The North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) is a non-profit organization that provides educational, training and consulting programs for campus-based cooperatives in the United States and Canada. NASCO's major activities include an annual conference, the NASCO Cooperative Education and Training Institute, member training, consulting services, and career development programs. NASCO also manages affiliated organizations that support the cooperative movement through developing new coops and securing the future for existing coops. The main NASCO office is in Chicago, IL
General Accountability
The Conference Organizer is responsible for planning and coordinating the logistics for NASCO's Cooperative Education and Training Institute, to be held November 5-7 in Ann Arbor, MI. The conference organizer is directly responsible to the Director of Educational & Training, who has overall responsibility for the Institute and other educational programs.
Timeline of Specific Responsibilities
September
- Meet with the Director of Education & Training the week of September 13 for a short training
- Assist the Director of Education & Training with attending house and board meetings at Ann Arbor co-ops to promote Institute and request housing (approx. six house dinners/visits September 13-20)
- Secure three to five local sponsors for restaurant guide
- Secure low-cost transportation and recruit presenters for ICC, cohousing, and Detroit tours
- Work with staff to coordinate local Saturday evening social event
- Reserve A/V equipment through the University of Michigan
October
- Assist with proofreading of registration materials
- Write tour, entertainment, and local transportation content for registration packet and website
- Review and update Restaurant Guide
- Coordinate rides for tours
- Work with presenters to create tour routes and materials
- Work with staff to coordinate local Saturday evening social event (continued)
- Recruit local volunteers to assist with "last minute" conference tasks and childcare providers
Week before Institute
- Arrange to pick-up projectors for Institute weekend
- Print and post Institute info at all housing locations
Institute Weekend - November 5, 6, and 7
- Assist with physical set-up, operations, and take-down of the Institute
- Coordinate tour participants on Friday
- Coordinate projectors for workshops
- Work shifts of the registration desk with staff
Ongoing
- Check in regularly with NASCO staff via phone and email
- Assist the Director of Education & Training that participant accessibility needs and requests are met
- Assist with communication with ICC house presidents
- Other tasks may be assigned by mutual agreement
Qualities Needed
The Conference Organizer must be a highly motivated person with a strong desire to create and implement service programs that are of maximum benefit to the group equity cooperative movement. Qualities needed include strong organizing and communication skills, and ability to work both independently and as a team. Preferred qualifications include meeting & planning skills, experience with fundraising, and familiarity with Ann Arbor housing co-ops.
Candidates should have a strong commitment to creating an event that is accessible for all who wish to participate and eliminating racist, sexist, classist, homophobic or other oppressive language or behaviors.
Experience with campus housing and/or retail cooperatives is strongly preferred.
Term of employment and compensation
This position requires 5-10 hours/week; workload will be highest mid-October through November 7. The job will begin with a 2-hour training/orientation meeting the week of September 13, 2010, and end November 14, 2010.
Compensation will be $600, and is offered through multiple stipend payments of $200 at the end of September, October, and November. Compensation may also be negotiated as rent reductions.
To Apply
Send a coverletter and résumé to Mingwei (mingwei@nasco.coop [1]), the Director of Education & Training. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through September 6, 2010, 5pm CST / 6pm EST. Phone Interviews will be conducted week of September 8-10, 2010. Please contact Mingwei with any questions (mingwei@nasco.coop [2], 734.272.2293).
NASCO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer!