| INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS |
| 441 Monroe, Detroit MI 48226 (313) 549 -0421 |
| Harriet Tubman Center Detroit. Michigan |
| for Recruitment and Development of Organizers |
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HARRIET TUBMAN CENTER believes...
...there are two forces that change our world: organized money and organized people. If citizens come
together and become organized, we can form organizations that can change our local, regional, state, and
national agendas. Effective organizers understand the world as it is with injustice...and build organizations
that can move toward the world as it should be. Organizers work with individuals and institutions, such as
congregations, schools, universities, etc. Those of religious affiliations believe that God has equipped us
all with talents, time, and the ability to act for justice.
WHAT IS AN ORGANIZER?
A community organizer builds relationships systematically. He/she conducts one-to-one meetings
(relational meetings), begins the relationship, listens to others and works to understand the concerns of
the community.
These relationships allow the organizer to recognize leadership within the community. The organizer and
leaders discern ways to deal with the concerns that have been discussed. The team decides to hold an
action bringing people into direct contact with power players who can become allies if enough pressure is
brought against them. The process repeats itself: listening, discerning, acting-all the while developing
more leaders and involving more people in the process.
INTERNSHIPS: Tubman is seeking talented men and women who will develop into
professional community organizers. Tubman presently (fall '08) has a limited number
of internships available in Detroit and Kalamazoo MI. Summer '09 internship locations
are being determined and will be announced early in '09.
Duties and Responsibilities
Interns will be placed with a local community organization--such as a church, community development
corporation, school...under the direct supervision of an experienced organizer. Working with your
supervisor and other leaders you will create a work plan for the first three months. The supervisor helps
interns learn the skills and techniques necessary to completion of the work plan. Through continuous
reflection, evaluation, and action interns will become community organizers. Those who successfully
complete the three-month internship will recommended for a secondary 6-month pre-hire internship.
During the secondary phase, the same duties and responsibilities apply.
Intern Qualifications
While many personalities exist among organizers, successful community organizers hold several qualities
in common. One must be comfortable working with diverse communities. As an organizer, you will be
asked to work with people of different colors, languages, economic backgrounds, education levels, sexual
orientations, and religious beliefs than your own. Throughout your work as an organizer you will be
building relationships with different people, so prior experience with diverse communities is highly valued.
Organizers must be highly motivated and able to work independently to meet deadlines. Although you will
have a supervisor, he/she will not be standing over your shoulder making sure your work gets done-you
have to be responsible and accountable for yourself. Willingness to take risks and be thrown out of your
comfort zone is absolutely necessary: Those who want to be comfortable and complacent need not apply.
Finally, some logistical and technical concerns: Interns must be US citizens or permanent residents; have
access to a car, to allow for on-the-job flexibility; and have completed a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Salary and Benefits
Interns will be paid $2,000 per month for the first three months, totally $6,000. Interns will receive a full
scholarship for a National Weeklong Leadership Training event with a major national organizing network.
Interns will be responsible for any health care costs, and will arrange their own housing. Tubman staff will
share any info they have available. Tubman has been very successful recommending strong graduating
interns to professional positions as organizers (or 6-month fellowships).
CERTIFICATION
WHY HAVE A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?
Universities have an important role to play in developing students who are engaged in their communities
and prepared to be active citizens. The Harriet Tubman Center has developed a series of criteria, syllabi,
and other curricula that can be implemented at institutions of higher education. Once students complete a
set our courses and tasks they will receive a certificate. This certificate indicates the student has
acquired a set of skills necessary for community organizing work. The training prepares students for
work as a community organizer and will enhance career opportunities for recipients.
