Richmond Summer Organizing Fellow

APEN•Richmond, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

APEN is hiring 2 Richmond Summer Organizing Fellows for the summer of 2026 to support APEN Richmond’s Summer Outreach Drive focused on recruiting working-class adult-age members in Richmond and West Contra Costa County and engaging members in the city’s community input sessions about the Settlement Funds. The Organizing Fellows will do outreach, member engagement, data and administration, and structured follow up to support leadership development and long-term participation. They will also lead 1 independent project that builds their own leadership and APEN’s capacity, which will be shaped in collaboration with the Richmond Community Organizer.

Requirements

At least 18 years old
West Contra Costa County resident
Aligned with APEN’s values
Familiar with APEN’s work
Connected to working-class communities in Richmond
Comfortable building relationships through one-on-one conversations
Desire to learn, develop their leadership, and deepen community organizing skills
Willingness to step out of their comfort zone and try skills that may be new to them, with full support of staff and cohort
Excitement about engaging community members
Skills to stay organized, work and communicate with a team, and complete tasks by deadlines

Responsibilities

Through the Summer Outreach Drive, identify and reach out to working-class AAPI community members (via tabling, canvassing, phone banking, etc.) in Richmond / West Contra Costa Co.
Follow-up calls and one-on-one conversations to learn about their concerns and introduce them to APEN’s work
Share clear information about how APEN supports environmental justice and community power
Lead an APEN Orientation for potential new members to share about APEN and invite them to join
Invite potential members to attend meetings, events, or actions, including town halls and public input process for Settlement Fund Campaign
Recruit and support at least 5 working-class members to stay actively involved
Build strong relationships so members feel welcomed and supported
Follow up with members after meetings or events
Make turnout calls / invitations to members for meetings or events
Support with meeting facilitation and trainings
Lead a project independently that develops your leadership and deepens APEN’s capacity (i.e. creating new curriculum, updating toxic tour script, interview / storytelling series, research project, community event, etc.).
Track outreach efforts and member participation in Action Builder
Weekly check ins with supervisor and Organizing Fellow cohort to share updates and challenges
Reflect on outreach strategies and adjust as needed
Support with meeting logistics like ordering food, set up and clean up, interpretation equipment
Contribute to APEN culture of team-building, emotional intelligence, feminisms, and leadership development
Act as spokesperson and engage with communications and narrative framework as needed
Attend or support various areas of organizational work, events, or campaigns as appropriate