Stop Subsidizing Obesity FY 2011-2012 Central Valley Coalition Intern (Fresno, CA)

Problem: This country is facing a childhood obesity epidemic, with nearly one in three American children between the ages of 6-11 being overweight or obese. One of the contributors to this public health emergency is the billions of taxpayer subsidies provided to giant agriculture companies to produce unhealthy processed food. With our country contemplating serious budget cuts the first place we should look is the handouts provided to Big Agriculture that are helping to fuel obesity. Find out more about the campaign at www.calpirg.org <http://www.calpirg.org> or follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/CALPIRG> . Internship Description: The Central Valley Coalition Intern will work closely with the CALPIRG advocates to build a broad network of coalition partners from a variety of professional and political backgrounds in the central valley area in order to build public support for cutting direct agricultural subsidies from the 2012 Farm Bill. Research: This intern will help research groups that work around agriculture subsidies, sustainable farming practices, obesity and public health, childrens health, deficit reduction, and other related issues in order to target possible coalition partners. Recruitment: Intern will work to recruit small farmers, business owners, taxpayer groups, PTAs, etc to sign onto coalition letters and take campaign actions. Interns may also recruit and coordinate other student volunteers to gather public comments and petitions for the campaign. District Meetings: We will work to schedule district meetings with congressional representatives and invite coalition partners to attend. At these meetings we will deliver campaign products and work to persuade officials to support the campaign.

 Event Coordination: In order to elevate the level of public awareness about the issue we will be holding educational events on college campuses and media events around the state. Interns will be responsible for helping to set up the logistics of these events and in recruiting people to attend. Qualifications: We are looking for dedicated and intelligent students who can work a minimum of 10 hours a week on this campaign. Individuals need to be self-motivating and willing to take on leadership and new learn new skills. Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills are highly desired. Compensation: This is an unpaid internship however both CALPIRG and USPIRG <http://www.uspirg.org> hire college graduates annually to become organizers and advocates around the country, so there is the possibility of future employment with the organization. The PIRGs have a proven track record of training young people in the skills of grassroots organizing, media outreach, and advocacy in order to take on leadership in both the governmental and non-profits sectors. Applying: Please send your resume and a cover letter to aprice@calpirg.org with the position in the subject line. Applicants will be contacted by phone to conduct an interview.

Building A Better Healthcare Marketplace FY 2011-2012 Central Valley Small Business Outreach Intern (Fresno, CA)
Problem: The United State spends twice as much per capita on health care as other developed countries and the cost of health care in this country is increasing faster than in any other. Despite this disproportionate spending, the United States gets poorer results in many different areas. To help address this California is establishing the Health Benefits Exchange which will pull the buying power of millions of individuals and small businesses in order to get a better deal on health care. Internship Description: The Small Business Outreach Intern will work under the direction of our Health Care Associate to educate and recruit a network of small business owners. This will allow small business owners to make sure the board that will be making the rules

for the new exchange works to provide high quality low cost health plans for small businesses and their employees. Education: Interns will help small business leaders learn about new tax credits available for health care and other new opportunities available under the new law. Recruitment: This intern will be responsible for recruiting small business owners to sign a letter in support of lowering their health care costs through the exchange and recruiting small business owners to tell their stories. Decision makers need to hear real health care stories from real people so they can stand up to the insurance giants that have spent millions trying to kill reform. Event Coordination: Throughout the year CALPIRG will be holding media events and setting up conferences to help educate the general public about he new exchange. Interns will work with advocates to help set up the logistics of events and do media outreach.

Qualifications: We are looking for dedicated and intelligent students who can work a minimum of 10 hours a week on this campaign. Individuals need to be self-motivating and willing to take on leadership and new learn new skills. Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills are highly desired. Compensation: This is an unpaid internship however both CALPIRG and USPIRG hire college graduates annually to become organizers and advocates around the country, so there is the possibility of future employment with the organization. The PIRGs have a proven track record of training young people in the skills of grassroots organizing, media outreach, and advocacy in order to take on leadership in both the governmental and non-profits sectors. Applying: Please send your resume and a cover letter to aprice@calpirg.org with the position in the subject line. Applicants will be contacted by phone to conduct an interview.