Catholic Charities Agency/Berkshire Interfaith Organizing
Parish Community Organizer
Job Description

Catholic Charities Agency (CCA) of the Diocese of Springfield and Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) seek a Community Organizer who has a passion for social justice and a strong desire to work with diverse Catholic parishes who seek to organize for systemic change. The Community Organizer will help BIO leaders strengthen and grow their organization by building relationships, increasing the number of member parishes, developing additional leaders in member parishes, and engaging in effective issue campaigns to win significant gains in local and statewide social justice issues.

BIO is an interfaith organization of clergy, their congregations and their regional affiliates who, together, grounded in faith seek to make justice real in our community. Our member groups are committed to working together for greater justice and a better quality of life for all people. We pursue these goals by building community across lines of income, religion and geography, developing the leadership skills of members within our congregations and organizations.

Responsibilities
As assigned by the CCA Executive Director and under the supervision of the BIO Lead Organizer, it is the responsibility of the CCA/BIO Community Organizer to work in collaboration with staff and leaders of BIO and with the support of the InterValley Project (IVP) to:

• Develop and maintain relationships with clergy, parish staff and lay members of Catholic parishes in the Berkshires to strengthen or recruit their participation and membership in BIO;

• Identify and recruit new leaders in current and potential BIO member parishes, through individual meetings, participation in formal and informal training, parish listening meetings and issue campaigns;

• Work with parish leaders to develop congregational organizing teams, and engage other parish members in the work described above;

• Participate and assist in the recruitment of leaders to participate in leadership training;

• Work with leaders on BIO fundraising campaigns, membership dues collection and provide assistance with grant writing when needed to help the organization achieve its fundraising goals;

• Increase the number of member Catholic parishes in BIO; and

• Carry out other responsibilities, as assigned by the BIO Lead Organizer.

Qualifications and Attributes

1. Passion for social and economic justice, and strong commitment to faith- and values-based organizing.
2. Experience as a community or congregation-based organizer, preferred.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, help them organize, and bring issue campaigns and other projects to successful conclusions.
4. Proven track record in grassroots fundraising.
5. High energy, exceptional team-building and strong one-on-one relationship-building skills.
6. Strong communication skills: listening, speaking, writing, and computer skills.
7. Experience working with diverse religious, ethnic and cultural traditions communities; bilingual ability in Spanish strongly preferred.
8. Own transportation and auto insurance required.
9. Working hours must be flexible and will include some evenings and weekends.

To Apply

The Organizer will be employed by Catholic Charities Agency, and will based in Berkshire County. The position is currently 20 hours per week. We are accepting applications through April 30, 2015. Interviews will commence in May.

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to:
Kathryn Buckley-Brawner OR Wendy Jill Krom
Executive Director Lead Organizer
Catholic Charities Agency Berkshire Organizing Project
65 Elliot Street 45 Willow Lane
Springfield, MA 01103 Cheshire, MA 01225
413-452-0606 413-464-1804
k.brawner@diospringfield.org

berkshire.organzing@gmail.com