Applications due by 5pm on Monday, February 20th, 2012.

Position: Development/Fundraising Director
Supervisor: Executive Director
Hours: 30 hours weekly
Benefits: Salary, Health insurance, paid vacation

The Development and Fundraising Director will collaborate with the board of directors, VOZ’s executive director, and other staff to create a strategic fundraising plan that will keep VOZ and the Worker Center sustainable. S/he will build and maintain relationships with different foundations and donors and will be responsible for writing all grant proposals. Other administrative tasks will include developing and maintaining a database of donors and foundations, and coordinating thank you mailings to past donors.

The Development and Fundraising Director will network with the greater community and manage other outreach activities. S/he will work with the Board of Directors to plan special events, parties, etc. to reach fundraising goals.

Grant Writing & Foundation Relations
The Development Director is responsible for researching potential funding opportunities, establishing relationships with current and potential funders, and managing the proposal, application, and reporting process in order to meet the line items declared in the annual budget.

• Maintain database of foundation and corporate giving programs
• Attend public events
• Write grant applications and reports to meet deadline
• Manage relationships with funders, especially meeting in person or over the phone to inform them of our work and interest them in future funding opportunities
• Develop communications specifically aimed at funders, including the distribution of positive press coverage

Grassroots Fundraising
The Development Director is responsible for facilitating staff and board strategic planning in relation to community fundraising. This position manages the community fundraising committee of Board members and volunteers to increase the amount of non-foundation fundraising.
• Facilitate Annual fundraising strategic planning with Board, staff, & volunteers
• Maintain database of individual donors
• Facilitate quarterly donor appeal
• Identify potential individual donors
• Manage community fundraising committee
• Organize Fundraising events
• Maintain and strengthen the VOZista donor program
• Organize house parties, phone banks, and other events

Board of Directors
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to prepare the organization’s annual budget for Board review and approval
• Involve Board of Directors in grassroots fundraising activities

Qualifications:
• Strong interpersonal, communication, planning and organizational skills.
• At least two years of successful fundraising and proven grant writing experience
• Demonstrated experience working in a bilingual, multicultural environment
• Understanding of Latino labor and workforce issues.
• Highly organized
• Basic knowledge of computer operations (Windows, Word, Excel, etc.,) and equipment operations such as copiers, fax machines and telephones.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of VOZ
• Ability to work independently and in a team

How to Apply: Send curriculum vitae and cover setter to Romeo Sosa, 1131 SE Oak St Portland OR 97214; or e-mail to: romeo@portlandvoz.org. For more information call 503-233-6787.

November 2, 2011 At 6:00 PM
at the Martin Luther King Jr Worker Center Located at 240 NE Martin Luther king Blvd, Portland OR 97232

The Day of the Dead has become a tradition among day laborers, who share this sacred day with their departed loved ones, with family and friends, and with our volunteers, staff, board and members of allied organizations. Each year we build an altar where each person places photos of their departed loved ones, flowers, water, skull-shaped candy, etc.; and on that day we also remember those who have died crossing the border in search of a better life, and all immigrants who have died while working.

We invite you to bring a photo of a departed loved one, bread, flowers (preferably marigolds or similar) or something that your departed loved one liked to eat or drink.

The Day of the Dead is a feast day that has its roots in Mexico and is also celebrated in the United States. Mexicans react to death with mourning but also with joy. They fear death as much as those of any other culture, but they recognize that death is a part of life.

Volunteer opportunities with Dia de los Muertos!
*Help make tamales! all morning long, on November 2, we will be preparing tamales. Learn to make tamales and help prepare for the evenings festivities!
*Help set up the alter! all afternoon long, we will be preparing the alter for the evenings celebration.

please contact volunteers@portlandvoz.org if you are interested in volunteering.

See the full letter here: Blumenauer Response on HR 2885

Help fight against E-Verify,  call your representative NOW!

September 24th

Doors open at 6:30 - Lesson at 7:00

SEIU 503 Dance Hall
6401 SE Foster Rd.
Portland , OR 97206

For the past five years Jobs with Justice and Voz the Workers Rights Education Project have joined together to host the Solidarity Salsa Party to bring together individuals that are a part of and support both of our organizations for dancing, fun and fundraising.

Together we work to strengthen the connections between immigrant rights and workers rights and to fight for economic justice for all workers.   In these economic times it is important for our communities to work together.

