About the Green Party

The Green Party is a political party and a global movement. Our goal is to elect people to office and to implement electoral and social reform to reverse the immense role big corporations and money play in current world politics, and in particular in the U.S. Focusing on issues of economic justice, democratic political reform, and sustainable ecology, the Green Party is the third largest political party in the US and the fastest growing party in California. We currently have 62 members elected to office on local boards, city councils, boards of supervisors and as mayors throughout the State.

About the Internship

The Green Party of San Diego County has several internship opportunities available. Responsibilities of the position will vary depending on the project and the interests of the student, but possible tasks include the following:

• Working on electoral campaigns, including strategic planning, media, fundraising, and "get out the vote" efforts.
• Sharing in the administrative responsibilities of the office, including data entry, filing, copying.
• Assisting Green Party educational events such as bringing prominent speakers to San Diego, organizing forums and video screenings.
• Conducting research and writing on issues of electoral reform, economic justice and environment.
• Supporting the local membership recruitment and development efforts, including tabling, door-to-door canvassing, direct mail and phone banking, and voter registration.
• Analyzing and developing the business processes of the local chapter.

These are unpaid internship positions.

What you will learn

Working with the Green Party of San Diego County you will gain experience in local electoral politics, gain knowledge of electoral laws and learn about the role of "third parties" in the American political system. You will gain experience in grassroots political organizing by participating in issue-based or electoral campaigns, including developing a campaign plan, coordinating volunteers, media and speaking skills. You will be part of building the fastest growing political party in California and will become familiar with a progressive, representational approach to politics.

Internship with the Green Party would allow students interested in organization theory to analyze the structure of the Green Party, which has a decentralized approach to party building, and to study the grassroots decision-making process. These internships also provide the unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a small third party and to study the effects on the internal structure and power relationships within the group.

Students will become familiar with the United States electoral laws and the "winner-take-all" system. They are also encouraged to research alternative methods and compare voting systems in other countries. Interns can learn about the role of the Green Party as a global movement and within the context of the neoliberalist system in the world today.

Qualifications

A commitment to democratic reform, social justice and environmental sustainability; and a willingness to work hard. The qualified intern will be eager to learn and will not be afraid to take initiatives. Computer skills, language skills, and previous organizing experience are a plus but are not required.

The intern will receive an orientation to the party organization, process and objectives. Training will be provided for the internship position. The intern should be willing to work independently since onsite supervision may not be available at all times, however a supervisor will be provided at regular hours every week; weekly evaluations will also be provided if requested.

How to apply

To apply, contact the Internship Coordinator at volunteer@sdgreens.org to set up an interview. For the interview, please bring your resume and a cover letter. Your resume should include your paid work experience, education, relevant skills if any, and any political or other volunteer experience you have had. Your cover letter (no more than one page) should provide any relevant information not covered in your resume, including the kind(s) of work you might be interested in doing with us.

For more information

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us:

Email: volunteer@sdgreens.org
Phone: (619) 295-6000
Fax: (619) 291-6377

Postal Address: