POLICHICKS: Conference of interest?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Conference of interest?

Who's Laughing?: The Politics of Humor

April 4-5, 2008

at the Stata Center, 32 Vassar Street

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA, USA

Conference is *free* and open to the public.

Contact gcws@mit.edu for information.

Jokes, satire, parody, and comedic performance can be powerful tools for challenging the status quo or for conforming to it. They have the potential to transform discourse, yet it is in these forms that our most troubling and violently disfiguring assumptions about gender, race, class, and sexual orientation can find their longest life. “Humor” can both enable and disable speech; it is available to some and prohibited for others.

How can or do we as scholars, teachers, activists, and persons use humor to create and build awareness? What are the roles of irony, satire, parody, and comedic performance in oppression and resistance to oppression—historically, in the present, and possibly in the future? How does humor work with/against ideas of free expression? Who has the right of free expression and who does not? To what extent does “humor” rely on an us/them mentality and what kinds of social, cultural, and political portraits does it create?

Join us in April for panels, presentations, stand-up comedy, and performances that address these and other questions about the politics of humor!

FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE ONLINE:
http://web.mit.edu/gcws/Grad_Conference_08/index_schedule08.html

Conference highlights:
Friday evening:
• They Must Be Hysterical! An Evening of Feminist Comedy: Four edgy and hilarious acts converge in an evening of feminist comedy. Followed by a moderated discussion with the performers.

Saturday:
• Saturday Morning Cartoons: Come early for pop-tarts, cocoa-puffs, and cartoons! Saturday will begin with a screening of cartoons - old and new, rare and familiar - that offer ripe material for cultural analysis, feminist discussion and critique.

• Monday Night in Westerbork: a keynote performance by S. Bear Bergman

• "Why Women Aren't Funny" And other Laughable Myths: a keynote presentation by Glenda Carpio

• And panels & discussions featuring graduate student work on the subject of humor and politics

Registration information:
http://web.mit.edu/gcws/Grad_Conference_08/register08.html

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Jobs/Opportunities

1)
MASSACHUSETTS NOW STATEWIDE MANAGER & LOBBYIST

RESPONSIBILITIES
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women (Mass. NOW) has about 5,000 members and 9 local chapters throughout the state. The Mass. NOW Statewide Manager's primary responsibilities fall under Legislative Organizing, Fundraising, and Office Management.

The Statewide Manager will run Mass. NOW and Greater Boston NOW's legislative advocacy and internship programs as well as support fundraising efforts and will act as office manager of the Mass. and Boston NOW office (located in Boston). Specifically, the responsibilities include:

Legislative Organizing & Lobbying (50%)
· Insuring participation of NOW activists in the legislative program, including outreach to and retention of Legislative Committee members
· Involving Massachusetts NOW's membership base and chapters in the legislative program and related actions
· Representing NOW on issue-based legislative coalitions; being active in the progressive community; clearly and effectively articulating NOW's issues
· Monitoring the status of NOW's priority legislation; potentially writing and filing new legislation
· Educating and lobbying state legislators on the full range of NOW's priority issues and NOW-endorsed legislation
Fundraising (25%)
· Managing the Mass. NOW Foundation's solicitation strategies
· Setting and implementing a fundraising plan with chapter boards and Mass. NOW Foundation board
· Soliciting and stewarding Mass. NOW donors, as appropriate
Office Management (25%)
· Recruiting, screening and supervising interns
· Ensuring that the Mass. NOW office runs smoothly
· Database upkeep

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
· Demonstrated commitment to justice and equality for women
· At least one year of organizing experience preferred; fundraising experience a plus
· Ability to work with and motivate volunteers and interns
· Excellent writing and communication skills
· Ability to work independently
· At least eighteen month commitment
· Knowledge of Massachusetts political landscape a plus
· Fluency in language other than English a plus

This is a full-time time position offering a total comprehensive package of $34,000.00 annually. Women of color and LGBT individuals are encouraged to apply. E-mail applications are preferred; please send cover letter, resume, 3-5 page writing sample, and three references (with both email and phone contact information) to massnow@massnow.org with the subject: Statewide Manager Position. No phone calls, please.

