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Amnesty International USA

State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator Program

State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinators (SDPACs) are volunteer leaders who work to prevent executions and abolish

the death penalty. SDPACs work with Regional Death Penalty Abolition Coordinators (RDPACs), Regional Offices, and the

national Death Penalty Abolition Campaign (DPAC) to coordinate AIUSAs work against the death penalty in their states.

They are an important part of their states volunteer leadership teams.

Application Process:

Interested candidates will fill out the SDPAC application form and submit it to DPAC staff. Candidates will be jointly

interviewed and appointed by their Regional Office and DPAC in consultation with the RDPAC.

Roles and Responsibilities:

SDPACs

1) Support the work of AI groups and members in coordination with the Regional Office Communicate with, provide information to, and facilitate the work of AIUSA local and student groups, and

individual AIUSA members in his/her state on the death penalty.

Train AI groups and members on the death penalty issue, and on organizing and lobbying skills Encourage AI groups and members to participate in major state anti-death penalty coalition events

2) Help bring new members in to AI, including those already doing abolitionist work, in coordination with the RegionalOffice

Encourage abolition activists who are not members to sign up for and take online actions on the AIUSA website Encourage abolition activists who are not members to join AI, directing such activists to the Regional Office

3) Support the work of the statewide coalition (as long as it is consistent with AIUSA policy) Serve as AIUSAs representative on the abolitionist coalition in his/her state. Consult with the Regional Office, RDPAC and DPAC prior to and following major strategy meetings of the

coalition; and consult with the Regional Office, RDPAC and DPAC in the planning of major coalition events

(rallies, lobby days, etc.)

4) Serve as AIUSAs expert on the death penalty in his/her state, and provide information on statewide developmentsto the Regional Office and DPAC

Communicate with the Regional Office, RDPAC and DPAC in a timely fashion about death penalty-relatedlegislation in his/her state.

Monitor upcoming executions and other death penalty cases - particularly those involving such factors aspossible innocence, race, or mental illness - and alert the Regional Office, RDPAC and DPAC.

Identify cases where pre-emptive work may be possible, and alert the Regional Office, RDPAC and DPAC to suchcases.

Serve as AIUSAs media spokesperson on state-based death penalty issues.Term of Service

SDPACs commit at least two years of service to the program and meet the expectations outlined below. Participants are

able to apply for subsequent terms of service after a review of their work with DPAC, the Regional Office and RDPAC.

The two-way review will include a review of the support provided by staff and ofthe SDPACs work to meet the program

expectations. The main purpose of the review will be to ensure mutual accountability and provide feedback for

everyone to improve their work toward our abolition goals. Participants who fulfill the programs expectations will

receive recognition of their service. Those who do not continue on as SDPACs will be added to the Abolitionist Circle of

Advisors. This network of SDPAC alumni serves as an important group of seasoned activists who can be called upon by

DPAC and other AIUSA staff and volunteers for input on AIUSAs death penalty abolition work and asked for support

with various activities as needed.

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Program Requirements

In order to maintain their status as an SDPAC and receive recognition for completing a successful term of service, SDPACs

will

set annual personal goals, with semester targets along with DPAC and their Field Organizer complete quarterly reports per semester for their RDPAC, DPAC and Field Organizer attend the annual SDPAC Institute join the regular teleconference calls (bimonthly/quarterly) to provide and gain support from SDPAC peers organize at least one significant, strategic death penalty activity per semester support the AI State Meeting in their state (if one is being organized) attend the Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting when possible communicate with a DP point person or Group Coordinator in each AI group in their state and the other

volunteer leaders, at least once a month

be open to supporting AI activities in their area as neededProgram Benefits

Participants will gain or sharpen their activism skills and make a valuable contribution to AIUSAs abolition goals. DPAC,

working with Regional Offices, will help SDPACs gain:

planning skills information tracking skills

relationships with AI volunteers and abolitionist partners outreach skills coalition building skills effective communication skills spokesperson skills(e.g. speeches, media interviews, presentations) training skills media work skills lobbying skills for state-level legislative efforts resources for activism self-evaluation skills

Staff SupportDPAC will provide

support to SDPACs in carrying out their goals feedback (e.g. insights and suggestions) to SDPACs on their annual goals and regular reports coordination of SDPAC peer teleconference calls advice or feedback when requested business cards death penalty literature and other materials direct support on major clemency campaigns or state legislative campaigns that are prioritized by AIUSA support on other campaigns as feasible

Regional Offices will provide support to SDPACs in carrying out their goals feedback (e.g. insights and suggestions) to SDPACs on their annual goals and regular reports AI literature and materials Contact information of volunteer leaders and student and local groups Support connecting with AI activists in a state as needed Reimbursement for SDPAC-related, pre-approved expenses direct support on major clemency campaigns or state legislative campaigns that are prioritized by AIUSA support on other campaigns as feasible