[Cal Dems] December 2 Digest: last meeting of the semester and tons of internship opportunities

[Molly Green]

*sorry if you all get this twice...calmail is being lame*

CAL DEMS EMAIL DIGEST for December 2, 2007

So, our final full week of classes this semester approaches (as I’m sure
you all know), and that means this Thursday will be the last Cal Dems
meeting of the semester.  It’s going to be a meeting full of fun (think
slideshow of pictures and more!) and hey, it’s going to be your last
chance to hang with all your Cal Dems buds before break.

Happy Birthday this week to Trisha Bartlett, Stephanie Basakis, Sara
Belmonte, Alyse Kennedy, Kevin Ligutom, Tully Lillis, Marika Schulhof,
Alex Seraphin, and Michelle Zhang from the Cal Dems!

*********************************
CAL DEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-General Meeting, Thursday 7pm, 56 Barrows
It’s our last meeting and there is nothing planned but fun.  So bring your
democratic self to the basement of Barrows and you won’t be disappointed.

-PVC, Wednesday 7pm, 115 Barrows
If you’re itching for something to do, looking for some real political
discussion, or just want to hang with our very own Morgan, stop by PVC on
Wednesday night.

************************************
PROGRESSIVE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“The right to criticize; the right to hold unpopular beliefs; the right to
protest; the right of independent thought.  The exercise of these rights
should not cost one single America citizen his reputation or his right to
a livelihood…Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.”
–Margaret Chase Smith
************************************
PROGRESSIVE EVENTS:

-"Moral Responsibility for Systemic Atrocity: Civilian Death in Iraq and
Afghanistan,” Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 12 p.m., 223 Moses Hall

Neta C. Crawford is Professor of Political Science and African American
Studies at Boston University. Her most recent book, Argument and Change in
World Politics: Ethics, Decolonization and Humanitarian Intervention
(Cambridge University Press, 2002) won the Jervis-Schroeder Prize in 2003
for best book in International History and Politics.  Her forthcoming book
is America's Long War: Beyond the Bush Doctrine and the War on Terror.  She
has written articles for International Security, International Organization,
Orbis, Perspectives on Politics, and the Journal of Political Philosophy.
She has served on the Slavery and Justice Committee at Brown University, the
Council of the American Political Science Association, and the Editorial
Board of the American Political Science Review.



- USPA Darfur Event featuring Prof. Zook, Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 202
Barrows, 6pm

Beginning in 2003 and continuing to the present, the country of Sudan has
been immersed in a conflict between the military and Janjaweed and the
Sudanese Liberation Movement.  Hundreds of thousands of people have died
due to the Darfur Genocide and millions have been displaced. Right now
there is a UN Peacekeeping force working in conjunction with an AU mission
to aid the situation. Since 2004, there has been a movement advocating for
international humanitarian intervention, however, the world's most
powerful countries are limiting their response to condemnation of the
Sudanese military, and have focused more on whether it can be classified
as a genocide, rather then on deciding what types of aid or intervention
would be helpful or effective.  Critics of the lackluster reaction argue
that countries could impose embargos on trade, sanctions on oil, and send
more troops to patrol the area, yet are unsure which would be most
realistic or effective.  This debate aims to discuss what action the UN,
the U.S., and prominent countries in the EU have taken, what has worked,
and what should be done to improve the crisis for the future.



- It's the Economy, Stupid: The Growing Anxiety of the Middle Class and
the Future of American Politics, Thursday, December 6, 6:30 pm, UC
Berkeley Labor Center, 2521 Channing Way (near Telegraph Ave.)

A Public Lecture by Jacob Hacker, Yale University Political Science
Professor and Author of The Great Risk Shift

In his book The Great Risk Shift: The New Economic Insecurity and the
Decline of the American Dream, Jacob Hacker lays bare this unsettling new
climate, showing how it has come about, what it is doing to our families
and our finances, and how we can fight back. Join us for a public lecture
about the financial roller coaster many Americans are living on, how it is
reshaping American politics, and what can be done to create policies that
safeguard economic security in an increasingly uncertain world.

Sponsored by the UC Berkeley Labor Center, School of Public Health,
Charles and
Louise Travers Department of Political Science, and Institute of Governmental
Studies.

Information: 510-642-6371; andreabuffa at berkeley.edu;
http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu





- Warning: tricksters may try to get you to sign the Electoral College
Initiative!

