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Become an Organizer

WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE STEPS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED?

1. TWO-DAYS OF TRAINING: Anyone interested in finding out more about organizing and working with those in Metro IAF are invited to attend one of several two-day training session that Metro IAF conducts several times per year. These sessions, conducted by senior Metro IAF organizers, gives those interested a more in-depth view of the thinking, approach, and impact of IAF organizing. Metro IAF pays for room and board for the sessions. The individual is expected to pay his or her own travel fare. Contact WIN at 202-518-0815 to determine when the next introductory session will be held.
   
   
2. NINETY-DAY PROFESSSIONAL ORGANIZER TRY-OUTS (Year-Round): Metro IAF offers paid, 90-day try-outs to interested men and women at one of its organizations in the northeast, southeast, and mid-west any time of the year. Organizer candidates are assigned to a sponsoring Metro IAF organization, are given an organizing assignment to test their capacity, and receive extensive training and supervision from a senior Metro IAF organizer. These try-outs are offered after a process that includes:
   
   
   • An expression of interest by an individual that would include a letter of introduction, a resume, and some references;
   
   • An individual meeting, or series of individual meetings, held with the candidate;
   
   • Often, some contact with the individual in the context of local training/organizing or some mutually agreed-upon voluntary experience that gives the individual a better view and feel for IAF organizing and the local IAF organizer a better sense of the individual;
   
   •Then the 90-day try-out itself.
   
   Successful tryouts lead to full-time professional organizer positions with an IAF-East organization.
   
   
3. SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: Metro IAF also sponsors summer internships for as many as 3-4 interested individuals.
   
   
   • Time frame: 12 weeks, beginning Late May to Early August.
   
   • Locations: Chicago, Boston, New York City, Baltimore-Washington, North Carolina.
   
   • Stipend: Metro IAF will provide a stipend to those participants who are not supported by other institutions (many colleges and graduate programs underwrite such activities). Participants who have no affiliation with an educational institution, who are working and supporting families, are very much encouraged to apply.
   
   • Travel Costs While Working: Metro IAF will cover the costs of travel once the participant is placed in a city and organization.
   
   • Lodging: Metro IAF will assist those participants who do not live in either of the internship areas in finding low-cost and (if extremely fortunate) no-cost lodging. These accommodations – in convents, seminaries, or rectories -- tend to be modest.
   
   • Training and Mentoring: Metro IAF will provide an intensive orientation training of approximately three days at the start of the internship, will assign a senior organizer to mentor and supervise the work of the intern, and will evaluate regularly with the participant as the internship unfolds.