I had the pleasure of getting to know Jonae when she was the North Carolina Coordinated Director in 2016 and I was managing the LG's race. When I found out she was training the next generation of organizers I was like, "yes please!" Read more to learn about Organizing Corps 2020 and then share with someone who should participate! (**Note, Deadline is April 8th!)
1) Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself and your career trajectory.
My name is Jonae and Im an ORGANIZER! :-). No really, I started my career as an organizer, right out of college, working on the Barack Obama campaign. This single opportunity changed the course of my life and my career. Since then, Ive had the good fortune of working for lots of great candidates and causes. Most recently I transitioned from my. role at the Southern Region Director at the DNC to join the team at Organizing Corps 2020 as Chief Program Officer!
2) What is Organizing Corps 2020?
Organizing Corps 2020 is an initiative that will train the next generation of campaign organizers and create diverse talent pipeline in key battleground states: FL, GA, NC, MI. WI, PA, AZ. We recognize that the only way to take back the White House next year and have lasting impact on communities is to start early training and hiring local talent. This is PAID 8- week program will teach participants campaign organizing skills that will help them get jobs on the presidential campaign.
3) Who is it for?/Who should participate?
The first wave of our program (this summer) is aimed at rising seniors who are graduating in the Spring of 2020. We will have multiple waves of the program for December graduates and career-switchers.
4) How does it differ from other trainings?
We are training the next generation of campaign organizers. There are lots of great training programs that focus on various political skills at all levels. This program focuses specifically on field organizers, people who will be on the front lines of the fight to take back the White House and transform communities across the country
5) Why is this program important?
We started the 2016 general election at a disadvantage- we didn't have the army of trained organizers that we needed until far too late in the cycle. We didn't have the time to provide the necessary training. Like 2016, this primary season will be long. And while we don't know who the Democratic nominee will be; we do know that they will need hundreds of trained field organizers to win. This program will help train and develop those organizers more than a year in advance.
6) What should participants expect?
An amazing summer learning and practicing the skills that you need to become an organizer during the 2020 presidential cycle.
7) How can we apply?
Go to organizingcorps2020.com and apply today! The application deadline is Monday, April 8th.
8) Anything else you want us to know?
For future applicants: this is the absolute best way to spend your summer- hands down. Many of the greatest leaders of our time (*cough* Barack Obama, *cough*) started as organizers! For anyone who know a future applicant: SHARE THIS INFORMATION- the deadline is coming soon on April 8th!
