FAITH-ROOTED ORGANIZER

Position Description

The Faith-Rooted Organizer organizes religious and community leaders for economic justice campaigns. 

A Faith-Rooted Organizer (“Organizer”) leads committee work with religious leaders and partners who are prepared to act on behalf of workers, immigrants, and their families. The Organizer will also outreach to new faith leaders to maintain a strong, dynamic and diverse group. The Organizer will engage in regular strategy sessions with campaign partners and religious leaders to shape events, actions and meetings that will further the work of justice in the assigned area(s).

Organizational Background

CLUE is an economic justice advocacy organization that “educates, organizes, and mobilizes the faith community to accompany workers in their struggle for good jobs, dignity, and justice.” Working closely with other advocacy groups, labor unions, religious denominations, and educators, CLUE brings a creative spiritual voice and moral authority to economic justice campaigns. Within our collaborative efforts, we harken back to ancient traditions and to the moral commitments of the faith community to shape conversation and strategy for critical local, state, and federal legislative efforts that seek to transform and improve the lives of working people. Our work includes advocacy surrounding workplace conditions, immigrant rights, restorative justice, affordable housing, racial justice, and any quality of life matters that undermine the economic outcomes of those in the margins. 

Primary Functions

Under the supervision of a Senior Organizer and/or the Interim Program Director, the Organizer will:

• Educate, organize, and mobilize religious leaders in Los Angeles, with a particular focus on Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, to allow for accompaniment of workers in our labor partners’ campaigns;
• Plan and lead monthly committee meetings for Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica ;
• Work to recruit new leaders to each committee that will allow us to further CLUE campaign goals;
  
• Attend networking events and meetings to further both the work of campaigns to which you are assigned as well as the overall profile of CLUE;
• Recruit and engage CLUE members through community events, email alerts, social media, and other online platforms;
• Active participation in monthly staff and bi-weekly organizers’ meetings;
• Build committee membership and develop committee leadership on an ongoing basis; 
• Coordinate with coalition partners;
• Work with the CLUE team to coordinate the content and logistics for public events & large-scale mobilizations;
• Engage in policy work;
• Participate in Faith Rooted Organizing trainings; 
• Nurture deep and lasting relationships with faith leaders, committee members, and partners; 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned and as required by the campaigns

Skills and Qualities 

Organizer must demonstrate a commitment to economic justice, the labor movement,  faith-rooted advocacy, BIPOC communities, and be willing to work non-traditional hours and weekends when necessary. They must be capable of establishing and maintaining deep and numerous relationships, and have a gift for strategic thinking and planning. They must be flexible and open-minded, a motivated self-starter, and able to work independently. The position also calls for excellent reporting skills, as well as strong analytical, written and verbal communications and computer skills. Organizer should have familiarity and confidence interacting in a non-judgmental fashion with various communities of faith, including those with whom they differ, as well as documented experience and strong skills in community organizing, outreach, and engagement. They must have an ever improving track record of leading a team. As an organization serving multiple counties, Organizer must have reasonable flexibility with regard to geographic focus and assignment.

*Driving your own car is required. Spanish fluency is strongly recommended but not mandatory.

Minimum Requirements

• A demonstrated understanding and commitment to the mission and work of CLUE;
• A minimum of 2 years of community organizing;
• Must have a demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people, communities, and cultures;
• Must be a self started and able to work independently as well as part of a small team;
• Must be proficient in Word, Excel, and Google Workspace;
• *While we are working remotely right now, the ideal candidate is located in Southern California;

Salary Range

Starting salary for this position is $49,920. Benefits include paid vacation and sick time, health insurance, retirement, and employer paid time off over the holidays.

Application instructions:

Human Resources and Administrative Manager

Position Description

The Human Resources and Administrative Manager oversees the administrative and human resources tasks required to manage the office and records of the organization.

The Human Resources and Administrative Manager will be responsible for data entry, payroll, managing the organizations Human Resource functions, and other misc. tasks. Working as a member of the Leadership Team, the position also contributes to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies and practices. 

