XIX: Shall Not Be Denied – Why it Matters Initiative
XIX: Shall Not Be Denied, a partnership of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and the Rhode Island Department of State, seeks a facilitator of a new electoral initiative to engage community members with voting, elections, and democratic participation through a series of public humanities programs.
Supported by the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, this electoral initiative will build on the existing statewide civic engagement platform XIX: Shall Not Be Denied, which has successfully partnered with over 30 organizations in the past year to catalyze community awareness of the centennial of the 19th Amendment.
The current initiative will support seven grants of $5,000 each for humanities projects connected to elections, voting, civic education, participatory democracy, and related media and communication that reach diverse audiences. The call for project proposals will be announced in December. The initiative will also support a series of programs that bring together policy, history, and culture to activate the State of Rhode Island’s significant women’s suffrage archive.
Description of position:
The XIX: Shall Not Be Denied – Why it Matters Initiative Facilitator will work with staff from the Humanities Council and the Department of State to manage the website and coordinate the grant application process. The facilitator will communicate with applicants, including connecting them with resources and potential partners; provide branding and promotion for the initiative and associated events; coordinate the grant application, review, and award process; and help to manage analysis and evaluation of the initiative.
Schedule:
The facilitator will begin work in early December 2020 with a schedule averaging about 10 hours per week. The XIX: Shall Not Be Denied – Why it Matters Initiative will take place between December 2020 and April 2021. The majority of work will be conducted remotely. Any in-person activities will strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines established by the CDC and RIDOH.
Stipend:
The facilitator position will be supported by a $5,000 stipend.
Skills and qualifications:
- Project management
- WordPress web design, content, and development
- Coordination and facilitation of remote meetings
- Grant management or related experience
- Communication with diverse constituencies
- Proactive and collaborative, team orientated approach to project management
The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is committed to workplace diversity and seeks candidates who represent the diversity of the state, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, cultural background, and socioeconomic stratum.
Background:
Developed with input from leaders of cultural, educational, and service organizations across the state, XIX: Shall Not Be Denied is a web portal launched in December 2019 that provides branding, educational resources, and social media promotion for events, exhibitions, salons and lectures, panels, digital projects, performances, and research on a wide array of topics inspired by the centennial of the 19th Amendment, relevant to diverse audiences, and connected to contemporary issues. XIX: Shall Not Be Denied is guided by core values that include accessibility, relevance, inclusivity, empowerment and diversity.
Application Process: Please send resume and cover letter via email attachment by Monday, December 7, 5:00 pm EST to Rachael Jeffers, Associate Director of Engagement, at rachael@rihumanities.org, with the subject line: XIX: Shall Not Be Denied – Why it Matters Initiative Facilitator. No phone calls, please.
