Canvasser

Posted June 17, 2021

*** Applicants Must Include Cover Letter ***

Nova Scotia ACORN is looking for motivated individuals interested in learning how to be a canvasser. No experience required and thorough training provided.

About us: Since 2004 ACORN staff organizers have been helping organize communities and secure important victories for low-to-moderate income communities at the local, provincial and national levels. Victories like rent control, $10/month internet for 200,000 low income families, winning repairs and stopping evictions for tenants across the HRM, and many more.

ACORN is made up of over 8,000 low- and moderate-income member families, in 3 local chapters throughout the city. You don’t see or hear ACORN organizers in the media, and you certainly will not see them running a community meeting. A real organizer’s role is to build leaders and power in low-and-moderate income communities, not speak on behalf of them.

The job: ACORN is a union in the community. Like any union our members pay membership dues so that they can have a sustainable independent organization to fight for their interest. Part of everyone’s job at ACORN is to work to increase our membership and retain our independence. Your job as a canvasser will be primarily engaging community members in the organization and fundraising.

Room for advancement in the organization is available and expected.

Positions available: Part Time.

Full Time positions available for those who succeed in the part time role.

Full Time: Before COVID19 organizer’s primary method of recruiting new members was through door-knocking/house visits. Since COVID19, we’ve come up with creative new ways to engage new people into the organization such as street, door to door and online petitioning, and following up with people who attend events and asking them to join their local group . In addition to member recruitment, this job will include fundraising, organizing virtual meetings, organizing social distance actions/protests, cultivating new community leaders, phone outreach, and most of all listening to the people in the communities we organize in.

Ideal Candidates Are:

• Leaders who are willing to work independently in a grassroots setting
• Willing to handle challenging and rewarding work to help our membership grow to be strong and active leaders
• Must be willing to work field hours between 2PM and 8PM as we organize predominately when many people are at home
• Passionate about social justice and eager to participate in direct action on issues decided by ACORN’s current community leaders

To better prepare yourself for the interview process, if you are selected, visit our website and social media at:

acorncanada.org | Twitter: @NSACORN | Facebook: Nova Scotia ACORN

Salary: $15.00 per hour

COVID-19 considerations: All staff must follow public health protocol and wear PPE when in the field. Hand sanitizer and PPE provided. Social distancing guidelines in effect when in the field. Work takes place outdoors.

To apply: Email cover letter and resume to halifax1@acorncanada.org