Social Accountability International (SAI) Internships
| Eligibility: | Current sophomores and juniors |
| Award: | $3,500 |
| Deadline: | Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 12 p.m. |
| Application: | See application guidelines below |
Summer 2008
Purpose
This fund provides students with the opportunity to experience work in the not-for-profit sector through an internship at Social Accountability International (SAI) in New York City.
About Social Accountability International
Social Accountability International, a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization, seeks to improve workplaces and communities around the world by developing and promoting voluntary standards combined with independent verification and public reporting.
Social Accountability International is a rapidly growing organization founded in 1997 to develop a system that can ensure -- regardless of industry or geographic location -- that business practices for auditing and certification of workplace relations are carried out in a responsible manner. The system that SAI has developed includes a standard that adheres to ILO and Human Rights conventions, and a program for monitoring by a third party. The standard, Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000), was developed by SAI with the help and counsel of the SAI Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board includes individuals with a diverse range of experience, including work with corporations, human rights organizations, and labor unions. In addition to benefiting from the active participation of its advisory board members, SAI has also drawn from the longtime experience of the Council on Economic Priorities, which established it.
For more information about SAI, please visit www.sa-intl.org.
Eligibility
Any currently enrolled Wellesley College sophomore or junior is eligible to receive a stipend, provided that she is not receiving funding from other sources for the period covered by the stipend. Graduating seniors are not eligible.
Internship descriptions
Social Accountability International is offering two internships as follows:
- Marketing and Fundraising Internship
issue areas: elimination of sweatshops; business and human rights; monitoring of labor standards in workplaces
SAI seeks highly motivated interns to help plan and market SAI's annual conference and benefit dinner. The types of activities would include the following:- develop Web content regarding conference panels and sponsors
- prepare letters and conduct follow up with conference and benefit speakers
- maintain a database of speaker and attendee registration information
- conduct outreach to promotional partners and develop marketing materials for the events
- help organize the logistics of the events
- track sponsors and conduct follow up as needed
- expand press list and assist with drafting and distribution of press releases
- provide additional support as needed with development, outreach and recruitment for conference and benefit
- General Internship
issue areas: business and human rights; monitoring of labor standards in workplaces; elimination of sweatshops
SAI seeks highly motivated interns interested in research, management procedures, and the elimination of sweatshops worldwide. The position requires a person interested in how businesses implements standards for respecting labor rights and addressing overall workplace issues, including costs and benefits. The types of activities would include the following:- provide research and management support for programs in China, Vietnam, Italy, and NYC and development of potential new programs in India and Brazil
- provide research and management support for a joint project of the six leading labor rights code programs (SAI, ETI, FLA, CCC, WCR & FWF), seeking ways and means to work cooperatively, to be tested in Turkey
- collect and organize data for country diagnostics on labor issues and on country labor legislation
- organize a portion of the annual SAI conference and special event
- perform case studies and cost/benefit analyses relating to working hours, living wage, and other aspects of humane business practices
- maintain office systems and management and organize new systems
- manage incoming information requests and database tracking system
- identify and research potential sources of grants for SAI and assist in preparation of proposals and progress reports
Application Requirements
All applications must include:
- a cover letter that details:
- your reasons for choosing to work as an intern for this organization and your goals for the internship;
- what qualifications you have to contribute (academic, language or other);
- your knowledge and understanding of the issues and the populations the organization serves;
- how this placement will contribute to your academic or future goals (if applicable);
- a current resume;
- a current transcript (may be unofficial);
- one reference; Click here for instructions.
This stipend program requires that the original application materials plus one copy must be handed in by the deadline date and time. The copies may be double-sided.
Participant Requirements
During the spring before their internships, award recipients must attend the following mandatory meetings:
- three pre-internship workshops, dates to be determined
- a meeting to sign a contract agreeing to complete 350 hours of work over the summer at their internship placement
By September 12, 2008, students awarded a stipend from the Center for Work and Service will be required to:
- submit a 3-5 page essay that reflects on their internship experience;
- submit the completed learning contract and supervisor evaluation;
- write a thank you note to the donor of the stipend.
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Tanner Conference, a one-day conference held each fall that celebrates the incorporation of students' off-campus learning experiences into their education. The conference will provide a venue for students to reflect critically upon, analyze and share their off-campus experiences with others in the college community through panel presentations, roundtables, and information sessions.
Stipend
A $3,500 stipend will be awarded through the Beth K. Smith Public Service Award.
Stipends will be distributed in two installments. The initial installment will be given in May after all required contracts have been signed and returned to the Center for Work and Service. This initial installment will be $500 less than the award amount listed for the program. The remaining $500 will be given to you after the Center for Work and Service has received a copy of your thank you letter to the donor, your essay, and the other follow up materials required by the stipend.