HOW TO ESTABLISH A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
If you are a student, professor, staff member or administrator at an institution of higher learning you can
bring the certificate program to your school.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Recruitment Directors:
• MI: Rachael Tanner - R.Ann.Tanner@gmail.com
• OH: Bill O’Brien - wobrien@swsol.org
• DC: Sarah Sweeney - sarah.anne.sweeney@gmail.com
• NY: Andres Kwon - donak22@gmail.com
• PA: Pete DaSilva - pete076@hotmail.com
• U of M: Prof. Greg Markus - gmarkus@umich.edu
...there are two forces that change our world: organized money and organized people. If citizens come
together and become organized, we can form organizations that can change our local, regional, state, and
national agendas. Effective organizers understand the world as it is with injustice...and build organizations
that can move toward the world as it should be. Organizers work with individuals and institutions, such as
congregations, schools, universities, etc. Those of religious affiliations believe that God has equipped us
all with talents, time, and the ability to act for justice.
WHAT IS AN ORGANIZER?
A community organizer builds relationships systematically. He/she conducts one-to-one meetings
(relational meetings), begins the relationship, listens to others and works to understand the concerns of
the community.
These relationships allow the organizer to recognize leadership within the community. The organizer and
leaders discern ways to deal with the concerns that have been discussed. The team decides to hold an
action bringing people into direct contact with power players who can become allies if enough pressure is
brought against them. The process repeats itself: listening, discerning, acting-all the while developing
more leaders and involving more people in the process.
INTERNSHIPS: Tubman is seeking talented men and women who will develop into
professional community organizers. Tubman presently (fall '08) has a limited number
of internships available in Detroit and Kalamazoo MI. Summer '09 internship locations
are being determined and will be announced early in '09.
Duties and Responsibilities
Interns will be placed with a local community organization--such as a church, community development
corporation, school...under the direct supervision of an experienced organizer. Working with your
supervisor and other leaders you will create a work plan for the first three months. The supervisor helps
interns learn the skills and techniques necessary to completion of the work plan. Through continuous
reflection, evaluation, and action interns will become community organizers. Those who successfully
complete the three-month internship will recommended for a secondary 6-month pre-hire internship.
During the secondary phase, the same duties and responsibilities apply.
Intern Qualifications
While many personalities exist among organizers, successful community organizers hold several qualities
in common. One must be comfortable working with diverse communities. As an organizer, you will be
asked to work with people of different colors, languages, economic backgrounds, education levels, sexual
orientations, and religious beliefs than your own. Throughout your work as an organizer you will be
building relationships with different people, so prior experience with diverse communities is highly valued.
Organizers must be highly motivated and able to work independently to meet deadlines. Although you will
have a supervisor, he/she will not be standing over your shoulder making sure your work gets done-you
have to be responsible and accountable for yourself. Willingness to take risks and be thrown out of your
comfort zone is absolutely necessary: Those who want to be comfortable and complacent need not apply.
Finally, some logistical and technical concerns: Interns must be US citizens or permanent residents; have
access to a car, to allow for on-the-job flexibility; and have completed a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
Salary and Benefits
Interns will be paid $2,000 per month for the first three months, totally $6,000. Interns will receive a full
scholarship for a National Weeklong Leadership Training event with a major national organizing network.
Interns will be responsible for any health care costs, and will arrange their own housing. Tubman staff will
share any info they have available. Tubman has been very successful recommending strong graduating
interns to professional positions as organizers (or 6-month fellowships).
CERTIFICATION
WHY HAVE A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?
Universities have an important role to play in developing students who are engaged in their communities
and prepared to be active citizens. The Harriet Tubman Center has developed a series of criteria, syllabi,
and other curricula that can be implemented at institutions of higher education. Once students complete a
set our courses and tasks they will receive a certificate. This certificate indicates the student has
acquired a set of skills necessary for community organizing work. The training prepares students for
work as a community organizer and will enhance career opportunities for recipients.
HOW TO ESTABLISH A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
If you are a student, professor, staff member or administrator at an institution of higher learning you can
bring the certificate program to your school.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Recruitment Directors:
• MI: Rachael Tanner - R.Ann.Tanner@gmail.com
• OH: Bill O’Brien - wobrien@swsol.org
• DC: Sarah Sweeney - sarah.anne.sweeney@gmail.com
• NY: Andres Kwon - donak22@gmail.com
• PA: Pete DaSilva - pete076@hotmail.com
• U of M: Prof. Greg Markus - gmarkus@umich.edu