Intern with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 9th Congressional District of California, U.S. House of Representatives
January 19, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
Serving her sixth term in the legislature, Congresswoman Lee chairs the Congressional Black Caucus and is a member of; the House Committee on Appropriations; including the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee; the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee; and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. She represents Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and the unincorporated areas of Alameda County: Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview and San Lorenzo.
Student volunteers have the opportunity to:
- Provide direct service to constituents of the 9th Congressional District
- Learn the inner workings of a fast-paced Congressional office
- Research local issues and study the impacts of innovative national policies
Minimum Commitment: 2 days per week (8 hrs/week total) for 3 months
Requirements: Applicants must be students currently enrolled in an accredited institution who live or attend school in the 9th Congressional District.
Qualifications: Excellent written and oral communication skills, professional manner, ability to attend a one-time orientation session (date to be determined). This program is open only to students currently enrolled in academic institutions.
Duties: Administrative support, community outreach, research, and casework
Application Process: Send a cover letter and resume to the Oakland District Office. The cover letter should include the dates of your availability. The writing sample should illustrate the quality of your writing and be no more than three (3) pages. In addition , be prepared to submit references. Please do not send additional materials.
More Information: Lee.house.gov
Send materials to: Dominique Nisperos, Congressional Aide/Internship Coordinator
Mail: 1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000-N, Oakland, CA 94612
Fax: (510) 763-6538
Email: Nisperos [at] mail.house.gov
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Intern with Equality California! (EQCA)
January 19, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
Organization Description:
Equality California (EQCA) and its sister organizations (Equality California Institute, Equality California Issues PAC, and Equality California Candidate PAC) share a common mission to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. For more information about EQCA, visit www.eqca.org.
Job Description:
Equality California is seeking applicants for an organizing internship. This is a great opportunity to experience the inner workings of a major political campaign and to make a difference for the LGBT community in your day-to-day work.
Interns will get hands on experience working on an exciting and historic statewide campaign and will be on the front lines of one of the largest and most advanced field campaigns in the country.
Duties:
Organizing interns will advance Equality California’s grassroots campaign to win the freedom to marry in California. Each organizer will work with local volunteers and coalition partners to demonstrate support of full equality for the LGBT community.
Interns support the work of Equality California volunteers and coalition partners, including assistance recruiting volunteers, managing lists, organizing field activities, and responding to the needs of activists. Organizers will support Equality California’s canvassing and volunteer recruitment goals and will have opportunities to connect to persuadable voters in one-on-one conversations.
In addition, organizing interns will assist Equality California’s field staff as needed with research, database management, and other necessary tasks.
All organizers will receive trainings on an on-going basis as well as opportunities to hear from leaders in the fight for the freedom to marry. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with Equality California staff and to take on independent projects.
Requirements:
Equality California seeks interns who understand and support our mission, are hard-working, are able to successfully complete projects, and are comfortable using computers. Top-notch communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment required. Prior campaigns experience or volunteer coordination a plus.
Time requirements are flexible and range from 15 to 40 hours with some evening and weekends.
This internship is an excellent opportunity to build political, non-profit and community organizing skills.
To apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter to field(at)eqca.org. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; there is no deadline, but you are encouraged to apply early.
Women, people of color, and transgender individuals are encouraged to apply.
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Capital Fellows Programs
January 8, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
Take part in one of several exciting fellowships known as the Capital Fellows Programs. The Deadline in February 24th.
All info can be found at the following link:
http://www.csus.edu/calst/capital_fellows_programs_overview.html
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Intern with Mayor Gavin Newsom for the City & County of San Francisco
January 7, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
The City and County of San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, (MONS), is seeking Interns for this Fall and Spring semesters. MONS is dedicated to helping the citizens of the City & County of San Francisco receive the highest levels of service possible from all areas of City government. Interns work directly with district and community liaisons to ensure that the Mayor’s Office is involved with helping to improve the quality of life for all San Francisco residents.
Application Process Includes
- Completed Internship Application Form
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample (one page maximum)
http://www.sfmayor.org/mayors-office-departments/neighborhood-services/volunteer-at-mons/
Once you complete the Application Process, please email all documents to kirsten.macaulay@sfgov.org. Please email if you have any further questions.
