Job Opportunity: Unitarian Universalist Massachusetts Action Network Inc., Executive Director
Job Description
Reports to:
Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Massachusetts Action Network Inc.
Purpose: To lead key organizing campaigns, represent our organization, and provide strategic planning, administrative oversight and fundraising leadership to the Unitarian Universalist Massachusetts Action Network Inc.
About UU Mass Action: Our Mission is to organize and mobilize UUs in Massachusetts to confront oppression. We provide pathways towards justice and identify opportunities in which we can live our shared values. All our work is grounded in racial justice and we both build relationships with and center the leadership of those who are most impacted by forms of oppression and injustice. We call UUs to confront oppression and build power with our coalition partners. We work with congregations to build capacity, engage in effective justice work and develop leadership. Together, we confront systems of oppression and work to create a world where all people are valued.
Location:
This position can be based anywhere in Massachusetts. All work is currently remote. Access to home internet required.
Duties:
Community Organizing and Outreach:
Work collaboratively with coalitions and partner organizations on UU Mass Action’s campaigns.
Participate in the leadership team for the Immigrant Justice campaign (including accompaniment networks) as well as the Decarceration and End Solitary Confinement (MASC) campaign. (MASC = Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement) Support organization’s strategy in building relationships with and organizing our 142 UU congregations in MA, including maintaining a record of congregational contacts and engagement. This includes guest preaching at congregations and offering training and workshops.
Support Certified Working Groups and the leaders and members of these, as required Develop and support programming that organizes UUs in MA to support our frontline partners Develop skills and education workshops in collaboration with partners and with staff Manage staff in organizing our annual Advocacy Day and related trainings Nurture relationships with state legislators relative to key legislative initiatives.
Work with national UU partners and other State Action Networks and coordinate on shared campaigns Attend Coalition of UU State Action Networks Staff Development & Support Supervise staff on their campaigns and projects, and provide the necessary support to create work plans and meet shared goals Conduct annual review of staff and offer suggestions, e.g. workshops and training, for their continuing growth.
Support our new UU Regional Teams and the lead staff for each team Supervise staff, interns, and/or consultants as needed
Fundraising:
Responsible for maintaining a strategic plan to ensure financial stability of the organization through fundraising through writing grants, managing individual donors, and soliciting congregational gifts Plan and execute the fundraising annual appeal letter Work with staff to plan annual fundraising event Nurture relationship with donors through thank you notes, direct contact and relationship building to encourage future donations Maintain the donor database.
Communication:
Ensure smooth and regularly communication to our network, either delegating or taking responsibility for the following:
Send weekly newsletter and action alerts to our networks Update website, Facebook and Twitter Publish the annual report Maintain a record of congregational contacts and engagement Board Relationships:
Report to UU Mass Action Board at regular meetings and prepare meeting agendas Collaborate with the board in the development of UU Mass Action strategic plan Collaborate with the board and encourage their involvement in a manner that matches their interests and skills Collaborate with the board in defining and understanding the Board’s responsibilities Collaborate with the board to Identify, vet and vote on potential Board candidates Prep for Annual Evaluation each spring conducted by the board.
Administration:
Oversee finances and 501(c)(3) status, including filing annual taxes Maintain insurance policies and associated reviews Maintain accounting record (Quickbooks), monthly donor record, grant administration requirements, and congregational giving records Maintain and update website (or, oversee the process), including all tasks associated with website maintenance Compensation & benefits:
Salary of $55,432 (full time)
Salary increases, bonuses and cost of living adjustment will be negotiated annually Health insurance, 100% coverage. Provided through the UUA (enrollment, Nov) Long term disability/leave provided through Paid Family & Medical Leave Flexible paid time off policy Four weeks vacation (3 during summer, 1 during year), plus holidays including Xmas week, and other religious holidays as practiced by staff. Unlimited sick time Transportation Expenses Mileage Reimbursement (private vehicle): Current rate is $0.45 per mile.
