Lead Organizer for New Organizing Initiative in Southeastern Connecticut

Who we are:

The Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) is a longstanding progressive social justice

organization based in Hartford, CT, with a 174-year history. CLJ empowers leaders through

neighborhood and multi-faith alliances to drive systemic change for social, racial, and economic

justice.

CLJ founded and launched The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA), an initiative

comprised of 52 diverse congregations and institutions in Greater Hartford who aggregate their

people and institutional power to advance social justice issues. Current campaigns focus on

affordable housing, tenant protections, immigrant rights, economic justice, and combating racial

and religious hate.

In Southeastern, CT, clergy from 15 congregations representing New London, Old Lyme, Gales Ferry,

Mystic, and Norwich have been meeting and training members to form an organizing effort in this

region. CLJ will be the backbone organization for this effort.

Who we are looking for: We seek a skilled community organizer, or someone with transferable skills,

who can build relationships with diverse communities. The ideal candidate is curious, a good

listener, and passionate about social justice in congregations, and committed to the principles of

antiracism. Excitement about leading a new effort requiring persistence, creativity, and

flexibility is essential. The role involves occasionally engaging leaders in the legislative

process. Join our supportive CLJ team dedicated to justice in congregations and communities.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain regular meetings with leaders and powerbrokers.
• Build relationships with diverse clergy and lay leaders for faith-based organizing.
• Secure financial commitments from member organizations.
• Train leaders in organizing skills using the organization's curriculum.
• Participate in and promote anti-racism training.
• Organize leaders to identify issues and develop strategic campaigns for systemic

change.

• Ensure strong turnout for public actions on key issues.
• Present organizing efforts at worship services and meetings when possible.
• Participate in staff meetings and other collaborative activities with CLJ staff.

Qualifications:

• Strategic thinker on systemic issues affecting low-income and minority communities
• Proven experience in organizing for justice.
• Experience with low-income and immigrant communities.

• Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
• Organized, disciplined and thrives in fast-paced settings.
• Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and insured vehicle required.
• Membership in a religious congregation is not a requirement.

Preferred skills:

• Bilingual in English, and/or Spanish and Haitian Creole.
• Skilled in engaging with interfaith groups.

Compensation: This is a part-time, 20-hour-a-week position with a starting salary of $32,500 plus

mileage reimbursement.

Location: This position will be based in Southeastern, CT with occasional meetings in Hartford.

Additional Information about this opportunity:

Over the past two years, clergy and leaders from local congregations began deepening relationships

with one another so that they can join forces to create a multi-issue, faith-based justice

initiative in Southeastern, CT. There is great enthusiasm and commitment to launch a broad based

organization. What is needed at this juncture is a passionate organizer to engage more

congregations and to train leaders in these congregations. The organization will grow through

scores of individual meetings aimed at building relationships and identifying leaders. This

position will be mentored and guided by two experienced organizers on staff at CLJ, and will report

to the CLJ Executive Director.

There is a strong possibility of growing this into a full-time position.

Recognizing the importance of family relationships, CLJ is committed to being family friendly. We

are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all races and sexual/gender

identifications to apply.

At this time, this effort is not affiliated with a national organizing network, but is led by

professional organizers with over 30 years of experience and training from various national

networks such as the

Industrial Areas Foundation.