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Intern with the DSCC: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
January 7, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
The DSCC is accepting applications for its internship program. If you are a student interested in applying for the program, please submit your application to vazquez@dscc.org.
The DSCC is an organization whose goal is to elect more Democrats to the Senate. We work towards this goal by providing Democratic Senate candidates with financial and political support throughout the two year election cycle. The ultimate aim of the DSCC is to advance the Democratic message and to guarantee that Democrats are elected to the
U.S. Senate.
We are a busy staff and rely on our interns. You will take on many important responsibilities. Your assignments will allow you to become familiar with the basics of fundraising and political work, but you will also be assigned to advanced, long-term projects. This is a great experience that will help you learn more about the political process.
You will have the opportunity to meet Democratic senators and candidates from across the county and have the opportunity to work in a competitive election cycle on a national scale.
We are seeking reliable students who are organized, self-motivated, have an interest in politics, who think ahead on how they can help staff and the DSCC, and most importantly, who are willing to work hard to get the job done. This is an internship where you will learn from your surroundings. It is a fast-paced office, and your daily responsibilities will change regularly. We need students who are ready and willing to step up to the challenge and help the DSCC because they believe in the cause.
The program does not provide a stipend, but some interns may obtain college credit. Metro passes are provided. If you are interested in applying for this program or would like more details, please contact Ana Berrios-Vazquez at vazquez@dscc.org or (202) 224-2247.
DSCC Internship Application Information
If you are interested in applying for the program, please send the following to vazquez@dscc.org:
· Please attach a current resume and cover letter to your email message. Make sure you include your contact information on the resume and please clearly state the days you are available to work per week, as well as your start and end dates, in your cover letter. Part-time applicants are welcome to apply (2-3 days per week). However, full-time internship applicants are preferred (4 to 5 days per week).
· Please also attach a short (1 page maximum) writing sample in the form of a letter to the editor. Take a position on a current event and lay out your argument.
· Finally, please include one letter of recommendation and make sure that their contact information is clear and accurate.
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Intern with Assemblymember Nancy Skinner!
January 7, 2010 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
Assemblymember Skinner was elected to represent California’s 14th Assembly District in November, 2008. She is the chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and holds seats on a number of other influential committees including Appropriations.
The 14th Assembly District Office Internship Program offers high school and college students a unique opportunity to participate in and experience the work of a State Assembly Office. The program exposes students to office operations such as the dynamics of legislation, working with constituents, conducting community outreach efforts, assisting community based organizations, organizing civic events and projects, database development and upkeep, staffing the office, and other essential activities.
Interns will gain valuable education and work experience by fully participating in agreed-upon hours of work. All internship work is voluntary and students will not receive any monetary compensation. However, we will support students in their efforts to seek school credit.
The internship brochure and application is available on our website www.assembly.ca.gov/skinner.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Frances Fortini
Constituent Services
Office of Assemblymember Nancy Skinner
phone: (510) 286-1400
fax: (510) 286-1406
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Open Letter From a Concerned Student
December 13, 2009 by Pegah Zardoost, under Blog.
[Note: This was written on Friday, December 11th in response to the arrests at Open University. It is an open letter and is intended as such and someone suggested that I also put it on our blog. If you are not informed about the arrests of Friday, December 11th, the San Francisco Chronicle has a basic article, for information purposes: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/12/BAET1B2R1N.DTL]
Chancellor Birgenau and Dean Poullard,
I write to you as a dear, concerned friend of one of the students arrested this morning and as an ally of the movement that got him there in the first place, and a participant in the Open University, who just happened to not attend last night. I am in shock that the week of nonviolent studying and events has been ended like this. I am appalled that University of California Police Officers were told to arrest dozens of students and some community members while they were essentially sleeping from a campus building around 5 A.M. in the morning on a Friday. I feel betrayed and I have lost all trust in the system that I thought had some courtesy. I was there on Monday night through Tuesday morning and the few officers left to keep guard were essentially cordial and congenial. They would come in and tell us they were leaving for the night, for example, and that another officer was going to come replace them.
As you know, the first scheduled finals are tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. I highly doubt that these students will be able to make that session, and even if so, I can’t imagine how they can be in any state to study for the rest of their final examinations after a traumatic experience such as this. This is already getting national news coverage and luckily there were some university faculty and AFSCME members there as the students were taken away.
I ask at minimum that the U.C. Berkeley students involved be given academic amnesty in this situation.
