Paid
Internship:
Unitarian
Universalists
for
Drug
Policy
Reform/Interfaith
Drug
Policy
Initiative
3/31/06
Unitarian Universalists for Drug Policy Reform (a.k.a. Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative) seeks a paid summer intern to assist in reaching out to religious leaders on issues of drug policy reform. The Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative is leading the drug policy reform movement's efforts to mobilize mainstream people of faith behind more compassionate and less coercive drug policies, paying particular attention to helping UU's give public witness to the UUA's 2002 Statement of Conscience on drug policy. IDPI works with clergy and denominational bodies from across the religious spectrum at both the state and federal levels to affect policy changes including repealing mandatory minimum drug sentences, supporting clean syringe access for IV drug users, allowing the medical use of marijuana, restoring college financial aid to drug offenders, diverting drug offenders into treatment instead of prison, and ending marijuana prohibition. The internship will consist mainly of reaching out to clergy and lay leaders in key legislative districts to persuade them to call or meet with their state legislator or member of Congress about a particular piece of drug policy legislation. It will also involve finding UU congregations that would like to get more involved in advocating for drug policy reform and helping them do so. Candidates should be able to learn quickly how to articulate the benefits of drug policy reform from a moral perspective that is persuasive to a wide range of people of faith. The ideal candidate would have experience in grassroots political organizing, cold-call sales, and/or working with the religious community. Applicants must excel at quickly adjusting work activities to the ever-changing needs of various public policy campaigns, self-motivating, connecting with people who may have very different political and spiritual beliefs, cranking out massive numbers of persuasive phone calls and e-mail messages, and giving clear instructions to religious leaders on what needs to be done and how to do it; and must be results oriented, persuasive, focused, organized, meticulous, resourceful, motivated, and excellent at giving and receiving feedback. A strong preference is given to candidates who can commit to working at least 30 hours per week. The internship pays $8 per hour with the potential for bonuses for great performance. Depending on availability, the internship will start as soon as possible in May and last as long as possible into August. UUDPR/IDPI's offices are a few blocks from a DC Metro station in Maryland. Send cover letter and resume by e-mail or fax to [email protected] or (301) 933-7682. Make sure that "Internship" is in the subject line. Application deadline April 19, visit http://www.idpi.us for further information.
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