JOB OPENING: Fundraise for Social Change with CISPES

Fundraise for Social Change with CISPES!

Fundraising Collective MEMBER
- hourly (10 hrs/week)

Application Due: February 12th, 2010

Location: Columbia Heights--Washington, DC

Start Date: March 1st, 2010

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

CISPES is a national, grassroots, solidarity organization. We have been working since 1980 in solidarity with the FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front) and the Salvadoran social justice movement to promote an alternative to the oppressive US-backed policies of the Salvadoran right. Today, eighteen years after the signing of the Salvadoran Peace Accords, the struggle for a more just society continues on many socio-economic fronts.

CISPES currently works to promote a cross-border movement that can confront the injustices of the neoliberal economic model that is ravaging El Salvador and much of the globe. In 2009 we won a tremendous victory for our campaign by stopping U.S. intervention in the presidential elections in El Salvador, accompanying the Salvadoran people in the victory of the left for the first time ever. Our campaign now focuses on stopping destructive corporate gold mining projects in El Salvador and the lawsuits brought by 2 North American Mining Corporations under CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

Local CISPES chapters around the country mobilize and organize volunteer activists to carry out national CISPES campaigns supporting the movement in El Salvador, and in opposition to US economic and military aggression in Latin America. Chapters also play an active role in coalitions with other groups on issues such as immigrants' rights, fair trade, supporting the leftward shift in Latin America, and opposition to US militarism and corporate-driven globalization. In addition to coordinating
speakers' tours, delegations to El Salvador, cultural and educational events and public protests, CISPES raises funds for alternative solutions in El Salvador, supporting directly the grassroots organizing efforts of labor unions, the youth movement, and the women's movement.

Fundraising Collective Members will be part of the national fundraising team. FunK members are responsible for ensuring funds for the national organization as one of our primary grassroots fundraising programs. The main role of this position is to make calls to our grassroots phone list, update supporters on our campaign, and pitch them to increase their financial and political support of CISPES.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

* National Phonebank: calling a portion of the list to update supporters and ask them to donate over the phone. The schedule is flexible but calling takes place on evenings during the week, though weekend shifts are also available.

* National Collaboration: Regular coordination meetings with the FunK Coordinator, and participation in monthly fundraising planning and strategy meetings by phone as part of the National Fundraising Team.

* Record-keeping: Maintain thorough records of fundraising phone calls, credit card donations and check pledges, send pledge reminders at the end of each call shift.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Experience fundraising

*Comfort and confidence in asking individuals for donations over the phone

* Basic understanding of the political and social issues of Latin America especially the US role in Central America militarily and economically, neoliberalism and labor issues in Latin America and the US

* Political beliefs that are compatible with the goals of the organization

* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly on the phone and going door-to-door, and among a collective

* High level of organization

* High level of initiative and self-motivation; ability to work effectively with minimal supervision

* Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

* Strong conversational English

* Commitment for at least 6 months

PREFERRED:

* Fundraising experience with phonebanking and/or canvassing

* Experience with grassroots organizing and/or solidarity work

* Administrative skills

* Bilingual English/Spanish speaker

* Knowledge of CISPES and the history and politics of El Salvador

SALARY: This position is hourly (10 hours/week), with compensation of $12/hour.

TO APPLY: Please
send a cover letter, resume and three references' contact information by
email to ilana@cispes.org or by regular
mail to: Ilana Feingold, FunK Member
Position, CISPES National Office, 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington DC 20010

CISPES is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, queer folks, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.