VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION

A re yo u captain m ate rial?

Hometown view, local voice counts the most The best advocates for public funding for the arts are people like you with local voices and a hometown view. You have the ability to make the most compelling case for the public benefit of tax dollars spent on the arts. Whether talking to a legislator from your house or senate district or a member of Oklahomas congressional delegation, you are the key spokesperson who can ensure the governments commitment to arts support. You are the best person to articulate the personal value and public benefits of arts programs. You have information your legislators need to make a great decisions about public funding for the arts. Position Advocacy Captain Purpose In partnership with the Director of Oklahomans for the Arts, an Advocacy Captain is responsible for coordinating and leading an advocacy team and advocacy activities in one of Oklahomas 11 sub-regions (see below). Goals Increase community awareness of and support for arts and culture, particularly as the foundation of Oklahomas creative economy. Educate elected officials about arts, culture and arts education in their communities and the role of public funding for the arts in Oklahoma. Develop and empower local leadership for arts, culture and arts education. Qualifications Self-starter, highly organized Excellent oral and written communication skills Knowledge of social media and participation across social networking channels including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more. Passionate about arts, culture and arts education in Oklahoma. Keen understanding of the role of public funding for the arts. Ability to navigate the intersection of arts and politics with diplomacy, aplomb Knowledge of the local political environment Eager to learn about arts, culture and arts education in your region. Eager to learn about how government works and how ordinary people can work to change government.

Time Commitment Two to four hours per week, particularly from February to late May when the Oklahoma Legislature is in session. Attendance at one of two advocacy training sessions in fall 2012. Responsibilities Create, manage and lead a local arts advocacy team of volunteers in your region Organize letter-writing, email and phone-calling campaigns Participate in social media activities in support of arts, culture and arts education. Meet with local policy makers Attend training sessions See Goals Training and Support Advocacy training opportunities will be available to advocacy captains in fall 2011. At that time, you will receive an advocacy toolkit that will give you the resources you need to be an effective advocate in your community. Training will include most or all of the following materials and/or sessions: Campaigning and Advocacy Skills Sample press materials, letters, emails and phone scripts What do you ask a candidate? Why we need public funding for the arts Why students need arts education Working with public officials Organizing a meeting Building your regions advocacy team Campaign planning Media and publicity Advocacy event planning Recruiting and training volunteers

Benefits Advocacy Captains will become the face of Oklahomans for the Arts, Inc. They will have a unique opportunity to be directly involved at a grassroots, local level in impacting government policies in relation to public funding for the arts. They will especially be at the forefront of framing public debate on arts and culture as key components of any communitys economic development. In addition, Advocacy Captains will have an opportunity to engage in friendly competition with each another and compete for cool prizes and perks!

To Apply Please send a letter of interest highlighting relevant skills, experience, accomplishments and references to:
Jennifer James, Director Oklahomans for the Arts, Inc. P.O. Box 454 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101 or Oklahoma.arts@gmail.com.

Must include which one of the following regions you are interested in serving: Sub-Regions REGION 1 Canadian, Cleveland, Logan, Oklahoma (Two Captains Needed) REGION 2 Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens, Tillman REGION 3 Hughes, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Seminole REGION 4 Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, Wagoner REGION 5 Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Washington REGION 6 Creek, Osage, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner (Two Captains Needed) REGION 7 Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, McCurtain, Pittsburg, Pushmataha REGION 8 Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Major, Noble REGION 9 Beaver, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Texas, Woods, Woodward REGION 10 Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, Pontotoc REGION 11 Beckham, Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa, Roger Mills, Washita

On Twitter @OK4theArts On Facebook www.facebook.com/OklahomansfortheArts. Further Reading: Please visit www.OklahomansfortheArts.org.