Grassroots Community Organizing Intern

Brief  Position Description:

The Grassroots Community Organizing Inter’s main role is to support the CIS grassroots organizers that work in different communities throughout El Salvador.  Specific work will be based on the needs of the program as well as the abilities and preferences of the volunteer. There are three specific areas of the program. (Applicants can name a preference for which program they would like to work with.) The areas are:

• Salvadoran Enterprises for Women
• Clean Water Campaign
• Youth Formation and Scholarship Program

Requirements:

All areas require the following skills (additional requirements are listed below when applicable):

• Bi-lingual:  Spanish / English
• Strong group facilitation skills

Detailed Descriptions of Each Area:

SALVADORAN ENTERPRISES FOR WOMEN  

Volunteers will accompany CIS grassroots organizers as they support women’s businesses in rural areas with circumstances of economic depression and low levels of formal education.  Responsibilities will include participating in evaluations with women and writing up a written report of the results in both Spanish and English. Individuals with business administration or a related background can assist in developing and facilitating workshops on basic accounting, calculating costs and prices, commercialization, and other business development topics.

(experience preferred in: business administration, accounting, women’s rights, and/or project development)

Learning Outcomes for Volunteers

• Learn about the economic reality of rural villages in El Salvador
• Learn about the advantages and obstacles to developing businesses in areas that face economic depression, low levels of education, and other difficulties
• Learn to use a participative methodology in workshop facilitation

CLEAN WATER CAMPAIGN 

Volunteers will support the CIS clean water campaign. This will include advocacy, education, and training on the use of water filters in communities with scarce economic resources.  The volunteer will accompany a CIS grassroots organizer in giving workshops to raise awareness about: clean water, distribution of filters, the correct use of filters, and the evaluation of the use of filters.

(experience preferred in: environment, science, community organizing)

Additional tasks the volunteer may perform include:

• Setting up a database to help systematize information on levels of water contamination in communities and the impact of CIS campaign in the communities.
• Participating in community visits to evaluate the impact of the filter program and the impact of different filter systems.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn to use a participative methodology in workshop facilitation
• Learn about water rights on the international level
• Learn about water contamination, health impacts, and obstacles for the economically poor

YOUTH FORMATION AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 

The volunteer will be responsible for developing and co-facilitating workshops with the CIS grassroots organizing team. Workshops are for youth between the ages of 14 and 25 that are a part of the CIS's Youth Formation and Scholarship Program and touch on various topics such as: environment, sexual and reproductive rights, women’s rights, analysis of Salvadoran reality, human rights, etc. The volunteer will also help to systematize and write up guides and methodology for workshop leaders.

(experience preferred in: education)

Learning Outcomes

• Learn about the reality for youth in El Salvador and the different challenges they face
• Learn to use participatory methodology for workshop facilitation
• Strengthen Spanish language and/or translation skills

Other desired skills:

• Writing, editing, layout, and/or graphic design

Benefits for Grassroots Volunteers

• Contribute to El Salvador's social movement in their struggle for justice
• Gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge of participatory methodology used in workshop facilitation
• Become aware of the structures that oppress the people of El Salvador
• Be an integral link in the consciousness raising process
• Be a part of the international solidarity movement
• Engage in cultural and language exchange with Salvadorans
• Make a concrete contribution to the development of El Salvador

Logistics

• Orientation is provided upon arrival (including health and safety training).
• Assistance is given in finding housing within a network of Salvadoran host families.  (Monthly living expenses are estimated to be approximately US $400.)
• Minimum time commitment is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week
• Applicants must be able to commit to one of our 10 week sessions

Dates for 2013 Sessions:

• 2013 Session 1: January 10th - March 15th

• 2013 Session 2: April 4th - June 7th

• 2013 Session 3: June 20th - August 30th

• 2013 Session 4: September 12th - November 22nd

To Apply 

To apply, please send a letter of interest and your C.V. to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We also require a $100 program fee, which will be used to assist in covering the costs of in-country transportation, materials, and administrative costs. Please see the payment section of our website to pay the fee.

Note: We will review your application AFTER we have received your program fee. This fee is non-refundable if you decide not to volunteer with us. If for some reason, however, we do not accept your application, then the fee would be returned to you. Each session we will accept a maximum of 3 volunteers.  Priority will be given to those who apply at least 2 months in advance.