Interfaith Power & Light

We’re hiring a Communications Director

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:21:22 +0000

Position: Communications Director

Organization:
The Regeneration Project is the national office of the Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) campaign. The IPL campaign is mobilizing a religious response to global warming in concert with our affiliate organizations in 39 states. IPL engages congregations through energy conservation and renewable energy programs, education and outreach, and public policy advocacy. IPL is working with faith communities around the country to become leaders in the fight against global warming. Over 14,000 congregations of all faiths are involved, in all 50 states.

Position Summary:
The Communications Director (CD) will develop and implement a national communications strategy to raise the profile of Interfaith Power & Light and broadcast faith-based and moral messages for climate action. The CD will be responsible for promoting our national policy priorities, strategic message development, recruiting and training spokespersons, and interacting directly with media outlets. Candidates should have demonstrated success in generating earned media in both traditional and online outlets. Candidates should also be experienced in utilizing social media for message amplification and list-building. The position is suited for an experienced communications professional who is excited about taking a relatively new and rapidly growing organization (we’ve just entered our second decade) to the next level. The ideal candidate will also have experience with the faith community and climate and/or energy policy advocacy along with at least three years project management experience.

This is an opportunity to join a unique and dynamic organization in a newly created, strategic position.

Responsibilities:
• Develop and implement national communications plan targeting both traditional and new media opportunities
• Ensure that social media communications are consistent with overall media strategy and messages
• Create and oversee development of compelling written materials including website content
• Maintain and develop relationships with reporters and editors; manage media database and track news coverage
• Monitor and analyze media coverage of national campaigns and state affiliates
• Work with state affiliate leaders to help them develop their communications programs
• Collaborate with other staff to integrate media outreach into campaign planning
• Travel to training events, strategy sessions, visibility events, or other large events and conferences as needed
• Provide creative input and work with multiple teams
• Collaborate with development team to ensure effective communication with funders, board members, and supporters
• Work with president and executive director to ensure program is meeting strategic priorities
• Work in coalitions with other environmental and faith-based organizations

Qualifications:
• B.A. or B.S.
• Seven to ten years media experience including at least three years in a senior management position
• Proven experience developing and implementing successful media and communications strategies
• Strong track record developing and managing creative online campaigns using social media, including list building campaigns
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Experience with climate, energy efficiency, and/or renewable energy policy
• Experience working in a nonprofit setting
• Experience working with the faith community preferred
• Ability to plan, organize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; excellent attention to detail and follow-through are essential
• Ability to take initiative, think creatively and work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and skills
• Proficiency with MS Word Office Suite and aptitude with Internet applications including email, social media, constituent relationship management and other related database tools
• Experience with Macintosh computers, online CRM and CRS software a plus

Compensation:
The Regeneration Project offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous vacation time, commuter benefits and a retirement savings plan.

Location:
San Francisco (Financial District)

To Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter by February 24, 2012 to:
Communications Director Search
Care of Gretchen Killion
Gretchen@theregenerationproject.org
Please note where you saw the job posting.

Download PDF of job posting.

The Starpress: Interfaith group wants religious community to think green

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:28:00 +0000

One of the newest statewide chapters, Hooiser Interfaith Power & Light, had a workshop on January 21st that explained the connection between faith and religion. ”Poverty is something that people of faith have been working on for a long time,” Hooiser IPL founder Jennifer Rice-Snow said. “It’s a newer thing to see that when we have faith in the creator, we have a responsibility for the creation. I see a lot of people who don’t go to church taking a lot of leadership in taking care of the Earth. I have a lot of respect for that. I’d like to see our faith-based communities step up to that.”

Full Article

Oseye T. Boyd, 19 January 2012

Erie Times News: Program in Meadville to help congregations become energy efficient

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:18:06 +0000

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light will be working with various religious groups in the Meadville area to help make their places of worship more financially and environmentally energy efficient. Nickell, a PAIPL board member, said the motivation for people of faith to care about being energy efficient and preventing climate change is twofold: ”First is reverence for God’s creation and concern for the harm to species and habitat that we see occurring because of a warming climate,” she said. “The second is related to justice, since those on the margins of society, who are least responsible for climate change, are most affected by the changes it will bring, such as floods, drought, rising sea levels and extreme storms.”

Full Article

Dana Massing, 21 January 2012

Make a Clean Air Promise

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:44:18 +0000

Promise to support clean air policies and other protections to safeguard our air quality and climate.

