Pros
CWA is an AMAZING organization! It does amazing work and truly makes the world better through its work. Anyone reading this should ABSOLUTELY support the organization as a whole and its work. CWA is one of the most effective grassroots environmental organizations in the country and the Minnesota office in particular is at the forefront of environmental policy regarding water protections and toxics prevention. I went to work every day knowing that I was making a positive change in the world and had an immense sense of accomplishment and pride in my work for the six years I was there. Canvassing is emotionally draining work, but the people at the Minnesota office are wonderful at supporting each other and providing training and encouragement. The coworkers at the Minnesota office are wonderful and truly care about the work, the mission, and each other. All three canvass directors I worked under at the Minnesota Office made me feel respected and valued as a person and as an employee. I also cross-trained in three other offices and had similarly wonderful experiences there with co-workers and directors. The current office culture at the state level in the Minnesota office is amazing and I cannot say enough good things about the organization and the Minnesota canvass staff. I love them both so much and the work that is done there!
Cons
The national canvass management is abusive and toxic. I was gaslit, lied to, and and treated terribly by the national canvass staff when I stood up for myself regarding my needs to attend to my health and insisting that the terms under which I accepted my role as a field manager be honored. I know of at least two other canvass staff in other offices who were forced out of the organization by the same national staff under similar circumstances and several others who left the organization of their own accord because of those national staff members' behavior and treatment of state-level canvass staff. The same members of management protected abusive staff at the local level (racism, transphobia, sexism, generally abusive behavior) that was reported by multiple staff for years. If you never have to interact with the national canvass staff then it's not an issue, but the manipulative and deceptive treatment of state-level staff by the national canvass staff is untenable for sustained employment. On a seperate note, while the canvassing pay structure used to be very lucrative, it is now pretty sad in comparison to most canvassing/fundraising pay structures and there are multiple policies in place that disincentivize high performance. As an established employee, I retained my original bonus rate as a field manager, but newer employees have a significantly lower compensation rate.