This is appalling. We are a premier academic institution with a history of activism and civic involvement. This is absolutely not the way that a week of the nonviolent use of a campus building should end. It is certainly a horribly-ineffective P.R. move. What can public opinion be about university police arresting students from a campus building before dawn on a weekday? This is not September 24th, it is not November 18th, 19th, or 20th. This institution needs a real evaluation of its priorities and of the values it espouses. I have an immense amount of love for my campus and community. I have an immense amount of spirit as well – I have rushed the field and taken pictures with Chancellor Birgenau and your wife Mary-Catherine at Memorial and Stanford Stadium. I have gushed about how amazing this place is. I have dedicated my time and energy to convince admitted high school students to choose Cal, and I wear my Blue & Gold with pride.
But that was yesterday. Today, I am a heartbroken undergraduate who feels betrayed by a university she once loved and now can only view with disdain. In my year-and-a-half as a Berkeley student, I have admired the beauty of our campus on a nearly daily basis. Its beautiful foliage, buildings, and pathways have captivated me. However, none of that will ever appear the same to me. I assure you that even years from now, as an alumna walking through our campus, I will never be able to appreciate its beauty the way I did on Day 1 or Day 100, because I can never forget being awoken early on a Friday morning right before final exams, by a text message from a friend who tells me he is on a police bus, arrested. I can never forget shooting out of bed, not knowing what I can do, frantically trying to get to campus but hearing that that bus is already on its way to a jail. Calling news organizations only to be met with answering machines and voice-mail boxes, wishing I could scream across the phone line, and having to send out emails instead.
Today, my university has left me helpless and scared.
With the utmost sincerity,
Pegah Zardoost
University of California, Berkeley | Class of 2012
Pre-Law, Intended – Classical Civilizations
Leadership Alumni Award Scholar
Membership Director, Cal Berkeley Democrats
pegah.zardoost@gmail.com
(951) 531-4224
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Senator Mark Leno at Cal!
November 17, 2009 by Pegah Zardoost, under Blog, Home.
Join the Cal Dems on Tuesday, November 17th from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. in West Pauley Ballroom in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union Building for an event that’s sure to please – State Senator Mark Leno on The Future of LGBT California. Senator Leno represents San Francisco and authored the Harvey Milk Day Bill legislation, amongst many other shining accomplishments. So do join us! Bring your friends and wear your Cal Dems shirts!
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State Senator Mark DeSaulnier Internship Application
October 20, 2009 by Pegah Zardoost, under Opportunities.
California State Senator Mark DeSaulnier
District Office
Internship Program
Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s internship program offers college students the opportunity to get directly involved in the state government’s daily operations. Interns learn about how the California State Senate functions and Senator DeSaulnier’s role in representing the people of California’s Seventh Senatorial District.
In the fast-paced atmosphere of a State Senate office, it is important that interns possess a mature, professional manner. Interns must be well-organized persons who are able to take initiative, follow instructions, perform well under pressure and relate well with others.
General intern responsibilities include:
Answering telephones
Data entry
Responding to constituent requests and other correspondence
Assisting with special projects, including legislative research
Assisting with constituent casework
Assisting with event planning
Administrative tasks, including filing and copying
Other miscellaneous tasks, as required
Skills required:
Effective and professional phone manner
Computer experience
Good typing ability
Punctuality
Attention to detail
Ability to follow instructions
Ability to complete tasks efficiently and thoroughly
Unfortunately, we cannot offer monetary compensation for our interns. However, Senator DeSaulnier supports students requesting credit for their internship through their school or university.
There is no application deadline. Interns are accepted throughout the year. Please note that our summer internships are particularly popular and there is a limit to the number of interns we can accept to work in our office at any one time.
Applicants should complete the attached form and return it with a resume and writing sample to:
Lupe Schoenberger
District Director
Senator Mark DeSaulnier
1350 Treat Blvd., Ste. 240
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Phone: (925) 942-6082
E-mail: Lupe.Schoenberger@sen.ca.gov
Senator Mark DeSaulnier Internship Form
Please complete this questionnaire to assist us to better match your interests and skills with internship opportunities. For additional information, please contact District Director Lupe Schoenberger at 925-942-6082.
