Resilient Local Economies Summer 2024 Internship

Internship Overview:

 

Join American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of MA, and Cambridge Local First (CLF), for a 10-week summer internship on bolstering resilient local economies. The internship will last from Monday, June 3 through Friday, August 9.

 

We are seeking a cohort of highly motivated, self-directed, summer interns to work with us on our public policy and advocacy, business assistance, and public education work. Interns must have strong organizational, communication and research skills, and have a passion for sustainable economy and public policies.

 

Organizational overviews: 

 

• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is a national non-profit organization providing a wide array of tools, templates, and support for independent business owners and advocates. AMIBA builds a strong, equitable, and environmentally sustainable Local Economy Movement by supporting the growth and development of local business alliances and other networks. 

• The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Massachusetts engages business and community leaders in building economies that are local, green and fair. SBN envisions a resilient world economy composed of thousands of inter-connected local economies that benefit the lives of all people and all living things. SBN endeavors to build a successful model in Massachusetts and New England that inspires others to join with SBN in growing the sustainable economy movement.

• Cambridge Local First (CLF) is a non-profit network of 500+ local and independent businesses here in Cambridge. Our mission is to support, promote, and celebrate a “local economy community” by educating the public and government about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of a strong local economy. In accordance with our three-pronged value proposition, our ongoing efforts center on small business assistance, education to the public, and advocacy. We are part of a network of independent business associations (IBAs) around the country, working to amplify local economies in our respective regions.

 

Internship description: 

 

• Interns will spend 10 weeks this summer, during the period of Monday, June 3 – Friday, August 9, with the opportunity to work across three organizations — AMIBA, SBN, CLF. 
• Interns will have individual project responsibilities, which may include, but are not limited to the items below. Internship organizers will work with interns to identify projects that best match their interests: 

• AMIBA:
  • Support existing programming and services, like the Local Leaders Roundtable and Choose Indie Local.
  • Build on current social media plan to boost online reach and engagement.
  • Write blog articles that amplify the advantages and benefits independent businesses provide to their customers, industries, and communities.
• SBN: 
  • The Sustainable Business Network of MA has a long history of supporting local small businesses in their environmental sustainability goals. Our mission is to support green, local, and fair economies. In the Local Food Program, we work to support local farms, fisheries, food makers, and food businesses, through public engagement and business to business programing. We are looking for someone who, with guidance, would like to create and take ownership of an event/communication campaign.
  • Potential Internship Projects:
    • Managing a communications campaign for the Local Food Program. 
• CLF:
  • Support programming and conduct research to develop community campaigns to promote local institutions.
  • Engage with local business owners through direct business canvassing and/or by interviewing business owners for our channel on Cambridge local television.
  • Write news articles for our local newspaper, Cambridge Day, on the significance of local businesses and/or the local economy movement. These can include interviews with local businesses. The Cambridge Day editor will mentor these interns.
  • Offer direct services to Cambridge local businesses, such as website support. 
  • Manage website updates and support website redevelopment. This can include creating an intern page, updating news articles, creating pages to support ongoing programming efforts, and adding calendar events.
  • Create engaging content for our social media accounts, which have a 20,000-person following. These include Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Generate a monthly ongoing community newsletter. 
  • Bolster state, local, and federal policy advocacy efforts.
  • Bolster CLF’s relationships with other independent business alliances around the country. In the past, these have included Portland Buy Local, Local First Utah, Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance, Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Stay Local New Orleans, and JP Local First.

• This internship is remote, though Boston-based interns can co-work in person with staff during the week. 

 

Required qualifications: 

 

• Majoring in public policy, economics, sustainability, business, or a related field.
• Be willing to commit 10-40 hours per week. 
• Have good organizational skills and a commitment to detail.
• Have good communication skills.

 

How to apply:

 

Email a cover letter and resume to Theodora Skeadas (theodora@cambridgelocalfirst.org).