How to apply for Voter Engagement Canvasser - West Michigan

About Civic Empowerment Coalition

The Civic Empowerment Coalition focuses on rural organizing and advocacy for communities of color, farm workers, and their families in West Michigan. The work aims to create more just policies by educating the public and policymakers and increasing civic participation. Someone might want to work here if they are interested in directly supporting Latino, Black, and BIPOC rural communities during an election year.

About the role

This Voter Engagement Canvasser role involves door-to-door outreach, phone calls, digital and text banking, and assisting with voter registration and volunteer recruitment. The position is based in West Michigan (Grand Rapids or Lansing areas) and pays $18.00 to $20.00 per hour, depending on experience and county. The canvasser supports Regional Coordinators and Regional Field Managers in executing voter engagement efforts.

A typical day

A typical day might involve driving to assigned neighborhoods in Grand Rapids or Lansing to conduct door-to-door canvassing, making phone calls, and sending text messages to potential voters. You would also assist with voter registration and recruit volunteers, while coordinating with Regional Coordinators and Field Managers. The schedule may include evenings and weekends to reach community members.

Who Civic Empowerment Coalition is looking for

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, given the focus on Latino communities.
• Highly organized and reliable self-starter who can manage multiple outreach methods (door-to-door, phone, digital, text).
• Comfortable with face-to-face communication and engaging with diverse rural communities.
• Interested in civic participation, voter registration, and volunteer recruitment for Latino, Black, and BIPOC communities.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, or text banking in your resume or cover letter.
• Mention your connection to or understanding of West Michigan communities, especially Grand Rapids or Lansing areas.
• If you are bilingual, state your language proficiency clearly (e.g., fluent in Spanish and English).
• Show that you can work independently and stay organized, as the role is remote but involves field work.
• Reference the Civic Empowerment Coalition's focus on rural communities of color and farm workers to show you understand their mission.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience with voter engagement, canvassing, or community outreach.', 'Your ability to communicate effectively with Latino, Black, and BIPOC communities, including any bilingual skills.', 'Your familiarity with West Michigan, particularly Grand Rapids or Lansing areas.', 'Your interest in supporting rural organizing and advocacy for farm workers and their families.']

Research before applying

• Look up the Civic Empowerment Coalition's website or social media to understand their specific campaigns and history in West Michigan.
• Research the demographics and civic engagement levels of Grand Rapids and Lansing areas, especially Latino and BIPOC communities.
• Find out about recent policy issues affecting farm workers in Michigan, such as legal status, wages, and worker protections.
• Check if the organization has any partnerships with local community groups or farm worker organizations.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach door-to-door canvassing in rural communities of color?
• Describe a time you had to organize multiple outreach methods (phone, text, digital) under a deadline.
• What do you know about the Civic Empowerment Coalition's work with farm workers and rural communities?
• How would you handle a situation where a community member is hesitant to register to vote?
• Are you bilingual? How would you use that skill in this role?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not mentioning any experience with canvassing or voter engagement, as this is a core part of the role.
• Ignoring the bilingual requirement if you speak Spanish, or failing to address language skills if you do not.
• Applying without showing knowledge of or connection to West Michigan communities, since the role is location-specific.