INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Vision: Be part of Michigan Peace Team’s face of peace to the world.

Mission: Assist Michigan Peace Team in pursuing peace through active nonviolence in places of conflict.

Goal: Given the policies of the Board of Directors (a.k.a., the “Core Community”) and a job description, interns will assist MPT staff, consultants, and volunteers to the best of their ability so as to complete assigned duties and tasks required to accomplish the mission of Michigan Peace Team.

General Objectives:

1. Participate in the work of a grassroots, nonprofit statewide peace organization that is connected to an international network of peace organizations.

2. Work with staff and consultants to carry out work in the various standing committees (Publications, Team Deployment, Technology, Faith Community, and Training) as well as any potential ad-hoc committees.

Tasks and duties may include (but are not limited to):

1. Become familiar with successful nonviolent conflict resolution leaders and organizations (both historical and current)

2. Attend committee meetings and (when asked) take meeting minutes

3. Gather information, take photographs at MPT events/activities, and write items for the newsletter

4. Assist with fundraising events, as directed

5. Assist with website design and upkeep, as directed

6. Access and use resources such as books, newsletter, audiotapes and videotapes on the work and theory of nonviolent peacemaking to research various issues as assigned

7. Attend a presentation on active nonviolence given by the Outreach Coordinator

8. Attend a basic 8-hour nonviolence training

9. Perform general office duties such as answer telephone, make photocopies, organize office space as directed, and assist with the recycling program.

Optional involvement:

1. Observe MPT associates as they  participate in local/Domestic peace teams

2. Attend demonstrations, protests, fundraisers, or informational presentations with which MPT is involved

3. Attend workshops/lectures connected with MPT

Expectations:

1. Interns are expected to make every attempt to maintain a regular work schedule that they will initially set up in dialogue with the Internship Supervisor.  They will notify the Supervisor as soon as possible if they are going to be absent or if they will need to amend the original schedule they’ve worked out for their internship.

2. Interns are encouraged to be open-minded, ask questions, seek clarification when necessary, and be vocal about their needs and interests as an intern in order to make this a mutually successful partnership.

3. Interns must maintain a philosophical stance of nonviolence, in keeping with MPT’s vision and mission.

About Michigan Peace Team

Michigan Peace Team is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a directorship. It has a Board of Directors (known as the “Core Community”), three paid staff members, two volunteer staff members, two consultants, and a very large group of volunteers. Interns’ skills and interests are matched with responsibilities and needs of MPT.  At this time, internships are unpaid positions.

Michigan Peace Team was founded in 1993. Its offices are located in Lansing, within biking distance of Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. Interns receive daily supervision and ongoing mentoring. Their schedules can be flexible, although most work is done during normal office hours. However, since nonviolence trainings, events, and presentations often happen on weekends and evenings, schedules may vary.

It is our hope that interns will gain valuable knowledge and hands-on skills during their internship in various areas: nonviolence peacemaking; organizational skills; familiarity with working in nonprofit grassroots organizations; and a better understanding of the larger peace community and work being done worldwide for peace. Interns may also find resources for post-graduation work opportunities or service opportunities in the international peace community.

MPT makes every effort to customize each internship to meet the needs of the intern and the course of studies he/she is pursuing. For example, students in the Public Relations field spend more time focused on helping with press releases and newsletter article development;  students in the Ministry field have focused on the spirituality of nonviolence;  Pre-law students spend more time looking at International Law aspects of what we're doing and why;  etc. 

Interested students can apply for an internship position by contacting MPT via letter or email. After initial contact, an interview will be set up. Prospective interns will be asked to reflect on why they are interested in the work of MPT, supply references, and write a list of their skills and interests.

If this seems like a good fit for you, send a letter of inquiry to:

Michigan Peace Team

Attention: Mary L. Hanna

1516 Jerome Street

Lansing, MI 48912

Or email: michiganpeaceteam@comcast.net and use subject line: Interested in MPT Internship

*Please Note*:  We have a significant number of students requesting internships at all levels (Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D.), and at this time are only able to accept 3-4 per Quarter/Semester.  Please make every attempt to make your application early.

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Copyright © 2007 Michigan Peace Team
Last modified: 04/09/08