TITLE: RELATIONAL ORGANIZER
LOCATION: State-wide (Michigan) - Hybrid Position
ANNUAL COMPENSATION: $50,128
RELOCATION COSTS COVERED: $3,000
STARTING BONUS: $2,000
RETENTION BONUS: $4,000 (must remain on staff through Nov 18th, 2024)
**POSITION DURATION: **This position is considered temporary and will conclude on November 18th, 2024. Positions may be extended (subject to funding and circumstance) following the 2024 election.
POSITION SUMMARY
Are you someone who has an interest in how politics shapes our lives? Have you ever seen or experienced systemic oppression and felt a calling to dismantle it? Are you someone that doesn’t feel wholly represented by business as usual politics? Are you looking for a high energy political home focused on justice for the 2024 election cycle and beyond?
MI United / MI United Action is going to contact hundreds of thousands of voters in 2024 with strategic resolve and an ambitious voter contact strategy including what is known as Relational Organizing (or Friend to Friend Outreach) - a transformative approach to election work. Voters contacted through relational organizing messages are 6.5x more likely to take action and effective programs can lead to a 40% increase in overall volunteer participation.
We are looking for some high energy individuals to lead our transformative relational organizing work in communities across MI by planning and executing fun and interactive “virtual house parties” with volunteers to help build a political home for those of us in 2024 who think politics (and organizing) as usual is getting us nowhere. Themes can range from “pop culture” politics and reactions to news stories to engaging voters in our exciting corporate accountability or healthcare campaigns.
MI United’s Theory of Change:
Michigan United is building a vibrant, inclusive movement in Michigan where community members are organizing to build power to affect change at local, state, and national levels. We are working to dismantle systemic barriers perpetuating inequality by building power. Michigan United defines power as the ability to act, and it comes in the form of organized people and organized money. We focus on issues from a racial, economic, and gender justice lens. We are a hub of people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power building. We are movement builders.
Michigan United’s theory of change is rooted in our core values. We start from the position that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with dignity. We’re committed to bridging gaps and fostering unity across different communities, recognizing that our destinies are linked in the fight for equity and justice.
Michigan United is dedicated to dismantling white supremacy, economic injustice, and patriarchy, transforming lives through tangible victories and leadership development. We believe in the power of a united community driven by a shared vision and strategic action, capable of making significant impacts at local, state, and national levels. Our focus on organizing communities, training leaders, and tackling systemic barriers is crucial in shaping Michigan's future.
Our commitment to a movement that reflects our multiracial base is at the core of our work, guiding us as we organize and mobilize communities, build collective power, and seek just outcomes. We are steadfast in these principles, aiming to create a Michigan where government and economy are inclusive, accountable, and equitable.
Michigan United's approach is grounded in practicality, driven by our values, and focused on building a state where dignity, equity, and justice are realities, not just aspirations. Through strong relationship-building, continuous leadership development, and strategic collective action, we pave the way for the radical, systemic changes our communities need and deserve.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
As a relational organizer, your responsibilities will include executing the grant-funded relational organizing program in 2024. You will report directly to the Relational Organizing Program Manager.
Along with your fellow Relational Organizers, your typical week could look similar to this:
Preparing for the weekly (eventually 2x weekly) “Virtual House Party” (VHP)
Recruit new volunteers to the program by working with existing MI United Action organizers to engage their leaders, utilizing MI United Action’s database of existing and dormant volunteers, attending bi-monthly justice assemblies, and completing 5 or more one to one’s with volunteers per week
Communications to volunteers including confirmations and feedback surveys
Logistical technicalities
Train volunteers on VHP roles (radical greeter, energy captain, technical support etc..)
Create content for relational organizing volunteers to message their contacts
Develop the themes, goals, and agendas for each VHP
Executing the weekly (eventually 2x weekly) VHP
Use Impactive (messaging app) to track leaderboards and provide instant feedback to volunteers
Create interactive games and contests for volunteers to stay engaged
Collect stories, videos, photos, and other multimedia to use for promotion
Provide technical support for app users
Programmatic responsibilities include:
Creating a high energy political home for 1100 MU Action Leaders
Volunteers sending 500 messages / emails to legislators by July and 55,000 total voter contact messages by November
Training canvassing fellows for 3 rounds of relational messaging
Developing and continually improving training materials and procedures
Attending monthly staff development trainings
Working with the data team to develop and improve ways to track volunteers through the ladder of engagement from inactive to leader
Attending planning meetings with the program manager and planning team
At the end of the election you will be transitioning new and newly activated leaders to a permanent organizer
REQUIREMENTS
A commitment to MI United Action’s theory of change and a strong commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice and their intersections, both inside and outside the organization
A desire to learn and grow as a leader and develop organizing skills
A high energy, self starter capable of executing plans and implementing creative solutions to problems
**Not required, but would be advantages to success in this role: **Previous organizing experience, experience creating social media content, event planning experience, ability to work with with a team to achieve a common goal
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Employees can be hybrid, but must be based in the State of Michigan. Team members are located throughout the state, with our headquarters being in Detroit. There will be in-person events, meetings, and activities. Our work schedule is standard business hours with flexibility. Evening and weekend availability is required. There will be periodic travel around the state, with intermittent out-of-state travel.
BENEFITS
Health Insurance and a $600/year Health Savings Account or monthly Health insurance stipend are available after 90 days of employment
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) after earning at least $5,000 during the previous two years
Internet and phone stipend of $125 a month
Paid time off accruing at 4.616 hours every 2 weeks (subject to black out dates around primary and general elections)
Paid sick time policy beginning at 16 hours and accruing up to 80 hours
Floating Holiday Policy
Mileage reimbursement policy
1.5x overtime pay after 40 hours
OUR COMMITMENTS
DISABILITY, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
MI United / MI United Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer; womxn, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI people are strongly encouraged to apply.
TRAINING
MI United / MI United Action has a robust training program that will be made available to staff as part of their work schedules. Training may include developing organizer skills such as how to properly do 1:1’s and cut issues strategically, storytelling, and self interest.
DEVELOPMENT
MI United / MI United Action believes in transformational, not transactional, organizing. We take our duty to develop our members, volunteers, leaders, and staff into the next generation of this movement’s leaders very seriously. Previous staff and current members, volunteers, and leaders are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to apply.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Submit resume, statement of interest, and three references (at least two references must be work-related, one may be personal)
You may apply via Paylocity. If you are having difficulties uploading your materials to Paylocity please send them via email to: resumes@miunited.org. Please do not submit your resume to both Paylocity and our email.
Please put the name of the position you are applying for in the email subject line
Resumes that do not adhere to these instructions will be discarded
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for the dignity and potential of every person. Michigan United organizes along with the following issue areas: immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, rural issues, healthcare, and civic engagement. Michigan United, along with Michigan United Action, our affiliated 501(c)(4), is serious about building long-term, political power with the aim of transforming our political and economic system into one that puts people and the planet first. Our main office is in Southwest Detroit, with additional offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Flint.
As a racial and economic justice organization, we actively encourage individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, income, gender identity, and sexual orientation, as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, to apply.
Michigan United is currently negotiating its first collective bargaining agreement with SOUL of MU & MPC, Statewide Organized United Labor of Michigan United and Michigan People's Campaign. They will be represented by the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, Local 34022. The person hired for this position will not become a bargaining unit member.