Location of Organization/Basic Contact Information:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Nonviolent Peaceforce - Minneapolis
425 Oak Grove Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
United States
Phone: 612-871-0005
FAX: 612-871-0006
Organizational Division of the HR Association:
Most of the staff are in Brussels and in Minneapolis. There are individual staff in other parts of the United States, and then in Ecuador, India, and parts of Africa.
There are five full-time staff in the Minneapolis office, and one part-time employee.
There are a significant number of near full-time volunteers as well.
There is an international governing council that serves as the Board of Directors.
Organization Mission Statement:
The U.S. Nonviolent Peaceforce Chapters Association nurtures a powerful network of local chapters that help the global Nonviolent Peaceforce build a trained international civilian peace force. Through sharing of resources, skills, communication, and education, the Nonviolent Peaceforce will be sent to conflict areas to prevent death and destruction and protect human rights, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle nonviolently, enter into dialogue, and seek peaceful resolution.
What are the basic goals of the organization?
The organization at the very base, strives to employ civilian peacekeepers in peacekeeping and building work. The field workers are highly experienced and trained, and give the opportunity to regions in the world that are engaged in struggle to enter into dialogue and mediation to begin to resolve conflict. The organization has roots in both the American Civil Rights Movement and also with the Kosovo conflict. During a prison sentence in a Serbian jail, one of the founders of the peaceforce organized the idea of the peaceforce in an effort to avoid the kind of struggle he had experienced while trying to achieve peace in the region.
The organization is involved in Peace Bonds, which are creative and artistic “bonds” that can be bought in different donation denominations. Peace bonds give the donor a tangible reminder of the work they’ve done with their donation toward building peace. The NVPF is closely involved with the sale and awarding of the bonds.
Finally, the organization is involved in Work A Day: on 9/11, workers around the United States vow to dedicate the day to peace, and many beyond this donate their wages to nonviolent organizations.
Does the organization have a long-term goal(s)? A 5- or 10-year plan?
This goal is to assure that in the long term, there are peace workers on the ground in conflict areas to allow for nonviolent struggle and communication to resolve conflict.
Describe a “day in the life” of the organization? What basically is accomplished by employees and volunteers on a daily basis?
For the most part in the Minneapolis office, the bulk of the time is spent raising money and networking. Most of the employees spend time doing outreach, communications, and keeping in touch with donors.
A field worker, on the other had, is highly trained and active in daily peacebuilding activities tailored to the region. This could involve community organizing, counseling, and mediation, as well as a number of other tasks.
Who does this organization employ? (i.e. Graduate degrees; only grant writing background, etc). Why?
It all depends on the role since the roles are specialized. Depending on the position, we need specific backgrounds and expertise. (this would include fundraising, organizing, translating) People in the field have more stringent requirements: another language, experience on the long term with other cultures, and backgrounds with international relations and peacebuilding. The field positions are paid, and usually field workers are asked to wait until their mid-twenties (and older) to embark into the field.
What is the preferred gender/race background/religion of employees?
The NVPF strives for gender balance, and there is an even breakdown in employees by gender, but most of the volunteers are women. In the field, the genders and ages range quite evenly.
Do employees need a second language?
No, not in the US office. The international field team does need other languages, and those may be tailored to the region (for example, a background in French may be necessary for some African assignments).
Where does this organization advertise when there are job openings?
Jobs are usually listed in member listservs and on NVPF website.
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1. Does this organization take volunteers?
What are the expectations/minimum requirements for volunteers in this organization?
Yes. It is all depending on the tasks necessary. There are mailings, fundraising, data input, event planning, and networking. The more time a volunteer is willing to put in, the more specific and higher-responsibility the tasks.
Volunteers exist many cities and localities in the United States. Most of the volunteers organize mailings, sell peace bonds, and keep networking throughout the United States.
2. Does this organization take interns?
What are the expectations/minimum requirements to obtain an internship with this organization?
The NVPF has had interns in the past. They are not regular fixtures in the program, but when they exist, they are often for fundraising and event planning purposes. Interns generally are paid—NVPF contracts with other organizations to pay for the position. The NVPF is ALWAYS taking interns, provided there is an additional source of funding to pay the intern—NVPF is not always able to pay interns for their work.