Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

We're Hiring!

Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP), a nonprofit social justice organization, seeks motivated, experienced field organizers to help advance our campaign.  MADP is comprised of chapter groups, affiliate organizations, and individuals across the state united in our efforts to end the death penalty. MADP is a state affiliate of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.  See www.moabolition.org for more details.

An Eastern and Western Field organizer are needed.  Organizers can be located anywhere in Eastern and Western Missouri, respectively, and will work from home or in local office.  Field Organizers will inspire, support, and strengthen our network of chapters, activists, and affiliates.  Field Organizers will be members of MADP’s staff and report to the State Coordinator/Executive Director.  Half-time hours are flexible, but will require some work after business hours.  The position will require travel within the state.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Field Program
•    Strengthen the activities and effectiveness of MADP chapters and activists; provide information, guidance, assistance, and training to chapter leadership; assist chapters in meeting their organizational requirements and track their progress; attend occasional chapter meetings; cultivate the establishment of new chapters as appropriate.
•    Network to develop: new MADP chapters, key alliances with partner organizations, key messengers in targeted legislative districts.
•    Develop relationships with key constituencies such as murder victims family members and law enforcement.
•    Work with the State Coordinator/Executive Director, design and implement grassroots strategies and work plans to mobilize MADP members and supporters to take meaningful action on MADP’s statewide agenda.
•    Expand use of web-based technologies as a tool for activists to advance MADP’s program goals.
•    Organize phone banks, track activist participation, and coordinate related chapter activities.
•    Work with and support local chapters to increase the MADP’s presence statewide and grassroots effectiveness, including yearly planning, special event development, town halls, membership campaigns and coalition-building opportunities.
•    Develop strategies to increase and broaden membership and support of the MADP.  

Issue Campaigns
•    Assist State Coordinator/Executive Director in launching and coordinating intensive campaigns to take advantage of ripe political moments, as appropriate
•    Strengthen and nurture alliances with other interest groups.
•    Work with MADP committees as necessary
•    Represent MADP in various coalitions and before community groups.

Other
•    Recruit and train MADP members and anti-death penalty or moratorium activists.
•    Assist chapters to organize public events and testimony at public hearings.
•    Attend various MADP functions. Handle other projects, as assigned.
•    Engage in public speaking and articulate MADP’s view to the public on a broad range of issues.
•    Assist the State Coordinator/Executive Director in maintaining a strong team spirit within the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:
•    At least two years organizing experience.
•    Excellent leadership skills to facilitate communication and collaboration.
•    Self motivated and able to work with a team
•    Experience with on-line organizing and communication.
•    Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate.
•    Ability to work effectively with legislators and other professional staff; comfort with analyzing and articulating legal concepts and other complex issues and communicating them to a variety of audiences; a "quick study" on a dynamic array of death-penalty related issues.
•    Ability to keep organized in a fast-paced environment, to manage several projects simultaneously, and to adjust to frequently changing demands.
•    Proficient in using Microsoft Office software.
•    Experience in supervising and motivating volunteers and working cooperatively with groups.
•    Familiarity with and a demonstrated commitment to death penalty abolition; personal enthusiasm and a confident, professional presentation.
•    A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
•    Ability to work occasional overtime or irregular hours, to attend evening meetings, and to travel.
Salary:  $15,000 - $20,000/year half-time, flexible hours, plus travel.  Minimum commitment: 1 year; project funding secured for 2 years with potential to expand.

To Apply:  Send resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references to Colleen Cunningham cunningham@moabolition.org or mail to MADP 438 N. Skinker Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130.

Target start date:  January 2009, with orientation beginning December 15th, negotiable.  Applications will be reviewed beginning November 10th.  Final candidates will be asked to come to an interview in Jefferson City December 6th. 

 

Get Involved: Missouri is working towards a moratorium on the death penalty. If you live in Missouri:

1. Join Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty - www.moabolition.org
2. Pass a Moratorium Resolution in your Community
3. If you live in another state, email this web page to the people you know in Missouri.

Innocence
·  Three men have been wrongfully convicted and released from Missouri’s death row.  At least three others have had strong claims of innocence. 
·  In 2003, Joseph Amrine was discovered as Missouri’s 3^rd wrongfully convicted man  sentenced to death.  Amrine spent 17 years on death row even though there was no physical evidence linking Amrine to the crime for which he was convicted.

Inadequate Counsel
·  More than 80 percent of Missouri’s death row prisoners were dependent upon court appointed lawyers.
·  Several of these lawyers were disbarred for unethical behavior, others abused alcohol and drugs during cases, some were guilty of conflict of interest and others had no previous trial experience.

Racially Biased
·  While African-Americans were victims in 64% of all homicides (1978-1996), 78% of those executed were convicted of killing Caucasians.

·  As of 1998, all of the state’s 115 county prosecutors were Caucasian, and over 40% of those sentenced to be executed were African-American.

 

A Lottery of Geography

·  More people have been sentenced to death in St. Louis County than any other county, while neighboring St. Louis City, during the same 18 year period, had five times as many people murdered

· As county prosecutors have total discretion over when to seek a death sentence, whether or not a person faces death is dependent upon the lottery of geography.

 

Missourians want a justice system that is fair

·  In a 1999 poll, 56% of Missourians said they would support a three year delay in all executions to study sentencing practices and effects of the death penalty.

·  Over 265 organizations throughout Missouri have called for a moratorium on executions, including professional associations, small businesses, churches, and city councils.