SPECIAL for CUFA members, supporters

Learn how a different system of voting could level the playing field for fair elections.

CUFA member and member of Rank Choice Ohio, Jim Warner will explain Rank Choice Voting and the vision for reforming elections in Ohio and the US.  CUFA has been asked to endorse this proposed ballot amendment.  We will get the information and make our decision.

What: Discussion of Rank Choice Voting
When: Wednesday, May 31st, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: ZOOM ONLY.  RSVP below for instructions to get the zoom link.

Communities United For Action is hiring two community organizers who can build a team to work for racial and economic justice in Hamilton County.

We are accepting resumes now.  See both job postings below to apply for a career that makes a real difference in our community.

Community Organizer

Position Description:  The Community Organizer will work as part of the organizing team to grow our membership and to develop direct-action campaigns to help ordinary citizens gain a voice about issues they care about. By working together strategically, Communities United For Action will train people to be leaders in their community and to influence public policy and business practices. 

Priorities:

• Recruit and train new CUFA members who are concerned about issues impacting their lives.
• Work with CUFA members to create a team that will advance CUFA’s campaigns related to these issues.

 Responsibilities:

• Recruit new CUFA members by developing relationships with groups, attending community meetings, doorknocking or phone banking, and using social media.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with CUFA members in their homes when possible in order to mobilize them by agitating them about issues they care about.
• Convene leadership meetings with small groups of CUFA members to plan action steps and determine the best way to address the concerns of CUFA members together.
• Assist CUFA leaders in implementing their action steps.  This includes training leaders to sponsor public meetings with decision-makers, coaching them to give testimony at public meetings, and helping them develop direct action campaigns.  Organizer’s responsibilities could include, but are not limited to: making and distributing fliers and eblasts, visiting members to remind them to recruit people for meetings, sending e-mail and Facebook blasts, making reminder follow-up phone calls, and giving rides to CUFA members.
• Assist CUFA issue teams to understand the local and statewide organizations that are working for and against the issues CUFA members are concerned about.
• Work with organizing team to plan and write e-mail blasts, Facebook and website posts; explore using other social media as appropriate.
• Maintain CUFA database to keep track of who attended meetings and to put members on contact lists for future meetings.
• Write and submit grant reports.

Qualifications:  Previous experience working with a community organization required, at least 2 years preferred.  Must be able to work as part of a socioeconomically diverse team.  Excellent leadership skills and time management.  Must have experience working in low-income communities. Computer skills including expertise in social media required. Experience with decision making, prioritizing and managing details.  Ability to function with limited supervision. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including weeknights and one Saturday per month.  Must be able to travel for training.  Must have your own car.

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to doorknock including walking 1-3 miles.  Must be able to walk up steps during doorknocking.  Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.  Must be able to type on a computer.

Compensation:  $35,000-$40,000 per year, depending on experience.  Generous vacation and health insurance package.

Digital Community Organizer

Position Description:  The Digital Community Organizer will work as part of the organizing team to grow our membership and to develop direct-action campaigns to help ordinary citizens gain a voice about issues they care about. By working together strategically, Communities United For Action trains people to be leaders in their community and to influence public policy and business practices. 

Priorities:

• Use digital media Recruit and train new CUFA members who are concerned about issues impacting their lives.
• Work with CUFA members to create a team that will advance CUFA’s campaigns related to these issues.

 Responsibilities:

• Recruit new CUFA members by creating compelling graphic, video, and other digital content
• Initiate and update social media channels with original content, including graphics and video.
• Organize residents with an emphasis on moving people from online activism to offline action, including communicating with residents via channels like SMS and Facebook, as well as traditional organizing contact.
• Tell our story by connecting with residents who have stories about our issues
• Work as a member of the organizing team to plan and write e-mail blasts, Facebook and website posts; explore using other social media as appropriate.
• Work with CUFA’s fundraising team to initiate and support online and off-line fundraising activities.
• Maintain CUFA database (Nationbuilder) to keep track of who attended meetings and to put members on contact lists for future meetings.
• Maintain and update CUFA’s website
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:  Previous experience working with a community organization required, at least 2 years preferred.  Experience with social media and digital campaigns required.  Strong writing skills required.  Must be able to work as part of a socioeconomically diverse team.  Excellent leadership skills and time management.  Must have experience working in low-income communities. Experience with decision making, prioritizing and managing details.  Ability to function with limited supervision. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including weeknights and one Saturday per month.  Must be able to travel for training.  Must have your own car.

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds.  Must be able to type on a computer.

Compensation:  $35,000-$40,000 per year, depending on experience.  Generous vacation and health insurance package.

To Apply For Either Position: 

Submit a resume outlining the qualifications above to:

                        [email protected] or

                        Personnel Committee

                        Communities United For Action

                        1814 Dreman Avenue

                        Cincinnati, OH 45223

**Please specify which position you are applying for**

On July 1 2021, representatives of the USEPA and the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District answered CUFA members' questions about how storm water runoff can be managed. Watch the meeting below.

Here is some helpful information shared in the meeting:

For information about what the Stormwater Management Utility does to solve runoff disputes between property owners: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/stormwater/operations-and-maintenance/

For a free consultation about runoff or erosion problems:  Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District phone number: 772-7645

Report Sewer Back ups to the Metropolitan Sewer District within 48 hours of discovery: 352-4900 
https://sbu.msdgc.org/sbu/

Slides shared by the US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Stormwater Program

What is Green Infrastructure?

26,000 families and individuals in Cincinnati need an affordable place to live.  CUFA is supporting Issue 3 on the May 4 ballot to provide a funding source for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  Voting "yes" will fill our housing gap and does not call for cutting other budgets.

Organizations: Apply for $800-$1,200 to work for Clean, Affordable Energy

Communities United For Action is offering 12-18 mini-grants to help groups work for clean, affordable energy.  Grant money may be spent on any aspect of the organization’s work to educate and activate its members to promote affordable and sustainable energy. Permissible activities could include:

• Hosting meetings to learn about affordable energy solutions
• Helping members to learn how they can weatherize their homes
• Hosting discussions about climate change
• Helping members enroll in energy assistance programs

In order to qualify, organizations must:

• Be a 501 c(3) organization or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501 c(3) organization
• Be located in Hamilton County, Ohio
• Have an annual budget of under $200 thousand
• Agree to use the grant received on approved 501 c(3) activities (i.e. no political activities)
• Agree to send at least 3 organization members to 3 at least CUFA meetings during the 12-month grant period
• Agree to submit reports of usage of grant funds at 6 months and 12 months.

To apply, download the application below and mail or email it, and required attachments, to CUFA NO LATER THAN 5 p.m. on September 30, 2021.

Find application here

Questions?  Email us at [email protected] or call 853-3947.

Everyone in our community has been affected by either the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic or the economic fallout. To recover from these events, we will need help from government, businesses and our neighbors.  We need immediate help now, but we also need to seize this moment to build the community we want after the crisis is over.  We know that some decision-makers are already using the COVID-19 crisis to enrich themselves and further take advantage of low-wage workers and communities of color.  On Tuesday, CUFA Members voted on a Coronavirus/COVID-19 Platform to advance a more just society. 

Read the full platform and sign on below.