In late 2020, in some of the darkest days of the COVID pandemic, one of our Open Democracy Team members proposed an "Open Democracy Book Club."  To our surprise, 300 citizens registered for the first book and discussion in January.   Certainly, the pandemic gave us some time at home to read, but the hunger to learn about the problems and how to fix them was there already.

Our Mission

We've been fortunate in our first months to have the authors of each of our books with us via Zoom for a few minutes to help us grapple with our three guiding questions about the sad status of our Democracy:

Where are we?

How did we get here?

What do we do about it? 

You'll hear these words echoed from book to book, as we all figure out what actions we can take to get our Democracy fixed and return power to the people.  

Books and Discussions

We work on a new book every six weeks or so, culminating with a discussion.   We have the author speak for 30 minutes, then break up into Zoom breakout rooms for small group discussions, usually facilitated by an Open Democracy staff member or volunteer. 

If you didn't get to the book this month, you should still come for the author discussion and the small group discussions, which have been full of smart discussion and information.  

Our Next Book!

Go HERE to RSVP for the May 27. 2021 discussion of the Politics of Joy (and Sacrifice):  The Fearless Walks and Historic Talks of Doris "Granny D" Haddock.  This book is available at Amazon, but we recommend you order this one directly from us, as we are the publisher of this collection of Granny D's speeches.  This book was released in December 2020, and is a collection of Granny D's best and most inspiring speeches.   Everyone who reads it comes away smiling and energized.  An easy read at 200 pages.  

How to Get the Book

While there's no cost for being a part of the Open Democracy Book Club, it's up to you to get the book.   On the RSVP page for each of the events, we'll post information about the book, including the author's bio and ISBN number and other info you'll need to find it.  We encourage you to order it through your local bookseller, but you order any way you wish.  

Sign Up Below

We'll notify you of the new book, the date of the discussion, and sometimes discussion questions.  You'll also be added to the Open Democracy Book Club email discussion, where you'll be able to ask questions and have discussions with your fellow readers.   

An internship with Open Democracy means you'll do meaningful work and be part of a team who will be depending on you,  not grunge work and getting coffee.   Democracy reform work is no picnic.  You'll work hard, but know how that hard work fits into the larger work we do in New Hampshire and the United States to fix our broken Democracy.    Because our elected representatives are influenced by the Big Money donors on whom they depend to get elected, no matter what your issue is Climate Change, clean air & water, voting rights, pipelines, peace,  Big Money is blocking the change.   You can be part of ending that influence.

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Open Democracy Organizing Fellows 

Student Internships - Summer or Fall 2021

Who We Are 

Open Democracy is a New Hampshire-based nonpartisan organization working for campaign finance reform and ending Big Money politics, and increase civic engagement and in the Granite State. Founded by America’s campaign finance reformer, Doris “Granny D” Haddock (1910-2010), Open Democracy engages thousands of NH citizens in nonpartisan grassroots campaigns, legislative advocacy, public education events, and through our Regional Democracy Teams. 

Fellowship 

Open Democracy is seeking creative and passionate Organizing Fellows to help build the Open Democracy movement in New Hampshire. Fellows will receive training in grassroots and online organizing, and communications, and will work directly on one or more of the following campaigns, depending on the individual’s interest and expertise: 

1. Organizing Our Walks - Organizing and participating in local/statewide our NH Rebellion project walks to educate and engage the public on democratic reform. Responsibilities include scouting routes, outreaching to media, recruiting walkers/volunteers, and planning walk events. 
2. Pressing Candidates on our Issues - Challenging state candidates to address money in politics reform throughout New Hampshire’s state representative, senate, and gubernatorial races.   Responsibilities include attending campaign events, recruiting volunteers, questioning candidates, and documenting/broadcasting responses online. 
3. Movement-Building & Advocacy:   Leading the charge in building our recently-launched Regional Democracy Teams across the state.   These teams will reach out and educate voters in their own region, while pressing their own local legislators to pass statewide Democracy reforms.   

Fellows must bring a passion for democracy, written/verbal communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively and master online tools. Candidates with grassroots organizing experience, policy research/writing skills, or design/multimedia skills are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Positions are 20 hours per week, with placements in Open Democracy’s Concord office or remote.  There is no stipend for these positions, but all travel and project expenses are reimbursed by Open Democracy, and Concord-area low or no cost housing can be arranged for successful candidates. 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] Thank you for your interest and please contact us anytime to learn more. 

Open Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training, promoting and administering any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, or physical disability, or any other legally protected basis. We will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination. 

Coalition for Open Democracy | 4 Park Street, Suite 301 | Concord, NH 03301 | 603.715.8197 www.OpenDemocracyNH.org| [email protected] 

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Democracy Research Internship 

for Open Democracy’s Open Democracy Index Project

Summer or Fall 2020

Open Democracy, a nonpartisan 501c3 which works on campaign finance reform and voting rights issues in New Hampshire and nationally seeks two highly motivated researcher/writers to  help research and prepare an updated version of its Open Democracy Index (www.opendemocracynh.org/odi) which will be released on January 1, 2021.  This document has been used by state legislators and policy leaders to inform the direction of future legislation and initiatives in New Hampshire.    

For the Open Democracy Index project, you will design a research study on the current state of civic engagement in New Hampshire, including data collection, data analysis, brief literature reviews, and preparation of draft documents.  This data will be presented in both long and short form for use by Open Democracy, policy leaders, and the media. You will be publicly acknowledged and may have the opportunity to write a publishable article.

With Whom Will I Work?

You will operate in a collaborative environment with the Open Democracy staff and board members, as well as both activists and academics.   You will work on your own schedule and partly from home. The time commitment can range from 20 to 40 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s situation.   Travel and project expenses are reimbursed by Open Democracy, and Concord area low or no cost housing can be arranged for successful candidates. 

What Background Do I Need?

You should be able to work independently, establishing a schedule and organizing work to meet negotiated milestone deadlines, be detail-oriented, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Integrity is essential in dealing with both people and information. Studies in political science or the social sciences are preferred. 

• A passion for data analysis and research experience is preferred.  A willingness to abide by basic research ethics and follow standard protocols, including honesty, truthfulness and thorough documentation, is essential.
• Working knowledge of the US and NH political systems.  A vocabulary in Democracy reform issues is helpful, but not an impediment to the position.    
• Spreadsheet skills are essential.   We work in a Google Suite cloud environment, but often used with Microsoft Excel and other tools interchangeably.  Online search skills are essential. 
• Because you’ll be summarizing your findings for policy makers, writing skills and the ability to communicate complex information are important for this position

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested, and would like to discuss possible projects, please email Olivia Zink [email protected] expressing your interest and with a resume and cover letter.

The Coalition for Open Democracy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training, promoting and administering any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, or physical disability, or any other legally protected basis. We will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination.