OPIRG BROCK
WEEKLY EVENTS NEWSLETTER
April 18-24
WEEKLY EVENTS NEWSLETTER
April 18-24
People from all walks of life are invited to participate in the research, education, and action facilitated through OPIRG Brock – including not only students but interested community members. All events listed occur in St. Catharines unless indicated otherwise. For a map of the Brock Campus please see: http://www.brocku.ca/parking-services/campus-map. To learn more about OPIRG Brock please see our website at: www.opirgbrock.org. To submit events for inclusion in the newsletter please email opirgbu@gmail.com the Thursday of the week before the event; we’d love to hear from you!
Volunteer Opportunities!
Freeskool Teachers Wanted
Do you have unique skills and knowledge? Do you want to see change in the world? Are you willing to share what you know in a non-authoritarian and interactive way in an informal setting? We'd like you to be part of this project. We are all students and we are all teachers here.
This is more than just an opportunity to learn, we see Free Skool as a direct challenge to dominant institutions and hierarchical relationships. Part of creating a new world is resistance to the old one, to the relentless commodification of everything - including learning and the way we relate to each other.
If you have a class idea that focuses on self-reliance, community, and do-it-yourself culture, propose it to us. We also need: your name, contact information to be included in the course description, the name of your class, dates/times that would work for you, a short description, and any requirements for students (books, equipment, RSVP, etc.) Don't hesitate to email us with any questions if this is the first time you are thinking about teaching a FreeSkool class - we are happy to help.
The FreeSkool deadline for submitting Summer Classes is May 2nd, 2011. Please email your FreeSkool proposals and questions to opirgbu@gmail.com.
For information on past classes and more about FreeSkool, check out our website: opirgbrock.org
Living Learning Community Peer Mentors
Are you enthusiastic about your program or interests? Are you aware of the positive impact you can have on another? Do you enjoy planning events and seeing students succeed while living on campus? If you answered yes, consider applying to be a Peer Mentor for one of our Living Learning Communities for 2011-2012!
Do you have unique skills and knowledge? Do you want to see change in the world? Are you willing to share what you know in a non-authoritarian and interactive way in an informal setting? We'd like you to be part of this project. We are all students and we are all teachers here.
This is more than just an opportunity to learn, we see Free Skool as a direct challenge to dominant institutions and hierarchical relationships. Part of creating a new world is resistance to the old one, to the relentless commodification of everything - including learning and the way we relate to each other.
If you have a class idea that focuses on self-reliance, community, and do-it-yourself culture, propose it to us. We also need: your name, contact information to be included in the course description, the name of your class, dates/times that would work for you, a short description, and any requirements for students (books, equipment, RSVP, etc.) Don't hesitate to email us with any questions if this is the first time you are thinking about teaching a FreeSkool class - we are happy to help.
The FreeSkool deadline for submitting Summer Classes is May 2nd, 2011. Please email your FreeSkool proposals and questions to opirgbu@gmail.com.
For information on past classes and more about FreeSkool, check out our website: opirgbrock.org
Living Learning Community Peer Mentors
Are you enthusiastic about your program or interests? Are you aware of the positive impact you can have on another? Do you enjoy planning events and seeing students succeed while living on campus? If you answered yes, consider applying to be a Peer Mentor for one of our Living Learning Communities for 2011-2012!
What is a Living Learning Community (LLC)? An LLC is a group of students in the same academic program or with similar interests who live together in a residence community. Each LLC is assigned an upper year student and Peer Mentor who provides programming based on the theme of the LLC, support to students, and connects students to faculty and opportunities within our campus and greater community. It is not required that the Peer Mentors live on campus within their community, but they may if they so wish to.
We are currently hiring 5 Peer Mentors (one for each of the LLCs). The positions fit into the following categories:
Peer Mentor - Academic LLC (Accounting, Concurrent Education)
Peer Mentor - Interest Based LLC (Community Engagement & Social Justice, EnviroHouse, Entrepreneurship)
Please find the online application at the address below. The deadline for application is 4:00pm on Friday, April 22, 2011. Thank you for your interest!
http://www.brocku.ca/residence/whoweare/jobopportunities/living-learning...
