Maine Marriage Campaign Manager - 

Posted:  January 26, 2012
Applications Due: February 8, 2012
Tentative Start:  March 15, 2012

Background:
The coalition of organizations overseeing the effort to win the freedom to marry in Maine through a pro-marriage Citizens Initiative is seeking a qualified Campaign Manager to run a statewide ballot campaign from March 2012 until November 2012.  Candidates should have at least five (5) years of political organizing/ campaign management experience, including but not limited to experience managing consultants, coordinating media purchase and production and fundraising.  The ideal candidate will have run a statewide electoral or ballot campaign, and will possess significant skills in coordinating and facilitating decision-making for large, diverse coalitions.  Experience on a marriage campaign is strongly preferred but not required. A sense of humor, however, is essential. More specific qualifications are listed below.

The Campaign Manager will report to the campaign’s Executive Committee.

Duties:

1. Oversee and coordinate all aspects of statewide ballot campaign, including fundraising, communications/media, grassroots/field work, coalition outreach and maintenance, relationships with political and civic leaders, and internal campaign administration.
2. Draft and implement campaign plan.
3. Develop and oversee campaign fundraising plan.
4. Hire and supervise paid campaign staff and coordinate transfer of existing organizational staff working on marriage into the campaign.
5. Identify and hire all consultants to the campaign, working with Executive Committee
6. Manage all contracts with outside vendors/consultants.
7. Serve as primary point of contact for local, regional, statewide and national media outlets seeking information regarding the campaign.
8. Attend all Executive Committee meetings and subcommittee meetings as needed, and provide regular, comprehensive updates on campaign activities.
9. Respond to inquiries from coalition partners, Executive Committee members, and elected officials regarding the campaign.
10. Work with legal advisors to ensure full compliance with federal/state/local campaign finance laws and ordinances, and supervise internal campaign administration.
11. Oversee management of web site; new media; list and database development, management and usage.
12. Coordinate closely with the lobby team managing the legislative elements of the campaign.

Qualifications:

1. At least 5 years of previous experience as set forth above. Previous experience managing statewide electoral/ballot campaigns is strongly preferred.
2. Experience in advocacy for the freedom to marry, including knowledge of latest research, messaging and tactics used in other marriage campaigns is preferred.
3. Demonstrated success at meeting fundraising targets for large-scale electoral/ballot campaigns.
4. Previous experience working with local, regional, state and national media outlets, including print, radio, television, new media, blogging community.
5. Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and ability to facilitate meetings with diverse participation.
6. Previous grassroots experience, and experience with voter identification, micro-targeting, data usage and management.
7. Ability to commit for the duration of the campaign effort (through November 2012.)

To apply:
Email resume and cover letter to Patricia Peard at ppeard(at)bernsteinshur.com, no later than February 8, 2012.

Faith Organizer -

Position Description:

EqualityMaine has an immediate opening for a full-time Faith Organizer. We are looking for an energetic and self-motivated individual to join our existing team of organizers focused on winning marriage equality in Maine. This position will involve recruiting and motivating people of faith to work on activities designed to win marriage equality at the ballot in 2012.

The Faith Organizer will work as part of a dynamic field team and will be responsible for developing and managing volunteer teams of people of faith, supporting organizing initiatives, and managing relationships between and among EQME and people of faith and their faith communities where applicable. The Faith Organizer will work under the supervision of the Field Director in collaboration with the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Work with the Field Director, the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination and Field Organizers to mobilize people of faith in Maine.
• Develop in collaboration with the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination a schedule of outreach events designed to engage people of faith and increase public support for marriage equality in Maine.
• Identify and cultivate allies among local religious and social justice faith groups for coalition building and to increase awareness of EqualityMaine’s field campaign in collaboration with RCAD.
• Work with staff to ensure that volunteer opportunities are meaningful and likely to lead to sustained commitment and leadership among activist
• Accurately track and assess volunteer productivity
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in recruiting, motivating, and training volunteers.
Experience in grassroots organizing, including direct voter contact through door-to-door canvassing and phone banking.
Attention to measurable results.
Ability to be a team player and work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Strong work ethic and willingness to work evenings and weekends when projects demand it.
Understanding of and ability to articulate empathy with people of faith required; affiliation with a community of faith a plus, but not required.
Experience in grassroots fundraising and preparing written field plans a plus.
Curiosity about all aspects of the LGBT community. Prior experience working in LGBT community is strongly desired.
Top-notch “people skills,” including excellent oral and written communication skills, are a must.  

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to: Amy Mello, Field Director, EqualityMaine: amello(at)equalitymaine.org (please use Faith Organizer as your subject line).

Canvasser - 

EqualityMaine (EQME) is running a state-wide canvass to increase support for marriage equality in Maine. The goal: to persuade unsupportive or undecided voters to support marriage equality.

Postition Description:
Specific responsibilities include:

• Contact pre-determined list of constituents by phone or  door-to-door on a daily basis
• Identify and persude voters in Maine to support equal marriage rights
• Participate in daily office trainings and campaign updates in order to be well-informed on the issue and on canvassing technique

Expectations:

The work week will run from Sunday to Thursday. The workday begins at 2pm and will finish by 9pm. If, for reasons of sickness or an urgent matter, the Canvasser cannot arrive to work on time or at all, she/he is expected to communicate this to the Canvass Director in a timely and responsible manner.

Attendance at the initial orientation is required (unless an arrangement has been made with the Canvass Director) as Canvassers will be oriented to the office and will be learning fundamental skills during this time.

Good teamwork and a positive attitude are critical to the success of this campaign. Canvassers are expected to be supportive and enthusiastic team members.

Training:

Training will begin on the first day of employment. Canvassers will be given early notice of exact days and times. During this training period, Canvassers will become oriented to the EQME offices and trained on the fundamentals of canvassing on political issues.

Compensation:

Canvassers will be compensated $10 - 11 an hour. Benefits are not included.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to: John McKenna, Administrative Assistant, EqualityMaine: jmckenna@equalitymaine.org (please use Canvasser in your subject line).

This is a temporary position. Interviews begin immediately.