Zip car rentals can be expensed for infrequent trips Public transportation/ Charlie Card can be expensed but the work Charlie Card must be kept separate from a personal card Credit Card will be issued to cover work related expenses.
To apply for this position, send your resume and cover letter to: employment@uumassaction.org
Reports to:
Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Massachusetts Action Network Inc.
Purpose: To lead key organizing campaigns, represent our organization, and provide strategic planning, administrative oversight and fundraising leadership to the Unitarian Universalist Massachusetts Action Network Inc.
About UU Mass Action: Our Mission is to organize and mobilize UUs in Massachusetts to confront oppression. We provide pathways towards justice and identify opportunities in which we can live our shared values. All our work is grounded in racial justice and we both build relationships with and center the leadership of those who are most impacted by forms of oppression and injustice. We call UUs to confront oppression and build power with our coalition partners. We work with congregations to build capacity, engage in effective justice work and develop leadership. Together, we confront systems of oppression and work to create a world where all people are valued.
Location:
This position can be based anywhere in Massachusetts. All work is currently remote. Access to home internet required.
Duties:
Community Organizing and Outreach:
Work collaboratively with coalitions and partner organizations on UU Mass Action’s campaigns.
Participate in the leadership team for the Immigrant Justice campaign (including accompaniment networks) as well as the Decarceration and End Solitary Confinement (MASC) campaign. (MASC = Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement) Support organization’s strategy in building relationships with and organizing our 142 UU congregations in MA, including maintaining a record of congregational contacts and engagement. This includes guest preaching at congregations and offering training and workshops.
Support Certified Working Groups and the leaders and members of these, as required Develop and support programming that organizes UUs in MA to support our frontline partners Develop skills and education workshops in collaboration with partners and with staff Manage staff in organizing our annual Advocacy Day and related trainings Nurture relationships with state legislators relative to key legislative initiatives.
Work with national UU partners and other State Action Networks and coordinate on shared campaigns Attend Coalition of UU State Action Networks Staff Development & Support Supervise staff on their campaigns and projects, and provide the necessary support to create work plans and meet shared goals Conduct annual review of staff and offer suggestions, e.g. workshops and training, for their continuing growth.
Support our new UU Regional Teams and the lead staff for each team Supervise staff, interns, and/or consultants as needed
Fundraising:
Responsible for maintaining a strategic plan to ensure financial stability of the organization through fundraising through writing grants, managing individual donors, and soliciting congregational gifts Plan and execute the fundraising annual appeal letter Work with staff to plan annual fundraising event Nurture relationship with donors through thank you notes, direct contact and relationship building to encourage future donations Maintain the donor database.
Communication:
Ensure smooth and regularly communication to our network, either delegating or taking responsibility for the following:
Send weekly newsletter and action alerts to our networks Update website, Facebook and Twitter Publish the annual report Maintain a record of congregational contacts and engagement Board Relationships:
Report to UU Mass Action Board at regular meetings and prepare meeting agendas Collaborate with the board in the development of UU Mass Action strategic plan Collaborate with the board and encourage their involvement in a manner that matches their interests and skills Collaborate with the board in defining and understanding the Board’s responsibilities Collaborate with the board to Identify, vet and vote on potential Board candidates Prep for Annual Evaluation each spring conducted by the board.
Administration:
Oversee finances and 501(c)(3) status, including filing annual taxes Maintain insurance policies and associated reviews Maintain accounting record (Quickbooks), monthly donor record, grant administration requirements, and congregational giving records Maintain and update website (or, oversee the process), including all tasks associated with website maintenance Compensation & benefits:
Salary of $55,432 (full time)
Salary increases, bonuses and cost of living adjustment will be negotiated annually Health insurance, 100% coverage. Provided through the UUA (enrollment, Nov) Long term disability/leave provided through Paid Family & Medical Leave Flexible paid time off policy Four weeks vacation (3 during summer, 1 during year), plus holidays including Xmas week, and other religious holidays as practiced by staff. Unlimited sick time Transportation Expenses Mileage Reimbursement (private vehicle): Current rate is $0.45 per mile.
