In case you missed the Connecting For Change Conference, or wanted to re-watch your favorite presenter, the Marion Institute has added several of the 2011 Connecting for Change Keynotes that you can watch, right on their website, free of charge.  We hope you enjoy reliving Satish Kumar, Laurie David and John Francis’ Keynotes as much as we do, and don’t forget to share them with your friends and family. Watch now & learn more>>

The  SouthCoast Energy Challenge is currently seeking an experienced organizer to take on outreach for the Challenge!

Primary responsibilities will include: organizing Energy Challenge presence at local events and community gatherings, and acting as primary face of Challenge outreach; managing the Energy Challenge interns; overseeing data management for hard copy registrations;  generally getting the word out about the Challenge! The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, and highly organized, and eager to learn about energy efficiency and awareness.

See the full job description below, or download the PDF.

SOUTHCOAST ENERGY CHALLENGE

Lead Community Organizer Job Description—Resumes will be accepted until Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

Background: The SouthCoast Energy Challenge is a free, neighbor-to-neighbor energy savings campaign. The goal is to engage people from all backgrounds across the SouthCoast to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, thereby enhancing long-term community sustainability. Project staff will organize individual action, promote friendly competition among towns, schools, churches, and other community organizations, and build a strong network of project partners and collaborators. Project strategy includes public education/marketing, direct action organizing, and e-based social marketing. Primary long-term objectives include:

• Register 35,000 households to take the Energy Challenge over 3 to 5 years, resulting in a 15% reduction in energy consumption among participating households.
• 10,000 completed MassSave home energy assessments generated as a direct result of Energy Challenge marketing and organizing activities over 3 to 5 years.
• Establish a vibrant network of at least 250 business, non-profit, and governmental Energy Challenge partners over the course of the project to contribute to a more permanent culture of sustainability within the region.

The SouthCoast Energy Challenge is a project of the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL).  Lead SEEAL partners in the Challenge include: Marion Institute, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Office for Campus and Community Sustainability, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), and the Ocean Explorium. SEEAL is a program fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Lead Organizer Responsibilities: The primary focus of the Lead Community Organizer will be to plan and oversee Energy Challenge direct and indirect community outreach, develop and coordinate a volunteer base, and to manage the organizing interns. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Recruitment and supervision of outreach and organizing volunteers & student interns;
• Organization of weekly canvass outings & occasional larger canvassing/outreach events;
• Prepare maps and all other materials for canvassing (including generating canvassing scripts as a base reference for volunteer canvassers);
• Maintain data on completed canvasses, to include location, house response, and any necessary follow-up;
• Manage tabling presence at other events (festivals, conferences, farmers markets, etc);
• Oversee/organize data entry & management for hard copy Energy Challenge registrants;
• Organize outreach to Sustainability and/or Alt. Energy Committees in SouthCoast towns including making occasional presentations & managing follow-up and follow through;
• Organize ongoing engagement of SEEAL Board and Lead Project Partners—through direct contact & presentation making, through requested support at events and publicity drives, etc;
• Help design and distribute print materials as needed;
• Other project activities as needed.

Requirements:  Required qualifications include: strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated experience in grassroots organizing; experience with volunteer management strongly desired; fluency in MS Office applications and working familiarity with WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, and other e-based tools. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders in a fast-paced environment and will be persistent, flexible, creative and enthusiastic. A willingness to understand energy and sustainability-related issues is essential.

For more information, contact the Energy Challenge Program Manager with any questions, at mcover@seeal.org, or call (508) 996-8253, ext. 206.  Please submit resume & cover letter by Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Send to: mcover@seeal.org Or mail:  SEEAL, attn: Energy Challenge, 63 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

The SouthCoast Energy Challenge is now seeking qualified, college aged or older interns to fill three or more positions:

Online Marketing & Media Internship >> Download the full description below: SouthCoast_Energy_Challenge_Online_Marketing_Internship_2011

Outreach & Organizing Internships >>Download the full description below: SouthCoast_Energy_Challenge_Organizing_Internships_2011

The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL) has launched the SouthCoast Energy Challenge to engage and mobilize residents to become more thoughtful and efficient energy consumers. The program aims to reduce energy consumption by 15% among 35,000 SouthCoast households over three years. This approximately 120 million pound reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road! The Challenge promotes individual action as well as friendly competition among towns, schools, businesses, congregations, and nonprofits.

SEEAL lead project partners include: Marion Institute, Bristol Community College, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Office of Sustainability, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), and the Ocean Explorium. SEEAL is a program fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Applications are requested by Wednesday, September 14 at 5:00 pm.

