Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #333
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases.
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America — www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
Leading the way for over 3,000,000 patients through research, education, and support.
Grassroots Manager, Advocacy
Position Summary:
The Advocacy Grassroots Manager (“Manager”) at Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (“Foundation”) is responsible for working closely with the other members of the Foundation’s Advocacy Team to build a network of volunteers trained to engage in state and federal campaigns. The Manager will work closely with other Foundation staff (such as the Field Education Managers, Chapter staff, and Take Steps personnel) to develop strategies for identifying potential volunteers to advocate for public policies aligned with the Foundation’s priorities of addressing patient access to care, the high cost of care, medical research, and other mission-related initiatives. The Manager will be responsible for assessing current volunteer needs and roles, educating Foundation staff and volunteers on policy priorities and how to advocate, integrating advocacy within the Foundation’s day to day activities, activating volunteers both online and in direct outreach to decision-makers, and measuring progress.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Implement the advocacy volunteer support efforts for the Foundation’s state and federal advocacy priorities
Build relationships with top-tier Foundation advocates
Collaborate with other Foundation staff to identify potential advocates
Develop recruiting materials and job descriptions
Conduct trainings (substantive and skills) for top-tier Foundation volunteers
Work with Advocacy Team colleagues to develop strategy charts for targeted state and federal campaigns
Based on the charts, develop action plans for volunteers (online and offline)
Work closely with Advocacy Team colleagues to develop key legislative materials for staff and volunteers, such as
Talking points for engaging legislators on specific federal and state campaigns
Key campaign timelines
Updates on campaign successes and challenges
Leave-behinds for legislators
Direction on when to take specific activities
Webinar updates
Work with the State Advocacy Manager and field staff on state lobby days
Work with the Federal Director on the annual federal lobby day
Collaborate with Advocacy Team staff to develop and share with Foundation staff an advocacy volunteer engagement cycle that Educates, Activates and Integrates and includes:
Recruitment
Activation and cultivation
Retention
Recognition
Develop communications vehicles (newsletters, campaign updates) for use by Foundation staff in campaigns
Qualifications Required:
BA/BS degree required, with a degree in Public Policy, Political Science or Public Health or equivalent experience preferred
Experience working on issue-based state and/or federal campaigns
Ability to develop curriculum and train volunteers in skills and issues training
Knowledge about developing and executing integrated online organizing
Experience in recruiting, managing and directing volunteers
Team player with excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
Significant comfort level with social media and technology
Working understanding of legislative process at the state and federal level
Strong public speaking skills