Reporting to the ED and serving as a member of the Leadership Team along with the ED, Labor Program Director, Development Director, Immigration Program Director, and Faith-Rooted Organizer, this position's primary responsibility is ensuring organizational effectiveness by providing leadership for the organization's administrative and human resource functions.

Organizational Background

CLUE, an economic justice advocacy organization, “educates, organizes, and mobilizes the faith community to accompany workers in their struggle for good jobs, dignity, and justice.” Working closely with other advocacy groups, labor unions, religious denominations, and educators, CLUE brings a creative spiritual voice and moral authority to economic justice campaigns. Within our collaborative efforts, we hearken back to ancient traditions and to the moral commitments of the faith community to shape conversation and strategy for critical local, state, and federal legislative efforts that seek to transform and improve the lives of working people. Our work includes advocacy surrounding workplace conditions, immigrant rights, restorative justice, affordable housing, racial justice, and any quality of life matters that undermine the economic outcomes of those in the margins. 

Payroll & Bookkeeping

• Administering & processing payroll through ADP Payroll
• Responsible for filing and execution of staff time-sheets
• Prepare an annual audit and be a liaison with our freelance bookkeeper, in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Disburse reimbursements/advance checks for agency expenses
• Monitor budgets per department

Benefits Administration

• Medical Benefits Administration and Life insurance
• Serve as onsite 403b Administrator
• Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Support Services through improvements to each function (HR, IT) as well as coordination and communication between functions
• Drive initiatives in the management team and organizationally that contribute to long-term operational excellence
• Implement training and development plans

Employee Relations

• New Hire Onboarding
• Plan quarterly and annual performance review sessions
• Inform employees about additional benefits they’re eligible for (e.g extra vacation days)
• Update employee records with new hire information and/or changes in employment status
• Update master calendar with event  dates  (e.g. include religious holidays) 
• Maintain organizational charts and detailed job descriptions along with salary records

Board of Directors Liaison

• Board meeting prep
• Board meeting minutes 
• Agendas for staff meetings and scheduling

Organizational Development

• Contribute to short and long-term organizational planning and strategy as a member of the management team
• Serve as a liaison to legal counsel in addressing legal issues e.g. copyright, antitrust, governing instruments, partnerships, licensing etc.;
• Oversee organizational insurance policies;

• Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission -- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning;

• Manage and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative support;
• Play a significant role in long-term planning, including implementation of the strategic plan;
• Invoice to funding sources, including calculation of completed units of service;
• Ensure that financial requests are resolved and communicated in a timely manner to internal and external parties;
• Maintaining Intersection's archival and administrative files;
• Improve the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organizations mission -- specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, business process and organizational planning

Risk Management

• Serve as a liaison to legal counsel in addressing legal issues e.g. copyright, antitrust, governing instruments, partnerships, licensing etc.;
• Oversee organizational insurance policies

Skills and Qualities

• Commitment to social justice and the mission;
• Excellent computer skills and proficient in excel, word, outlook, and other data storage options;
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written;
• Knowledge of contract management and experience in organizational effectiveness and operations; management implementing best practices;
• Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing groups and projects or initiatives;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style;
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards;
• Knowledge of tax and other compliance implications of non-profit status;
• Excels at operating in an fast pace, community environment;
• Excellent people manager, open to direction and collaborative work style and commitment to get the job done;
• Ability to challenge and debate issues of importance to the organization;
• Ability to look at situations from several points of view;
• Persuasive with details and facts;
• Delegate responsibilities effectively;
• High comfort level working in a diverse environment

Salary Range

Starting salary of $36,750

This is a part-time position of 28 hours/week. Full time will be considered for the right candidate. Full benefits package including paid vacation, sick days, retirement, and health insurance.

Please send a cover letter and resume to Michelle Seyler at [email protected]. Deadline for applications is October 29th, 2021. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

What you imagine as overwhelming or terrifying while at leisure becomes something you can cope with when you must - there is no time for fear. - Rebecca Solnit

What we saw unfold in the U.S. Capitol yesterday was an attack on our country, our people, and our democratic process, incited by a president who refuses to accept the results of one of the most secure elections in our country’s history. 

Make no mistake: this was an act of terrorism. An angry mob threatened our government, stated that they wanted to kill elected officials, and stormed the Capitol building. Many stood back, acting with complicity. 

CLUE condemns violence and threats in all their forms, and calls on local, state, and federal officials to do the same. 

While the scenes coming from Washington yesterday were scary and unnerving, we believe that there are reasons to be hopeful and to trust that our democratic structures can continue to withstand these assaults on our democracy. The democratic process cannot be stopped by violent terrorists.

The next 14 days are crucial, and they may be fraught with more violence and terrorist attacks. CLUE will continue to monitor the situation on the ground, both here in Southern California and across the country. We will be reaching out soon to invite you to an online event where we can be in community with one another.

In the meantime, stay safe and stay hopeful. And know that we are not alone. Together we will prevail. Our collective is strong, with good hearts that will allow us to do the healing work that is ahead. 

Today, we want to share an exciting update on our work with THRIVE Santa Ana, a campaign that CLUE's Faith-Rooted Organizer, Lucero Garcia, has been engaged in for many years. Lucero also sits on the board of THRIVE.

THRIVE Santa Ana is a community-based coalition that stewards land for local needs too-often overlooked by large developers, including affordable housing, community gardens, open space, urban farms, commercial spaces, and other community assets. 

On May 1st, 2018, the City of Santa Ana entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with THRIVE for the vacant lot at 1901 W. Walnut St., a 16,000 square-foot parcel surrounded by commercial, residential, and industrial zones.

In the two years since, CLUE has been engaged in coalition, pushing for the city to allow residents to create a micro-farm on this plot of land.

Finally, after nearly three years of advocacy, the Santa Ana City Council approved an agreement with THRIVE that will allow local residents to develop a micro-farm on the Walnut and Daisy Lot.

THRIVE Santa Ana residents, faith leaders, and community partners gathered at the Santa Ana City Hall to celebrate the approval of a 99-year lease for the Walnut and Daisy Community Micro-farm. "The Public Lands Are of the People."

The pandemic has demonstrated the vital need for a local-based economy and highlights what we as a community have always known: that community lands belong in community hands; that green spaces and community-led gardens foster health and solidarity; and that we all deserve to live in an economy that works for all of us. 

There is more work to do at the Walnut and Daisy lot. To learn more or get involved, visit THRIVESantaAna.org.

The COVID-19 Crisis has struck hospitality industry workers with great force.  Many have had their hours reduced, and tens and thousands of workers have been laid off, leaving many low-wage workers wondering how they will make ends meet. This includes workers in hotels, stadiums, amusement parks, universities, airport concessions, catering companies, and airline food kitchens. Not all workers are eligible to apply for unemployment - and many immigrant workers who are especially vulnerable have very few allies to turn to for relief. 

CLUE has spent two and half decades advocating at the frontlines of change for working families in Los Angeles County and Orange County. One of our longest and most enduring partnerships in this fight has been with UNITE HERE Local 11, the hospitality worker union. The courageous campaigns and struggles of hotel and food service workers have won enormous victories for our whole community - from workplace changes to living wage legislation that improves the lives of workers far beyond the hospitality industry. We have stood side by side, in intimate solidarity as together we, along with other unions and community partners, seek to build the beloved community and a just economy for all people. 

Today, our sisters and brothers in the hospitality industry are hurting in deep and real ways, and we call on you once again to stand shoulder to shoulder as we seek to share the burden. CLUE is proud to host this Emergency Hospitality Worker Hardship Fund. We encourage you to give as generously as you are able to this Fund which will assist hospitality workers and their families who are unable to access unemployment.