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Summer 2008 Internship Sites
Democracy North Carolina
1821 Green Street
Durham, NC [sites throughout NC]
Start date: May 27, 2008
About the agency: Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization working to fulfill the promise of "one person, one vote," the bedrock principle of equal rights and self-determination. We the people deserve and demand a government that is responsive to us and committed to the public good. Democracy North Carolina's ultimate goal is a more vital democracy that fulfills the promise of "one person, one vote." Voters should control the election process, and Democracy NC is committed working statewide on a range of campaign-finance reforms that:
(a) improve disclosure of the flow of political money;
(b) strengthen enforcement of election laws;
(c) address other threats to the integrity of the election process, such as sham issue ads and soft money; and
(d) promote a voluntary public-financing program that frees candidates from the money-chase and puts voters at the center of election financing. In addition, we are committed to expanding voter participation in elections, for example, by pulling in those not involved (youth, prisoners and ex-felons, discouraged ex-voters, etc.) and by ensuring that every registered person who goes to the polls has his or her ballot counted.
Internship Description: Democracy Summer organizers address the need for a more vital democracy, one that is responsive to the people (the public good) and not wealthy special interests. They also address the need to revitalize and increase civic engagement and participation in North Carolina, a state with a strong history of social and civic rights movements. Organizers educate North Carolina citizens in Charlotte , Fayetteville, Greensboro and Greenville.
Democracy Summer begins with a 3-day, intensive training on Democracy NC’s issues and organizing model. The training also sets clear expectations for the student organizers and allows to set team and individual goals for the summer program. Throughout the summer, student organizers also receive hands-on training and coaching, with regular check-ins and evaluation from their supervisor. Examples of specific projects include: producing research reports on money in politics and voting rights issues for dissemination to the media and general public; outreach events to educate college students and other young voters about the new Same Day Registration law in NC; registering voters for the 2008 election cycle; and partnering with our coalition partners on Get-Out-The-Vote activities.
Skills Needed: Understanding of NC political history and current issues, passion for politics and social justice, computer proficiency – especially Microsoft Office – for research and communication, leadership and group experience, public speaking and communication skills
Concentrations of Interest: Interns will learn about NC’s political power structure, working at grassroots and local levels, and organizing for change. Political Science, Sociology, African American Studies, History.
Transportation Needed: Preferred, but not necessary depending on where the student’s site is during the summer
To obtain contact information for the current Internships Chair, please refer to the APPLES' Organizers directory.
