“We're looking to hire energetic, personable activists that want to make a difference in the 2008 election cycle.”
- Senator Russ Feingold
Senator Feingold has long believed that a strong
grassroots field program is the key to electoral victory. As such,
Senator Feingold's Progressive Patriots
Fund created the Patriot Corps in 2006 as a
way to support progressive candidates across the nation. In the lead-up
to the 2008 election, the Progressive Patriots Fund will again
be hiring, training and sending field staff to key races across the
country.
The program will run from September 4th – November 12th,
2008. Participants will be paid $500/week and will be provided housing
free of charge on their assigned campaigns.Once chosen, Patriot Corps
members will participate in an extensive, multi-day training program in
Milwaukee, WI. Senator Feingold’s senior staff will personally train
participants. Training will run from Thursday, Sept. 4th – Saturday,
Sept. 6th. Participants will be expected to report to their assigned
campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 9th. This training will focus on volunteer
recruitment, organizing a canvass, running a phone bank, working with
local activists, advanced GOTV training, and staffing a
candidate.Patriot Corps members will then be placed on targeted
campaigns across the country for the last two months leading up to the
election.
In 2006, Patriot Corps staff members were placed on a
wide variety of campaigns including Amy Klobuchar for Senate, Jennifer
Granholm for Governor, Bill Winter for Congress, Steve Kagen for
Congress, Ned Lamont for Senate, Rich Olive for State Senate, John
Courage for Congress and Patricia Madrid for Congress.While we’re
looking for organizers with experience, we’re also hoping to hire
activists with a willingness to learn, word hard, and bring victory home
this fall. To apply for the Patriots Corps Program, please send a resume and cover letter to Paula Zellner at zellner@progressivepatriotsfund.com. All applications must be submitted by Monday, July 28th.
PATRIOT CORPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What will my work schedule be like?
While your workweek will be established by your
individual campaigns, field organizers on a competitive campaign are
often expected to work 7 days a week. It is not uncommon for campaigns
to establish a workday that can be 10-12 hours per day. We are looking
for a significant commitment from Patriot Corps participants and you
should understand this before you decide if this program is right for
you. Participants should not expect to leave the campaign site for any
significant amount of time during the eight weeks they are working on
their assigned campaign.
How will I get to the training in Milwaukee and to and from my assigned campaign?
Participants are expected to make their own arrangements
for travel to Milwaukee for the initial Patriot Corps training in
September. The Progressive Patriots Fund will help subsidize your
expenses by reimbursing you for your gas costs for travel from the
Milwaukee training to your assigned campaign and your return to
Milwaukee following the election. While having access to a car is not a
requirement for participation in the program, it is strongly recommended
that Patriot Corps participants have their own vehicle. In order to be
effective campaigners, applicants are generally expected to be able to
provide transportation to travel around their district.
Where will I be housed during the training in Milwaukee and after being assigned to a campaign?
Housing will be provided for all participants during the
training in Milwaukee. Once on the campaign, housing will be provided
at no cost to you by the local campaigns. The Progressive Patriots Fund
will work with local campaigns to ensure basic housing arrangements are
made for all Patriot Corps employees. In most cases this will mean
living with a local campaign staff person or volunteer.
What support will I get from the Progressive Patriots Fund while working on my assigned campaign?
Guidance and support will be provided through weekly
conference calls with Progressive Patriots Fund staff. In addition, your
trainers will be available to answer any questions you may have and
will work with you to address any challenges you face while working on
your assigned campaign.
What campaign will I be sent to?
Senator Feingold will be deciding throughout the summer
and fall as to which campaigns we will be targeting. The Progressive
Patriots Fund will match Patriot Corp participants with campaigns where
they will have the greatest impact. Participants will not be given a
list of campaigns from which to choose for their placement.
What Former Patriot Corps Staffers Have to Say