Faith Stands Behind President on Keystone XL Decision

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:04:34 +0000

Statement by Interfaith Power & Light’s President
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., January 18, 2012 — President Obama has just announced his decision to support the State Department’s recommendation to deny a Presidential permit for TransCanada to build the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. What follows is a reaction by Interfaith Power & Light’s President, The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham:

“Interfaith Power & Light applauds President Obama for demonstrating leadership in denying the permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. His actions today will help to ensure a clean, healthy and safe world for our children. Transporting dirty tar sands oil through the heartland of America will unnecessarily risk catastrophic damage to ecosystems and aquifers that millions of people depend upon for their livelihood. People of faith are called to be good stewards of God’s Creation, and to love our neighbors and take care of the vulnerable among us.

“For months, faith leaders have been speaking out against the Keystone XL pipeline at State Department hearings and in letters to the Administration and Congress. It is of great concern that Keystone 1 has had many more leaks than expected, and the 1 million gallon tar sands oil spill into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in 2010 was a national tragedy. An EPA spokesperson said he has never seen anything like it – a heavy crude mixed with chemicals that sinks instead of floats, greatly hampering the multi-year clean-up effort.

“Our nation is on the cusp of a clean energy revolution. According to a Brookings report released in 2011, more than 2.7 million people are working in the U.S. clean energy economy right now. Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that in 2011, America surged ahead of China on clean energy investments. The new proposed fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks will save 2.2 million barrels of oil a day by 2025 – about double the amount the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would have delivered, and without the risk.

“People of faith strongly believe that we need an urgent response to the climate crisis through continued implementation of better clean air safeguards, construction of a renewable energy grid, and more robust energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. The Keystone XL would only slow the pace of this clean energy transition, continue with business worse than usual, and hasten global warming. We can and must model a way forward for the world, create jobs, and care for God’s Creation. Thank you Mr. President for making the right and moral choice to set us in that direction.”

# # #

Interfaith Power & Light has 39 state affiliates and is mobilizing a religious response to global warming in more than 14,000 congregations through the promotion of energy conservation,energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Contact:
Andrée Duggan
Interfaith Power & Light
(415) 561-4891 x11
andree@theregenerationproject.org

State of Formation: Religious Wisdom the World Needs Now

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:27:08 +0000

In this opinion article, Yari Robinson discusses the importance of the movement of religious-based environmental organizations such as Interfaith Power & Light, in encouraging people of faith to respond to the global warming as an environmental, human and spiritual crisis. Robinson writes, “Each of the world’s religious traditions offers tremendous wisdom about how we should live in respectful relationship with the earth and with each other.”

Full Article

Yari Robinson, 9 January 2012

Blinded by Sound: Jazz Review: Jamie Ousley-A Sea of Voices

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:11:46 +0000

Jamie Ousley, named “Best South Flordia Jazz Musician of 2011,” produced his album A Sea of Voices, as a project to benefit the environment. Working with the Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light has given him the opportunity to expand on his love for playing jazz in churches while helping an environmental mission that is important to him. “Here, I could combine the worlds of diverse faiths and jazz to benefit a common cause that we can all unite behind: care of our planet!” Ousley says.

Full Article

Jordan Richardson, 12 January 2012

Centre Daily Times: Join moral leaders and put faith in clean air-opinion

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:10:09 +0000

In this piece, Brockopp recognizes Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light and local congregations as movers in the Clean Air Promise. He writes, “Pennsylvanians can do nothing to prevent earthquakes in Haiti, but local congregations are trying to prevent the worst effects of climate change by reducing their use of fossil fuels and by helping poor countries become more resilient. Because we use so much energy in our cars, houses and factories, our efficient use of precious resources can have a significant effect on the world.”

Full Article

Jonathan Brockopp, 3 January 2012

Delaware Online: Planting the seeds for a greener world, Interfaith Power & Light focuses on conservation

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:15:32 +0000

John Sykes, organizer of Delaware Interfaith Power & Light, recognizes a moral imperative to use renewable energy in place of fuels that contribute to climate change. “If we can save by conserving energy,” he says, “there’s more money to do the work of the church…I think we have a window of opportunity to make change but time is running out. I worry that, if we do nothing, we will really suffer.”

Full Article

Gary Soulsman, 31 December 2011

Hartford Courant: Vernon Church Wins Recognition For Environmental Efforts

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:24:26 +0000

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon, Connecticut, recently received a $1000 grant from Interfaith Power & Light’s “Cool Congregation Challenge.” St. John’s participated in a six-week local affiliate Interfaith course called “This Old House of Worship” to figure out how to less their energy use. They swapped out old lighting, thermostats and cut their electricity used by 22 percent. The Rev. Virginia Army, rector of St. John’s, said, “I think it is an important witness. Look at what it’s doing outside now. It’s December and it’s in the 60s. I think the earth is groaning and it’s time for us to be paying attention.”

Full Article

Susan Campbell, 28 December 2011