We are currently hiring 5 Peer Mentors (one for each of the LLCs). The positions fit into the following categories:
Peer Mentor - Academic LLC (Accounting, Concurrent Education)
Peer Mentor - Interest Based LLC (Community Engagement & Social Justice, EnviroHouse, Entrepreneurship)
Please find the online application at the address below. The deadline for application is 4:00pm on Friday, April 22, 2011. Thank you for your interest!
http://www.brocku.ca/residence/whoweare/jobopportunities/living-learning...
Food Not Bombs Volunteers Needed for Saturday afternoons and Sundays
Food Not Bombs - Niagara is starting up again after our winter hibernation! Food servings will be happening every Sunday in Montebello Park. If you would like to help, please contact us about the following (or you could just show up, but letting us know is always helpful):
Food pick-up: Saturdays at 2pm at the market (2 volunteers needed/week)
Cooking: Sundays at 12-2:30 at 10 Bellevue (3 + volunteers needed/week)
Serving: Sundays at 2:45-5pm at Montebello (3 + volunteers needed/week)
Clean-up: Sundays 5:30-6pm at 10 Bellevue (2 volunteers needed/week)
Outreach: help w/ posters (there are some currently at the OPIRG InfoShop at 10 Summer Street), flyers, zines, information, help w/ media (notices in BrockPress, perhaps classifieds?, rants in the view, help with the webpage, email, or fb site, etc.)
Inventory: We are always in need of basic food items to help spruce up donations. Contact us to help.
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=8426983118
Email:
foodnotbombsniagara@gmail.com
Website:
http://foodnotbombs-niagara.weebly.com/
Food Not Bombs - Niagara is starting up again after our winter hibernation! Food servings will be happening every Sunday in Montebello Park. If you would like to help, please contact us about the following (or you could just show up, but letting us know is always helpful):
Food pick-up: Saturdays at 2pm at the market (2 volunteers needed/week)
Cooking: Sundays at 12-2:30 at 10 Bellevue (3 + volunteers needed/week)
Serving: Sundays at 2:45-5pm at Montebello (3 + volunteers needed/week)
Clean-up: Sundays 5:30-6pm at 10 Bellevue (2 volunteers needed/week)
Outreach: help w/ posters (there are some currently at the OPIRG InfoShop at 10 Summer Street), flyers, zines, information, help w/ media (notices in BrockPress, perhaps classifieds?, rants in the view, help with the webpage, email, or fb site, etc.)
Inventory: We are always in need of basic food items to help spruce up donations. Contact us to help.
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=8426983118
Email:
foodnotbombsniagara@gmail.com
Website:
http://foodnotbombs-niagara.weebly.com/
Events!
Free! Documentary Screening: Six Miles Deep
Tuesday April 19, 8 pm, OPIRG Brock InfoShop, 10 Summer St.
To help raise funds for the OPIRG InfoShop, we have gourmet vegan pizza and donuts available for sale each Tuesday! Local Summer Street shops Bella Noella's and Rise Above Bakery will be supplying the food for us, and all proceeds will go towards keeping the InfoShop running.
In this week’s film a group of women from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve rally the community to support the development blockade in Caledonia, and lead a cultural reawakening in their traditionally matriarchal community. Dylan Powell from the Live Free Collective will be our special guest host this week.
Book Launch for Manufacturing National Park Nature, a book by Dr. Keri Cronin
Thursday April 21, 4-6pm, Pan Cafe, 120 St Paul St.
Please join us for the launch of Manufacturing National Park Nature, Dr. Keri Cronin's new book on the visual culture of the Canadian Rockies. The book launch will take place at Pan Café in downtown St. Catharines (http://www.pancafe.ca/) on Thursday, the 21st of April. Drop by between 4-6 for the celebration and to meet the author! There will be vegan snacks and a cash bar. This book launch is sponsored by UBC Press.
