U.S. PIRG

Hello everyone.

A little update. When I got back from San Francisco I took a couple days off to relax and rejuvenate. Once I was re-energized I began my job search again. I came across opportunities with U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group). PIRG's are state based and funded by citizens of the state. They are non-partisan and independent from the government. They speak up and advocate for the interest of the public. They stand up to special interest lobbyist and groups who use their power and money to silence ordinary citizens who may not have as much influence because of lack of money or power. For a better understanding here is their mission statement:

U.S. PIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, U.S. PIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. U.S. PIRG's mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects our health, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

I am applying for a campus organizer (similar responsibilities to those of the field organizer position that I applied for with Greenpeace) and a fellowship opportunity. I am hoping to get the fellowship position. With the fellowship I would have a mentor who I would report to and who would provide me with training and guidance. It is exactly what I need.

Within the fellowship there are two different positions: Issues Associate and Field Associate. Here are the descriptions of both:

Issue Associates: As an Issue Associate, you are expected to master your issue area, research and write reports, develop and coordinate campaigns, prepare legislative testimony, build statewide and national coalitions, organize media events, raise funds, and meet with elected officials in support of legislation.

Field Associates: As a Field Associate, you work to demonstrate support for PIRG proposals at the state or regional level. You must quickly master the basics of a variety of issues, and then reach out to individuals, media outlets and organizations to build visibility and gain their support. This year, Field Associates organized support for measures to help solve our dependence on oil, stop drilling in the Arctic, and protect open space from out-of-control development.

I am very interested in the Issue Associate position. I like this position because I am more accountable for myself and I have to motivate myself. I think I work well in both a team position and individually. But, I feel as an Issue Associate I will be able to push myself to learn more, grow more, and push myself harder.

I can work on many different issues, including: sprawl, global warming, democracy, biotechnology, factory farming, clean air, toxic waste, energy, banking and financial services, consumer protection, health care, endangered species, wilderness preservation, higher education, clean water or transportation.

Here are my top choices:

• Higher Education
• Global Warming
• Wilderness Preservation
• Democracy
• Endangered Species
• Clean Water
• Clean Air
• Transportation

Education, because I believe it to be a fundamental and basic UNIVERSAL human right, is the most important to me. There are two fundamental needs for every child that will aid in providing the best life possible: love (from at least one parent, guardian... and of course friends and extended family if possible) and education! I think these are the keys in ensuring a better life. Furthermore, education is the foundation for solving the most pressing and dire issues in the world today, be it poverty, women's rights, clean energey, etc..

Away from job searching I have been fishing a little! And I got to see Liz again because she came up for the weekend.

Anyway, I will keep you updated. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions! Or just wanna say hi!