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Welcome addition

By Jonathan Reiber  |  Posted: 3/03/05 7:30 PM Pacific
Send comments to:  jonathanreiber@mac.com

The Witness weblog -- full of potential. How snazzy. Snazzywazzy new webpage too. Great stuff!


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2 jobs available in NY State with Rural & Migrant Ministry

By Ethan Vesely-Flad  |  Posted: 2/10/05 9:05 AM Pacific
Send comments to:  editor@forusa.org

Rural and Migrant Ministry
Director Position Available
February 1, 2005

Rural and Migrant Ministry(RMM) is looking for a progressive individual to direct RMM's programs and organizational development in the western part of New York (WNY).

Formed in 1981, RMM is a state-wide multi-faith organization that stands as a committed ally with those who work for justice in the rural and farmworker communities of New York. RMM is engaged in a ministry of justice and empowerment through three major initiatives:

Accompaniment works to develop and connect allies from the faith community, students, and others with efforts for rural justice, empowerment, and leadership development. Education is a key component to strengthen the leadership of rural and migrant people and their allies. Youth empowerment enables youth to have greater control of their lives as they explore and internalize the concepts of self-worth, leadership and democracy.

Based in Brockport, NY and working with RMM's western New York board of directors and RMM's executive director, the position has the following responsibilities:
* Build and strengthen the participation of a broad coalition of allies to
participate in accompaniment. Primary activities include outreach, education, networking, and relationship building with a strong focus on communities of faith but also including students and the labor community, among others.
* Coordinate educational programming and events including presentations, forums, workshops, conferences, experiential learning opportunities that bring together diverse communities.
* Organize and coordinate the participation and support of allies to accompany efforts of rural justice in WNY and across the state, working in coordination with: RMM's state-wide accompaniment team, Centro Independiente de Trabajadores Agrícolas (CITA), and with the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign(JFW). (JFW works for farmworker justice in New York through three avenues: farmworker organizing, legislative advocacy, and litigation.)
* Manage the fundraising activities of RMM in WNY by working alongside RMM's Resource Development Coordinator, the executive director, and the WNY Council including such activities as appeals, fundraising events and gatherings, and grants among others.
* Supervise and coordinate WNY staff, volunteers and interns.
* Oversee the management and development of facilities and vehicles in WNY.
* Provide administrative management of the WNY operation by working in coordination with RMM's Administrative Coordinator.
* Staffing of the local Board of directors

Requirements of the position include:
• Experience in managing a program
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Strong experience and interest working with faith communities
• Able to work irregular hours including frequent travel
• Work experience and a strong commitment to social change process
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and organizing skills
• Able to multi-task and work independently as well as part of a team
• Self-motivated with excellent writing and speaking skills
• Computer literate
• Drivers license

Compensation includes:
* Salary of $32,000 +
* Four weeks vacation
* Full medical and dental insurance

Projected Start Date: May 2005

Please send a letter of introduction and resume to:
The Rev. Richard Witt, Executive Director, RMM
PO Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

Rural and Migrant Ministry
JOB OPENING:
Social Justice Education Coordinator

Rural and Migrant Ministry (RMM) is looking for a progressive individual to direct and expand a unique education program that brings together rural and migrant peoples and allies who seek to create a more just rural community in New York.

Rural and Migrant Ministry (RMM ) is a state-wide faith-based (interfaith) organization. RMM was formed in 1980 to be a ministry of justice and empowerment in rural and farmworking communities in New York. RMM has three major programs: Youth Empowerment, Accompaniment and Education. (For more information, visit our website: www.ruralmigrantministry.org)

The Education program seeks to strengthen the leadership skills of the participants of the Accompaniment and Youth Empowerment programs of RMM. The Education Coordinator will also develop programs that help Board members and other members of RMM to lead the education programs of RMM.

Specific Responsibilities include:
* Expand and coordinate the education program.
* Design intensive experiential educational programs that nurture consciousness and leadership capacity of program participants and allies.
* Work directly and collaboratively with the Accompaniment and Youth
Empowerment Teams to strengthen their program
* Work with faith communities

Expectations
It is expected that the Education Coordinator will have experience and proven abilities in the following areas:
* Familiarity with and commitment to social transformation pedagogy
* Working directly with grass-root educational programs
* Listening and networking skills
* Experience in bridging diverse communities
* Experience in working with faith communities
* Experience with Oppression Theory and Social Identity Development

We are looking for both a practitioner and a theorist who is committed to
cooperative experiential education.

Requirements
* Fully bi-Lingual in Spanish and English
* Able to work irregular hours (including occasional weekends)
* Driver's license and a hearty willingness to drive across New York to
implement the program (we are, after all, a state-wide rural organization)
Willingness to be based in the Hudson Valley of New York

Compensation
This is a full-time position
* $32,800 per year
* Full medical and dental insurance
* Four weeks vacation

Please send a letter of introduction and resume to:
The Education Committee
c/o The Rev. Richard Witt, Executive Director, RMM
PO Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602


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