EMU Federation of Teachers (AFT Local #9102) is announcing openings in our EMUFT LEAD Organizing Fellows Program. This fourteen week fellowship program is designed to develop fellows’ skills in organizing union members, as well as provide experience with designing and implementing union campaigns to achieve membership growth. Fellows will learn about the daily work of labor unions and will increase their own capacity to be active members and leaders in the labor community. Fellows may engage in a variety of activities, such as one-to-one member organizing, planning and attending union member gatherings, participating in public actions, and helping to facilitate group decision-making, under the guidance of EMUFT and AFT leadership and staff.
Fellows will work 20 hours each week from mid-January – mid-April for approximately 280 total hours, plus training time, under the direction of EMUFT and AFT staff and leadership. Participation in some weekend and evening activities is required. The fellowship provides a stipend of $5,000. Preference is given to current dues-paying members, but current and former EMU students as well as past EMUFT members will also be considered.
Strong candidates should possess excellent communication skills, an ability to initiate interactions with people from diverse backgrounds, and a willingness to engage in both one-on-one and small group conversations about the role of unions in our workplace. Candidates should also possess a willingness to be creative and flexible, and have an open mind to various approaches to organizing new union members. Past experience with union organizing, while helpful, is not required.
To apply, please send a letter of interest indicating your reasons for wanting to participate and your prior experience in union organizing (if any), as well as your resume or CV, to EMUFTorganizer@gmail.com by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2016.