National Organizing Department (NOD) Basebuilding Organizer

Position Title: National Organizing Department (NOD) Basebuilding Organizer

Tier / Category: Tier 3 / Organizer III

Supervised By: Director of National Organizing Department

Employment Status: Full time

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Remote

Union: Bargaining Unit Member

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national organization that brings white people into

fights for racial and economic justice. We work to build the white flank of multiracial majorities

fighting for the things all communities need. We organize white people by engaging their shared

interest-- what they stand to gain by joining alongside people of color. We do this through 150+

local chapters across the US and Canada, a National Membership base, and local base building

projects in the South.

Summary of Position:

SURJ is seeking a Basebuilding Organizer to support recruitment, retention, and leadership

development efforts within SURJ’s National Organizing Department (NOD). This work will

include moving people who are currently outside SURJ into our base; supporting the recruitment

of existing members into our organizing programs; and developing the political analyses,

commitment, and skill set of members and leaders across SURJ’s base.

All organizers in NOD are expected to work some nights and weekends, and to participate in

regular team-wide organizing activities in addition to carrying out their self-driven work.

This position will report to the Director of the National Organizing Department. This position is

included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of

employment are subject to negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES — Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not

limited to the following:

Priority 1: Basebuilding (50%)

• Support the recruitment of newly-activated white people into SURJ’s base through a combination of targeted cold outreach, absorption organizing events during “movement moments,” and other strategies to bring folks from the “crowd” into our membership
• Participate in regular outreach to our existing base of members and leaders and identify opportunities to reactivate and retain people in our ongoing organizing
• Hold 1:1s on an ongoing basis with new and existing members to support them in developing their shared interest in this work and help them identify opportunities for growth
• Provide members and volunteers with feedback and support their development
• Build deep trust with members and volunteers through respectful communication, supportive feedback and clear expectation-setting

Priority 2: Campaigning (30%)

• Support the development of political education and skills trainings for our base that correspond to SURJ’s organizational priorities and NOD campaigns
• Identify and develop members, leaders, circles, and chapters to participate in campaigns that build our collective power and move us closer to our Guiding Stars
• Hold periodic meetings with volunteer leaders participating in campaigns, and maintain consistent communication with them between meetings
• Participate in ongoing troubleshooting and debriefing at the end of campaign cycles to ensure we are continually learning from our successes and setbacks

Priority 3: Coordination and administration (20%)

• Maintain excellent tracking of member communications and campaign activity using our database and in coordination with the data department and other members of NOD
• Attend weekly meetings for NOD, NOD sub-teams, all-SURJ staff, and as relevant, meetings with other departments.
• Maintain daily coordination with colleagues (including across departments) via our shared remote workplace communication platforms: Slack, Google Workspace, email, etc.
• Complete monthly timesheets, reimbursement requests and credit card expense submissions on a timely basis
• Complete requests to supervisor for time off (vacation, health & wellness leave, etc.) via BambooHR on a timely basis

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3+ years experience with volunteer recruitment, training and management
• Demonstrated ability developing member leaders into taking on responsibility on campaigns
• Excellent time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects
• Familiarity with online organizing tools, ie: Slack, Google Drive, EveryAction, etc.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience doing organizing on issues of racial justice
• Knowledge in the recruitment process of volunteers
• Adept with training and managing volunteers
• Experience managing multiple projects same time, demonstrating excellent organization
• Knowledge of organizing tools and software

SKILLS:

• Strong written communication including internal and external facing communications
• Experience doing public speaking, conducting trainings, providing technical assistance, and facilitation of large and small groups
• Advanced time management skills
• Strong, demonstrated attention to detail
• Experience with curriculum development
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent relational and verbal communication skills

ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in fast paced environment at times of rapid response
• Flexible - open to new ways of doing things and experimentation
• Reliable - follows through on what they said they are going to do,