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Internships at Green Mountain Animal Defenders
Green Mountain Animal Defenders (GMAD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of approximately 750 members whose mission is "working to protect animals and the environment". Education, legislation, and rescue are the means by which this objective is achieved.
Advocacy/Political Science Internship:
Become familiar with animal related bills being considered by state or federal lawmakers.
Opportunity to go to Statehouse in Montpelier to observe legislative process.
Educate the public and GMAD members about current animal related bills.
Business Administration Assistant:
Answer e-mail inquiries from GMAD members or the community.
Assist with bookkeeping (bank reconciliation, financial reports, bills, etc).
Send thank you notes, document donations, maintain the membership database.
Prepare e-mail alerts about events, volunteer opportunities, etc.
Write letters to the editors of local newspapers regarding animal protection issues.
Take notes at meetings and type the meeting minutes.
Help other interns prepare for or participate in GMAD events as needed.
Education Liaison Internship:
Establish contact with administrators and cooperating teachers in local school systems, camps, and other settings to explain GMAD bjectives and acquire permission to teach students of any age.
Organize curriculum modules using GMAD resources and teaching guide to sensitize children to the humane treatment of animals as well as pet care and safety.
Conduct teaching sessions using prepared curriculum modules and discussion groups.
Graphic Design Internship:
Design posters, print ads or pamphlets for specific animal protection issues, or for events.
Other design-related tasks, as needed.
Help other interns prepare for or participate in GMAD events as needed.
OPTIONAL: Website design and maintenance: tasks may include updating GMAD’s website, including event information, news articles, donation information, banners, etc.
Public Events Coordination Internship:
Prepare calendar of events to coordinate with national/worldwide organizations.
Coordinate event logistics including: permit and site procurement, setting up/dismantling displays and coordinating volunteer staff.
Organize, display and distribute literature and educational materials pertaining to animal and environmental issues.
Publicity/Media Internship:
Initiate and maintain contacts with local media sources (radio, television, newspaper) to both publicize and assure coverage of GMAD events.
Write letters to the editors of local newspapers regarding animal protection issues.
Write and distribute public service announcements (PSAs) on animal issues.
Writing/News Associate Internship:
Research and write articles for GMAD’s annual newsletter. Articles could be about recent accomplishments, event results, animal rescue stories, volunteer opportunities, etc.
Coordinate and work with newsletter volunteer team.
Proofread and help edit newsletter and article drafts.
Prepare e-mail alerts about events, volunteer opportunities, etc.
Write letters to legislators and letters to the editor on animal issues on behalf of GMAD.
Self Designed Internship:
Write your own description of the talents or skills you wish to strengthen and learn how to use them on animal protection issues (ie: graphic design, community outreach, research, newsletter publication, website design/maintenance, public speaking, etc.).
May be a combination of any of the above internships, or entirely different.
We need volunteers too! Click here for more info
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Here's what some of our interns had to say about their time at GMAD:
Writing/News Spring Internship - 2011
Testimonial for Website
When I took on the Writing/News Internship at GMAD, I wanted an opportunity to put my academic background to use in the real world. By working for GMAD, I was able to apply the skills I learned in school. I wrote letters to the editor, promotional material, and website content. However, my favorite project was the newsletter. Not only did I polish my research, writing and editing skills, but I also learned about newsletter production. It was a win-win; I learned about the huge topic of animal issues, how a nonprofit works, and how important public relations are to any organization. I am positive that the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in this internship will be invaluable in my future.
Project Coordinator Spring Internship - 2011
Having an internship as a Project Coordinator at GMAD was exciting, rewarding, and challenging. There was always a variety of tasks to work on. I spent my time writing letters to the editor, attending public hearings, setting up events, and much more. The great thing about interning at GMAD was that it gave me the chance to see all aspects of the operations of a non-profit. There was also a lot of things I did for the first time, which was very exciting. I recorded PSA announcements for the radio, spoke at public hearings, and coordinated with other organizations throughout Vermont. Overall the experiences I gained from being an intern at GMAD have stayed with me years after I completed my internship and it was a great way to utilize what I learned in school and apply it to real life situations.
Spring Internship - 2003
As I was going through the fall semester of my junior year at the University of Vermont I knew there were some changes that I wanted to make in my life concerning my lifestyle. I had just recently turned vegetarian and knew I was going in the right direction, but felt as though I wasn?t doing enough. During my fall semester is when I met Sharon MacNair, director of Green Mountain Animal Defenders, who opened my eyes to a much larger world of possibilities for compassionate living. This was the genesis of my new compassionate perspective.
I started the spring semester of my junior year interning with GMAD. My internship was the Public Events Coordination while also helping out occasionally with the spay and neuter clinic that GMAD helps run. Normally I would go to the office of Sharon MacNair about once or twice a week in order to get my next assignment from her.
With Green Mountain Animal Defenders I had a host of assignments and tasks. These included event planning, organizing speakers at UVM, database entry, office organization, assisting other interns, record keeping at the spay and neuter clinic, and a host of office duties. I learned so much from all of these assignments and enjoyed all of them immensely.
While working with GMAD, I was surrounded by highly intelligent and compassionate people who were great influences upon me. I learned a lot from their lifestyles and how they were able to buy and eat compassionately. Through my research of topics for speakers or calling senators for approval of animal legislation, I learned a lot about the problems concerning our animals. Immediately, I felt very comfortable at GMAD, with Sharon being so kind and always feeding a hungry college student during our routine office hours. There was a wide range of work that I did at GMAD, which gave me so much valuable experience and made me extremely motivated.
Through this internship of constantly learning and expanding my world perception I came out very much at ease with my contribution to the world. I really felt as though I was giving back to the world by buying and eating more compassionately and felt at ease with my niche in the world by having the knowledge and the tools from GMAD to make better choices in my life.
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