Grassroots & Community Engagement Intern - summer 2022

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This stipend eligible position is for summer 2022 and includes a $1000 stipend payable in August. The Arc Minnesota’s Grassroots & Community Engagement Intern will support public policy program staff and others as needed to advance components of the annual work plan in the areas of civic and community engagement, legislative advocacy, public policy communications/education, and self-advocacy. Specific duties may include:

Responsibilities:

• Connect and collaborate with staff and stakeholders representing The Arc Minnesota’s regional offices statewide to accomplish civic engagement goals
• Engage in community outreach efforts as it relates to The Arc MN’s systems advocacy ad legislative agenda
• Assist with logistics & volunteer coordination for policy related community events - such as town hall forums, candidate forums, information sessions, etc.; attend events as schedule allows
• Support supervisor and members of The Arc Minnesota Communications team to develop and update engaging content for public policy website and social media platforms
• Assist in the creation and implementation of public policy and systems advocacy workshops, webinars, and trainings
• Assist in creating online voter engagement resources and Get Out the Vote activities
• Gather issue-specific personal stories from The Arc Minnesota’s stakeholders that could be disseminated during annual election cycle and legislative sessions
• Manage and update The Arc Minnesota district mapping tool as needed
• Help organize Disability Day at the Capitol and/or Tuesday at the Capitol
• Collaborate with policy interns as it relates to member relations with elected officials at state and federal-levels; assist in organizing home visits, listening sessions, etc. with elected officials statewide
• Participate in statewide grassroots networking to create and strengthen disability policy focused coalitions
• Assist with bill tracking during legislative session; sign up for bill introductions
• Support issue-specific research and data collection as needed
• Other duties as requested

Professional Development Benefits:

• Includes a $1000 stipend payable in August
• Build understanding of programs and services accessed by individuals with disabilities and their family members
• Gain knowledge of public policies relevant to the disability community
• Develop experience in planning and implementing various grassroots advocacy strategies
• Build awareness of 501c3 nonprofit lobbying/advocacy rules and guidelines
• Engage elected officials representing various levels of government
• Gain experience in local nonprofit government affairs and learn professional demeanor in formal workplace setting
• Deepen interpersonal and external communications skills
• Develop relationships with The Arc Minnesota staff and stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Experience with and working on political campaigns and/or with elected officials
• Strong communication and interpersonal relationship skills; comfortable making phone calls
• Communicates well with and respects people of all cultures and abilities
• Self-directed worker who can operate efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
• Reliable, flexible, detail-oriented and open to constructive feedback
• Pursing a degree public policy, political science, public health or related field preferred, but not required
• Knowledge of public policy impacting Minnesotans with disabilities preferred
• Multiple language capabilities and lived experiences preferred, but not required

Time Commitment: 10-14 hours per week for summer. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm.

The Arc Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to promote and protect the human rights of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through statewide programs and services, we help people navigate systems while working to advance social change centered in justice, equity, and belonging in community.