Justice Reform Organizer

Purpose: To educate and engage congregations, with a special focus on African American congregations, in justice system reform advocacy.

Accountability: This position is directly accountable to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities and Duties: The Justice Reform Organizer will:

      1) Develop and lead VICPP’s Justice Reform program.

·      Work with the director to figure out the short and long-term package that makes sense for VICPP. Reducing/stopping the use of solitary confinement is VICPP’s top priority for the 2022 General Assembly.

·      Create educational resources for faith communities.

·      Represent VICPP on the key coalition tables.

·      Make public presentations to congregations, chapters, denominations, and college campuses.

·      Figure out the most significant faith-based advocacy and prison ministry/prison reform organizations and networks in Virginia and connect and engage them.

    2) Engage faith leaders in advocating justice system reform.

·      Reach out to prison ministry groups in all the major faith traditions and engage them in the work.

·      Engage faith leaders to dialog about race and the history of Virginia’s justice system. Work with leaders to host public education events about racism and Virginia’s justice system.

·      Strengthen ties with African American faith traditions and work with them to engage their members in the issues.

·      Develop education materials and organize educational programs for engaging faith leaders and making the racial equity case for justice reform and stopping the use of torture (solitary confinement).

·      Work closely with the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus on their proposed reforms and collaborate on outreach to faith leaders.

·      Work with faith leaders to increase engagement in education and dialogue through sign-on letters, op-eds/letters to the editor, and media events to demonstrate faith leader commitment for policy changes.

       3) Engage young people in justice advocacy.

·      Plan actions and program that will engage college students and seminary students, with a particular focus on HBUCs.

·      Connect with racial justice groups in college and universities.

·      Engage the Black fraternities and sororities.

·      Supervise witness volunteers to distribute information to the community and decision makers, in collaboration with coalition members.

·      Supervise interns and volunteers.

     4) Build the grassroots capacity of VICPP:

·      Identify and recruit new congregational liaisons.

·      Add new names to the database through petitions, meetings, and ongoing engagement.

·      Assist in formalizing relationships with colleges, universities, and seminaries.

5) Participate in the overall work of VICPP:

·      Participate in weekly staff meetings and leadership team meetings.

·      Attend all board meetings and leadership retreats.

·      Help with key events (Day for All People, chapter retreat, Annual Celebration, Annual meeting).

·      Participate in overall strategic and organizational planning.

·      Other tasks as assigned.

Evaluation: The position will be evaluated based on this job description, annual goals and objectives and other tasks accomplished.  

Qualifications: 

·      Bachelor’s degree required, MDiv or other relevant graduate degree preferred.

·      Deep involvement with and experience in working with African American congregations.

·      Organizing skills and experience.

·      Strong public speaking and writing skills.

·      Passion for justice and knowledge, experience, and interest in criminal justice reform.

·      Strong interpersonal skills.

·      Willing to make at least a two-year commitment to the position.