There have been documented cases of  people working for a group called the
Arno Political Consultants tricking young people into signing petitions
that they said would “help children with cancer” when, in fact, they were
signing in support of the Electoral College Initiative.  The Electoral
College Initiative is a Republican-backed initiative to change the way we
apportion electoral votes from a winner-take-all system to a system based
on Congressional districts.  The bottom line is that you really don’t want
to sign a petition for this initiative, so be wary, they are now at Cal!
http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=5A8AD37674B668B4C5173BB746F3C827?diaryId=4449

***********************************
PROGRESSIVE OPPORTUNITIES:

- Join John Edwards in the Early States

Support John Edwards for President by signing up for "Road Trip for One
America." Join other volunteers from across the country and travel to
Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, or South Carolina.

We need your help! By engaging voters in these key states, you will help
gain critical support for the candidate that cares about your interests.

Spend part of winter break helping a candidate you care about, join other
dedicated volunteers and with the experience of a lifetime.

For more information e-mail christinesmith at berkeley.edu or call (916)
743-9878.


- The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) info session, Monday, December 3, 6pm

Come find out how you can apply for $170,000 in grants
 for sustainability projects to make UC Berkeley more sustainable!

WHO: Students, faculty, and staff
WHEN: Monday, Dec 3, 6pm
WHERE: ASUC Senate Chambers in Eshleman Hall

Those of you who want to get a head start thinking about your project
 ideas over the winter break, please come join us. For those of you who
 can't make it, TGIF plans to hold more info sessions like this one during
 the spring semester. Don't worry!

 TGIF is a grant-making fund for sustainability projects on UC Berkeley's
 campus. About $170,000 per year are available for grants; students,
 faculty, and staff are eligible to submit project proposals. Any kind of
 project that improves the environmental sustainability of the campus is
 encouraged to apply. Projects that are collaborative efforts between
 students, faculty and staff, as well as projects that can repay the Fund
 via cost savings to campus (for example, through energy efficiency) are
 doubly encouraged to apply.  :)

 Come by on Monday, Dec 6 to learn more about how your brilliant green
 project ideas can get funded!
 Have questions?
 Visit TGIF's website at:
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~tgif/<http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/%7Etgif/>
 Or, email John Stanley at jrstanley at berkeley.edu


-Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows Program,
application due Dec. 7

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, non-profit
organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and
promoting active international engagement by the United States. The Junior
Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a
substantive work experience for students who have a serious career
interest in the area of international affairs. Approximately 8-10 students
will be hired to work at the Carnegie Endowment on a full-time basis for a
period of one year.

Applicants must be graduating college seniors or individuals who have
graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered that
has already started graduate studies. Applicants should have completed a
significant amount of coursework in international affairs, political
science, economics, history, or Russian or
Chinese studies. The selection process is highly competitive.

Applications and other required materials for this position are due by
Friday,
December 7th, 2007 to the Career Center’s Information Lab. For more
information on application procedures and an extended job description,
please visit http://career.berkeley.edu/Internships/Carnegie.stm.



- California Young Democrats and California College Democrats have a new
publication
Check out the CYD and CCD's inaugural publication: The
Margin. “The Margin is the physical embodiment of our organization's goals
and
mission statement: ‘I am the Margin of Victory.’ CYD quite simply believes
when
young people vote, Democrats win. This sentiment was proven time and time
again
around the country during the 2006 election cycle when 2 million more
young people
turned out to vote than in 2002. This increased turnout resulted in the
ascendancy
of California's own Nancy Pelosi to the Speakership of the United States
House of
Representatives this January.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE MAGAZINE:
http://www.californiacollegedems.com/cdems/PDFs/The_Margin.pdf



- Goldman School of Public Policy, application and scholarship info

 *Do you have aspirations to become a political leader? Do you want to make
 a difference?
 Consider a masters degree in Public Policy at the Goldman School!
 *The Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, ranked No.1 in the
 nation in Public Policy Analysis, offers a two-year, full-time
 masters degree in public policy preparing students for careers in
 political leadership and social change, policy analysis,
 program evaluation, and management and planning. The Goldman School is now
 accepting applications
 for Fall 2008.  For detailed information on the graduate program and
 admissions requirements, please view the program bulletin:
 http://gspp.berkeley.edu/admissions/docs/gspp_mpp_bulletin.pdf

 *SCHOLARSHIPS
 *The Goldman School of Public Policy is pleased to announce the *Jacob K.
 Javits Political Leadership Scholarship Program*.
 This scholarship is intended for students who are committed to pursuing a
 career in political leadership.  Scholarship details and
 application can be found at:
 http://gspp.berkeley.edu/admissions/docs/Javits%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf

