Organizational Description: Under the fiscal sponsorship of Third Sector New England (TSNE), Teach Our Children (TOC) was founded in January 2006 by two parents and a community organizer.  Located in New Haven, CT, TOC is a parent-led community organization whose mission is to ensure that we as parents are truly involved with education policy and decision-making and rightfully acknowledged as critical participants in the success of our school system. Through developing members, leaders, and issue campaigns, TOC facilitates the ownership and participation of low and moderate income New Haven parents in the process of school improvement to bring about positive results in the school district as well as transformative personal growth in parents.

Organization History: Since our founding in January 2006, TOC has accomplished the following:

    Successfully amended Board of Education policy changes that threatened to limit parents and the publics access to schools and ability to participate in school board meetings
    Secured the enforcement of a policy allowing students to take home textbooks
    Initiated campaigns developed by parent leaders to curb suspensions and reinstate recess at elementary schools
    Trained parent leaders in basics of organizing and to plan and facilitate meetings, information sessions, outreach, and lead all organizational development
    Built membership of over 350 parents through neighborhood and school outreach and one-on-one meetings
    Created 8 member Board of Directors made up entirely of parent leaders
    Raised $150,000 from local, regional and national foundations and individual donors

Responsibilities of Organizing Director: The role of the Organizing Director is to create the arena for effective education organizing by developing and supervising organizing staff who identify, train, support and challenge leaders as they build the power of the organization and its members.  Working out of TOCs office in New Haven, CT, the Organizing Director is responsible for overseeing and developing TOCs three main areas of activity:

    Membership Development includes parent leaders and staff conducting school dismissal outreach at elementary and middle schools, conducting door-to-door outreach to low-income parents, and meeting with local organizations.  
    Leadership Development includes parent leaders facilitating meetings with members and with funders, acquiring organizing skills through training, and serving on the Leadership Team (Board of Directors).
    Issue Campaign Development includes parent leaders and staff conducting issue-specific research and communicating with allies, and parent leaders meeting with school officials and garnering press coverage.

In addition, the Organizing Director is responsible for facilitating all areas of Organizational Development, including supervising staff, grantwriting and fundraising, and long-term planning.

Salary & Benefits: Salary commensurate with experience (or $40,000) including paid vacation and holidays; Full health coverage including sick days; Paid mileage for work-related travel; Salary increases to be determined and negotiated with Board of Directors.

Prerequisite Experience
 
    At least 5 years of community organizing experience
    Significant skills in and commitment to leadership development
    Dedication to integrity and accountability
    Experience with membership development, issue campaign development, leadership development and organizational development
    Excellent written communication
    Excellent organizational skills and ability to set and achieve multiple goals
    Experience writing grants, fundraising, and managing a budget
    Excellent supervisory skills
    Experience developing and using evaluation tools
    Bilingual abilities encouraged (Spanish and English)

To Apply: Applications by email strongly encouraged.  Please send a resume, cover letter and list of three references to: This email address is hidden from email harvesters via JavaScript Hire date is flexible.  Applications by mail or fax to TSNE, Nonprofit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA  02111 or fax: (617) 523-2070.