Connect 313 Overview
Connect 313 is a city-wide, data-driven digital inclusion strategy that brings countless organizations together with the bold goal to make Detroit a national model for digital inclusion and ensure all Detroiters can access the digital world and the opportunity it brings.
The mission of Connect 313 is to put in place by 2024 the means for all Detroiters to have access to appropriate devices, internet connections, technical support, and digital resources for improved learning, employment, and wellbeing.
To achieve its mission, Connect 313 focuses on supporting the broader Detroit digital equity ecosystem by engaging in policy advocacy efforts, facilitating community governance, and organizing to administer the Connect 313 Fund, and spearheading a robust data operation.
Scope & Overview: Connect 313 Community Organizing Program
The role of Community Organizer has been created to operationalize and expand the efforts of Connect 313 by offering each of the seven districts of Detroit access to their own Connect 313 Community Organizer, who will serve as a recruiter of members, resource liaison, and advocate for digital inclusion by organizing groups of people who share common goals. Community Organizers report to a local nonprofit or community development corporation, who serves as their host organization and central hub for community engagement.
The Community Organizing Manager will work in tandem with the Connect 313 management team to effectively manage the Community Organizing program. This is a role focused on managing the beginning of an organizing campaign with a heavy emphasis on coalition building and public engagement. This will involve working with Connect 313 leadership to execute an engagement program that sets clear goals, establishes systems of accountability, and tracks progress toward a range of objectives.
The Manager will also be responsible for rolling out a training curriculum for staff and volunteers. The position will require poise and comfort dealing with the Connect 313 leadership team, leaders from local partner organizations, and other organizers. The prime candidate will be passionately committed to our mission, able to think strategically and act pragmatically, willing to work with anyone who can help (regardless of party or ideology), and creative about bringing the stories, data, and facts about the digital divide to state legislators, Congress, the media, and the general public.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Strategy Team to create a cohesive strategy for public engagement
- Oversight of all field operations
- Oversee the day-to- day activities of organizing program
- Create and adapt outreach materials, trainings, and tools
- Manage and coach Community Organizers
- Develop and lead trainings for staff, volunteers, as well as external trainings for local constituency groups
- Build partnerships with allied groups, other political organizations
- Collaborate with the Chief Advocacy Officer to identify opportunities for online to offline organizing
- Assist with the development of Community Organizer SOP’s and management materials
- Liaise between host organizations Connect 313 management team to regularly update Community Organizers on resources and information to share with community residents, and to also share community needs based upon Community Organizer findings and Connect 313
Preferred Qualifications & Qualities
- 3+ year experience developing and running organizing program
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology tools training and/or product implementation
- Highly organized, methodical, and self-directed
- Social and highly skilled at forming relationships
- Connected to the Detroit social and political ecosystem
- Highly adaptable
- Outstanding interpersonal, written, and oral communications, planning and organizing skills
- An understanding and deep familiarity with, and passion for digital inclusion and social equity issues within the Detroit community
- Demonstrated skills in coalition building, political strategy, and campaign management
- Experience implementing a field plan and training program
- Ability to work well with senior staff across departments
- Exceptional interpersonal communication skills
- Excellent management, strategic thinking, and planning
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Interest in digital equity issues
Compensation Structure
The Connect 313 Community Organizing Manager role is structured as an independent contract. The person or organization selected will contract with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the fiduciary partner of Connect 313. The Community Organizing Manager will be compensated on a contractual basis up to $5,000 monthly, (up to $60,000 annually) for an initial 12-month contract that is renewable based on the performance and completion of year 1 objectives.
Contractor Eligibility
Proposals will be accepted from organizations with a dedicated individual(s), that:
- Are qualified to conduct business in the State of Michigan and the City of Detroit.
- Are in a corporation or a limited liability corporation (LLC) in good standing with the Secretary of State.
- Appropriate insurance coverage is required, including a minimum comprehensive liability limit not to be less than $500,000 and general liability insurance with a coverage limit of not less than $500,000.