Zip car rentals can be expensed for infrequent trips Public transportation/ Charlie Card can be expensed but the work Charlie Card must be kept separate from a personal card Credit Card will be issued to cover work related expenses.
To apply for this position, send your resume and cover letter to: employment@uumassaction.org
Legislative Briefing: Two Part Series on Parole
From Incarceration to Legislation...
If you missed our event, From Incarceration to Legislation, you can watch the video by clicking here.
Please join us June 17, 2021 for a great event...
Click here to register. Send inquiries to director@cjpc.org.
Job Opportunity
ORGANIZER: The Campaign to End Life Without Parole (CELWOP)
The Campaign to End Life without Parole (CELWOP), a newly formed coalition, is seeking a community organizer to coordinate a state-wide drive to increase public awareness of life without parole sentences in Massachusetts and to galvanize public support to end LWOP.
The campaign would complement efforts by Massachusetts lawmakers to secure passage of H1797, legislation that would eliminate LWOP by mandating parole review eligibility in all instances starting at 25 years of incarceration. The measure would also establish restorative justice programs geared to men and women incarcerated in Massachusetts on sentences in excess of 25 years.
CELWOP seeks a field organizer with lived experience in the criminal legal system, either as a formerly incarcerated person or as someone with a loved one who is serving a life sentence or another extreme sentence. While current funding for the post would expire after 24 weeks, CELWOP will work to raise additional resources to extend the position. CELWOP anticipates that the position will begin July 1 2021.
Connecting with faith-based groups, unions, schools and colleges, community-based and activist organizations, the organizer will seek to challenge the media-driven false narrative that people convicted of violent offenses are irredeemable and undeserving of a second chance.
The organizer will work in collaboration with incarcerated members of CELWOP. He/She/They will be responsible for promoting civic engagement in the campaign to abolish life without parole.
In particular, the organizer should have:
· knowledge of the Massachusetts criminal legal system
· the ability to travel to targeted districts to attend conferences, community gatherings and public rallies.
· have a computer, phone and the ability to print documents.
In addition, the organizer will be expected to:
· work in collaboration with others to create a social media campaign against life without parole sentences in Massachusetts.
· arrange speaking engagements for himself/herself/themselves, as well as CELWOP members.
· respond promptly, in consultation with CELWOP, to provocative or hostile commentary or coverage in the media.
· provide a detailed monthly activities report to CELWOP.
· attend regular meetings of the CELWOP coalition, in person or via Zoom conferencing
Skills/Knowledge Needed
· strong computer skills
· familiarity with social media
· organizational experience
· trained in or familiar with restorative justice
· strong communication skills, both verbal and written
· ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people
· familiarity with the legislative process
· familiarity with organizations and individuals working to end mass incarceration
· familiarity with restorative justice practices both inside and outside of prison.
The organizer, who will be retained as an independent contractor, will check in and report progress on a monthly basis to the Exoneree Network, which is applying for funds from The Sentencing Project to finance CELWOP. The Network’s fiscal sponsor is The New England Innocence Project. The organizer’s direction will be led by consensus of CELWOP.
DURATION
July 1 2021 – December 15 2021: 24 weeks:
COMPENSATION
40 dollars per hour, 20 hours a week, or 480 hours, plus reimbursement for expenses
YOUR RESUME AND A LETTER EXPLAINING YOUR INTEREST AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION SHOULD BE EMAILED TO:
CYNTHIA GOLDBERG
cynthia@thef8foundation.org
Join us for our upcoming event!
Join panelists Senator William Brownsberger, Senator Pat Jehlen, Representative Liz Miranda, Ruth Greenberg, Esq., Lauren Petit, Esq. of Prisoners' Legal Services, and Deborah Goldfarb, LICSW of the HLS Criminal Justice Institute for a passionate and informative discussion on medical parole and the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to submit questions for panelists prior to the event, please contact Linda Arian at director@cjpc.org.