Power Project Canvassers

The Power Project is a program of Communities United to empower all those negatively impacted by the War on Drugs, including returning citizens, people who use/have used drugs and other people who face routine stigma and their loved ones to advocate for themselves and one another. The Power Project trains participants to name and talk about community and personal problems, hone their leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking skills in order to organize others. 

Job Title: Power Project Canvasser

Location: Baltimore City

Reports To: Executive Director

Power Project Canvasser

The Power Project Lead Organizer’s primary responsibilities are to:

1. Meet with and learn the Maryland State legislative process and current legislative landscape from research and our paid lobbyist
2. Conduct direct street and phone outreach
3. Build relationships with past participants
4. Recruit a diverse group of impacted individuals to attend Power Project sessions
5. Teach and support others to learn the legislative process
6. Attend and lead Power Project Sessions
7. Prepare Power Project participants to communicate effectively with legislators, staff people and lobbyists in person, on the phone and in writing.
8. Prepare and support Power Project participants to communicate effectively about legislation and initiatives to rectify the harm done by the War on Drug.
9. Speak publicly including to the media, on social media and in Annapolis.
10. Identify, pursue, track/document, follow-up and keep up engagement with individuals before and after Power Project Sessions, including recruiting them as additional members of the Power Project Training Team. to assist with for paid phone banking and street outreach
11. Participate respectfully, responsibly and professionally as a representative of Communities United staff.

 
 Canvasses need demonstrate increasing responsibility supporting the logistics involved in conducting the Power Project and increasingly lead and recruit partners and future Communities United members.
 
Canvassers will:

• Recruit approximately 20 new individuals affected by the War on Drugs to participate in monthly 10 hour Power Project sessions 
• Include outreach to youth (Age 18-24) to build the next generation of advocates. 
• Mobilize 6 Power Project participants to testify for, meet with and directly lobby legislators to ask for their support and vote for,
• Lead press actions and push for passage of bills bringing the valuable insights of impacted persons to Maryland legislators.
• Identify 5 or more Power Project leaders who will participate in direct outreach through street and phone canvassing to recruit more participants in Power Project trainings in order to spread the sense of self-efficacy and hope to those still harmed by current laws.
• Build the confidence of persons with lived experience to share their expertise and include their feedback into the 2023 bill. 

Canvasser will also:

1. Recruit new members to Communities United.
2. Take leadership at Communities United and coalition partners’ meetings and other events, including attending and meaningfully participation.
3. Maintain an active and interactive presence on social media.
4. Communicate campaign messages clearly, both verbally and in writing.
5. Pitch in and work with a diverse team of staff, members and volunteers.
6. Grow personal, organizational and community capacities toward research, self-advocacy and accessing resources.
7. Work independently within a plan with deliverables while being accountable to a team.

​Primary Qualifications:

• Organizing experience (labor, community, issue campaign or election related) preferred;
• A commitment to social, racial and economic justice and the power of grassroots community organizing to achieve it;
• Understanding of issues related to harm reduction
• Comfort and confidence working with individuals in recovery or who use drugs, ex-offenders, communities of color, those engaged in sex work, and other low-wage workers;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills – good attention to detail and well organized.
• Self-motivated - proven ability to work independently;
• Patience and ability to work well with diverse groups and populations;
• Dedication and ability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends;
• Spanish/English bilingual a plus;
• Ability to be a team player and work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment;
• Possession of valid driver's license and dependable transportation is required.

Salary & Benefits

• Full Time Base Salary: $40,000-$42,000 annually (Negotiatiable for more experienced applicants) OR hourly $17/hr starting
• Regular reviews and raises based on performance
• Cell-phone reimbursement 
• Employer Paid Health-care benefits
• Paid Time Off

Communities United is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, origin,  sex, orientation, gender, or disability.

Apply by sending your cover letter and resume to: executivedirector@communitiesunite.org or complete this online application.