Maccess Social & Political Advocacy Executive(s)

McMasters Student Union•Hamilton, ON

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Maccess aims to build and maintain a campus that celebrates, advocates, and ensures inclusiveness in the area of disability. We provide programming and events in an effort to establish a sense of community for those that self-identify as having disabilities or as disabled. In addition, Maccess strives to advocate on the behalf of students in a proactive and affirmative fashion and provide educational programming on and opportunities to learn about critical disability studies. The Social and Political Advocacy Executive is one of many members of MSU Maccess’ executive team. They will be primarily responsible for the creation and implementation of campaigns and workshops that raise awareness and promote positive change of various social and political issues relevant to disability and ability in the McMaster community. Advocacy work will be carried out by creating educative workshops and campaigns that address relevant McMaster student issues surrounding issues such as awareness, social disability theory, the Mad movement, as well as critical analyses of the socially constructed dichotomies between physical health and mental health, and visible and invisible disabilities. This executive will work with both MSU and community partners in order to assure that the projects are highly inclusive, appropriate, and impactful.

Requirements

Lived experience with disability (both formally diagnosed and undiagnosed).
Awareness and understanding of topics associated with Maccess (i.e. intersectionality, critical disability theory, ableism, and human rights, mentalism/sanism, disability history, intersecting oppressions and invisible privilege).
Confidence and ability to challenge dominant views.
Organizational and time management skills.
Interpersonal skills.
Communication skills.
Creativity.
Personal computer.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience planning events or workshops is an asset.

Responsibilities

Creation and implementation of campaigns and workshops that raise awareness and promote positive change of various social and political issues relevant to disability and ability in the McMaster community.
Creating educative workshops and campaigns that address relevant McMaster student issues surrounding issues such as awareness, social disability theory, the Mad movement, as well as critical analyses of the socially constructed dichotomies between physical health and mental health, and visible and invisible disabilities.
Working with both MSU and community partners in order to assure that the projects are highly inclusive, appropriate, and impactful.
Establish and maintain professional connections on and off campus.
Maintain confidentiality of all individuals accessing the Maccess.
Work with the Promotions Executive to communicate ideas for promotional materials and timelines to work within.
Network with clubs, services, and community partners to find partners and promote these social events.
Continually update social media with articles, community events, and ongoing campaigns.
Work with the Maccess Director to ensure that the budget aligns with the service budget.
Retain financial information to receive reimbursement from the Maccess Director when necessary.
Seek external funding as needed.
Respond to general inquiries.
Maintain strong communication with the Maccess Director, fellow executives, and volunteers.
Work with the Maccess Director and executives to generate ideas about educative workshops.
Work with the executive team to plan and launch campaigns.
Coordinate with the Maccess Director and external partners to organize workshops in both semesters.
Collect statistics on the number of students attending all workshops and campaigns.
Work closely with the Logistics Executive to ensure events are accessible.
Other duties as assigned by the Maccess Director.
Provide feedback on the service.
Attend executive meetings as scheduled.
Be an active member of the Maccess community through attending events, maintaining an online presence, etc.
Be available for peer support shift coverage.
Provide transition for the incoming Social and Political Advocacy Executive.