Resumes and cover letters to be addressed to: Mercy Cover, Outreach & Organizing Coordinator. Email: mcover@seeal.org     Or, Mail to: SEEAL attn: Energy Challenge Internships, 63 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

The SouthCoast Energy Challenge will launch with a series of two events, a press conference Friday, August 5, and a volunteer canvass day Sunday, August 7th. All are welcome to attend!

About the Challenge:
The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL) is launching the SouthCoast Energy Challenge to engage and mobilize residents to become more thoughtful and efficient energy consumers. The program aims to reduce energy consumption by 15% among 35,000 SouthCoast households over three years. This approximately 120 million pound reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road! The Challenge will promote individual action as well as friendly competition among towns, schools, businesses, congregations, and nonprofits. On August 5, 2011, the Energy Challenge will launch in Greater New Bedford!

Energy Challenge Press Conference Friday, August 5:
Jennifer Marshall Grantham, SEEAL Director, will publicly announce the Challenge! The program will feature Mayor Lang. Event is open to the public. Please RSVP to: info@SouthCoastEnergyChallenge.org  |  or call: 508 996 8253 x 206
When: Friday, August 5 at 1:30 pm
Where: Umass Dartmouth Star Store, 715 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA

Volunteer Canvass Day Sunday, August 7:
Join the Energy Challenge Team, Challenge Lead Partners, and volunteers at Buttonwood Park to kick off the SouthCoast Energy Challenge with a short afternoon canvass in the Dartmouth and New Bedford neighborhoods immediately surrounding the park. There will be a brief canvass training, and a cook out to follow! All volunteers will receive a free Energy Challenge t-shirt, and many thanks! Please RSVP for this event at: info@SouthCoastEnergyChallenge.org | or call: 508 996 8253 x206
When: Sunday, August 7 at 1:00pm
Where: Buttonwood Park Warming House

SouthCoast Energy Challenge Marketing and Community Organizing Internships: Summer 2011

About the Challenge:

The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL) is launching the SouthCoast Energy Challenge to engage and mobilize residents to become more thoughtful and efficient energy consumers. The program aims to reduce energy consumption by 15% among 35,000 SouthCoast households over three years. This approximately 120 million pound reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is equivalent to taking about 10,000 cars off the road! The Challenge will promote individual action as well as friendly competition among towns, schools, businesses, congregations, and nonprofits. In Summer 2011, the Energy Challenge will launch in Greater New Bedford.

Marketing Internship Description (pdf):

The primary focus of the SouthCoast Energy Challenge Marketing Intern will be to aid in the logistics of program marketing and online promotion. The successful interns will work closely with our team to promote the Challenge through regular blogging, extensive social networking, and filming events to post on YouTube. Time will be divided between the SEEAL office, at 63 Union Street, New Bedford, MA, and fieldwork–at events, interviews, etc. The Marketing intern should have working knowledge of video, film editing software, social networking tools, as well as excellent writing skills.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Filming events, conducting interviews, and crafting

- Editing and posting completed film shorts to YouTube

- Blogging and other social media management

- Work with local media outlets to establish Energy Challenge pathways for publicity

Desired Qualifications:

- Background in film and digital media

- Demonstrated computer skills, including film editing software & Microsoft Office

- Creative writing and editing skills

- Interest in energy and sustainability-related issues

- Valid drivers license and personal transportation

- Personal computer/laptop

- Persistence, flexibility, attention to detail, creativity, and enthusiasm!!

Organizing Internship Description (pdf):

The primary focus of the SouthCoast Energy Challenge Outreach & Organizing Interns will be to aid in the logistics of program launch and promotion. The successful interns will work closely with the Program Coordinators to organize and promote the Challenge. While some of the work will be in the SEEAL office, the Organizing team will be expected to be primarily in the community at large–tabling at events, canvassing, etc.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Event tabling and neighborhood canvassing

- Manage systems for recording and tracking registrants, leaders, and overall campaign progress

- Organize activists to build local Action Committees

- Work closely with team to design and create organizing materials

- Participate in key campaign events such as press conferences, activist group meetings, and street actions

Desired Qualifications:

- A demonstrated interest in energy and sustainability-related issues

- Eagerness for learning and practicing grassroots organizing skills

- Excellent social skills

- Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders, both individually and as a team

- Persistence, flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm

- Valid drivers license and personal transportation

- Personal computer/laptop

Timeline & Compensation:

The schedule from Monday, June 6th, to Wednesday, August 31, 2011, will entail 25 hours per week, and will require working some evenings and weekend. Intern stipends will be $2000, delivered in 4 installments, as milestones and objectives are achieved.

For more information, visit www.seeal.org, or contact jmarshall@seeal.org, (508) 996 8253 x206. Please submit resume and cover letter no later than Friday, May 20th, at 4 p.m., to jmarshall@seeal.org, or mail to SEEAL, Attn: SouthCoast Energy Challenge Marketing Internship, 63 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740