[COMM-ORG] PICO Organizing Fellows Program - http://bit.ly/fellows2011

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

  From: Michael-Ray Mathews <mrmathews at piconetwork.org>


PICO Organizing Fellows Program

Advancing Leadership of Color in Faith-Based Community Organizing



Faith-Based Community Organizing (FBCO) is a force that can transform 
communities and American society. PICO National Network has 
distinguished itself as a national faith-based organizing effort with 
the capacity to deliver policy changes at the local, state and federal 
level that increase opportunity for low-income communities. In order to 
expand, strengthen and diversify our team of organizing professionals 
prepared to lead emerging efforts in key regions, PICO will launch the 
PICO Organizing Fellows Program (OFP).



This program is a six-to-nine-month paid fellowship to enable people 
with significant social change experience in the skills and arts of 
faith-based community organizing. The program is designed to develop and 
promote the leadership of organizers of color in the field of 
organizing. Fellows will spend the fellowship year on the staff of local 
PICO federation. This “teaching federation”, in collaboration with PICO 
national staff, will provide advanced training and education in 
faith-based community organizing, including campaign strategy; power 
analysis, one-to-ones; leader, clergy and congregational development; as 
well as organizational leadership functions (e.g. staff development; 
fund development; fiscal management; etc.). Upon successful completion 
of the program, fellows will advance to Lead Organizer positions in PICO 
federations in the South, Northeast and Midwest.



Application Criteria:

• Long-term commitment to a career in faith-based community organizing; 
and a minimum three-year commitment to employment with a PICO federation.

• A minimum of three years of experience as a community organizer, or a 
related position in the field of social change.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to engage in 
critical thinking, clear writing, and effective verbal communication.

• Knowledge and understanding of political dynamics and public policy 
issues affecting urban and rural communities in the United States

• Curiosity, openness and respect for people from diverse racial/ethnic 
and religious backgrounds.

• Top candidates must participate in PICO’s OFP Recruitment Event to be 
held April 14-16, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.



Program Details

• Fellowships will run from Summer/Fall 2011 through Spring 2012. Exact 
dates will be negotiated with PICO, the fellow and the teaching federation.

• Fellows will be placed in a teaching federation in the PICO Network.

• Fellows will receive a monthly stipend in the range of $3300 to $3750, 
depending on experience; as well as health benefits.



Application Process

All applicants must complete the online application at 
http://bit.ly/fellows2011. Applications will be received through 
Thursday, March 31, 2011. For more information, contact Rev. Michael-Ray 
Mathews at careers at piconetwork.org.

Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews ▪ Director of Outreach & Recruitment

PICO National Network ▪ Unlocking the Power of People

www.piconetwork.org ▪ mrmathews at piconetwork.org

1100 Shasta Avenue, Suite 220 ▪ San José, California 95126

P (866) 550-PICO, ext. 707 ▪ F (408) 998-5486 ▪ M (408) 772-3190

Want a career that will change the world?: www.organizingcareers.org