Overview:
In addition to experiencing projects-of-interest, an RCNV intern
can expect to experience the breadth of program and administrative
work that sustains a small community-based organization; to become
acquainted with diverse regional, national and global organizations
working for social change; and to remain sensitive to diverse social
change struggles while focusing limited resources for effective
action.
Our most successful interns are responsible "self starters"
who have some experience working with community peace and social
justice programs. All staff work 1/2 time; mentoring time for interns
is limited.
Each intern is responsible for providing their own transportation
to Santa Cruz and for making their own arrangements in Santa Cruz
for both room and board. The Resource Center provides no financial
support for interns during their stay in Santa Cruz. Occasionally
the Center can help an intern to find part-time work at subsistence
wages.
Mission:
For 26 years RCNV staff and members have successfully worked to
make the practice of nonviolence a means of affecting personal change
and creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
RCNV takes seriously the admonition to think globally and act locally.
We endeavor to introduce nonviolent methodology into the work of
local government institutions and community organizations. One current
and one past staff member have served on the Santa Cruz City Council
and both served as mayor. Many members have served as officers on
local global peace and social justice organizations.
Programs:
In addition to ongoing peace education and action activities, current
RCNV programs and projects include: neighborhood youth recreation;
speakers from Latin America and Mexico on issues of economic development
and democracy for indigenous people; education about global militarism,
global economics, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and International
Monetary Fund (IMF); numerous education programs and delegations
concerned with Israel/Palestine and other areas of the Middle East.
RCNV facilities provide support and a "nest" for many
local groups such as Santa Cruz Art & Revolution
(street theater), the Santa Cruz Peace Coalition, Housing Action,
Community Organization of Lower Ocean, Youth Coalition of Santa
Cruz, the Santa Cruz Peace Organizations Network and Death Penalty
Focus.
Previous RCNV-sponsored community forums and workshops have featured
Grace Paley, Howard Zinn, Herman Blake, Thich Nhat Hahn, Dan Berrigan,
Arun Gandhi, Rev. James Lawson, former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums,
Helen Caldicott and Congressmember Barbara Lee.
Administration:
RCNV has seven half-time paid staff; three who principally do administrative
work, and four who principally work as organizers and educators.
All staff and interns share in administrative work and fund raising.
Overall policy is determined by an 6 member volunteer steering
committee "board". The organization is supported by private
gifts and donations. Approximately 2,000 households are on the active
mailing list; an additional 1,000 national and international "friends"
remain actively interested in our work.
Santa Cruz, California -- Region of Challenge:
The Santa Cruz area offers many challenges for practitioners of
nonviolence. The area is superficially identified with an upscale
"good life" -- ocean, beach, sun, sand and surfing. The
realities are quite different. A university, tourism and agribusiness
create an enormous and abusive low-wage job market. Land, home ownership
and rental prices are viciously inflated by population density and
proximity to ocean and the San Francisco south bay Silicon Valley.
Daily work, life and play are often stressful due to conflicts caused
by household economic stress and community divergences of economy,
class and culture.
For an application or more information
about intern opportunities contact:
Anita Heckman
RCNV Intern & Volunteer Coordinator
515 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831/423-1626 x102
intern_volunteer@rcnv.org
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