AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Region

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office is seeking a student or youth volunteer to act as a Student Activist Coordinator (SAC) for Mid-Atlantic Regional Office.  The SAC is an important volunteer position within the Amnesty International USA structure and is an excellent opportunity for young activists to become leaders and organizers not only on campuses, but in their local communities as well.  As a SAC, you will deepen your knowledge of human rights issues locally and worldwide, as well as acquire valuable organizing and activist skills.

Responsibilities:

1. Cultivate positive working relationships with local groups

• Maintain monthly contact with student and youth groups to which you are assigned.
• Ensure that groups have a clear understanding of AI’s Mission and policies and are aware of current action opportunities.
• Assist groups in developing yearly goals, planning an action calendar, and developing and implementing fund-raising activities.
• Recruit and organize new members
• Empower other students and youth in leadership positions.
• Help build local networks between group activities and local coalitions engaged in human rights work.
• Encourage students and youth to become members and get involved in the AIUSA’s governance process. 

2. Educate yourself about Amnesty International and its policy issues/decisions:

• Attend leadership training, State Meetings and Regional Conferences.  
• Familiarize yourself with AI’s position on priority campaigns and key human rights issues through regional office mailings and regular visit to Amnesty websites: http://www.amnestyusa.org

What SACs Can Expect From the Regional Office:

1. Training:  We will work with you to meet all your training needs to help you be the best SAC you can possibly be.
2. Materials and resources necessary to function as an SAC. This will include contact information for student groups and other AIUSA volunteer leaders.
3. Prompt reimbursement for expenses incurred in carrying out the SAC responsibilities.
4. Events and organization support by Regional Office staff upon request.

To Apply: please e-mail Jiva Manske (jmanske@aiusa.org) for MD, VA, and WV or Savannah Fox (sfox@aiusa.org) for DC, DE, and PA! 

While I often write you with urgent news and actions about alarming abuses, today, I want to share some positive news - three major victories you helped make happen.

You demanded justice for all women - not some.

You stood up to shameful efforts by some members of Congress to deny protection against domestic violence for Indigenous women, the LGBT community and immigrant women. Thanks in part to Amnesty activists, an inclusive Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized and signed into law on March 7. Find out more.

You helped end the death penalty in Maryland.

Amnesty International has led a global movement to end capital punishment since 1977 and our activists have been organizing grassroots abolition efforts in Maryland for decades. On March 15, Maryland’s General Assembly passed a death penalty repeal bill, which the Governor will sign soon, making Maryland the 18th state to abolish the death penalty. Find out more.

You helped bring to life a landmark treaty to keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers. 

Just last week at the UN, an Arms Trade Treaty was adopted that prohibits arms transfers that would be used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. This win caps two decades of rigorous advocacy by Amnesty International. Find out more.

These victories are emblematic of the human rights achievements we are striving for in our world. And while today we celebrate what we’ve accomplished, tomorrow we fight - against injustice and oppression wherever they occur.

Thank you for all that you do to protect human rights

Sincerely,

Frank Jannuzi
Deputy Executive Director
Advocacy Policy and Research
Amnesty International USA