The tickets are $15. They include admission to the event, food dance lessons and a silent auction.

If you cant make it to the event please consider buying a ticket for a day laborer, unemployed or striking worker.

Become a Working Class Sponsor  for $150

• Placement of your logo on the 2011 Salsa Party website, electronic & other outreach materials
• Table at the event (this event is an opportunity to get your message out)
• Verbal recognition of your support during both the Opening and Closing of the Party
• 10 tickets to the event

We also can use your help!

Below are some of the things you can do to make this years event a success.

Sign up to volunteer the night of. We always need some extra help to keep things running smoothly.

1. Sell tickets and get the word out. A party is no fun if there is no people. Help us spread the word and sell tickets in advance. You can do this by forwarding the above invitation or inviting more of your face book friends. Feel free to buy your tickets online now and encourage others to so so as well.
2. Bring a lamp… We have been told that our tabling area is too dark.  While we don’t want to spoil the “mood”.  We want people to see the amazing work that is happening in our community.  if you have an easily transportable lamp please let me know why might be able to use it.
3. Help get items for our Silent Auction. You can do this by donating an item yourself or helping us ask local business for donations. We have donation request letters ready to go.s.

If you have any questions or would like tickets call us at 503-236-5573

To Purchase Tickets Online Visit

https://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/202/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=3925

This Years Salsa Party is sponsored by:

Portland Jobs with Justice- Voz Workers Rights Education Project-National Association of letter Carriers Branch 82- Oregon New Sanctuary Movement – American Friends Service Committee – Aztec Willies – SEIU 49 – SEIU 503-AFGE 2157 – We are Oregon

And more to come!

More information about this event…

The system retrieves the migration information of each individual and characterizes each worker as eligible or ineligible to be hired. E-Verify is already being used in several states, and through a legislative proposal is trying to be implemented throughout the country.

Because of this, during the meeting with Barrett two requests were made: that Blumenauer vote against the legislation in September of this year, and that he writes a public testimony about his position on the issue.

Barrett expressed her rejection of the legislation and promised to pass on the worries of the day laborers to Congressman Blumenauer. He represents the district that the Worker’s Center and Voz office belong to.

Antonio Cervantes, a worker, spoke about the importance of the Worker’s Center. He said he feels safe there because he can avoid his salary being taken.

Another day laborer, who preferred to omit his name, mentioned the mistreatment some day laborers have suffered because they didn’t have papers. “There isn’t any security or protection, the pay is unjust. However, we don’t complain.”

The Worker’s Center maintains agreements to avoid the exploitation of workers. In the meeting it was emphasized that the day laborers do not work for Voz, “we only connect the worker with the employer,” explained Romeo Sosa, Executive Director.

Other than Voz, Eliana Machuca from Jobs with Justice, and Dan Torres from a union of ALFCIO national also participated in the meeting. This is the third meeting with members of congress to talk about E-Verify. On previous occasions they also spoke with representatives of Congressman David Wu and of Senator Jeff Merkley.

Brian Plinski representative from the office of congressman David Wu

their concern about the possible use of E-Verify throughout the country.

The workers asked that Wu, the Oregon Representative, publicly state his position against E-Verify. On previous occasions, the Congressman has already mentioned several negative aspects of the legislation to the press and radio.

Voz insisted that the use of the E-Verify system will be prejudicial towards day-laborer centers. Because it will be obligatory, employers will have to enter the system in order to prove the “eligibility” of the workers, including their immigration record. Currently, the Center for Day-Laborers does not ask for this information.

Daniel Álvarez, President of the Day-Laborer Committee of Portland, explained to Plinski the importance of maintaining the current organization of the Center for Day-Laborers. “This is a safe place,” he said, “because on the corners sometimes we feel the harassment of the police.”

The Center for Day-Laborers is a place where workers are organized to avoid wage theft. “If any day-laborer has a problem, he can come to the Center and we can talk with the employer. We have been able to recover the wages of several day-laborers this way,” explained Romeo Sosa, Executive Director of Voz Workers’ Right Education Project.

Plinski listened to the day-laborers, who trust the message got through to the Congressman.

Also in attendance at this meeting was Greg Margolis, from Jobs with Justice, and Dan Torres, from AFLCIO (America Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations). This was the first of a series of meetings that Voz will hold with various political representatives in order to discuss the consequences of E-Verify.