Position Overview
The Organizer is responsible for building and sustaining Common Defense's membership in the New York area, as well as other areas as needed and assigned, engaging members in strategic campaigns, and executing successful actions. This role directly contributes to achieving Key Results in membership engagement, member growth, and strategic campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
Member Organizing and Recruitment
Identify and recruit new members into Common Defense.
Mobilize members through email, direct texts, cold calls, social media DMs, and in-person meetings.
Conduct 1-1’s with prospects and members to motivate them to participate in our campaigns.
Execute an ongoing recruitment plan that includes digital platforms, in-person tabling and other events, and ongoing outreach to prospective members through all available channels.
Facilitate state organizing committee (SOC) meetings and national membership calls.
Make accurate, timely updates to contact records in ActionBuilder or other software tools.
Take responsibility for holding relationships with specific members, and move them up the ladder of engagement.
Report on organizing activities and progress to Lead Organizer, and leadership.
Campaigns and Actions
Identify opportunities and propose new actions that advance our campaign Objectives and Key Results.
Play a significant role planning and executing successful actions, events, and mobilizations under the guidance of the Lead Organizer.
Develop organizing materials like toolkits and fliers.
Conduct turn-out for actions and events, including monthly National Member Calls.
Media and Press
Identify members who could be effective speakers and writers. If requested, act as a spokesperson or provide quotes for a press release.
Develop relationships with local press to achieve communications Key Results.
Professional Development
Attend staff training sessions on organizing methods, media skills, and other topics. Develop proficiency in platforms such as Asana, ActionBuilder, Google Suite, Hustle, Slack, etc.
Develop a working knowledge of state and national issues relevant to Common Defense campaigns and objectives. Stay up to date on news and major developments related to these issues.
Coalitions and Partnerships
Build and maintain relationships with ally organizations and partners to achieve Key Results.
With approval from Team Director, represent the organization in state or issue-based coalitions relevant to Key Results and create detailed report-backs.
Team Leadership
Coach and support Organizing Fellows in organizing skills, software tools, and other topics.
Co-facilitate training modules for members and staff as needed.
Qualifications
Required:
Minimum of 1 year of experience in community, labor, issue advocacy, or electoral organizing.
Commitment to social justice and the mission of Common Defense.
Strong written communications and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.
Military experience or knowledge of US military and veteran culture, idioms, institutions, organizations, ranks, operations, and basic service histories.
Preferred:
Familiarity with grassroots organizing and membership growth strategies.
Ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights for organizing efforts.
Proficiency in using digital organizing tools like ActionBuilder, Google Suite, Hustle, and Slack.