Traction

Dear Tractivist,

I’m itching to give a warm cozy hug to everyone who has volunteered with Traction. We wouldn’t be here without you! I’m naming names of you fantastic people at the end of this email.

We’ve lost count, but in 2007 and 2008 alone, over 130 (seriously) of you:
- came up with creative event ideas
- hosted or helped put together great events*
- wrote emails and blog posts
- put on two successful fundraisers (Salsa Doble and Festivus) and houseparties
- served on Traction’s Advisory Board
- helped raise funds from foundations and major donors, and
- worked behind the scenes in myriad other ways.

*like Super Fat Tuesday coming up on 2/5! RSVP: superfat@getTraction.org. (Bonus drinks and eats for rockstar monthly donors, so become a rockstar now.)

Thinking about getting more involved with Traction? I highly recommend it.

When I first volunteered, I wanted to learn how to help people take concrete action on climate change and to connect with other excited, engaged, and nifty lefties. Two and a half years later, I’ve put together a series of events helping reduce our climate impact; I’ve met close friends and a sweetheart through Traction; and I’m convinced that Traction’s upbeat, inclusive, and connecting approach helps us all bring our values into the real world. I want you, too, to strengthen and be strengthened by this amazing progressive community.

Here’s how:

(1) Party with the Events Team: Volunteer to be a mastermind behind one Traction event or to be a valued helper for an event. Or, dive headlong in: I’m recruiting Events Team members who dig Traction’s social marketing, who have a long-term eye to progressive change, and who want to get their hands in a couple of events in 2008. Email me at eileen@getTraction.org. We can chat more about what the Events Team does and about what we ask of team members.

(2) Getting cash in hand: Ooh, sexy! Derwin Dubose chairs the Development Team, and he tells me that he is all about people who know or want to know how to research and write grants, host house parties, coordinate business sponsorships, develop marketing materials, or run fundraising events (benefit concert, anyone?).

(3) The right person at the right time: Notice how I am asking for many volunteers? Notice how I am not the volunteer coordinator? Are you a schmoozer and a recruiter, someone who tracks people’s interests and skills and can match them to where they’re needed? Oh, do we need you!

Write to me at eileen@getTraction.org to step up in any of these ways. Or tell me about your special skills, like volunteer management, event planning, fundraising, grant writing, artistry, or plain old getting things done when they need it. Perhaps you want to learn some of those skills. Perhaps you have expertise we could learn from in a Traction event. Or perhaps you simply have a passion for Traction and want to get more involved. We want you too.

Take care,
Eileen
Optimist, newspaper reader, dancing fool, Events Team chair

Traction’s 2007 and 2008 Volunteer Hall of Fame includes…

Abbe Harris
Ajay Bhatt
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Yes! We’re bringing on a part-time Administrative Assistant!

Picture a ladder with lots of rungs. This position is on the lower end… which means a great place to start and lots of room to grow. And we’re serious about growth!

You:
:: Super organized with a spirited streak
:: One or more years experience in an office setting — ideally a progressive non-profit, a political campaign or a marketing/communications firm
:: Flexible, patient, and fun
:: Desire to work for causes and organizations that are changing the world

Us:
:: Young, leading edge non-profit that’s building a critical mass of energized and engaged young people who will ultimately power the progressive movement
:: Building the organization we always dreamed of working for
:: Committed to the people we hire
:: Creative, fun, smart, passionate and fair

Sound good? We hope so — and we want this to be the best job you’ll ever have. Seriously.

We’re seeking someone with initiative and energy to support this leading edge nonprofit organization as we move from boot-strap start-up to formidable powerhouse. Flexible hours (approx. 15/week), mostly office-based, mostly during typical office hours.

The official job announcement is below. If you like what you’re reading, then send your resume and cover email to kickassjobs@getTraction.org. No calls please. We can’t wait to meet you!

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