Internship - Advocacy and Government Relations

Washington DC

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the nation's premier youth development organization. Our programs, training and services impact nearly 4 million children and teens every year. We are always looking for qualified professionals with a passion for improving young lives, as a member of our national staff.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding the inner workings of the DC non-profit advocacy system
• How to execute and manage advocacy strategies
• How to build and manage meaningful relationships with key stakeholders to the benefit of the program and mission
• How to use essential advocacy tools and software
• How to meet challenges, overcome obstacles, and work in a dynamic team environment
• How to develop stewardship and communication skills

Possible Projects:

Advocacy

• Coordinate and track visits Members of Congress and state officials make to Boys & Girls Clubs
• Support the relationships that are being developed by Government Relations staff and local Club staff on Capitol Hill and at the state and local levels.
• Provide ongoing research on legislation, funding opportunities, and issues important to Boys & Girls Clubs at a national, state, and local level.
• Attending coalition meetings, Capitol Hill visits, and Congressional hearings on behalf of BGCA
• Create and update critical biographical and background information on Members of Congress and other key influencers
• Coordinate and track visits Members of Congress make to Boys & Girls Clubs
  Support the relationships that are being developed by Government Relations staff and local Club staff on Capitol Hill

Communications

• Compile weekly press clips comprised of advocacy related articles in media outlets across the country as well as disseminating to members of the BGCA government relations team.
• Assist with production and editing of advocacy materials and internal documents.
• Collect relevant Club and youth stories related to BGCA priority issues to be utilized in advocacy communications and campaigns.
• Draft action alerts, social media and other communications to be used in targeted advocacy campaigns.
• Create blogs for BGCA.org advocacy page around Club advocacy actions.

Other

• Support the Government Relations team in preparation for National Days of Advocacy in March.
• Receive mentoring and shadowing opportunities.
• Demonstrate BGCA ICARE values and integrate them into your work environment, model them in the way that you work, and uphold those same values in others.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA's Intern Policy, Ethics Policy and elsewhere.