Free! Documentary Screening: Six Miles Deep
Tuesday April 19, 8 pm, OPIRG Brock InfoShop, 10 Summer St.
To help raise funds for the OPIRG InfoShop, we have gourmet vegan pizza and donuts available for sale each Tuesday! Local Summer Street shops Bella Noella's and Rise Above Bakery will be supplying the food for us, and all proceeds will go towards keeping the InfoShop running.
In this week’s film a group of women from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve rally the community to support the development blockade in Caledonia, and lead a cultural reawakening in their traditionally matriarchal community. Dylan Powell from the Live Free Collective will be our special guest host this week.
Book Launch for Manufacturing National Park Nature, a book by Dr. Keri Cronin
Thursday April 21, 4-6pm, Pan Cafe, 120 St Paul St.
Please join us for the launch of Manufacturing National Park Nature, Dr. Keri Cronin's new book on the visual culture of the Canadian Rockies. The book launch will take place at Pan Café in downtown St. Catharines (http://www.pancafe.ca/) on Thursday, the 21st of April. Drop by between 4-6 for the celebration and to meet the author! There will be vegan snacks and a cash bar. This book launch is sponsored by UBC Press.
Other Newsworthy Notes!
100% Recycled Paper Now Available at the Brock University Bookstore!
For the first time ever the Brock University Bookstore will be carrying 100% recycled paper for printing. This 8.5 x 11 inch paper is made with 100% post-consumer recycled fibers, is 100% processed chlorine-free (PCF), and is certified by the CFPA. It is also certified FSC-recycled, Environmental Choice/EcoLogo, and is made with biogas energy. It will retail for $9.99. All it took for the Brock University Bookstore to carry this more environmentally friendly option was for an OPIRG member to request it! It helps to let organizations know exactly what you want in terms of environmentally friendly and socially just consumer options!
jhr Invites University Students to Submit Essays for Rights in Review Spring Review
Vol 4. 2011 ISSN: 1925-1777
Rights in Reviewis jhr’s bi-annual peer-reviewed academic journal. Through scholarship addressing human rights awareness and improving peace and security, jhr looks to provide a forum to exchange ideas from a variety of perspectives regarding the pressing human rights and social justice issues of our day. This volume of Rights in Review aims to address themes around, Africa, Media and development, and how the Communication Age is furthering human rights.
jhr (Journalists for Human Rights) is now accepting submissions for our 4th volume of Rights in Review untilMay 6th, 2011. For a full list of guidelines please visithttp://www.jhr.ca/schools/rights-in-review-2/
All submitted articles will be subject to an impartial, peer-review process, in addition to an anti-plagiarism program.
Letter Writing Campaign for Ontario’s Coyotes: A request from Wildlife Ontario
The fate of Ontario’s coyotes and other wildlife will soon be determined. For those who have written letters condemning the illegal coyote killing contests, your voices have gained the attention of politicians. It is the next step, however, that you and I take that will make a difference in the outcome for wildlife. As many of us have learned, the Minister of Natural Resources is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, farmers and rural municipalities to develop a long-term coyote and ‘nuisance’ wildlifemanagement strategy.
However, Ontario’s wildlife "belongs" to all of us! It should not just be up to farmers and natural resource or hunting interests to decide the fate of our wildlife. Particularly, given the ill-informed and brutal approach taken to coyotes in this province. A proposed Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Strategy was quietly posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry in late February, with the public consultation closing deadline set for April 11, 2011. This strategy aims to increase compensation for farmers for loss of crops and livestock due to wildlife predation, but it aims to decrease the cost of compensation by increasing opportunities to kill ‘nuisance’ wildlife through increased hunting opportunities. It also expands the list of wildlife that can be killed. The list now is expanded to include: cougars, lynx, bobcat, ravens, eagles, hawks, crows, turkey vultures, weasels, raccoons, mink and elk. This strategy is ill-conceived. For example, turkey vultures eat only dead things. And farmers are no longer required to learn preventive methods to avoid wildlife predation. Consultations were limited to select agricultural organizations. Our voice is now critical. Wildlife protection organizations will be sending detailed responses. However, it will be the response, however brief, from members of the public like you that will make the difference. Please take a few minutes to send in your comments.
