Please join us in welcoming Congressman John Sarbanes for an interactive discussion on Democracy reform. 

Congressman Sarbanes is the architect of H.R. 1, the For the People Act bill that aims for clean and fair elections; ending the dominance of big money in our politics and ensuring that public officials work for the public interest. 

Congressman Sarbanes has represented Maryland’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. Congress since 2007. He currently serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, in addition to the House Subcommittee on Health, the House Subcommittee on Energy and the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Congressman Sarbanes also serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and its Subcommittee on Government Operations. Since 2017, he has chaired the Democracy Reform Task Force, a bold effort in the House of Representatives to build a government that puts the public's interests ahead of special interests.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Congressman Sarbanes has experience working in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. He and his family live in Towson, giving him the opportunity to drive home every night and hear from people he serves in Congress. Listening to their concerns allows him to better represent Maryland and has shaped his work in the House of Representatives.

This event is free and open to all.  Co-sponsored by End Citizens United and Let America Vote.   Please consider becoming a sponsor of this event!  Contact Olivia or Doreen to find out how. 

You will receive a link to register with Zoom when you RSVP.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of his talk.

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 2020

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 20-40 hours per week for a minimum of six weeks during the summer, with placements in Open Democracy’s Concord office.  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 Olivia@opendemocracy.me by May 1. 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| info@OpenDemocracy.me 

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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 Olivia@OpenDemocracy.me 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.

In order for us to efficiently get you all relevant information, please tell us what types of emails communications you would like to receive. 

If you previously "opted out" either intentionally or accidentally, please go here for instructions or help on rejoining our membership list. 

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.

Are you ready to vote?

Have you planned how you're going to vote safely on September 8 in NH's state primary? You have options if you act quickly.

If you have had an absentee ballot sent to you already  -- Mail it back by Monday, August 24 to allow for slower postal delivery and processing by your town clerk. 

If you have not requested your absentee ballot, download it https://sos.nh.gov/media/rs0ly4xu/absentee-ballot-app-8-20-covid.pdf  and hand-deliver the application to your town clerk.  When you hand it in, consider asking for the ballot at that time to fill it out and turn it back in.  Check your town clerk's hours.

For you last-minute folks:  This year only, you CAN return your ballot to town or city hall yourself ON election day.  Usually you cannot.   Clerks offices will be open on Sept. 7, Labor Day for limited hours the day before, but check for hour.  OR you can stop procrastinating return it in person now!

If you haven't registered to vote, there's still time, but do this in person at the town clerk's office, or in person at the polls on election day.  You'll need and ID and proof of your "domicile."  Call your clerk for details.

If you aren't able to take those steps, vote in person on September 8, wear a mask, and sanitize before you go in and out. 

No matter how you vote, VOTE!  Your vote is your voice, and you need to use it!