Applications may also be submitted to:
Statewide Manager Search Committee
Massachusetts NOW/Boston NOW
1105 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 201
Boston, MA 02215
Fax: 617-254-9134

2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mass. Women’s Political Caucus, Inc., 501(c)4
Mass. Women’s Political Caucus Education Fund, 501(c)3
Headquartered in Boston, Mass.

The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus seeks a dynamic and skilled Executive Director who will lead the organization in effectively achieving its mission and goals.

Founded in 1971, the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus, a multi-partisan and non-profit membership organization and state affiliate of the National Women’s Political Caucus, has a mission to recruit, train and help elect and appoint qualified, pro-choice women to public office.

The primary function of the Executive Director is to provide professional management and fund raising for all MWPC and MWPC Education Fund operations. Operations include but are not limited to office administration, overview of annual budgets and proper fund allocations, fund raising and development, overview of all education programs and political work. Director will support Board and its committees with all of their work and programs.

Overview of the MWPC and its Programs

MWPC staff consists of a full-time Executive Director and a full-time Associate Director. The ED and AD also supervise interns throughout the school year including the paid internship of the Deborah Blumer Scholar, in the memory of the late state representative. With a budget of approximately $225,000 representing a combination of individual contributions and corporate support, MWPC provides workshops and training for those who are interested in seeking political office. MWPC also participates in a variety of initiatives that help promote women in elected office and to high positions in state government.

Administrative Responsibilities, office:
Oversee all day-to-day administration and maintenance of office
Computer literacy with Microsoft Office (access, excel, word)
Review and field phone calls, e-mail, fax, and correspondence
Data entry to keep the donor base and other files updated and maintained
Maintenance and updating the website
Word processing for the majority of all relative correspondence and documents
Overall responsibility for computer systems, equipment maintenance and acquisition
Keep all MWPC files in accessible order
Oversee all event planning, scheduling, program budgets and timelines
Oversee all mailing schedules and coordinate most of them
Interview and supervise college interns for additional office support

Fiscal Responsibilities
Work with Executive Committee to develop accurate annual Budget
Monitor expenditures; Working with the Associate Director, oversee processing of all bills and requests for reimbursement, and get them (properly identified as to organization and source of expenditure) for payment, with the exception of the PAC account which is overseen by the Treasurer.
Monitor revenues; Oversee processing of all revenues in office with both hard copies and database entries, and get all checks and cash (properly identified as to organization and source of income) to Treasurer for deposit

Fund Raising Responsibilities
Work with Steering Committee &/or Executive Committee to develop Fundraising Plan
Work with Special Events Committee (fund raising) to support the annual Good Guys Awards (February), the Tribute to Abigail Adams (June) and the quarterly breakfast series Commonwealth Commentary launched in Jan. 2008, including implementation of event timelines and budgets, invitations, mailings, follow-up. Staff fundraising events. Oversee collection of all revenues and expenditures as noted in fiscal responsibilities
Write and respond to any foundation grants (Heinz Foundation, etc.)
Oversee direct mail projects, such as annual membership drive, year-end-special-appeal,
and any others determined with Steering Committee
Cultivate donors and develop relationships with them to keep them engaged in contributing

Education Committee and Programs Responsibilities
Work with Education Committee to support planned educational events (such as Campaign Skills Training, Annual Meeting), including implementation of event timelines and budgets, invitations, mailings, follow-up.
Staff educational events.
Oversee collection of all revenues and expenditures as noted in fiscal responsibilities
With approval from Executive Committee, work with Coalition efforts to co-sponsor events, forums, open houses, debates, etc. in an effort to promote the Caucus and further engage women in the political process
Work with appropriate Coalitions to broaden the MWPC’s base and
strength in the effort to recruit and collectively/educationally support women candidates
Facilitate the Intern Program
Oversee all production of Educational and Resource material
Oversee any purchasing and marketing of “sales” items
Work with Newsletter Editor for timely production and content of quarterly newsletter
Advocate for issues pertinent to the MWPC as deemed appropriate by the Executive
Committee (such as preparing testimony about specific bills at the State House)
Keep informed of current events and political happenings as they relate to MWPC