 Questions?  Please contact:
*Jalilah A. LaBrie
*Associate Director of Admissions & Student Affairs
 Richard & Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy
 2607 Hearst Avenue, Room 241
 University of California
 Berkeley, CA 94720-7320

 Phone: (510) 642-1940
 Fax: (510) 643-6274
 Home Page: http://gspp.berkeley.edu



- ACLU Policy Website Writing Internship
The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU-NC) Policy Department focuses on three
areas: (1) Death Penalty; (2) Police Practices; and (3) Racial Justice.
Each area is headed
by a policy director, focusing exclusively on that subject.
Under the supervision of one or more policy directors and/or policy staff,
the Website
Writing Intern will provide a high level of writing and administrative
support for all
department Web site development activities. No technical or HTML
experience is
required; liberal arts and communications majors are strongly encouraged
to apply.
required.
• Ideally, enrolled in accredited college or university.
• Ability to assess information and deal with changing priorities.
• An interest in public interest/social justice issues and the commitment
to work for
civil rights and the ideals of the ACLU.

How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references
to:
Romy Ganschow
ACLU of Northern California
39 Drumm Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Or email: rganschow at aclunc.org
**Please include in the cover letter related course work, professional
and/or academic
experiences, and highlighted qualifications.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California is an
affirmative
action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color,
women, persons
with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
or intersex are
particularly urged to apply.


- ACLU Policy Department Undergraduate Internships, application for Summer
due Feb. 1, 2008

The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU-NC) Policy Department focuses on
three areas: (1) Death Penalty; (2) Police Practices; and (3) Racial
Justice. Each area is headed by a policy director, focusing exclusively on
that subject.

The Position:
Under the supervision and guidance of the Death Penalty Policy Director,
the Police Practices
Policy Director, and/or the Racial Justice Project Director, interns
assist in projects that aim to improve criminal justice and education
policy in Northern California.
The intern will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge issues,
conducting preliminary policy research, and drafting policy memoranda and
other advocacy documents. The intern will have the opportunity to
participate in staff meetings and may also participate in strategy
meetings with coalition partners and assist in fact gathering for local
and state advocacy efforts through Public Records Act requests, field
interviews, and other strategies.

Time and Pay/Credit:
Summer positions are full-time (40 hours/week). Students are encouraged to
seek independent funding through their schools if available for the
summer. Work-study funding is available; grant matches are considered. If
funding is not available, the ACLU-NC will provide a rate of $12.00 per
hour.
Several positions are available.

Qualifications:
�� Currently enrolled in accredited college or university, with junior or
senior standing.
�� Enthusiasm, creativity, and attention to detail.
�� Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills.
�� Strong computer skills, familiar with Microsoft Office programs (Word,
Excel, Outlook)
�� An interest in public interest/social justice issues and the commitment
to work for civil
rights and the ideals of the ACLU.

How to Apply:
Students should send one copy of their transcript, a cover letter, resume,
writing sample and list of references to Romy Ganschow, ACLU of Northern
California, 39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 or via e-mail,
rganschow at aclunc.org . Please include in the cover letter your preference
of subject area and related coursework, professional and/or academic
experience.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California is an
affirmative action employer. All interested individuals, including people
of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are particularly urged to apply.


-ACLU of Northern California Internship
The ACLU of Northern California is seeking motivated and energetic interns
for its San Francisco and San Jose offices and for Chapters across
northern California.

Communications Department (based in the San Francisco office):
Interns research and write on current civil liberties issues, and assist
in media and production work including contributing to press releases,
interviews and research for articles, and topic-specific record keeping.
Interns will contribute to the production, marketing, and deployment of
public education campaigns that are innovative and grassroots based.

Organizing Department (based in the San Francisco office):
Support all levels of Organizing Department work, including planning
events and workshops, assisting with legislative campaigns, managing
volunteers, and building our activist base. Interns also perform general
administrative duties, such as organizing mass mailings, photocopying
distribution materials, creating flyers, maintaining databases, and
providing technical support to ACLU-NC chapters.

Time Commitment:
Minimum of two days per week, 10-15 weekly hours, including several evening
meetings/commitments per month.

