ABOUT US

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project was started by columnist David Brooks and the Aspen Institute in 2018 to counter a culture of hyper-individualism in the US that has left Americans divided, isolated and unhappy. This crisis of connection and decline in social trust has led to rising rates of social challenges that include social division, substance abuse, suicide, enduring disparities, prejudice, and political gridlock.

Yet in every community, some people have chosen to weave the social fabric by investing in relationships, making commitments to others and creating connection. These “weavers” are all different. They lead with love, creating countercultural islands where connection and community are more important than ego and self. Weave: The Social Fabric Project strengthens and supports weavers by providing them access to resources, opening doors to partnerships, and inspiring new generations of weavers. We believe cultural change starts within neighborhoods.

We work in three ways: 1) We connect and support weavers; 2) We inspire new generations of weavers; and 3) We lift up and advance weavers as leaders in the networks and systems of community change.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

In support of this program, Weave is hiring a full time Community Associate, physically located in Washington or Benton County, AR, to facilitate the Weaving NWA program as it seeks to build deep and lasting relationships, grow a community of community builders, and impart lasting skill sets among community members that inspire self actualization as weavers and leaders in their neighborhoods. The Community Associate will serve as the primary liaison for the NWA community while supporting 1) the Weaver Awards, 2) connection building among and between weavers, and 3) growing a community of community builders online and in person.

The Community Associate works under the direction of the Director to provide administrative support, program implementation and coordination, and event support across all aspects of Weave programming. Weave: The Social Fabric Project is implementing a three year program in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) with funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The program will promote social trust through connection, relationship building and elevation of local weavers over the course of 2025- March 2027. The program will include two cycles of microgrants associated with an awards program and a minimum of 6 medium size community builder focused events.

The responsibilities of this full time position is to 1) actively build deep and lasting relationships among and between weavers in Washington and Benton Counties 2) for community action and relational service and 2) to design and implement community engagement activities and gatherings to effectively build a cohesive, community who identify as weavers and community leaders in their neighborhoods.

This role reports directly to the Director. The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $65,000. This role will be working remotely on the team, but physically located in Washington or Benton County, AR.


WHAT YOU WILL DO

Strategic Community Collaboration and Alliance Development

• In collaboration with the team, develop outreach strategies grounded in the local context, communities, and cultural considerations of the area to educate the community on programming and expand the Weaving NWA network of collaborators and allies.

Build Community, Host and Support Events

• Under the supervision of the Director, the Associate will cocreate, organize and implement a minimum of 6 local events of approximately 75 people throughout the NWA region. Support to include but not limited to: sourcing local vendors and venues, speakers, facilitators.
• In collaboration with the team and the PR contractor, support the promotion of the events and community members’ work across multiple platforms including the Weave online subcommunity and social media. Support to include creation of reels and other short visual media, event photos and related content creation.
• Absorb and have ability to replicate and utilize Weave supported tools and methods including public narrative, active listening, facilitation and community dialogue.
• Implement and support small events (approximately 20 people or less) independently.

Promote and Support Weaver Awards and Awardees

• Support and collaborate with a advisors from the NWA area who are responsible for serving as judges to the Weaver Awards and guides to the program. Maintain communications, doodle polls for meetings and calendar invites.
• Support PR and outreach campaigns to raise community awareness and enthusiasm for the Weaver Awards, in addition to amplifying organic and word-of-mouth promotion.
• Partner with the Weave Director to utilize proprietary awards software, monitor entries and follow up with entrants who may need assistance.
• Co-create monthly engagements with the microgrant Awardees during the 2025 and 2026 cohort cycles Foster Community in the online Subcommunity and on Social Media.
• Using templates provided by Weave, interview weavers to generate content for social posts and monthly newsletters. Content should be enough for 4-6 posts per month.
• Create simple Reels or Carousels based on photos captured at Weaving NWA events, Coffee and Conversations or workshops. Content will be reviewed by Weave’s Manager of Communications.
• Welcome new members and Awardees into the online subcommunity and provide them with relevant information and a short demo on how to get the most out of the NWA community and the larger Weave Hub/Learning Center.
• Encourage and share community opportunities from awardees and related news and events in the local area with community members.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• Minimum 1-3 years' experience; Bachelor’s degree a plus.
• Deep knowledge, commitment and experience engaging with multiple communities across NWA.
• Proven ability to gather and facilitate for people of a variety of backgrounds.
• Public engagement or organizing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in event planning is a plus.
• Proficient in MS office and Google suite. Knowledge of Canva. Knowledge of any of the following software a plus - Asana, Crowdstack, Mural, Mentimeter, Survey Monkey, and CVENT.
• Excellent attention to detail, personal organization and time management.
• Ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously under pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; experience and ability to write professional correspondence and communicate with senior school district administrators.
• Excellent computer and internet research skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively within a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn and the ability to be flexible.
• Ability to exercise professional discretion, judgment and diplomacy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

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