Area Coordinators (ACs) are experienced Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) members who work directly to support the organizing and advocacy work of AIUSA’s Local Groups and members-at-large in an assigned state or regional area.
The core work of an AC is to assist, support and empower Local Groups, through relationship building, connecting people and resources, and celebrating successes. ACs help encourage and inspire people to make a difference locally and globally.
ACs also work to engage communities in Amnesty International’s human rights work. ACs help people become active participants in our movement towards a world in which everyone’s rights are respected.
As member leaders, ACs have the opportunity to directly impact and shape the future and the direction of the organization through active participation in governance and consultation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Support and Empower Amnesty International’s Local Groups
- Build relationships with Local Groups and develop strategies for engaging and communicating with each group.
- Maintain close and ongoing contact with Local Group coordinators, getting in touch with them regularly and attending Local Group meetings as often as possible to get to know the groups’ strengths, needs and leadership potential.
- Assist, support and empower groups in finding effective ways of working, including developing good communication methods, trying new things, growing, setting goals, and diversifying their membership.
- Provide clarity on AIUSA’s policies and procedures or refer questions to staff.
- Support the establishment and onboarding of new AIUSA Local Groups.Â
- Assist Local Groups in planning events, actions or campaigns as requested with strategies that foster impactful activism, future group leadership, and skill development.
- Share Local Groups’ impact on human rights and find ways to celebrate and recognize their work.
Build Grassroots Networks and Leadership for Human Rights
- Connect Local Groups and individuals to Amnesty strategies and tools for human rights work as well as other AIUSA member leaders, groups, and AIUSA networks in the region.Â
- Serving as a regional AIUSA point person, connect with emerging or existing Amnesty networks in the region or area.
- Work in collaboration with other member leaders in the region and AIUSA staff to enable state and region-wide meetings, events, legislative campaigns, training, strategic actions, and increase community awareness of human rights issues.
- Engage Local Groups to participate in AIUSA mobilizations and events (such as Write for Rights, Banned Books Week and the Annual General Meeting).
- Familiarize self and remain up to date on Amnesty International and general human rights issues, campaigns, policies and current events.Â
- Take part in AIUSA governance, regional and national consultations, conferences and meetings as often as possible, and encourage groups to participate as well.
Other Duties
- Engage in regular checks-ins with staff and the regional Area Coordinator Steering Committee representative to discuss work plans and other relevant updates.
- Provide regular updates to staff, fellow ACs and other member leaders in the region on Local Group events, actions, and other human rights engagements occurring within the area, uplifting exemplary work whenever possible and communicating about challenges or problems.
- Build community, and exchange ideas and strategies with other ACs by attending bi-monthly all-AC Zoom calls.
QUALIFICATIONS and expectations
- At least 1 year of active membership in an Amnesty Local Group, leadership in a student group, or other member leader role.
- Become an official dues-paid or dues-waived member of AIUSA.
- Develop an annual work plan and submit brief, regular reports on activities.
- Participate in an annual self-assessment and consultations as needed.
- Commit to at least two years in the position.
- Allow contact information to be shared with other AIUSA member leaders and activists in the area served.
WORKING AT AIUSA
Amnesty International USA is an equal opportunity employer. AIUSA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.
OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)
Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. What does that mean for Amnesty International in the United States? It means using our people power to fight injustice and centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by racist structures, beliefs, and laws. Fundamentally, it means doing our human rights work differently than it has been done before, because we know that who we work with, how we work, the work we do, and ultimately who we are, are all interconnected.
As an international, intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). To learn more about how we integrate IDEA into our programs and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/idea/