People Power Mission Statement We promote the use of bicycles, utility tricycles, bike-trailers, skateboards, walking, and other non-motorized transit.
We are committed to helping government, citizens, and businesses overcome their dependence on the automobile.
Our
goal is to demonstrate that better alternatives to the car exist, while
improving conditions for bicyclists in Santa Cruz County.
Who We Are People Power is Santa Cruz County's advocate for human-powered transportation.
We
imagine a human-scale world and work to make it a reality through
educational efforts, community outreach, and grassroots political
lobbying.
Our
300 members come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of
complementary concerns and issues: quieter neighborhoods, safer routes
to schools, short- and long-distance bike lanes and paths, auto-free
public space, smart public planning, and reduction of pollution, global
warming, and wars over oil. These seemingly diverse concerns are all
addressed by the movement towards human-powered transportation and away
from fossil fuels.
We
started in 1991 as a response to the first oil war. Our founders, Jim
and Jessica Denevan, organized several bike ride demonstrations
including one from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. We developed a ten-year
plan for the city and county of Santa Cruz. Since then, much of our
vision has become reality, especially in Santa Cruz city including bikes
on buses, bike lanes on major streets, contra-flow bike lanes on
one-way bottlenecks, and bike parking.
We
are currently focused on county-wide issues and projects, particularly
the rail trail between Davenport, Felton, and Watsonville, and the
containment of a movement to widen Highway 1.
Position Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Steering Committee
Desired Qualifications
Proven ability to lead an organization
Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and increasing and retaining group membership
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Extensive knowledge of social movements
Ability to work collaboratively with others
Experience managing volunteers
Ability to work effectively with elected officials and public-sector employees
Commitment to using a bicycle for transportation while working
Knowledge of and experience with financial management, budgeting and reporting
Ability to use computer software, including Office suite, email, web browsers, messaging, and conferencing applications
Availability to work occasional nights and weekends
Compensation $18-22/hour, 25-40 hours weekly. Hours and pay dependent on qualifications and ability to do successful fundraising.
How to Apply: Applications must be received by May 2, 2012, 5:00 PM. Send the following items to director@peoplepowersc.org. No phone calls please.
Résumé
List of three professional references with contact information
A written description of why you wish to become a leader in the bicycle advocacy movement (minimum one page).
Description of Duties and Responsibilities
Management and Administration Financial
Work with the People Power bookkeeper to oversee the organization’s finances.
Make day-to-day financial decisions in consultation with bookkeeper, based on policies set by the Steering Committee.
Ensure sound financial planning, management, reporting and organizational accountability.
Coordinate Volunteers
Recruit volunteers (including college interns) for People Power and for the bicycle movement as a whole.
Match volunteers with meaningful work for which they are qualified.
Cultivate and train leaders both within People Power and within the bicycle movement.
Support leaders in their work, subject to projects and campaigns being approved by the Steering Committee.
Coordinate paid staff
Supervise 1 to 2 high school Interns with an emphasis on their education and personal development.
Supervise adult paid staff.
Supervise the Greenways to School program.
Coordinate hiring for all of the above positions.
Working with the Steering Committee
Attend monthly Steering Committee meetings.
Recruit and screen Steering Committee members.
Work with the Chair of the Steering Committee to prepare for and coordinate monthly meetings.
Inform Steering Committee policy decisions regarding specific campaigns and general operations.
Make interim decisions (between Steering Meetings) as needed and in accordance with policy.
Fundraising and Public Relations Fundraising
Increase revenue (including grants) to ensure funding for operations and the Executive Director position.
Recruit new members as an integral part of all other activities with the goal of adding 100 members annually.
Grow and support merchandise sales, valet parking, and other in-kind revenue sources.
Public Relations
Act as a voice for People Power and for cyclists with the press and the public at large.
Membership
Coordinate the publication of the Update (with the Update
editor), issue press releases, email action alerts, and announcements
through social media including Facebook and Twitter. Update website
content.
Work with membership coordinator on member retention efforts.
Coordinate volunteers serving at events.
Advocacy
Coordinate campaigns for specific projects, including maintaining relationships with, and directly lobbying, elected officials.
Coordinate endorsements of candidates for elected office and ballot measures and propositions.
Maintain
and improve relationships with relevant staff members and partners
(Friends of the Rail Trail, Santa Cruz County Cycling Club, etc.).
Do research on policy and process related to campaigns.
Events
Create and/or collaborate with other groups to organize and publicize events that support People Power’s mission.
--- Tawn Kennedy
Director, Green Ways to School A project of People Power The Hub for Sustainable Transportation