Grow & Fortify, LLC.

Grow & Fortify seeks one intern each semester to assist in its governmental affairs efforts. G&F represents non-profit trade associations in the alcohol and agricultural sectors.

The internship is unpaid and interns are based in G&F’s Baltimore office for at least 8-10 hours each week. Some duties may be performed out of the office, but interns will benefit from the collaborative work environment.

Scope of Internship.
While G&F is a small organization, the legislative and regulatory issues it encounters are often high-profile, and life-threatening to the clients it represents. G&F is charged with protecting the interests of the clients it represents, and thus, it must be vigilant during the state General Assembly’s legislative session every January through April.

Much planning goes into G&F’s work for legislative sessions. Planning begins in September in most years, though some larger issues are multi-year efforts. There are some years when MWA has issues/legislation is has sponsored, and in other years G&F must simply keep watch to ensure no legislation is passed that would compromise the industry.

Maryland alcohol is regulated by the State via the Office of the Comptroller, with some event-specific regulation by county liquor boards. Maryland agricultural businesses are regulated by the state and local health departments and department of agriculture.

Intern duties will include:
Governmental Affairs/Relations – Work with Executive Director to manage consumer relations, including:
o Attending Governmental Affairs conference calls (weekly during the legislative session).
o Developing single-issue policy statements for various audiences.
o Meeting with regulators and elected officials to further G&F client issues.
o Attending legislative events to discuss issues with attendees.

G&F Client Member Relations
o Assist executive director in notifying members of regulatory or legislative issues.
o Updating our “action center” if members are needed to testify in Annapolis or attend important functions.

Additional Experience the Interns May Gain
o Contract Negotiations – G&F revises event contracts annually.
o Association Management – attend G&F meetings and manage internal communications.

Successful candidates will have willingness to learn and engage in government relations and governmental affairs, and:
• Have excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills;
• Be punctual;
• Respect deadlines;
• Be a self starter and be proactive;
• Be able to work in a goal-oriented environment;
• Thrive in a high pressure environment;
• Be a strategic and creative thinker;
• Have extreme attention to detail.

Due to the G&F’s promotion of the state’s alcohol industry, interns must be at least 21 years old.