Come spend any time of the year defending the mountains in Tennessee. We have a wide range of internship projects and we welcome new projects.
As of January 2012, Internships are not currently available.
United Mountain Defense
POB 20363 Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
8:00 a.m. - Wake Up for Morning events
8:00a.m.-9a.m. – breakfast (pack a lunch)
9a.m.-4p.m. – Field work or in town event
Nightly Meeting & Strategy
Dinner
Volunteers are asked to fill out an application and provide references. Anyone living in the volunteer house with a warrant will be asked to leave until the warrant is cleared.
UMD is a nonprofit organization that works to embody non-violent philosophy and practice. We do not condone any property damage or any act that could cause harm to others. We provide training in the theory and techniques of non-violence on a regular basis, so you can learn more about what "non-violence" entails.
UMD is a non-discriminatory organization. UMD has a zero tolerance sexual harassment policy. All volunteers are expected to treat others with respect and remember that your actions reflect on the campaign and will affect how volunteers are perceived and treated in the future. In public and at home volunteers are asked to use proper conduct when interacting with others. Inappropriate profanity and sexual harassment are not acceptable. Volunteers are expected to live communally. From housework to providing a safe environment for everyone, communal living encourages sharing, patience, and acceptance of diversity. New volunteers will be paired with an experienced volunteer for their first few volunteer events. Experienced volunteers assume responsibility for training new volunteers in all areas of campaign life. New volunteers can take on responsibilities as they feel comfortable and confident. All volunteers are expected to take care of themselves and the volunteer house as part of their responsibility to the community.
UMD Weapons Policy
While on UMD sites and at UMD activities, volunteers are prohibited from introducing, possessing, using, buying, or selling unauthorized weapons, firearms, ammunition, explosives, or other dangerous weapons. This policy does not apply to knives or to the possession of disabling chemical sprays when used for self defense.
Pet Policy
Fundraising in your local community
We invite you to join us in the fight to save Tennessee's mountains and watersheds. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com if you can join us, have questions about volunteering, or would like more information. If you plan on coming, please submit the application and references by mail or e-mail.
We can’t wait to meet you. The mountains await your help; see you soon!
This information is confidential and stays in United Mountain Defense’s records.
Name: _________________________ Date: _________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip____________
Phone___________________________ E-mail_____________________
When and for how long can you commit to volunteering with UMD? (Give specific dates if known.)
________________________________________________________________
Will you need sleeping space in the volunteer house or do you prefer camping space?
_____ House _____ Camping
Do you have any medical conditions or dietary needs we should know about? (Allergies, vegetarians, etc) ________________________________________________________________
Will you be bringing a vehicle? _____ Yes _____ No
Are you able to use your vehicle to transport volunteers to events and field excursions? ______________________________________________________
Vehicle make and model: ___________ License plate number:______________
Do you have a valid driver’s license? __________________________________
Please respond to the questions listed below. In your reply, please feel free to elaborate on any topics not addressed here and include questions you have about our work. Feel free to type or handwrite your responses on a separate sheet of paper. We look forward to hearing from you!
1. How did you hear about United Mountain Defense (UMD)?
2. Why do you want to volunteer at UMD?
3. What skills do you have and how will they relate to the campaign (i.e. writing, computer, backwoods, art, medic, carpentry, mechanical, gardening, permaculture, etc.)
4. Which of these skills, if any are you comfortable giving trainings in?
5. Have you attended or will you attend a Mountain Justice training camp? Do you have other relevant trainings?
6. Do you have any project ideas for UMD to work on that weren't mentioned? If so, what are they? Do you have a project in mind that you want to work on yourself? Tell us about the project you want to work on. Are you part of a group that will work on this project? If so, do you need more people?
7. Are you interested in taking on a coordination role? ( media coordinator, outreach coordinator, volunteer coordinator, etc)
8. Will you be able to be self-sufficient for the duration of your stay at the UMD volunteer house?
9. Describe the environment where you live.
10. Tell us more about any activist or environmental work you have done. Tell about specific projects you have worked on.
11. Have you had experience with living or working in a collective or cooperative? What did you like about it and what would you like to do differently next time?
12. What would you say is the most challenging thing about working with you?
13. If there's anything else you'd like us to know about you, please feel encouraged to write more!
14. What are your views on using coal as an energy source?
15. What are you views on using non violent direct action and non violent protests against the coal industry?
INTERESTS (please check all that interest you and note that many of the categories overlap)
Scientific Monitoring and Data Collecting / Field Work
is provided. Travel to nearby counties is required.
□ Participate in our air monitoring program. Training
is provided. Travel is required.
□ Engage coal impacted communities in active listening projects. Training is provided. Travel to nearby counties
is requires.
