[URBANTH-L]Jobs/Internships with the Mexican Solidarity Network

[Angela Jancius]

National Program Coordinator Position:

The Mexico Solidarity Network is currently seeking a full time staff person 
for a position that includes both teaching, as part of a study abroad 
program in Mexico, and organizing in the United States around issues 
confronted by undocumented workers, Zapatista solidarity and solidarity with 
the families of femicide victims in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua. Starting 
salary is $25,000 with a raise to $30,000 after a six-month probationary 
period.

Additional Qualifications:  The position will be based in Mexico between 3 
and 8 months per year and in one of our offices the rest of the time. 
Orientation and training will take place in Chicago, IL.

The position requires:
- At least a Master's degree in political science, economy, Mexican history, 
development, social movements or related field.
- Experience in grassroots organizing in the US context.
- Experience in teaching and/or popular education, with a grounding in the 
Marxist critique of capitalism and social movement theory.
- Experience in and knowledge of Mexico.
- A valid drivers license (either US or Mexican) and the ability to drive a 
15-passenger van.
-English and Spanish fluency, including the ability to teach in English.

This position includes health insurance and four weeks paid vacation per 
year.

Please forward your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to 
MSN at MexicoSolidarity.org.

Full-Time Internships in Chicago or Washington, DC:
The Mexico Solidarity Network is no longer accepting applications for 
internships in either office at this time.  Please be sure to check back in 
the spring, or subscribe to our email list where announcements get posted 
first.

Alternative Economy Internship Program:
The Mexico Solidarity Network is looking for students, recent graduates or 
community organizers who are interested in doing an internship in their 
city. There is no need to relocate for the internship and you can do it 
while attending college, high school or even while working another job! The 
internship program is part of a fair trade/solidarity program organized by 
the Mexico Solidarity Network in coordination with three Zapatista women's 
cooperatives and a Zapatista coffee cooperative. During the internship, you 
will learn about the Zapatista struggle for autonomy and alternatives to the 
predominant capitalist model. You will also have the opportunity to develop 
strong public speaking skills.  The internship is a paid position, with the 
amount of income depending on your time and organizing capacity.

Interns will receive material on indigenous rights and fair trade. Each 
intern will start with a package of fair trade items, including textiles and 
coffee produced by Zapatista cooperatives. Interns will organize at least 
one public presentation each week at which you will discuss indigenous 
rights and fair trade, and sell fair trade items produced in Zapatista 
cooperatives. You can keep 20% of the income from sales. Interns are 
expected to devote 3 to 6 hours per week, and can expect to earn anywhere 
from $50 to $100 per week.

Presentations and sales can be organized at Sunday church services, 
community events, local universities, farmers markets, etc. For example, you 
can arrange to make a five-minute presentation at the end of a church 
service on Sunday morning, then sell fair trade items after the service. Or 
you can set up a table at university events, such as concerts, public talks 
or even in the cafeteria. You can arrange house parties where you discuss 
fair trade and indigenous rights and also sell fair trade items. You can 
also request five minutes to speak at community events that are already 
organized, then set up a table at the events. Through this internship you 
will be part of a growing fair trade movement that supports 
cooperative-based production in Zapatista communities.

How to Apply:  Please complete the following application and return it to 
MSN at MexicoSolidarity.org.  Or call 773-583-7728 for more information.

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
WHERE DO YOU ATTEND SCHOOL?
WHY DO YOU WANT TO INTERN WITH THE MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK?
HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK CAN YOU DEVOTE TO YOUR INTERNSHIP?
WHAT POSSIBILITIES EXIST IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR SELLING FAIR TRADE ITEMS?
WHAT UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY OR SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH OVER THE 
PAST FIVE YEARS?
THE MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK IS LOOKING FOR INTERNS WHO CAN MAKE AT LEAST A 
SIX MONTH COMMITMENT. WE CANNOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMITMENTS OF LESS 
THAN SIX MONTHS. WHAT DATES ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ZAPATISMO?
WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF FAIR TRADE?
PLEASE PROVIDE TWO REFERENCES:
IF SELECTED AS AN INTERN, THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF SUPPLIES HAS A VALUE OF 
APPROXIMATELY $700. BECAUSE WE DON'T RECEIVE ANY MONEY UP FRONT FROM 
INTERNS, MSN ASKS THAT INTERNS PROVIDE A MAJOR CREDIT CARD NUMBER AS A MEANS 
OF INSURANCE. DO YOU HAVE A CREDIT CARD THAT COULD BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE?