employs over 900,000 workers statewide, half of whom are undocumented.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Development Intern, Austin

Application Due: August 5th, 2015

WDP is looking for a development intern to help raise money for the organization. The intern will be working with various members of the development team of Workers Defense Project to ensure WDP is meeting its fundraising goals. The development team is primarily responsible for fundraising for the organization through special events, individual donor cultivation, mailings, online appeals, marketing and acquiring donations from organizations, churches and law firms. In addition, the development team manages communications for WDP.

Requirements:

Strong written and verbal communication skills
Self-motivated individual who is able to work independently
Commitment to racial and social justice
Able to work 10 to 15 hours a week

Responsibilities:

The intern will work the development manager to:

Assist in the planning and preparation of special events
Conduct individual donor research, including prospect research
Track and enter fundraising information into database
Draft and deliver donor communications materials
Assist with solicitations to diverse audiences
Additional tasks as asssigned

Compensation:

$150 monthly stipend
Valuable knowledge of non-profit operations, how to fundraise, and inner workings of organizing in the labor movement in Texas

July 8, 2015, Filed Under: Internship

Fall 2015 Internships at the Rapoport Center for Human Rights & Justice

Call for Applications

Fall 2015 Undergraduate Internships

Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2015

The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at the University of Texas School of Law is currently accepting applications for UT undergraduates to intern with us during the fall of 2015! Interns will support various initiatives at the Rapoport Center. This internship is ideal for students who are interested in:

Working on human rights research and advocacy projects
Learning how an academic center functions
Engaging in human rights scholarship
Gaining practical experience
Collaborating with faculty, staff, and students

This is an unpaid internship. Selected interns should be available at least 10 hours per week during the semester.

The Role of Human Rights Interns

Undergraduate interns play an important role at the Rapoport Center. Interns will focus on different activities, depending on their background, interest, and the needs of the Center. Primary duties include:

Assisting with human rights research and advocacy projects
Supporting the coordination and publicity of events and programs
Expanding the Center’s social media outreach
Providing administrative support for Center programs
Contributing written work for press releases, website, and Annual Review publications
Serving as liaison to the UT undergraduate community and helping develop the Center’s undergraduate outreach
Assisting Co-Directors, Assistant Director, Human Rights Scholars, graduate students, and affiliated faculty with other projects and tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications

Commitment to working on issues of human rights and justice
Excellent writing skills
Strong organizational skills
Regular and punctual maintenance of office hours
Professional demeanor

The following qualifications may be preferred in some candidates:

Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese
Experience with publication, design, and website software (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite)
Experience with scholarly research and editing

How to Apply

Qualified students should submit the following materials individually in PDF format to Rapoport Center Assistant Director William Chandler at wchandler@law.utexas.edu (subject: Undergraduate Internship):

Cover letter (state why you are interested in the position; demonstrate basic knowledge of our programs and activities)

CV/Resume (indicate any relevant skills and foreign language proficiency)

Transcript (unofficial is fine; an official copy can be mailed separately if needed, to arrive by the deadline)

List of three references (at least two must be UT faculty; include contact information)

Writing sample (3-5 pages; does not need to relate directly to human rights, although that is preferable)

Questions?

Contact William Chandler at wchandler@law.utexas.edu or 512-232-4857.

Thank you and good luck!

July 8, 2015, Filed Under: Internship

Fall Fellowships/Internships with Battleground Texas

Application Timeline

July 1st – Application Opens
August 22nd – Application Closes
August 29th – Kickoff Training in Austin

Fellowship Description

Battleground Texas Fall Fellows are a crucial part of our mission to make Texas elections competitive again. The goal of the fellowship is to provide educational opportunities for Texans by teaching organizers and leaders to register and contact voters, recruit volunteers, and build neighborhood teams. Fellows will work with their local Regional Council of volunteers for a minimum of 15 hours a week to plan and participate in voter registration drives, phone banks, and team meetings.

What We’re Looking For

Fellows must be committed to building an energetic volunteer infrastructure. Fellows must also show willingness to learn new organizing skills and tools to help build and support the field program. Fellows must enjoy working in diverse teams, taking initiative, being solution-oriented, and having a great passion for volunteer-driven community organizing. Fellows are expected to actively participate in voter registration drives, phone banks, and/or volunteer-led meetings.

The ideal candidate is someone who is excited about electing progressives in Texas and ready to learn how to do it. They will thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, working with a diverse team to learn new things. Because Fellows will be working across the state, it is vital that candidates are self-starters, have a passion for their work, are solution-oriented and ready to talk to voters. Our Fellows come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have a passion and commitment to making change.

Fellows will organize in their home communities all across the state, so we encourage you to apply no matter where in Texas you live.

Headquarters Internship

While almost all Fellows will work in the field (where change is made!), Battleground Texas will have a few intern positions in Austin. Under the supervision of headquarters staff, interns will learn skills and tools to provide administrative support to staff and volunteers in the field. There are limited positions at headquarters, and all interns will be located in Austin.

The Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. As part of the application process, applicants may be asked for an interview or to participate in a volunteer action event such as a phone bank and/or neighborhood team meeting. All Fall Fellows are expected to attend the kickoff training in Austin, Texas on August 29th and serve as a Fellow until the completion of the program. This fellowship/internship is unpaid, is primarily for educational purposes, and is not expected to lead to an offer of permanent employment.

Apply here: http://join.battlegroundtx.com/page/s/2015-battleground-texas-fall-fellowship