Stephen M. Rivers Fellowship Program

Open for applications

Deadline is April 25, 2012

About the fellowship: The United Farm Workers communications fellowship was created in honor of Stephen Rivers, a lifelong selfless champion of La Causa. Rivers, 55, passed away peacefully in his sleep from cancer on June 8, 2010.

Like so many of his generation, Stephen traced his social and political activism to helping organize the United Farm Workers’ grape, lettuce and Gallo wine boycotts during the early- and mid-1970s in his native New England. He served as a full-time union volunteer for four years, first in Massachusetts and then in Connecticut, working his way up to become regional boycott coordinator. Stephen was transferred to the UFW’s national headquarters at La Paz in Keene, Calif. in 1975, where he continued serving the farm workers in organizing and political campaigns. He became affectionately known by the nickname, Esteban Rios.

After leaving his full-time UFW position, Stephen worked with Tom Hayden’s Campaign for Economic Democracy and served as his press secretary and legislative district director. He ran Gray Davis' first successful state Assembly drive. Stephen went on to a distinguished career as a highly successful publicist and media consultant, often advancing other progressive causes. But he always kept Cesar Chavez and the farm workers close to his heart and part of his activism.

Stephen helped spread word about the union’s 1980s grape boycott, assisted Jane Fonda in her support of the UFW, including her commissioning of the famed Octavio Ocampo painting of Cesar, and provided invaluable media consulting services to the UFW during key campaigns over the years. He unceasingly promoted the union’s work, helped attract new allies and mentored union staff. When Cesar Chavez passed away in 1993, Stephen dropped what he was doing to help coordinate international news coverage of the funeral services in Delano, Calif.

He played crucial behind-the-scenes roles in helping convince two California governors to assist farm workers. Stephen contributed to enactment in 2002 of the state’s historic law providing for binding mediation when growers refuse to negotiate union contracts, to issuance of the first state regulation in the nation, in 2005, aimed at preventing farm workers from dying or becoming ill from exposure to extreme heat and to relief for farm workers hit hard by a citrus freeze.

For an accomplished publicist who had so many “big” ideas and relationships, Stephen also made time to handle the mundane chores of daily activism by regularly sending out UFW action alerts to his friends. He was aiding the farm workers, working with union staff, until the final days of his life, which he endured with much courage and humor.

Fellowship terms: The United Farm Workers Foundation is offering a two-month fellowship to mass communications professionals looking to expand their skills in public relations or to students currently enrolled in journalism or public relations classes. Fellows will receive a $1000 stipend at the end of the program.

Responsibilities of the Stephen M. Rivers fellow include:

I.            Objective: Assist with Media Strategies and Marketing Campaigns

II.          Tasks and Responsibilities

1.   Assist the Farm Worker Movement Communications Staff with

a.   Writing/proof-reading press advisories/releases

b.   Preparing other communication materials, such as, TPs

c.   Updating of press lists and creating new ones

d.   Gathering and researching information for reporters

e.   Fact checking information

f.    Media response/checking media email

g.   Researching topics and issues in a daily basis

h.   Proofing final print products

i.     Working with others to produce media materials

2.   General Duties

a.   To write articles/Op-Eds to be used for publication in newspapers, Web sites, blogs and citizen-driven publications

b.   Ensure that all information (press lists) is current and accurate

c.   Other duties as assigned

3.   Responsibilities

a.   Maintain confidentiality on all sensitive information

b.   Maintain a courteous rapport with communications team, other Movement staff, and members

c.   Punctuality and commitment

III.       Knowledge, Skills and abilities

·         Demonstrates excellent accuracy and attention to detail

·         Demonstrates a good command of the English language with good grammar, writing and spelling skills

·         Demonstrates good command of journalism writing AP style

·         Possesses a good knowledge of Web/Internet/Blog publishing

·         Command of Spanish language extremely useful, but a basic knowledge will suffice

Please send your resume and cover letter to: paviles@ufw.org