San Jose Office (based in the San Jose office):
San Jose Office Internships are volunteer positions. Office Interns work
closely with the
San Jose Director and Program Assistant in conducting research, recruiting
volunteers,
organizing community outreach efforts, and working with an intern team on
ACLU
issues. Work will also include speaking with voters, tabling at community
events, and
educating the community.
Responsibilities will include:
• Organizing community outreach efforts on key ACLU campaigns;
• Studying and researching key ACLU issues;
• Recruiting volunteers and interns for ACLU campaigns;
• Assisting with mailings and other administrative duties as assigned.
Time Commitment:
5-10+ weekly hours. This position requires evening and weekend
availability, and
applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.
For more information:
http://aclunc.org/about/job_opportunities/internships/index.shtml

How to Apply:
Email the following documents to internships at aclunc.org.
Please call Ashley Morris at (415) 621-2493, ext. 369 if you have any
questions.
• Cover letter, including days and hours available, previous intern or
volunteer
experience, any skills that are particularly suited for the
volunteer/internship
position you are seeking, and a phone number (and hours when you can be
reached, if no answering machine).
• Resume
• Writing sample
For example, an article from a school newspaper or a paper done for course
work. Sample should be under three pages.
Upon receipt of these documents, your application will be distributed to
the appropriate
departments. You may then be notified for an interview.
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Northern California is an
affirmative
action employer. All interested individuals, including people of color,
women, persons
with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
or intersex are
particularly urged to apply.



-Announcing PolitiCorps Summer Institute 2008
 Applications available – online now at www.PolitiCorps.org

PolitiCorps Summer Institute is a 10-week boot camp consisting of
hands-on campaign skills training, innovative public policy
intensives, and real-world applications of leadership skills and
campaign savvy. PolitiCorps strives to create the next generation of
progressive leaders. The Summer Institute is based in Portland,
Oregon.

PolitiCorps Fellows are college seniors or recent graduates who have
demonstrated a commitment to progressive values and a deep interest in
forward-thinking public policy and the political process. PolitiCorps
Fellows come from every state in the nation, and from a wide variety
of experiential and cultural backgrounds. Extensive campaign
experience is not a prerequisite for PolitiCorps. PolitiCorps is deeply
committed to providing leadership experience and training to students of
color.


Deadlines

To find out more about the program and to begin the application
process, please visit www.politicorps.org.  You may also request an
application by calling (503) 233-3018.

Early Admission Deadline:  December 19, 2007
Regular Admission Deadline:  March 3, 2008
Rolling Admission Deadline:  June 6, 2008
Note:  At least 50 percent of the class will be recruited from the
application pool of the first two deadlines.



-Barak Obama Student Organizer Internship Program

The California headquarters of Obama for America is launching its
'Student Organizer Internship Program'. The Campaign is currently
seeking 5 interns. Each Student Organizer will be
working on their campus to help implement traditional organizing
models, assist in the execution of visibility and awareness events,
and help with the management of student voter data.

 This is an unpaid position that offers Student Organizers invaluable
hands-on political experience. The Organizers will play an integral
role in an innovative youth-vote building strategy, and build valuable
relationships with Obama for America staff and within the student
network of political activists and organizers. Each Organizer will
play a crucial role in implementing the California Obama for America
youth-voter strategy, and will be responsible for effectively creating
and utilizing a student supporter network.

 The internship is a 10 hour per week commitment--though the intern
will have control over their own schedule (e.g., the work can be done
in the evenings, weekends, between class, etc.) If interested, please
send a cover letter and resume to mgoedman at barackobama.com. You will
receive an email acknowledging receipt. An interview will be scheduled
for the following week.


-Hillary Clinton Campaign

Internships at the San Francisco office are available in the
Communications Department, Policy Department, and Field Operations
Department. Hone your leadership skills working with volunteers, learn how
to plan campaign rallies, and work hand-in-hand with experienced and
dedicated campaign officials! This internship is an excellent opportunity
in a fast paced, growing, and forward thinking environment.
Interested? Send your resume to HRCNorCalIntern at gmail.com.

Volunteer positions are also available. Our volunteers are charged with
getting the word out about Hillary by reaching out to their social
networks through e-mails, calls, and house parties.
To sign up, e-mail NorCalHRC at hillaryclinton.com.



-Internship for the Office of Sen. Diane Feinstein

Students interested in public service and the federal government are
encouraged to apply for an internship with the Office of U.S. Senator
Dianne Feinstein in San Francisco.

Working with the Senator's office gives students a chance to see how a
Senate office functions and provides a local perspective on assisting
constituents with varying issues involving the federal government.

Intern duties may include:
Handling constituent phone calls and requests, assisting with
correspondence, drafting constituent letters, conducting research,
attending community meetings, helping staff with advance work for events,
opening and sorting mail

To apply please visit the Senator's website and complete the intern
application: www.feinstein.senate.gov or click here Application Form
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&File
Submit completed applications directly to the San Francisco office via
e-mail to: morgan_galli at feinstein.senate.gov

Start dates and work schedules are very flexible.
This is an unpaid internship.