Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-op - Interfaith Education Coordinator (2 positions)

Co-op / Organization: 
Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-op
Location: 
Santa Barbara, CA
Type of Organization: 
Educational; Housing
Brief Description of Organization: 
Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative is a 501c3 non-profit that provides affordable housing near the University of California, Santa Barbara, regardless of gender, race, social, political, or religious affiliation, and thereby influences the community to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in the community. We strive to engage in continuous educational programs that further the principles of cooperation through mutual, self-help living at a minimal cost.
Website: 
http://www.sbcoop.org/
Number of Members: 
98
Number of Staff: 
2
Dress Code: 
Casual
Internship Position Title: 
Interfaith Education Coordinator (2 positions)
Internship Position Duties: 

The interfaith education coordinator will work with interfaith managers to organize faith and cultural themed events and talks at the Thomas Merton house, one the five houses within our cooperative. Historically, events have often been linked with social justice as well. The interfaith managers will do most of the scheduling of events while one focus of the Interfaith Education Coordinator will be to create a template which interfaith managers may be guided by when organizing events. To this end, the Interfaith Education Coordinator is expected to network with local religious and culturally based groups in order to establish continuing communication between these institutions and the cooperative. 

Examples of previous events include: “The Hooded Man from Abu Ghraib: Echoes of a Christian Symbol,” “Apocalyptic Jihad,” “Political Evil and Politicized Love,” and “The Capitalist Roots of Violence Against Women,” among many others.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Developing a sustainable framework for a vibrant interfaith themed community program that engages and enhances the learning experience of members.
  • Coordinating the establishment of a mission statement as well as goals and objectives for the interfaith theme.
  • Collaborating and connecting with local religious and culturally based groups and individuals.
  • Networking with campus based institutions, such as a the MultiCultural Center.
  • Developing a network that will allow for the creation of regular events.
  • Designing a template to be used by interfaith managers in the future.
  • Managing logistics of scheduling events in a space that is shared with cooperative members.
  • Creating an intentional space within Merton House that identifies the interfaith theme.

Note: Two interns will be hired as Interfaith Education Coordinators.

Position Training: 
The coordinator will be trained in SBSHC history and policy during their first week. Previous interfaith managers will also speak with the coordinator about how the interfaith theme has historically been manifested. Staff will introduce the coordinator to allies and potential allies in early summer session.
 
Skills Development & Learning: 
This position will focus on developing skills in event organizing, placemaking, social networking, and educating.
Compensation ($): 
$200 (monthly)
Is Room Included?: 
Yes
Working Hours: 
9am to 5pm generally, but whenever is appropriate.
Total Hours of Work Per Week: 
20-25