Seeking Internships for winter 2013/2014

CISA, a non-profit group, is one of the leading “buy local” organizations in the nation and links farms and communities to strengthen agriculture and enhance the economy, rural character and environmental quality of western Massachusetts. CISA seeks candidates for the internships listed below.

Qualifications: Skilled in conducting research, interest in local agriculture and food, comfortable talking on telephone, well-organized, ability to present data clearly, experience with Excel, and access to own transportation required (sometimes a bus schedule can work, but often the buses do not work within class schedules).

Membership and Development Intern

CISA maintains a Community Membership Program which connects local community members to our work. Good customer service skills, interest in CISA and local agriculture and food, comfortable talking on telephone and in person to CISA supporters, and access to own transportation required.
1) Assist development staff with data base and general office support;
2) Provide support for fundraising events and annual meeting;
3) Prepare and distribute membership materials at community events, farmers’ markets, market co-ops and retail locations; and
5) Assist in the development of community member events and special discounts.

Local Hero Intern

CISA works with over 200 farmers and an additional 100 plus businesses who participate in our Local Hero program. This spring we will launch our annual membership drive and provide technical assistance workshops, resources and one-on-one support to these farms and businesses, and analyze annual evaluation with current members. We are looking for someone who is organized and interested in these topics to:
1) Assist in outreach to Local Hero members;
2) Development of Farmers’ Market and CSA lists for our annual Farm Products Guide;
3) Logistics support for workshops and one-on-one meetings; and
4) Assist in data collection for annual and one-time evaluations.

Outreach/Communications Intern

CISA maintains a Facebook page, has a website and publishes two monthly email newsletters – one for community members and one for Local Hero farm and business members. We are looking for someone who is a thorough researcher, good writer, and (ideally) has some experience with photo manipulation (Adobe Photoshop etc.) to:
1) Write profiles of Local Hero members;
2) Research and write articles for enews and website (topics to be determined with staff);
3) Assist in publishing monthly email newsletters and maintaining website; and
4) Review and make recommendations on CISA’s social and on-line media outreach.

Food System Intern

CISA is providing research and analysis on local food systems and coordinating an effort to understand what it takes to build the local food system. We are looking for someone with strong organizing and computer skills to:
1) Support online communications (event marketing, participant registration) and logistics (food, etc.) for the PVGrows Forum;
2) Support PVGrows web & Facebook pages; and
3) Research and support CISA’s food system work, entrepreneur support, and other initiatives.

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If you are interested in an internship for this coming winter break or spring semester
please send your resume and a cover letter to:
Jennifer Williams, Office Manager.More information is available on our website.