The League of Women Voters of New Jersey (LWVNJ) is pleased to launch our Democracy Organizer Program!

With voting rights and democratic institutions facing unprecedented attacks, we invite you to help build a people-powered movement aimed at holding our elected officials accountable to constituents, increasing civic engagement, and advancing community-centered policy reforms.

2023 COHORT

Gulu Brewer

Pronouns: He/Him
Region: Mercer County
Organizer Assignment: Voter Services
Quote: “I am excited for the opportunity to help people feel ownership and connection to their communities.”

Arielle del Rosario

Pronouns: She/Her and They/Them
Region: Middlesex County
Organizer Assignment: Issue Advocacy
Quote: "If we want an accessible, inclusive, and healthier democracy, then we the people have to fight for it and work together. What better place to do this than with LWVNJ? As a Democracy Organizer, I am excited to transform community distrust and disappointment in our electoral systems into an empowering advocacy opportunity resulting in positive systemic change."

Diana Kandasamy

Pronouns: She/Her
Region: Somerset County
Organizer Assignment: Voter Services
Quote: “I am very excited to begin working with the NJ League of Women in their Democracy Organizers program. There is much we can do together to help educate the public on the important issues facing our nation and our state and I look forward to working with and through this program. One of my favorite quotes further expresses my feelings about working as part of a larger team:
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"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. – Marianne Williamson

Jessica Taylor

Pronouns: She/Her
Region: Union County
Organizer Assignment: Issue Advocacy
Quote: I am thrilled to be part of the 2023 Cohort Class of the League of Women Voters NJ’s Democracy Organizer Program. This transformative opportunity empowers me to play an active role in shaping our democracy, engaging communities, and advocating for meaningful change. I am very excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals, learn effective grass root-organizing strategies, and make tangible impact on the issues that matter to our communities as we work towards building a more inclusive, engaged, and vibrant democracy.

The ideal applicant is:

Someone who is 0 – 2 years into organizing communities and wants to sharpen their skills
Passionate about increasing civic engagement and voter participation
Interested in LWVNJ’s advocacy program areas
Someone who wants to be an active and involved member of their community

Participant Requirements:

Participants must be able to participate in all program components fully from July 2023- December 2023
Participants must be able to dedicate 10 – 15 hours a month to the program
Must be a resident of New Jersey for the duration of the program (July 2023 – December 2023)
Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program (July 15, 2023)
Participants must observe the following LWVNJ policies:

Nonpartisan Policy

The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate at any level of government. To avoid the possible perception of partisanship, we ask our most visible leaders – including organizers – to refrain from political activity or active partisan support.

All participants must adhere to the following policies during their participation in the Democracy Organizer Program:

Elected Office. Participants shall not run for, nor hold, any partisan elective office at any level of government. Participants may run for or hold a local nonpartisan elective office, after consultation with and approval by LWVNJ staff.
Political Party Office. Participants shall not serve in any official position in a political party at any level of government.
Political Campaigns. Participants shall not chair a political campaign or administer fundraising for a political campaign, chair a campaign event, be a spokesperson, or work in any other significant way in the campaign of a candidate for a partisan office at any level of government.
Social and Other Media. Participants shall not indicate their political affiliations or candidate preferences at any level of government in the media, including on social networking sites or other public venues that also prominently identify them as an organizer for LWVNJ
Additional Clarification. Participants shall present questions about specific situations to LWVNJ staff where the foregoing policies do not resolve the question.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

The League of Women Voters is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.

2023 COHORT

Gulu Brewer

Arielle del Rosario

Diana Kandasamy

Jessica Taylor

ABOUT THE DEMOCRACY ORGANIZER PROGRAM

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

OUTCOMES FOR PARTICIPANTS

TIME COMMITMENT

COST