Grassroots Strategist

Do you want to be a central part of statewide, strategic efforts to equip Christians to have a voice on family, life and freedom issues—all the way from the local school board to the State Capitol? Then this job is for you …

Primary Responsibilities

This is a manager or director level position depending on the experience level of applicant. The position is based out of Richmond, Va., and reports to the Vice President of Grassroots and Communications Strategies at The Family Foundation of Virginia (familyfoundation.org). The Grassroots Strategist exists to help implement and facilitate a grassroots activist network—mainly through our Speak Up! Virginia initiative, regional “Speak Up!” teams, and other issue-specific statewide campaigns designed to empower local citizens. This role is crucial to reaching the Family Foundation’s goal of equipping citizens throughout our Commonwealth to advocate for policies that reflect biblical principles and help families thrive. Overall, this role is a combination of relationship building, logistical management and basic communication/administration. Responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to:

Relationship Building

• Developing new and existing Speak Up! teams in various locations across the state of Virginia.
• This includes building relationships with and equipping team leaders so that they can make a redemptive impact in their communities.
• And in turn, assisting these team leaders with strategic selection of their ambassadors (who serve over specific team areas) to successfully implement the Speak Up! Vision locally.
• Facilitating relationships with pastors, local school board members, and others who interact with the Speak Up teams.
• After initial training, you will lead local grassroots meetings.

Logistical Management

• A key part of the process of developing Speak Up! teams, includes:
  • Maintaining/organizing a database of regional teams throughout the state with information on the team leaders and supporting members.
  • Maintaining files/data on grassroots activists and their interests—and working with TFF data manager to ensure activists are entered appropriately into our data system
  • Scheduling and facilitating regional grassroots team meetings. This includes:
    • Email and/or text meeting invitations and follow-up reminders as needed; help teams develop systems for taking on this responsibility.
    • Help teams develop system for taking minutes of the meetings and distributing them. You may do this at first, but the goal is to equip local team leaders to serve in that capacity.
    • Managing the logistics of online and in-person meetings (any printed booth materials, signs, banners, etc, needed; food/beverage needed; etc). Help keep grassroots materials in stock for upcoming meetings and initiatives.

Communication/Administration

• Developing grassroots initiatives, also includes the salesmanship ability through email and online tools to help people “catch the vision” and be encouraged about the opportunity to make an impact and be part of the larger movement. More specifically, you will:
  • Oversee the “scale up” process of creating online, how-to resources to facilitate individuals who want to start new teams in their area.
  • Through email, phone and/or text, activate/coordinate grassroots-activist turnout for committee hearings, rallies, special events, etc.
  • Respond to local requests for grassroots help or alerts they may provide on a local issue.
  • Reaching out to & coordinating parents, pastors and local activists/community leaders for rallies & press conferences related to grassroots initiatives, (such as “Protect Every Kid” and “Safe Zone for Life”).
  • Assist Grassroots VP in compiling training materials & updating Speak Up website with regional teams contact info, speak-up talking points, training materials, as needed.

• Other communications responsibilities:
  • Monitor and manage the model, local Speak Up! team Facebook pages (currently 5)—and train Speak Up leaders to manage these pages.
  • With oversight from Grassroots/Communications VP, help maintain grassroots related communications. This includes basic updates to the Speak Up! page, such as adding the latest conversation points and video, providing or posting corresponding social media posts & assisting with blog posts/emails related to grassroots content.
  • Assist as needed with the Speak Up! podcast
    • Occasional help w/research/finding images for YouTube version of podcast
    • Assist as needed with providing ideas/and or graphics for posts promoting podcast
  • Help document grassroots events as needed (for communication purposes) with photos, videos, etc.

Qualifications

• Alignment with the faith-based beliefs and core principles of The Family Foundation
• Minimum of 1-2 years professional experience preferred
• A diplomatic individual who works well with internal and external teams and also has the confidence to lead people and negotiate/advocate on behalf of the projects.
• Works well in a rapidly changing environment that is often a feature of event/rally planning and initiative management.
• Strong organizational skills; Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills a plus.

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF file:

• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your interest in the position and TFF’s mission

Questions can be directed to Candi Cushman at candi@familyfoundation.org. While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview.

The Family Foundation of Virginia is a faith-based, non-profit organization that is one of the nearly 40 state family policy councils under the umbrella network of Family Policy Alliance. Independently governed and funded, The Family Foundation of Virginia was established in 1985 to preserve and promote the family in Virginia as God’s foundation upon which all free and thriving societies are built.