Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong is a statewide self-advocacy organization that supports, nurtures, and promotes self-advocacy in youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Our mission is to empower self-advocates through education so we make choices that improve and enrich our lives.
Organize and Advocate.
This is an exciting and challenging position for someone who understands and is dedicated to self-advocacy and community organizing. You would initially be working remotely via Zoom until programs and groups are open for in-person meetings. You will support, coordinate and advise existing local self-advocacy groups while organizing new groups and training activities in the Northeast.
Flexibility.
This is a position for someone who is flexible to the changing demands of grant-funded initiatives. You should be very comfortable with using technology, facilitating meeting groups of self-advocates and people with disabilities, and be accustomed to working independently and as part of a team.
Compensation.
This is a part-time non-exempt position for 20-30 hours per week with an initial rate of $18.00-$21.00 per hour, depending on experience.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide resources, training, and build relationships with new and existing groups in the Northeast Region.
- Provide training for local and regional group officers, advisors and supporters.
- Build relationships with local advocacy organizations, providers and DDS on self-advocacy issues and activities.
- Provide training and initial support for new self-advocacy groups.
- Publicize Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong and other self-advocacy activities within the Northeast region.
- Support regional members and peer trainers to participate in MASS workshops, trainings, and activities
- Provide facilitation and support for MASS Regional and Northeast meetings
- Support regional leaders to take action and provide education on issues important to the region.
- Support the three to five regional representatives to the State Board to communicate information with the State Board
- Facilitate and lead other monthly workshops and trainings to help Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong achieve contracted outcome measures
- Attend monthly staff meetings and provide monthly reports on goals.
- Support any and all logistics for the annual statewide conference.
- Help plan and attend the annual Retreat.
- Assist the Board in developing annual goals for the state.
- Other activities and tasks as requested by the Lead Regional Coordinator and Statewide Coordinator.
Minimum of three years' experience in self-advocacy, community organizing, human rights or comparable experience.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Comfort in facilitating groups, training activities, and online webinar presentations to participants and stakeholders.
- Experience with Zoom and online conferencing platforms is required.
- Experience with Social Media (Facebook) and Constant Contact is a plus.
- Experience in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Calendar) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) required.
- Vehicle to travel extensively throughout the region (initially less travel due to COVID but a vehicle will be necessary when meetings start-up in person again)
- A willingness to learn and grow with the position as new opportunities and funding becomes available.
- Familiarity with organizing, networking and creating connections with other groups and allies.