About Rural Action
Rural Action is a member based sustainable development organization headquartered in Athens County. We work in communities throughout Appalachian Ohio to build model sustainable development projects and we encourage broad civic conversation around Appalachian Ohio’s assets in order to create sustainable development pathways for our region. We accomplish our work in communities through programming in Sustainable Forestry, Environmental Education, Sustainable Agriculture, Watershed Restoration, and Zero Waste. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Community empowerment, involvement, and support are all essential parts for current and future success and growth we wish to see in the region. Visit www.ruralaction.org to learn more us.
Event Planning & Communications Intern
Term: By Semester or Rolling Basis as available.
Commitment: A minimum of 8 hours per week or as required for your class, flexible hours.
Rural Action Department: Development and Communications
Internship Location: 9030 Hocking Hills Drive. The Plains, Ohio. Some work may be required offsite.
Position Overview:
Rural Action is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic student to assist in planning events. You will work closely with our staff to plan and produce fundraisers and other events that engage our members and partners and which showcase Rural Action’s work in Appalachian Ohio. Responsibilities will include attendance at event organizing meetings, working with staff to develop catering or location proposals and assisting during and after an event. Events you work on may cover the entire organization or may be related to a specific program of Rural Action (Sustainable Forestry, Agriculture, Zero Waste, Etc.) Examples of events are Rural Action’s Annual Meeting, the Adventure Auction (a fundraiser), Annual Giving Breakfast (a fundraiser), Zero Waste Action Plan Meetings, an Environmental Education conference and events at the Chesterhill Produce Auction. You will also work closely with other interns and staff of Rural Action to ensure events are communicated to our membership and broader public via social media, press releases, public service announcements and print and electronic mail.
Additionally, you will assist staff in record keeping and documenting event success and critique so that we may continuously improve our event planning process.
Areas of Responsibility May Include
· Provide event and workshop planning and assistance;
· Attend meetings and take notes on action items and agreements;
· Work with staff to develop proposals or “requests for quotes” for event location and catering;
· Co-develop and implement media plan for events as required;
· Assist with event logistics and event volunteers (such as committee members);
· Recruit, train, and support volunteers as needed;
· Identify of best practices in event management and share those practices with Rural Action staff and committee volunteers;
· Research and share with staff trends in online event fundraising;
· Ensure event materials consistently reflect Rural Action’s brand and proof read materials;
· Order supplies or items for events and perform errands as requested ahead of an event;
· Interact with staff and community partners as needed to accomplish tasks and fulfill duties;
· Assist during event setup, throughout and after the event;
· Along with staff, play any host roles required at the event to ensure comfort, engagement, and satisfaction;
· Assist with event evaluation and follow up with event participants for feedback and reactions as requested
Qualifications and Skills:
· Well organized, self-motivated, enthusiastic and dependable.
· Interest in improving social, economic and environmental conditions in the region.
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
· Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
· Strong interest in understanding and adhering to standards in event production, including comfort, clarity, engagement, and fun!
Benefits
· The opportunity to gain valuable experience in a professional environment;
· Experience working on a project that supports sustainable community development ;
· Flexible scheduling including the opportunity to work at school, or home, as well as in an office;
· Potential “products” for your professional portfolio;
· A detailed letter upon completion thanking you for your internship with us for your records;
· Course credit may be available through your school;
· A yearlong membership to Rural Action (a $20.00 value)
Contact Information
If you have questions about this position or would like to apply, please contact:
Susi Rankis
Program Administrator, Rural Action
(740) 677-4047 ext. 11
susi@ruralaction.org
To apply please include a cover letter and resume for this position.
Social Media Intern
Term: By Semester or Rolling Basis as available.
Commitment: A minimum of 8 hours per week or as required for your class, flexible hours.
Rural Action Department: Development and Communications
Internship Location: 9030 Hocking Hills Drive. The Plains, Ohio. Some work may be required offsite.
Position Overview:
Rural Action is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic student to increase the visibility of Rural Action through social media. You will work closely with staff to refine and implement Rural Action’s social media plan. Social media posting can be done remotely, however some office time is required each week to fact check information and work with staff to find the best available media (photos/video) for individual posts or campaigns. You will also work with other interns and staff to ensure events, news, and updates about Rural Action are communicated to our members and broader public via social media, press releases, public service announcements; and print and electronic mail.
Areas of Responsibility May Include
· Work with staff to refine and implement Rural Action’s social media plan and assist in development of new content that reflects Rural Action’s core message (Sustainability, Green Jobs, Local Economy);
· Attend meetings and take notes on agreements and action items;
· Work with program staff to fact check information prior to posting;
· Regularly post to Rural Action social media accounts via HootSuite and to individual social media accounts as required;
· Scan social media accounts for partner news and updates that should be shared with our followers and cross-post through Rural Action where applicable;
· Track activity and reply to activity or questions from our followers on our social media accounts;
· Compile and monthly reports on our social media statistics – growth, number of posts, likes, etc.;
· Research and update Rural Action staff on new trends in social media;
· Share ideas with staff about new social media applications or ways social media is being used by organizations.
Qualifications and Skills:
· Well organized, self-motivated, enthusiastic and dependable;
· Interest in improving social, economic and environmental justice in the region;
· Working knowledge of social media use and trends;
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
· Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
Benefits
· The opportunity to gain valuable experience in a professional environment;
· Experience working on a project that supports sustainable community development;
· Flexible scheduling including the opportunity to work at school or home as well as in an office;
· Potential “products” for your professional portfolio;
· A detailed letter upon completion thanking you for your internship with us for your records;
· Course credit may be available through your school;
· A yearlong membership to Rural Action (a $20.00 value)
Contact Information
If you have questions about this position or would like to apply, please contact:
Susi Rankis
Program Administrator, Rural Action
(740) 677-4047 ext. 11
susi@ruralaction.org
To apply please include a cover letter and resume for this position.