The Dorothy Day Guild seeks a Coordinator, working from its New York City-based office, to play a vital role in raising the visibility of Day’s witness and in generating support for the Guild advancing her official recognition (“canonization”) as a saint. No personal saintliness is required but strong communications and organizing skills are.
In his historic address before the U.S. Congress, Pope Francis cited American Catholic radical, Dorothy Day – whose Cause for sainthood has recently been submitted to Rome -- for “her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints.”
Working closely with the Guild’s Advisory Committee, the Coordinator will help to generate support for the Cause and the Guild promoting it, both by conceptualizing new courses of action and augmenting and refining existing ones, as well as by working hands-on in their implementation, with the active assistance of Committee members and volunteers. The ideal candidate would have experience in organizing events and managing a social media presence across several platforms.
A comfortable familiarity with the contours of Day’s life and spirituality is essential, coupled with excellent writing and speaking skills -- all toward the end of communicating clearly, thoughtfully, and passionately her significance and serving, as needed, as the face of the Guild. Patience and a sense of humor are helpful, as well as an ease in relating to diverse constituencies.
See below for full job description and how to apply:
The Coordinator of the Dorothy Day Guild is pivotal to its efforts to advance the Cause for her canonization. Responsibilities revolve around heightening awareness and growing support through communications initiatives, including special educational and public events, to build Guild membership base; fundraising and development initiatives to reach a broader audience; and the management of key external and internal relationships, as detailed below:
Communications and Special Events
With the Guild’s Communications Subcommittee, draft and implement an annual communications plan targeted to current and prospective dues-paying Guild members and appropriate others. Responsibilities include:
1. Assist, as needed, the editors of the Guild’s newsletter, including with its digital distribution
2. Create, or support the development of, new Guild educational materials (brochures, flyers, etc.)
3. Provide support and content to Website and Facebook administrator
4. Initiate other social and print media outreach
5. Foster creative partnerships and deepen relationships with allied organizations, including international, national, and local Catholic Worker houses
6. Plan, coordinate, and conduct high profile educational events (with Ad Hoc subcommittees), including “signature” annual events (lecture, prayer service, other) to commemorate special dates in Day’s life
7. Develop and coordinate a Guild Speakers Bureau
8. Design and implement new Guild members cultivation strategy
Fundraising and Development
With the Guild’s Finance Subcommittee, draft and implement an annual fundraising plan targeted to current and prospective individual donors and private funders. Responsibilities include:
1. Manage annual online Loaves and Fishes Campaign directed to smaller donors
2. Manage Leaven Campaign directed to major donors, including the drafting of annual case statement
3. Sustain and grow support of religious orders
4. Write grants requests to foundations or other potential funders for special purposes or for general support
5.Monitor receipt of annual contribution from the Archdiocese of New York
Management of Internal and External Relationships
External responsibilities:
1. Field inquiries from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Roman Postulator, and Cardinal’s Delegate, as appropriate, and assist with requests for files, additional evidence, as needed, etc.
2. Staff inquiries into potential healings (miracles); oversee requests for prayer; record graces/favors, and assist, as needed, the medical professional(s) assessing them
Internal responsibilities:
1. Supervise the maintenance of Guild mailing lists/tracking members’ renewals, etc.
2. Supervise and coordinate the work of students and other volunteers
3. Support Guild Advisory Committee and Subcommittee leaderships in scheduling meetings, performing follow up work, etc., as requested
Reporting: The Coordinator will report directly to the Co- Chairs of the Dorothy Day Guild Advisory Committee.
Compensation: The Coordinator will be engaged for 21 hours per week, with the option of working as a permanent, parttime employee, with health benefits, or as an independent contractor without benefits. Total compensation for either option is $72,000 annually (if employee option: $64,500, gross salary and $ 7,500, benefits @ current rate; if contractor option: $72,000, total fee). Work may be done virtually but with the expectation of at least one day/week in the Guild’s New York City-based office.
Qualifications:
--a working knowledge of Dorothy Day’s life, spirituality, and significance to the Church and the world (orientation will afford additional resources for learning about Dorothy Day)
--excellent writing and speaking skills
--not-for-profit fundraising experience (or comparable experience)
--not-for-profit publicity or marketing experience (or comparable experience)
--ability to relate to diverse constituencies
--basic proficiency with Microsoft Office
--experience using or willingness to develop basic proficiency with a Constituent Record Management (CRM) online program