Community Organizer
Posted February 25, 2020
Applicants Must Include Cover Letter and Resume
Ottawa ACORN is looking for motivated individuals interested in learning how to be a community organizer. We’re looking for dedicated people who are up to the task of working with neighbourhoods directly impacted by poor housing conditions, gentrification and where the people that make up the community are traditionally disenfranchised from decision making processes. Our goal is to build power for low and moderate income families and to create real social change!
No experience required and thorough training provided.
About ACORN:
Since 2004 ACORN 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 regulating payday loan companies, $10/month internet for low income parents with children, winning $15 million for building affordable housing in the City’s 2019 and 2020 budgets with our allies, winning millions of dollars worth of repairs for dilapidated apartment buildings, and many more.
Ottawa ACORN is made up of over 32,000 members, in 7 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.
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 out independence.
Room for advancement in the organization is available and expected.
Positions available:
Full Time: The job will include recruiting new members through door-knocking, fundraising, organizing meetings, organizing actions/protests, communications/public relations, developing campaigns, cultivating new community leaders, phone outreach, attending out-of-town meetings, and most of all listening to the people in the communities we organize in.
Part Time: You will be part of a team doing mass outreach in order to communicate Ottawa ACORN’s economic justice campaigns in low-to-moderate communities and fundraising in middle income neighbourhoods. Minimum 3 shifts a week from 3:30-8pm required.
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 12PM and 9PM 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:
www.acorncanada.org Twitter: @OttawaACORN Facebook: Ottawa ACORN
To apply: ottawa@acorncanada.org