Western South Dakota Native American Organizing Project FULL TIME COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

Mission of Center for Community Change

The Center for Community Change (CCC) equips low-income people with the skills and strategies to improve their communities and the public policies and institutions that affect their lives. We do this primarily by helping low-income residents create and control strong community-based organizations that can serve as vehicles of power and progress.

Project Description & Position Summary: Western South Dakota Native American Organizing Project With a Sponsoring Committee of Lakota leaders from Rapid City, CCC is building a grassroots membership organization of low- income Native Americans to develop proactive solutions to social and economic conditions impacting the Native American population in South Dakota. This organization will become a multi-issue organization that works with ally organizations in the area to promote progressive social change. The organizing project will develop its first grassroots campaign to transform the state�s federally mandated food stamp program to effectively and appropriately serve low-income families. The primary areas to recruit and sustain Native American families into the organization are in Rapid City, west river rural towns, and Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Cheyenne River Reservations.

The Community Organizer�s main objective is to build a grassroots membership organization of low-income Native Americans in Western South Dakota who will be actively involved in the issue campaigns of the organization. The Community Organizer will report to a CCC Field Organizer. The CCC Field Organizer will provide community organizing training and coaching to the Community Organizer as needed. The Community Organizer will work closely with the Sponsoring Committee to actively recruit and develop a lasting membership base.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. MEMBER RECRUITMENT & DEVELOPMENT

a. Outreach and recruitment of low-income Native American families in above mentioned areas of Western South Dakota.
Recruitment tactics will include: door-knocking, contact phone calls, house meetings, public presentations, etc.

2. GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

a. Develop and implement leadership development programs and activities of Native American individuals who participate in the campaign and organizing activities. Leadership development activities include designing and implementing training sessions on conducting community surveys, meeting facilitation, public speaking, outreach tactics, etc.

3. CAMPAIGN & ALLY DEVELOPMENT

a. Develop and implement grassroots issue campaigns. Activities include power analysis research and mapping, defining the problem & issue, researching viable solutions, developing a campaign timeline and appropriate pressure tactics that involve grassroots ownership and participation, media attention, & recruiting ally support.

4. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

a. Establish organizational presence, visibility and legitimacy in Western South Dakota.
b. Develop and coordinate media relationships and exposure during campaign.
c. Develop and maintain administrative organization of files and basic budget management.

Qualifications & Requirements:

* Experience in community organizing principles and practices, preferred
* Experience and comfort working with diverse Native American community and low-income people
* Understanding of diverse Native American tribes in South Dakota
* Knowledgeable of key Native American tribes and organizations in Rapid City and western South Dakota, preferred
* Community education and outreach experience within the Native American community
* Oral and written fluency in Lakota language, preferred
* Associates degree, minimum requirement
* Strong oral and written communication skills
* Good listener, self-motivated, self-starter, able to work independently
* Proficient use of computer software programs: MS Word, MS Excel, databases, internet, and e-mail communication
* Valid driver�s license, a reliable vehicle, and valid car insurance
* Willing to work long flexible hours, nights & weekends; understands this is not a traditional 8am-5pm weekday job
* Travel within Western South Dakota required
* Drug and alcohol free, preferred

Time & Location: Full-time, two year commitment based in Rapid City, South Dakota

Compensation: Salary depending on experience, plus gas stipend for work travel To Apply: Please submit four things: cover letter, resume, writing sample, & three references.

E-mail to: pchiang@communitychange.org or Mail to: CCC, 7574 Forswall Road, Belgrade, MT 59714

Application Deadline: must be received by August 17, 2006, 5:00pm MDT

Start date: Immediately

CCC is an equal opportunity employer. Native Americans, People of Color and Women are encouraged to apply.