Communications Program Assistant: The AmeriCorps VISTA

Job type: Internship

Title: Communications Program Assistant

Description: Assist Allied Community Co-op with publications, advertising, events and media campaign

Key Contacts: AmeriCorps VISTA, Allied Community Co-op Staff, ACC Core Organizations, Allied Wellness Center Board of Directors

Positions Open: 1-3 internships

Recompense: Volunteer (College Credit is an option) (Stipend may be available)

Commitment: 10-15hrs a week

Duration: Start ASAP – December 14, 2012

Benefits: You gain experience in journalism, cultural competency training, diversity and volunteer training, workshop facilitation, network with new contacts, build your resume with core skills and experience. You will work directly with the community and in coordination with The AmeriCorps* VISTA.

Organization: Allied Community Co-op was established in 2010 of out of a need to coordinate resources and organizations to increase community development impact. The mission of the Co-op is to encourage, engage, educate and empower residents of the Allied Dunns Marsh Neighborhood to become collectively and individually self-sufficient by ascending to resident community leaders and to effectively provide services and access to opportunities for those who need them. The core organizations of Allied Community Co-op are Dane County Time Bank, Allied Wellness Center, Madison Apprenticeship Program, Joining Forces for Families and Allied Dunns Marsh Neighborhood Association. Other programs and activities are also in affiliation with the Allied Community. Co-op include but are not limited to Mothers in the Neighborhood, Early Childhood Initiative, Head Start, The Learning Center (MSCR),  The Welcomers, GEMS and Changing Times (Youth Programs),  Community Health Workers, The Recycling Project, City of Madison, City of Fitchburg and Dane County Job Center, AODA counseling and so many more.

Qualifications: Completion of or currently enrolled in a journalism/communications/multimedia undergraduate, graduate or PhD program or multimedia vocational program

Project Description: Media Campaign Project and Communication Literacy

1. Build media outlet contact information database
2. Write Press Releases of upcoming events and fax/email them to media outlets
3. Track Media Coverage of the Neighborhood
4. Outreach to community organizations to find out about upcoming events
5. Create an online community calendar
6. Write and distribute in Print and Online an established community newsletter
   1. Research information for potential stories for the newsletter
   2. Interview on film/photograph Residents, community leaders, community organizations
   3. Write the newsletter
   4. Increase periodical from quarterly to monthly
   5. Post Newsletter to Facebook, twitter, Tumblr and send to Stakeholder email lists
   6. Ads Promotions, recruit sponsors to advertise in newsletter
   7. Update and maintain Facebook and Twitter accounts with current newsand events
   8. Blog on Tumblr about community events, advocacy issues, activities and programs. Post link of blogs to Facebook and Twitter
   9. Attend Community events and programs and take photographs and film various activities.  Upload some of them to Facebook and Youtube others will be used for a film project
   10. Co-facilitate resident/community workshops on
       1. how to format newsletters
       2. how to write news stories, letters and other written forms of communication
       3. how to use Facebook and twitter
       4. how to use Youtube
       5. Development and Fundraising
          1. Research and Write Grants ( will training if necessary)

i.      Technology equipment and maintenance funding

ii.     Any social services programming: Youth, Women, Health, Wellness, Sports

1. Help plan fundraising events
2. Learn about Alternative Economies to gain in kind resources

Knowledge and Skills

Excellent writing, editing and oral Communications skills; Demonstrate an interest in community development, health and wellness or economic development; Proficient in Microsoft Office including Publisher, Picture Editor, Word, Excel and Power Point; Familiarity with Windows operating systems; Website development management experience preferred; Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Flash Video Creation a plus; Video and Audio Recording and Editing experience a plus but not required; Graphic Design experience a plus; Grant Writing experience a plus

Abilities

Ability to work with and communicate effectively with ethnically diversity communities and individuals Ability to work with all ages (child clearance needed, intern can start while clearance is being processed; Ability to relate and explain technical information to audiences of various educational backgrounds; Ability to handle multiple projects at once

Contact Information

Michelle J. Coker M.P.A.  AmeriCorps VISTA*, Wisconsin Campus Compact

412-378-5411

Submit Resume and Cover Letter to michellealliedcommunity@gmail.com

Or apply through your career services job website