Name:
Address: City/Zip:
Phone number including area code:
Second phone number including area code:
e-mail address (optional):
Main area of interest in helping serve the 7th Senate District:
Please list any secondary interests you may have:
Please summarize any skills that you think might apply:
(computer, technical, professional skills)
Your availability:
(what days, hours, how long, etc.)
Experience
Previous intern experience: __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Paid work experience: ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Background Information
Do you have a valid California Driver’s License? Yes_____No_____
Driver’s license number: _________________________ Expiration date: ___________
Insurance Company: ______________________ Policy #: ___________________________
Expiration date: ___________
Have you ever been convicted for a violation of any laws, traffic or otherwise? Yes_____ No_____
If yes, please explain: _________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Information
Name of an emergency contact: __________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Relationship: _________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________________________________________________________
Work Phone: _________________________________________________________________________
Cell Phone: __________________________________________________________________________
RETURN THIS FORM AND A WRITING SAMPLE TO:
Lupe Schoenberger
District Director
Senator Mark DeSaulnier
1350 Treat Blvd., Ste. 240
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Phone: (925) 942-6082
E-mail: Lupe.Schoenberger@sen.ca.gov
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My Favorite Funny Man May Be Onto Something
October 13, 2009 by Pegah Zardoost, under Blog.
I’d like to think that if my friends, family members, or fellow Cal Dems could say one thing about me: they would say that I love Conan O’ Brien. Sure, actual aspects of my own personality would be more appropriate, but honestly, I’d rather be defined by my devotion to a late-night host.
In recent days, my dear Conan (whom I call my “tall glass of Irish comedy”) has gotten into a semi-serious and wholly entertaining feud with the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey – Cory Booker. It all began when Conan joked about Mayor Booker’s health program for Newark residents, saying “The health care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark.” Then Mayor Booker posted a YouTube video in opposition in which he banned Conan from Newark Liberty International Airport, and they’ve hilariously gone back-and-forth since then. Personally, I highly recommend watching the last several nights of The Tonight Show to enjoy the full experience of this feud (surprise, surprise). And although I’ve indulged in the guilty pleasure of laughing at Newark while enjoying Conan and Booker’s shenanigans, Bob Herbert’s latest Op-Ed uses this seemingly nominal feud to remind us of America’s many downtrodden and crumbling cities. Most of our metropolises have neighborhoods that have been far from alright for a very long time, and not only are these areas even worse-off today, but mid-size cities and borderline neighborhoods have either fallen through the cracks or are hanging on by a weak thread.
During the worst economic times since the Great Depression, we are failing to attend to the heart of urban America. Some of our nation’s greatest public servants, scholars, and artists have risen out of city poverty, mind you through their own dedication and passion – but is mobility out of these neighborhoods even a possibility for those who are waiting in line simply to get to the bottom of the ladder? Let alone ascending the rungs. We need to invest in these neighborhoods by repairing public education and mending structural defects which allow for startling discrepancies in arenas as simple as access to a decent grocer.
Basic livelihood is a daily challenge for millions of Americans. And yet the media gods and public officials misuse their platforms and ignore real, visible problems such as these for “sexier” policy issues like “national security”. They don’t want to anger contributors who may disagree because they can profit from poverty in America and opportunistic developers who claim to “revitalize” and “rejuvenate” these neighborhoods as if what’s at stake is aging skin. Need we be reminded – the homeland has been here all along. Herbert points out these living contradictions:
In Newark, where some of the streets do look as bad as the scenes that were part of Conan’s comedy bit, the unemployment rate is 14.7 percent. Keeping kids in high school long enough to graduate is difficult. Drug dealing is a fallback employment option for men and boys who can’t find legitimate work.
Other cities have the same problems, some to a greater degree. So what are we doing? While mulling the prospect of sending up to 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, we’ve stood idly by, mute as a stone, as school districts across the nation have bounced 40,000 teachers out of their jobs over the past year.
That should tell you all you need to know about twisted national priorities.
Let’s make it a national priority to invest in our human capital with after-school programs for students and solid job creation for their parents, so they don’t have to turn to the unfortunate truths of turning tricks and pushing illegal substances.
Unfortunately, Newark is not unique – it was one of many American cities and neighborhoods that used to be the exception, but are becoming the rule.
America’s future lies with its people and their potential. It is all there is and all there ever will be.
Maybe one day we can look back and think this was all pretty funny.