Proposals will be accepted from individuals who have substantial experience and success with the following:
- Demonstrated skills in coalition building, community organizing, and strategic planning
- Providing professional, effective communication and coordination of services with diverse members of the Detroit community
- Effectively managing and coaching teams toward targeted outcomes
- Coordinating with multiple parties to meet deadlines
- Accomplishing goals with partners and stakeholder across multiple organizations
- Self-directing time and tasks as required by hybrid roles
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND DUE DATE
Proposers shall submit proposals electronically to info@connect313.org by 5 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022. Inquiries regarding this RFP may be submitted to info@connect313.org no later than Sept. 28, 2022, by 3 p.m.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
Individual applications shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
- Cover Letter. A one-page cover letter containing:
- Entity name and address
- Phone, website, and email address
- Approach/Work Plan. Describe your approach to community organizing projects. How do you set goals for a team, manage & coach team members, and build partnerships with other organizations?
- Capacity. Explain Proposer’s workload capacity and level of experience commensurate with the level of service required by Connect 313.
- Local Resources. Describe your proposed use of local businesses and markets in and around Detroit. Include the steps you have taken in the past to promote community involvement, as well as the steps you would take if selected for this project.
- A current résumé, including a description of qualifications, skills, and responsibilities
- Experience/Work Samples. Provide previous work examples that demonstrate how you meet the experience requirements listed in the scope of work and qualifications sections of this posting.
- One project undertaken in the past three years (preferably for non-profit) that involved services similar to the services listed in the Scope of Services of this posting. For each example, provide the following information:
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- The scope and goals of the project and how success was measured.
- A description of your role in the project and, if applicable, a description of the work of other contractors.
- Provide a reference for the project – client’s name, title, email address, and telephone number.
- If applicable, attach relevant work samples or a visual representation of the work (for example, a URL for a website, a printed screenshot, etc.).
- Cost/Budget. Provide hourly rates or other fee structures for the services listed in the Scope of Services, of this RFP.
- Capacity. Explain Proposer’s workload capacity and level of experience commensurate with the level of service required by Connect 313.
- Sub-consultants. A list of the tasks, responsibilities, and qualifications of any sub-consultants proposed to be used on a routine basis.
- Nondiscrimination. Written affirmation that the firm has a policy of nondiscrimination in employment because of race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical handicap, political affiliation, marital status, or other protected class, and has a drug-free workplace policy.
- Local Resources. Describe your proposed use of local businesses and markets in and around Detroit. Include the steps you have taken in the past to promote community involvement, as well as the steps you would take if selected for this project.
Proposal Evaluation
Proposals meeting the above minimum qualifications will be evaluated by Connect 313 using the following criteria:
MAXIMUM POINTS
(50) Specialized experience in the type of work to be performed, specifically including coalition building and team development.
(40) Qualifications and experience of the individual to perform this scope of work.
(20) Quality of proposed approach/work plan.
(20) Quality of work samples.
(30) Familiarity with digital inclusion, community organizing, coalition building, and team management.
(40) Availability and capability to perform the services described in this RFP.
(20) Overall cost of the contract.
(__) Interview (if conducted)
220 = Total Maximum Points
Proposals submitted from Detroit-based proposers will have special consideration. Interviews may be requested prior to final selection. Awards will be made to the highest-ranked proposal according to the evaluation criteria. If contract negotiations are unsuccessful with the highest-ranked proposal, Connect 313 reserves the right to enter negotiations with the next highest-ranked proposal.
CONTRACT
Connect 313 desires to enter into a professional services agreement, which includes all necessary community-organizing-related initiatives, whether the services are specifically outlined in this RFP. The selected proposer will be expected to sign a written agreement, which will incorporate this RFP and the awardee’s proposal. Negotiations shall be limited to terms Connect 313 chooses to negotiate, at Connect 313’s sole discretion. Connect 313 anticipates payment for services on a monthly invoice basis. However, Connect 313 will also consider alternative proposals. Connect 313 reserves the right to negotiate a compensation package that is fair and reasonable to Connect 313, as determined solely by Connect 313. It is anticipated that Connect 313 will enter a one (1) year agreement, which thereafter may be extended upon written consent of both parties for an additional one (1) year term.
