Job Opening: Conference Organizer for Eastern Conf. for Workplace Democracy

JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

May 2012-October 2013

EASTERN CONFERENCE FOR WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE ORGANIZER

Organization:
The Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy (ECWD; east.usworker.coop) is an educational non-profit dedicated to promoting worker cooperatives and the cooperative economy. We aim to make the skills, information and networks necessary to run a successful cooperative business available as widely as possible through educational events such as our bi-annual conference. Founded in 1999, the 2013 conference will be our 7^th conference.

We are seeking an individual, team of two, or group to plan, organize, and implement the 2013 regional conference on worker cooperatives and workplace democracy. The conference will be held toward the end of July 2013; we have yet to determine the location. The Conference Organizer will work closely with the Eastern Coordinating Council (ECC - the conference planning committee), and focused sub-committees of the ECC. If funding is available, the Conference Organizer and ECC may also choose to hire a secondary organizer in the Fall, with whom the Conference Organizer will work.

Responsibilities:

• Attending conference calls with the Eastern Coordinating Council (the conference planning committee) at 1:00 pm eastern on the second Wednesday of every month
• Fundraising- sponsor/donor appeal materials, sponsor outreach, grant applications, handling individual donors; assist with fundraising planning and lead implementation.
• Working with ECC committees (specifically Communications/Outreach, Finance/Fundraising, and Local Host Committees;). This will likely involve two additional monthly conference calls and email communications.
• Working with the ECC to hire a secondary organizer in the conference location, if sufficient funds are raised.
• Finances: ensure conference expenses do not exceed budget; assist the ECC Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer with budgeting and post-conference closeout;
• Site: finalize contract negotiations at site selected by ECC; coordinate food, lodging, and logistics for and at the conference; serve as primary contact with site staff.
• Marketing: reminder postcard/email, brochure, emails, database, content for website, updates to website, Pay pal
• Accessibility- providing the infrastructure to make sure the conference is an open and accessible environment to people of all race, class and gender backgrounds. This includes facilitating translation and interpretation of materials and workshops into Spanish and the provision of childcare during the conference.
• Program planning: work with ECC and the local Host Committee to determine the keynote topic and presenters, plenary topic and presenters, caucuses, workshop topics and presenters, tour, entertainment, conference materials, and coordinating logistics for the live and silent auctions and awards presentations.
• Registration: communication with individuals, intake of all registrations including presenters, management of registration database, management of all income and payments, management of lodging assignments, logistics at the conference, financial follow-up after the conference
• On-site conference management to ensure smooth operation
• Coordinate volunteers prior to and during the conference, as needed.
• Conference close-out, including evaluations report, statistical report, and assistance to Treasurer with financial accounting.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Good interpersonal, writing, and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time management and well-organized work habits; able to meet deadlines and work within budgets
• Being self-motivated as well as working with a team/board of directors
• Familiarity with event planning and execution
• Experience working with diverse populations in cooperative/collective groups, nonprofits, and/or labor organizations
• Must provide home office or other appropriate workspace.

Preferred but not required:

• Ability to speak and write Spanish
• Bachelor's degree, or additional graduate/professional training
• Interest in renewing contract and planning future ECWD conferences

Time commitment:
This job will run from May 1^st, 2012 through approximately October 15^th, 2013. Work commitments each week will vary, from 5 hours per week for the first few months of the contract to 20+ hours during June and July 2013. During the weeks before and during the conference the candidate(s) will need to be available almost exclusively for work on the project. Required attendance: five days at the conference Wednesday - Sunday in late July and possibly into early August (dates to be set) to assist before, during, and immediately after the conference.

Compensation:
$15,000 base salary plus a possible $1,500 bonus, based on achieving fundraising goals and keeping within budgeted expenses. plus approved conference costs (registration, food, lodging, travel) and other approved expenses (to be negotiated).

The opportunity to work directly with myriad worker co-ops, ESOPs, labor folks, scholars, community development activists and technical assistance providers.

Submit cover letter, résumé, and three references to: info@east.usworker.coop. Those interested in working as a pair or team submit their resumes and references in a single email; only one cover letter is necessary per group. Groups please designate a point person to interact with the ECC in your proposal. In your letter, please address the issue of your time availability as described above.

Deadline: March 31st, 2012, 6 pm Eastern time.

The ECWD actively recruits candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities of members of democratic workplaces. The ECWD does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, political belief, marital status, veteran status, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation.