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Deadline: Friday, February 5, 2021 5 pm. 

Instruction Packet

Actual packet needs to be submitted online at: https://forms.gle/Yj68MRHtEouSc1Cp8

The 2021 Justice Fellow will be responsible for leading the Open Buffalo Fund Our Communities Campaign! The goal of the campaign is to ensure that New York State invests in the communities that are the most in need. The campaign is a combination of cannabis legalization, progressive tax reform, and "clean slate" legislation. The Justice Fellow will use innovative strategies and community-building tactics to a create a campaign plan and lead community organizing effort towards winning the campaign.

The ideal candidate will be a passionate leader with in-depth knowledge of systemic issues that impact underserved and under-resourced communities. This person will be energetic, people-oriented, confident, assertive and creative. They will have significant experience in managing a team, campaign planning, and community organizing.

As a part of the Fellowship, the Justice Fellow will be afforded various opportunities to attend statewide trainings as a part of their capacity building and shadow organizations who are working on statewide policy wins.

The 2021 Justice Fellow will be selected based on demonstrated leadership skills, with a minimum of two years’ experience in social change work, and ability to perform as an intersectional movement thinker. The ideal fellow has a strong track record of community and coalition building and can work to connect different racial and socioeconomic constituencies.

We value inclusion and diversity in our movement, therefore, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and formerly incarcerated people are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are closely following Erie County and NY State COVID-19 regulations. As an organization, we are working to keep our staff and community safe by working remotely, strict mask usage and socially distancing when in-person work is necessary.

Program timeline and Stipend

The fellowship will run from February 15- June 30. If selected, a Justice Fellow will receive a $10,000 stipend that will be paid upon successful completion of agreed upon deliverables.

How to Apply

To apply, please complete this online application form, and upload the necessary supporting documents which include resume, social media links and two references. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 5, 2021 at 5 pm. 

Before You Begin

We expect the full application to take approximately 1 hour to complete. We expect all applicants to do some additional research on the following pieces of legislation to ensure you can complete the application.

The Fund Our Communities Campaign consists of three legislative policies. The first policy is the legalization of cannabis, which would provide revenue to be used to benefit the black and brown communities that have been the most impacted by over policing, as well as the war on drugs. Not only do we want marijuana legalized in NYS, but we want the state to commit to using the tax generated revenue on the same communities harmed by discriminatory policing and court practices. “Clean Slate” is the second policy, which consists of legislation that would automatically expunge the records of formerly incarcerated individuals depending on what the initial conviction. This legislation will make it possible for individuals to retain employment and housing, strengthening communities that are harmed by an unjust policing and the prison system, and lowering the recidivism rate. Lastly, Tax the Ultra Rich is a policy that would make the taxation system fair for citizens across the state. This would create a higher tax for the top 1% of the state, ensuring that state taxes aren’t increased for the poor and working class.

If you have any questions about the application or the Open Buffalo Justice Fellowship Program, please contact the Open Buffalo Executive Director, Franchelle Parker, at Franchelle@openbuffalo.org.

Application:

·       Personal Information

·       Name

·       Phone

·       Email

·       Social media links

·       Address

·       Ethnicity

·       Gender Identity

·       Gender Pronouns

·       Age

Justice Fellows are expected to commit approximately 15 hours per week. Can you fully commit to this?

Do you speak any languages other than English? If yes, please indicate your level of verbal and written ability in each language. (Example: "Spanish -- fluent in reading, writing, and speaking or Cantonese -- conversational speaking only") Note: Some organizations who need language capacity may conduct language assessment as a part of the interview process.

Short Response Questions:

1.      In your own words, can you explain the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA)? Why is this important to Buffalo? How would you work to build support for this campaign?

2.      In your own words, can you explain Clean Slate New York? Why is this important to Buffalo? How would you work to build support for this campaign?

3.      In your own words, can you explain the Tax the Ultra Rich? Why is this important to Buffalo? How would you work to build support for this campaign?

4.      What in your life experience has influenced your views of social change and your desire to become an activist, organizer or change agent?

5.      What do you hope to gain by participating in this fellowship? Describe which skill areas you hope to develop most, and what makes you a compelling candidate for the program.

6.      Describe in detail your current and past involvement with community, religious/spiritual, political, social justice, and/or other groups.

7.      How did you hear about the fellowship?

In two pages or less please draft a potential campaign plan for the Fund Our Community Campaign, including a calendar of events and your plan to create pressure to win the campaign

Please create one potential social media graphic for the campaign

Please upload a copy of your resume