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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Advisory Council
Carol Shea-Porter, Chair. - former member of Congress (D-NH); politics and history teacher; founder of a non-profit social service agency
John Broderick – former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court; former Executive Director of the Rudman Center at University of New Hampshire Law School
Brad Cook – partner and past President of Sheehan Phinney Law Firm; Chair of the New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission
Lew Feldstein – past President of the NH Charitable Foundation; co-author of Better Together: Restoring the American Community
Paul Hodes – former member of Congress (D-NH); attorney; member, National Council on the Arts; founder of the Economic Innovation Institute
Joe Magruder – former News Editor, Associated Press of New Hampshire
Lillye Ramos Spooner – Director of Operations for Greater Manchester AIDS Project; former member of the NH Commission on the Status of Women
Stephen Reno – Executive Director of Leadership New Hampshire; former Chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire
John Rauh – former President of Americans for Campaign Reform, now part of Issue One; former Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate
Jim Rubens – entrepreneur; former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate; former New Hampshire state Senator
Betty Tamposi, Assistant Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush; as a state Representative, was Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee; former member of the Board of Governors of the University of New Hampshire
Dan Weeks - co-owner of ReVision Energy; former Executive Director of Open Democracy
** Affiliations listed for identification purposes only. Advisory Board members serve in their individual capacities.
Home
Our organization might be small, but our reputation in NH is one that we fight for ALL the voters and citizens of the Granite State. Whether it's fair voting districts, ending the grip that special interest money has on our politicians, or making sure lobbyists don't have a louder voice than you, Open Democracy is here for an Equal Voice for All. Thanks for supporting our mission.
- Get involved! Sign up to get communications,
- Volunteer, or join a regional Open Democracy Team! Right now, protecting our democracy needs you to speak up, and to take action.
- Give a one-time or recurring gift to help support our mission, if you're unable to take action. This helps us organize others and expand the chorus of voices for reform!
Or please, mail us a check to "Coalition for Open Democracy",
4 Park Street, Suite 301, Concord, NH 03301
Do you need more reasons to give to Open Democracy? Check out this video our board members and staff did for Giving Tuesday!