□ Organize mycroremedation projects. This is a start up project and will require travel.
□ Scouting and documenting on the ground conditions
around mine site in Tennessee. Travel is required.
Outreach and Education
□ Staff a UMD info table at a local event
□ Deliver presentations about MTR and coal related issues. Some opportunities for travel may be available.
□ Hold a benefit, party, concert or other educational event.
□ Fundraising
□ Organize a local/regional volunteer network.
Writing, Research and Journalism Projects
□ Journalism. We need volunteers to write for our newspaper, the Mountain Defense which is published once a year.
□ Generate education and outreach materials.
□ Cultivate media awareness, write press release, media advisory and articles to be distributed on our listserv.
□ Research MTR, coal burning power plants and coal related topics
□ Grant Writing and research
Art and Creative Projects
□ Create original art work for stickers, fliers, tshirts, buttons,
posters, banners,and more.
□ Photography. We need volunteers to take pictures in the field and at special events.
□ Set up an art show.
□ Videographers We need volunteers to video tape i the field and at special events.
□ Performer Are you a musician, poet, storyteller. Can you juggle, stilt walk or have a performance special skill. We need performers for special events.
□ Create theatrical skits for street theater
□ Graphic Design
□ Create artistic outreach and education displays
Technology Projects
□ Social Networking: Manage the UMD facebook or myspace account.
□ Help maintain website.
□ GIS / GPS
□ Video Editing
Short Periods of Time Tasks
□ Distribute the UMD newspaper the Mountain Defenders once a year in Knoxville only.
□ Distribute the UMD newspaper the Mountain Defenders once a year in surrounding counties or nearby cities.
□ Distribute event or meeting posters and fliers. Promote
for events.
□ Attend a benefit, party or special event.
□ Organize or participate in a protest, rally or direct action
□ Attend sign making parties to create messaging and design signs.
Office Work
□ Data Entry
□ Make copies, collate, and put together packets of info
□ Mail thank you letters
Challenging Coal Permits
□ Attend a public hearing
□ Gather site specific data on a mine site visit.
□ Request a public hearing for new or renewal surface mine permits.
□ Submit written comments for new or renewal surface mine permits
□ Legal working. We need lawyers, legal students and researchers to help us with monitoring mine permits and
legal work.
Meetings and Regional Trainings
□ Attend weekly UMD meetings in Knoxville.
□ Attend monthly regional Mountain Justice meetings.
Meetings rotate between TN, KY, VA, WV, and NC.
□ Attend Mountain Justice training events.
□ Other, please specify Languages (Indicate level of proficiency for each –basic/intermediate/fluent):
Willing to do translation work: □ written □ verbal
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Please include a photograph of yourself.
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Emergency Contacts
Emergency Contact #1: Name: ______________ Phone: _______________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip____________
Emergency Contact #2: Name: ______________ Phone: _______________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip____________
References
Please provide the name and contact information for three different references that you have known at least 2 years. Please make sure at least one reference is a person you have worked or volunteered with.
Reference #1: Name: ______________ Relationship: ________________
Phone: ________________ E-mail: __________________________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip_____________
Reference #2: Name: ______________ Relationship: ________________
Phone: ________________ E-mail: __________________________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip_____________
Reference #3: Name: ______________ Relationship: ________________
Phone: ________________ E-mail: __________________________
Address__________________________________________________________
City________________ State_________________ Zip_____________
Please sign and date the following items:
I have read and understand the UMD volunteer house agreement:
Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________
I am prepared to be completely self-sufficient. This includes bringing personal supplies, food and money to help with gas and transportation cost:
Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________
I agree to follow all guidelines of the UMD volunteer house:
Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________
Nonviolence code of UMD:
Historically coal companies have engaged in violence and property destruction when faced with citizen opposition to their activities. UMD is committed to nonviolence and will not be engaged in property destructions.
Sign here if you agree to the UMD nonviolence code:
Signature: ______________________ Date: ________________
Privacy and Data Control: I agree that this information may be processed by United Mountain Defense and understand that my privacy will be respected and this information will not be shared with any outside party.
Confidentiality, Copyright and Miscellaneous: By signing/typing my name and the date below, I acknowledge the responses to these questions are all true to the best of my knowledge. To make any false statements on this application would subject me to immediate dismissal at the discretion of United Mountain Defense without any notice, comment, or hearing. I will keep confidential everything that I may hear, see, read, or learn about while volunteering for United Mountain Defense (including but not limited to: membership data, operational information, personal information about others working at UMD, financial information, etc...). If I receive any property or information from or belonging to UMD I will immediately return it if so requested. Any work I do as a volunteer for UMD will belong to United Mountain Defense including any copyright in any writings, photographs, video, etc.
Signed:___________________________________ date______________
