Overview
The objective of an Organizing Coordinator is to support the recruitment, training, and ongoing coaching of Swing Left volunteer-led groups in the assigned metropolitan area, with a focus on Swing Left's Team Up program. Team Up brings together prospective volunteer leaders for a kickoff training where they will be paired up with co-leaders and learn how to launch a new Swing Left group over the following months.
The Organizing Coordinator reports to an Organizing Program Manager and is a part-time hourly role.
Organizing Coordinators will be based in one of the following metropolitan areas. Applicants must select their location when they apply.
New York, NY (with a primary focus on organizing in Westchester County)
Los Angeles, CA (with a primary focus on organizing in Orange County)
Chicago, IL (with a primary focus on organizing in the surrounding suburbs)
Organizing Coordinators will be expected to spend time recruiting and engaging volunteers in the area of primary focus listed with each city above.
About Swing Left
Swing Left is a national grassroots organization working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. We make it possible for anyone to make a big impact on the elections that determine the balance of power in our country, by volunteering and donating in key races. Since launching in 2017, Swing Left volunteers have raised $80 million for Democratic candidates, civic organizations, and voter mobilization efforts, and made more than 44 million combined phone calls, door knocks, and letters sent to voters via its affiliate Vote Forward and their partners.
Volunteer-led ** groups** are at the heart of how Swing Left builds a lasting culture of grassroots participation. As a local presence, groups build deep relationships with their members and engage volunteers beyond one election cycle or a single volunteer shift. Group organizing drives more than half of Swing Left’s overall voter contact shifts, and represents nearly all of our voter contacts outside of the final six weeks of election season. Building on the success of our 2023 pilot, we will create and support new groups through the Team Up program that will add sustained capacity in key areas, for Swing Left’s 2024 targets and beyond.
Hiring process overview
This process includes a written application and an interview via Zoom
Application deadline: April 9, 2024
Interviews: April 8-12, 2024
Expected start date: April 22, 2024
We will communicate about our expected timeline as the process progresses, and all candidates should expect to receive communication from our team regarding their application status. Our intention is to keep candidates in the loop as we work through each stage equitably and as efficiently as possible
Responsibilities
Recruit participants for Swing Left’s Team Up program in assigned metropolitan area
Recruit a minimum of ten participants for Team Up through in person and digital outreach in your assigned metropolitan area
Support your assigned organizing staff member in reviewing applicants and admitting participants to the Team Up program
Communicate with participants prior to the kickoff training; this may include email and in-person one-on-one meetings to ensure attendance
After the conclusion of the Team Up program, continue to recruit prospective group leaders to start new Swing Left groups in parts of your assigned metro area where we have identified gaps, if applicable
Support the implementation of the Team Up kickoff training in assigned metropolitan area
Support the Team Up full-day kickoff training in assigned metropolitan area, which will take place on a Saturday in May or June, by attending and coaching attendees as they begin to develop their plans for their new groups
Work with your manager to ensure the success of the kickoff training, including but not limited to advanced and day-of event logistics
Provide ongoing coaching and support to Swing Left groups, including new Team Up groups as well as existing groups in assigned metropolitan area
Hold regular (every other week) one on one conversations with each group leader in assigned metropolitan area for the duration of the program to identify their needs, capacities
Provide coaching, support, and connection to Swing Left priorities and resources to ensure the new groups that emerge from the Team Up program in assigned metropolitan area achieve and maintain top levels of grassroots strength and alignment to Swing Left priorities
Support groups’ regular execution of hosted volunteer recruitment and voter contact events
Provide and communicate opportunities to build group capacity and get out the vote in target races
Execute ongoing virtual trainings (one to one or one to many) to teach volunteer leaders how to effectively deploy Swing Left’s organizing toolkit, strengthen their work, and address needs identified via one on one conversations
Provide a consistent point of contact for group leaders in assigned metro area to Swing Left through Nov 15, 2024
Consistently respond to volunteer messages within a reasonable timeframe (i.e. within about 48 hours of message receipt)
Submit weekly debriefs and maintain regular communication via email and Slack with the Swing Left organizing staff to provide updates on current work, accurately track group capacity, and provide insights
Regularly attend scheduled bi-weekly team meetings and one-on-one meetings with a designated staff member on alternating weeks
Maintain accurate data and tracking systems
Successful Organizing Coordinator candidates will have
A strong commitment to our mission and values and for supporting volunteer leaders around supporting Democrats in the elections that determine the balance of power in our country
A demonstrated commitment to equity and belonging across all identities including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability. A specific track record of a commitment to BIPOC communities
Live within the metropolitan area that they are applying to, and have some familiarity with the grassroots organizing landscape in the area
Ability to spend 10 hours per week on work for this role; this will include meeting with volunteers and supporting their events on your own schedule, attending weekly meetings with Swing Left staff, and staffing one all-day Saturday workshop in May or June
Ability to maintain regular communication with Swing Left staff and volunteers through the duration of the program
Aptitude for connecting with people, forming and maintaining new relationships, and asking folks to step up
High level of comfort with using technology to support organizing (Zoom, Slack, email platforms, social media platforms). Experience with digital organizing is not required but is preferred
Strong written and oral communication skills, and consistent reporting habits
Experience recruiting volunteers and building and maintaining volunteer teams
Working at Swing Left
The Organizing Coordinator role is an exempt, part-time, hourly position. The pay for this position is $18.07/hour. This position requires both remote and in-person work in the area of focus associated with each metropolitan area (see overview section for more information). Organizing Coordinators will attend and help lead at least one in person training event, in addition to meeting with volunteers via Zoom and in person.
We are an equal opportunity employer and seek applications from all qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas at this time. We use E-Verify during onboarding to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. We welcome all applicants regardless of age, citizenship, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy status, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other differences.