Summer Member Organizer

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is a union, dedicated to improving the workplace and the quality of life for all education employees and to protecting their hard-won rights. Equally important, we are an association of highly qualified professionals, committed to establishing and maintaining optimal conditions for student learning from preschool through graduate school.

The Affiliate Services Division is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Seasonal Member Organizer. Our traditional Summer Member Organizer (SMO) program is evolving into a Seasonal Organizing Model with a focus on enrolling non-members and new hires.

PK12 Targets

We will target specific locals that have a fully articulated and in-process Membership Project in their local. Each project will be tailored to fit the needs of the local and developed through conversation with other summer organizers, local leadership, and local members to increase engagement and membership in the local.

The PK12 SMOs will build skills and knowledge to support their local union and enroll non-members. They will carry out the MTA/local summer organizing plan for 4 to 6 weeks (up to 25 hours per week), roughly from July 14^th to August 22^nd in targeted locals. Our ideal candidate will contact, educate and engage members over the summer months.

There will also be a limited number of Lead Member Organizers (LMO), who will help coordinate the program and work up to 30 hours per week.

In Spring, a few PK12 locals will pilot an Early Enrolment program. There will be very limited hours for a few members to work during this time-frame. MTA staff will be looking for experienced SMOs to fulfill these positions.

Higher Ed Targets

There will be three phases of the program for Higher Education.

- April through May

-June through August

- September through November.

The hours will vary depending on the program phase. Email Taylor Brennan at TBrennan@massteacher.org or Heather LaPenn (Higher Ed) at HLaPenn@massteacher.org to get an understanding of the commitment. Some Higher Ed Member Organizers may work during all three phases of the Seasonal Campaign.

The duties for these positions include but are not limited to:

• Work with regional coordinators to implement the local plans in their region, hitting all goals in all metrics including:
  1. Canvassing (door knocking)
  2. Phone banking
  3. Member Enrollment
  4. Leader Identification
• Meet daily or weekly reporting and data entry deadlines.
• Participate in regular reporting conference calls or meetings.
• Member organizers are expected to take the skills they acquire as part of the summer program and apply those experiences to organizing work in their local unions; specifically including the orientation of new members in the beginning of the school year.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

To be successful in these roles you will need:

• Current MTA member.
• You must be a member of a Target Local. (Ask your president or field rep.)
• Prior SMO or organizing experience preferred.
• Access to reliable technology and proficiency using a variety of digital technologies or platforms.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to collaborate as a member of a team.
• Self-motivated with attention to detail and responsible follow through.
• Ability to identify and discuss member issues.
• Personal transportation and valid driver’s license.

We prefer a six-week commitment, the summer program will be beginning July 14^th and concluding August 22nd. The compensation for this position is $35.00 per hour for SMOs and $40.00 per hour for LMOs.

MTA is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.