Media and PR Responsibilities
Work with Board’s PR subcommittee to develop a media campaign to promote MWPC events and mission
Oversee appropriate calendar announcements, press releases, media advisories for all events and/or political endorsements in timely fashion
Maintain basic media database; cultivate some media contacts
Work with President to respond to media inquiries

Membership Development Responsibilities
Oversee annual membership recruitment mailing (January), follow-up phonathon, and 2nd follow-up mailing (March/early April)
Work with Membership Committee to host House Parties and help find appropriate events
(sponsored by other organizations) to staff a MWPC table with literature/membership
Support Steering Committee/Board to participate in recruitment of members
Oversee collection of all revenues and expenditures as noted in fiscal responsibilities

Organizational development
Assist Steering Committee/Board with Strategic Planning as needed

Relationship to Ad Hoc Committees
Staff and support needs of Ad Hoc Committees such as Nominating, Young Professionals Group, Web Site, By-Laws, etc.

Political Action
Note: the MWPC also has a Political Action Committee registered and in compliance with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance
Work with Political Action Committee to collect addresses of potential women candidates, oversee mailings of endorsement packets to candidates, oversee and track responses, set-up interviews w/PAC Board, oversee correspondence. Keep appropriate files.
Work w/Board on any events, fund raising efforts, mailings, etc. to support PAC work

Requirements:

The ideal candidate should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 – 5 years experience. It is critical that the candidate have a proven track record in fundraising and significant experience in political organizing. In addition, the candidate needs to be an effective communicator with public speaking and public relations skills. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To express interest in this position, please send resume and cover letter to the MWPC Search Committee at edsearch@mwpc.org

Bios and Contact Info

Heather Panahi (Co-Class Representative)
Case Study: Making 'Herstory'- Preparing Young Women for Leadership in the 21st Century
Internship: MassNOW and the Massachusetts Coalition on the Status of Women
Bio: Master's in Teaching, 8 years experience teaching Social Studies Education in both public and private high schools. Area of concentration/specialty: Political Science, Economics, African Studies, Public Speaking and Model UN. - Freelance writer and author of multicultural children's literature with a love of advocacy, activism and all things political. Just launched my first bid for local office...and lost! But determined to finagle my way into public office myself, or train future young women to do it for me!

Lily Lockhart (Co-Class Representative)
Case Study: 'No Child Left Behind' in Low Income Schools
Internship: Center for Law and Education
Bio: Intern for State Rep Balser, Chairwoman on Committee for Mental Health and Substance , Abuse HighSchool Teacher - Photo and Computer Graphics, Queens NY, predominantly minority and low income student body Photography - lilylockhart.com (this is a little out of date)General Knowledge-Special Education and Special Needs. Connections to a few Education advocacy organizations

Stephanie Drahan
Case Study: Improving Access to EC
Internship: Working for Rep. Alice Wolf's Office
Bio: Skidmore College-- Women's Studies and GovernmentVolunteer at PPLM, Naral

Penny Price
CaseStudy: Illegal Immigration
Internship: Intern for Rep. Liz Malia
Bio: Graduated in 2007 from University of Massachusetts-Boston. Currently work at ABCD University High School as a counselor.

Carol Nemet
Case Study: Licensure of Mental Health Care Providers
Internship: Intern for Rep. Thomas Calter Bio:Consolidated Mortgage Services, Senior Loan Officer and Marketing Director, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Professional Photographer http://www.imagerybydesign.com/. Knowledge and Skills- Non-profit work regarding Affordable Housing, DE FHA Underwriter

Gosia Tomaszewska
Case Study: Pay Equity in the Mental Health Field
Internship: MassNOW
Bio: BA in History and Psychology from Douglass College of Rutgers University; MA in European studies focusing on Central and Eastern Europe from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland; Research Interests: Eastern Europe/Women's Human Rights/Mental Health--more specifically Soviet bloc countries and their post-Communist histories, Polish-Jewish relations, Holocaust, collective identity of Polish women, Polish feminist movement, pay equity in the mental health field; Work experience mostly in the mental health field; fluent in Polish and speak some Russian; love dogs--have the cutest dog in the world named Dzem--a mix of a boxer and St. Bernard; partner is a computer genius so "I" might be of some help with technical issues:);

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Conference of interest?

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