CSI started as dairy cooperative in 1945 and our founders launched a number of cooperatives endeavors over the decades, In 1965, we started on our affordable senior housing path and since the 1980s this has been our sole focus. We are proudly celebrating 80 years as a cooperative: 80 Years Oak Strong! We currently have 65 housing cooperatives in 4 states: Michigan, Maryland, California, and Massachusetts.
Our mission is to use cooperative principles to develop and manage exceptional, affordable rental communities where seniors enjoy opportunities to thrive. Our vision is to preserve and grow our cooperative senior housing communities, helping members lead full, healthy, social lives.
We are hiring 2 interns for our Michigan region (one in Kalamazoo and one for Metro-Detroit)
An Onsite Communications & Marketing Intern works to create and implement marketing strategies and advertising materials that excite the general public about our affordable senior housing communities with the goal of filling the co-op and building a strong waitlist. We prefer applicants that are creative, outgoing, and passionate about the cooperative system and who are pursuing a degree focused on marketing communications or similar studies.
The Onsite Marketing & Communications Intern works closely with staff, volunteers, and the community at large, all with the primary focus of getting folks motivated to move into the co-op.
Primary responsibilities include learning and understanding the community and creating a marketing strategy that focuses on low-income seniors. This will include community outreach and networking efforts with the intention of creating a buzz about our co-op communities. The intern will be expected to create a broad medium of advertising materials that best exemplify co-op living. The role also includes assisting the leasing staff with open houses and other leasing duties. The Onsite Marketing & Communications Intern collaborates with a team, but much of the work is independently driven.
Essential functions
• Develop a marketing campaign that will work to fill vacancies and build the co-op’s waitlist
• Lead in marketing, advertising and outreach efforts
• Create advertising materials
• Conduct tours, assist with open houses
• Work cooperatively with co-op volunteers to support leasing activities and maintain positive community relationships
• Help CSI promote corporate social media sites
• Perform other related duties as assigned
Both interns will be trained in their first week out of our corporate office in Warren, Michigan. Training will be collaborative with CSI's Marketing & Communications Specialist, the Regional Operations Manager, the CEO, and members of our Development and Finance Team. Collaboration will continue throughout the internship to ensure all goals are met.
The interns will gain experience in community outreach, marketing, publicity, and communications. They will also gain experience working as a team with senior staff in an environment that promotes our core values: Cooperation; Education; Excellence; Integrity; Respect; and Volunteerism.