Are you our Power Project Organizer?

The Power Project is a program of Communities United to empower all those negatively impacted by the War on Drugs, including returning citizens, people who use/have used drugs and other people who face routine stigma and their loved ones to advocate for themselves and one another. The Power Project trains participants to name and talk about community and personal problems, hone their leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking skills in order to organize others. 

Job Title: Power Project Organizer

Location: Baltimore City

Reports To: Executive Director

Power Project Responsibility (70% of time): 

The Power Project Lead Organizer's primary responsibilities are to:

1. Meet with and learn the Maryland State legislative process and current legislative landscape from research and our paid lobbyist
2. Through direct street outreach, as well as relationship building with existing list of past participants, recruit a diverse group of impacted individuals to the Power Project
3. Pass practical knowledge of legislative processes onto program participants by developing and leading Power Project Sessions
4. Prepare and support Power Project participants to communicate effectively with legislators, staff people and lobbyists in person, on the phone and in writing.
5. Prepare and support Power Project participants to communicate effectively about legislation and initiatives to rectify the harm done by the War on Drugs including: speaking publicly including to the media, on social media and in regular email correspondences.
6. Identify, pursue, track/document, follow-up and keep up engagement with individuals before and after Power Project Sessions, including recruiting them for paid phone banking and street outreach
7. Participate respectfully, responsibly and professionally in coalition partnerships with other organizational partners.

 
 
This organizer will need to be able to take full responsibility to coordinate all logistics (location, time, food, transportation and stipends) and be able to lead or recruit needed partners to lead all program activities.
 
Required Organizer Outcomes for 2023:

• Recruit approximately 80 persons affected by the War on Drugs to participate in Power Project sessions (4 days, 2.5 hours/day) in order to more than double the number of educated, aware and engaged participants within our database.
• Of the 80, at least 10 will be youth (Age 18-24) who will be trained on analyzing, shaping, and critiquing drug policy, so we can begin to build the next generation of advocates. 
• Mobilize 12 Power Project participants to testify for, meeting with/lobby legislators directly ask for their vote for, lead press actions and otherwise push the next bill in order to change the discourse by bringing the valuable insights of impacted persons to Maryland legislators.
• Identify 10 or more Power Project leaders who will participate in direct outreach through street and phone canvassing to recruit more participants in Power Project trainings in order to spread the sense of self-efficacy and hope to those still harmed by current laws.
• Participate in coalitions that are working to push for De Minimis legislation in the 2023 session to coordinate strategies to move the bill. This coalition will be coordinated closely with BRIDGES and the newly founded STATEWIDE DECRIMINALIZATION COALITION (see below). Work with lobbyist, other organizers and member leaders, staff and partners to develop lobbying and constituent education strategies based on our successes and challenges.
• Trust the expertise of persons with lived experience and work to include their feedback into the 2023 bill. 

Organizer Responsibilities (30% of time): 

1. Recruit new members.
2. Take leadership at Communities United and coalition partners' meetings and other events, including participating in strategizing, planning and executing.
3. Maintain an active and interactive presence on social media.
4. Communicate campaign messages clearly, both verbally and in writing.
5. Exercise strategic judgment and problem-solving skills.
6. Organize self and materials in order to meet responsibilities.
7. Pitch in and work with a diverse team of staff and members.
8. Work independently within a plan with deliverables while being accountable to a team.

Primary Qualifications:

• Organizing experience (labor, community, issue campaign or election related) preferred;
• A commitment to social, racial and economic justice and the power of grassroots community organizing to achieve it;
• Understanding of issues facing drug users, people in recovery, ex-offenders, communities of color, those engaged in sexwork, and other low-wage workers;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills – good attention to detail and well organized;
• Self-motivated - proven ability to work independently;
• Patience and ability to work well with diverse groups and populations;
• Dedication and ability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends;
• Spanish/English bilingual a plus;
• Ability to be a team player and work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment;
• Possession of valid driver's license is preferred but not required.

Pay & Benefits:

• $42,500 (negotiable based on experience) 
• Health insurance
• Compensated travel

Communities United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, origin,  sex, orientation, gender, or disability.