Internship Overview: Join the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), Cambridge Local First (CLF), and Local Return for a 12-week spring internship on bolstering resilient local economies. The internship will last from Monday, February 6 through Friday, April 28.
We are seeking a cohort of highly motivated, self-directed, spring interns to work with us on our public policy and advocacy, business assistance, and public education work. The interns must have strong organizational, communication and research skills, and have a passion for sustainable economy and public policies.
Organizational overviews:
- The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is a non-profit organization providing a wide array of tools, templates and support for independent business owners and advocates. AMIBA helps businesses and organizations implement buy local campaigns; organize group purchasing, marketing and other collaborative work; and advance policies that support community-rooted businesses rather than absentee-owned corporations. AMIBA builds a strong Local Economy Movement by supporting the growth and development of local business alliances.
- Cambridge Local First (CLF) is a non-profit network of 500+ local and independent businesses here in Cambridge. Our mission is to support, promote, and celebrate a “local economy community” by educating the public and government about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of a strong local economy. In accordance with our three-pronged value proposition, our ongoing efforts center on small business assistance, education to the public, and advocacy. We are part of a network of independent business associations (IBAs) around the country, working to amplify local economies in our respective regions.
- Local Return is a nonprofit organization building community wealth in Rhode Island through ownership and investment, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced historical disinvestment. We do this by building the local community investment ecosystem, advocating for local policies and practices that support a vibrant and just local economy, and increasing community consciousness and capacity.
Internship description:
- The interns will spend 12 weeks this spring, during the period of Monday, February 6 through Friday, April 28, working across three organizations — AMIBA, CLF, and Local Return.
- The interns will have individual project responsibilities, which may include, but are not limited to the items below. Internship organizers will work with interns to identify projects that best match their interests:
- AMIBA:
- Participate in training, speaker series, and other professional development opportunities.
- Interview independent business alliance leadership across the U.S.
- Support existing programming and services to IBAs, like the Local Leaders Roundtable.
- CLF:
- Support programming and conduct research to develop community campaigns to promote local institutions, including our Move Your Money campaign.
- Engage with local business owners by interviewing business owners for our channel on Cambridge local television.
- Write news articles for our local newspaper, Cambridge Day, on the significance of local businesses and/or the local economy movement. These can include interviews with local businesses. The Cambridge Day editor will mentor these interns.
- Offer direct services to Cambridge local businesses, such as website support.
- Manage website updates and support website redevelopment. This can include creating an intern page, updating news articles, creating pages to support ongoing programming efforts, and adding calendar events.
- Create engaging content for our social media accounts, which have a 20,000-person following. These include Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Generate a monthly ongoing community newsletter.
- Bolster state, local, and federal policy advocacy efforts.
- Bolster CLF’s relationships with other independent business alliances around the country. In the past, these have included Portland Buy Local, Local First Utah, Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance, Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Stay Local New Orleans, and JP Local First.
- AMIBA:
Required qualifications:
- Majoring in public policy, economics, sustainability, business, or a related field.
- Be willing to commit 10-40 hours per week.
- Have good organizational skills and a commitment to detail.
- Have good communication skills.
How to apply: Email a cover letter and resume to Theodora Skeadas (theodora@cambridgelocalfirst.org).
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