Natural Building, Zero Waste, Film, and Communications Internships

The Peace On Earthbench Movement (POEM) is a non-profit organization based in Oakland, CA that empowers youth around the world to transform waste into a community place (http://www.earthbench.org/). POEM seeks interns in the SF Bay Area and Davis areas to assist in solidifying and spreading our zero waste methodology and natural building techniques. These opportunities include developing service-learning curriculum; updating our online how-to resources; and assisting in the actual building of Earthbench projects. Internship opportunities are listed below as guidelines - ideally each internship will be catered to a particular interest or skillset.

Compassion Corner Earthbench Internships (Davis, CA): The Compassion Corner Earthbench is going to be built this Spring on the corner of 3rd and C in Downtown Davis to honor the work of compassion activist David Breaux. David has been standing on this corner almost every day for the last 4 years asking passerbys to share their definition of compassion. This Earthbench will serve as a monument to David's actions in raising awareness about compassion.

• Zero Waste Campaign Intern(s) Help lead all aspects of our zero waste / bottle brick campaign in Downtown Davis this April. Deliver fliers, empty plastic bottles, and sticks to local businesses to engage them in diverting a portion of their trash into the Compassion Corner Earthbench. Organize bottle brick stuffing work parties on the corner of 3rd and C and in other locations. Engage as many community organizations, members, and University affiliates to make a bottle brick for the project. Make connection between bottle brick stuffing and showing compassion towards the enviroment. Option of making classroom presentations to engage local students in the project. This project begins immediately - bottle bricks must be collected by EarthWeek (4/22 - 4/28/2013) in preparation for the April 28th build date.

• Natural Building Intern(s) Assist in all aspects of the Compassion Corner natural building project. Help collect and organize materials in preparation for the Sunday, April 28th build date. Assist in leading natural building workshops (cob construction) during the April 28th build date. Assist in other cob building dates and in plaster and mosaic preparation and application in weeks following April 28th. Assist in plaster and mosaic repair projects on other cob benches in Davis (Domes Earthbench, Tri-Coops Cob Bench...etc.). Develop protocol guidelines for adequately repairing, plastering, and protecting cob benches to ensure longevity of these projects.

• Film / Documentation Intern(s) Assist in all aspects of documenting the Compassion Corner Earthbench as well as other zero waste and natural building projects that happen this Spring. Produce high-quality photograph and video documentation of these projects. Interview participants about their experience. Produce and edit short video about Compassion Corner Earthbench. Potential for small stipend depending on quality and extent of work produced.

General Internships (SF Bay Area, Davis, or Anywhere):

• Service-Learning Curriculum Development Intern(s) POEM was recently awarded a State Farm Youth Advisory Board grant to develop national service-learning curriculum. Service-Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. This internship involves studying our current service-learning practices and then solidifying these practices into easy-to-read and use curriculum that can be used by teachers across the nation. This internship will involve research into other service-learning curriculum and into K-12 State Science and Environmental Standards.

• Natural Building Intern(s) Assist in all aspects of the POEM's natural building projects. Help collect and organize materials in preparation for Earthbench building dates. Assist in leading natural building workshops (foundation, earthbag and cob construction, plaster and mosaic application) during build dates. Assist in plaster and mosaic repair projects on other Earthbenches in the area. Help develop how-to resources around different natural building techniques. Help develop protocol guidelines for adequately repairing, plastering, and protecting cob benches to ensure longevity of these projects.

• Film / Documentation Intern(s) Assist in all aspects of documenting our zero waste and natural building projects. Produce high-quality photograph and video documentation of these projects. Interview participants about their experience. Produce and edit short videos about different projects. Help develop how-to video resources that can be shared on the website. Potential for small stipend depending on quality and extent of work produced.

• Communications / Social Media Intern(s) Assist in all aspects of increasing POEM's presence on the internet and on social media. Research natural building and zero waste articles and projects to regularly post on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Update photos, events, and stories on our website. Update and help further develop our online how-to resources.

How to Apply:

To apply please send an email to Brennan Bird (brennan@earthbench.org) with your interest, qualifications (include resume if possible), and estimated time commitment. Thank you so much for your time!