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Democracy Summer 2003

Students working for justice and democracy in North Carolina North Carolina University and College Students - Apply for Democracy Summer!

Democracy Summer is an innovative summer organizing program in which selected North Carolina university/college students gain hands-on experience working for social change. This two-month program provides students the opportunity to be community organizers working to revitalize elections and democracy in North Carolina. Democracy Summer students primary mission is to educate and mobilize large numbers of North Carolina citizens around the issue of campaign finance reform. Students alert their communities to the skyrocketing costs of campaigns and advocate for public funding to replace private, special interest money in North Carolina elections.

The Democracy Summer program is a project of Democracy North Carolina, a non-partisan, non profit organization based in Carrboro, N.C.

Priority applicants will apply prior to April 1, 2003.

Democracy Summer Past Projects:

Democracy Summer student organizers gain experience and valuable insight by attending, planning, and participating in a number of events and activities. Democracy Summer student organizers have:
• visited with elected officials
• met with community leaders & advocates for social justice
• given public presentations
• planned major community forums, events, and press conferences
• written press releases and learned to work with the media
• phoned voters and gathered petition signatures
• passed out thousands of flyers across the state, including canvassing

Students who are selected to be Democracy Summer student organizers will:
• Be advocates for social change and economic justice in N.C.
• Learn the details of state government in North Carolina.
• Plan, practice and implement basic strategies and tactics to involve more North Carolina citizens in the struggle to get big money politics out of elections.
• Be paid $2000 over the summer
• Meet North Carolina leaders working on many issues of equality and justice.

Student Organizers Should Be:
• Energetic and willing to work flexible hours.
• Committed to social and economic justice.
• Able to work with diverse groups of people.
• Interested in and have a general understanding of politics.
• Able to work well in a group.
• Good communicators and writers.

TO APPLY:
• University and college students in North Carolina may begin applying in January 2003 (preferred via e-mail).
• Students should send a cover letter, resume, and list three references with their contact information.
• Early applicants will receive priority. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Student selected into the program will likely be based out of Carrboro, Charlotte, and Greenville.
• Students of all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Send resume and cover letter to:
Democracy NC: Democracy Summer Program
105 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
Phone: 919-967-9942
Fax: 919-967-7595
E-mail: peterwalz@democracy-nc.org

What Students in Democracy Summer 2002 Are Saying:
"I cannot put a price on the experience I have had working in Democracy Summer."

"Working for Democracy Summer has been the best job I have ever had. I would never have thought that I could actually become an active member of anything important. Now I feel as if I've done something worthwhile."

"Couldn't have spent my summer in a more educational, meaningful, and stimulating way. It surpassed all my expectations."

With questions about Democracy Summer please contact:

Peter Walz
Democracy North Carolina
919-967-1699xt.16
peterwalz@democracy-nc.org
www.democracy-nc.org

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