Communications Intern

Salary: $15 per hour; can be used for college credit

Duration: 3-4 month internship; September, 2024 – December, 2024 (start and end dates flexible)

Time Commitment: 8-12 hours per week for one position, up to 20 hours per week if applying for both positions; Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm (hours negotiable)

Status: Part-time temporary employment (internship), eligible for Earned Safe and Sick Time only.

Work Location: 2353 Rice St., Suite 240, Roseville, MN 55113 (KOM Office); Work will be hybrid, with remote and in-person work.

Reports to: Suzanne Olive, Volunteer Coordinator, Alice Buckner, Development Director, and Alexis Walstad, Co-Executive Director

Position Descriptions:

KOM is looking for two communications interns this fall:

• Design, Social Media, and Writing
• Fundraising and Event Planning Support

These positions may be filled by one person at 20 hours per week or by two people at 8-12 hours per week, with activities split between Design, Social Media, and Writing and Fundraising and Event Planning Support as outlined below. The Communications Interns will help with story-telling and outreach through social media content creation, design, article writing and event planning. The Communications Interns will work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator, Development Director, and Co-Executive Director to increase awareness and support of refugees from Burma and other immigrant communities through the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). These positions offer the opportunity to acquire skills in several areas of communications, media, and event planning.

Responsibilities:

Design, Social Media, and Writing: (8-12 hours/week)

• Tell stories through social media content on KOM’s Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Create graphic design elements for outreach as needed
• Design flyers and other materials for program recruitment
• Draft bi-weekly newsletter content in English
• Collect stories from KOM clients to illustrate the impact of its programs (interview staff, clients and others to gather stories for the newsletter that highlight KOM’s programs, mission, values or services).
• Meet with staff to update information on KOM’s website as needed (new staff, program changes, etc.)
• Update photos and media on KOM’s website as needed
• Photograph community events and KOM activities (and take videos when appropriate)
• Assist with promotion of events

Fundraising Support & Event Planning: (8-12 hours/week)

• Highlight the impact of donations through story-telling campaigns
• Assist in creating communications/promotional materials related to KOM’s annual fall fundraiser gala (materials may include event reminders via social media, email, and snail mail)
• Help prepare communication materials for at the event (signs, programs, etc.) with support from the Gala Planning Committee
• Track pledges, ticket sales, and donations using KOM’s donor database (Little Green Light)
• Respond to inquiries from event attendees and sponsors as needed
• Attend Gala Planning Committee meetings as able
• Provide support day of the event, if able (KOM’s 2024 Annual Gala is Thursday, November 21st from 5:30pm – 9:30pm at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center)
• Post-event: report on event highlights, including sharing photos and fundraising goals
• Post-event: assist Development Director with recording contributions and sending donor acknowledgments
• Pre/post-event: assist Development Director with end-of-year fundraising campaigns, including email and snail mail content

*Work will be hybrid, with remote and in-person work.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidates for these positions will have an interest in communications, graphic design, event planning, and/or journalism, and serving refugees from Burma and other immigrant communities in Minnesota.

Qualifications include:

• Experience using and/or managing social media pages on Facebook and Instagram
• Some graphic design experience (Canva preferred, or other similar design platforms)
• Previous experience interviewing and writing content for school or an organization is beneficial
• Event planning experience (required for Fundraising Support & Event Planning position)
• Proficiency using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint), MailChimp, and WordPress is preferred
• Proficient in English (speaking and typing)
• Proficiency in S’gaw Karen, Pwo Karen, or Karenni, and the ability to type in Karen are beneficial, but not required
• Some knowledge of the Karen community is beneficial
• Video making skills are beneficial, but not required

To apply:

To apply, please fill out our online volunteer application and submit a résumé, a one-page writing sample*, and a design sample** in your application. You may also email or mail your documents to: Suzanne Olive, Volunteer Coordinator

Address: Karen Organization of Minnesota

2353 Rice St., Suite 240

Roseville, MN 55113

Email: solive@mnkaren.org

Phone: 651-202-3112

*Writing sample should be one-page pulled from a finished essay, story, project, or other written work. You do not need to write a new piece for our application.

**Design samples should be submitted as a JPG, PNG, or PDF, created by the applicant, and can be of any subject. Examples of a design sample: flyer, brochure, postcard, social media graphic, poster, etc. You do not need to create a new design for our application, but can submit one you have already created.