See: http://wildlifeontario.ca/
100% Recycled Paper Now Available at the Brock University Bookstore!
For the first time ever the Brock University Bookstore will be carrying 100% recycled paper for printing. This 8.5 x 11 inch paper is made with 100% post-consumer recycled fibers, is 100% processed chlorine-free (PCF), and is certified by the CFPA. It is also certified FSC-recycled, Environmental Choice/EcoLogo, and is made with biogas energy. It will retail for $9.99. All it took for the Brock University Bookstore to carry this more environmentally friendly option was for an OPIRG member to request it! It helps to let organizations know exactly what you want in terms of environmentally friendly and socially just consumer options!
jhr Invites University Students to Submit Essays for Rights in Review Spring Review
Vol 4. 2011 ISSN: 1925-1777
Rights in Reviewis jhr’s bi-annual peer-reviewed academic journal. Through scholarship addressing human rights awareness and improving peace and security, jhr looks to provide a forum to exchange ideas from a variety of perspectives regarding the pressing human rights and social justice issues of our day. This volume of Rights in Review aims to address themes around, Africa, Media and development, and how the Communication Age is furthering human rights.
jhr (Journalists for Human Rights) is now accepting submissions for our 4th volume of Rights in Review untilMay 6th, 2011. For a full list of guidelines please visithttp://www.jhr.ca/schools/rights-in-review-2/
All submitted articles will be subject to an impartial, peer-review process, in addition to an anti-plagiarism program.
Letter Writing Campaign for Ontario’s Coyotes: A request from Wildlife Ontario
The fate of Ontario’s coyotes and other wildlife will soon be determined. For those who have written letters condemning the illegal coyote killing contests, your voices have gained the attention of politicians. It is the next step, however, that you and I take that will make a difference in the outcome for wildlife. As many of us have learned, the Minister of Natural Resources is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, farmers and rural municipalities to develop a long-term coyote and ‘nuisance’ wildlifemanagement strategy.
However, Ontario’s wildlife "belongs" to all of us! It should not just be up to farmers and natural resource or hunting interests to decide the fate of our wildlife. Particularly, given the ill-informed and brutal approach taken to coyotes in this province. A proposed Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Strategy was quietly posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry in late February, with the public consultation closing deadline set for April 11, 2011. This strategy aims to increase compensation for farmers for loss of crops and livestock due to wildlife predation, but it aims to decrease the cost of compensation by increasing opportunities to kill ‘nuisance’ wildlife through increased hunting opportunities. It also expands the list of wildlife that can be killed. The list now is expanded to include: cougars, lynx, bobcat, ravens, eagles, hawks, crows, turkey vultures, weasels, raccoons, mink and elk. This strategy is ill-conceived. For example, turkey vultures eat only dead things. And farmers are no longer required to learn preventive methods to avoid wildlife predation. Consultations were limited to select agricultural organizations. Our voice is now critical. Wildlife protection organizations will be sending detailed responses. However, it will be the response, however brief, from members of the public like you that will make the difference. Please take a few minutes to send in your comments.
See: http://wildlifeontario.ca/
WPIRG Job Posting: Organizational Development Coordinator
Submission Deadline: April 27, 2011, 5 pm
WPIRG is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual who has a life-long interest in issues of social and environmental justice to fill the full time contract position for the Organizational Development Coordinator from May 2011- May 2012.
The Organization
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is a student funded and directed organization that provides support for students to research, educate, and take action on environmental and social justice issues. WPIRG endeavours to foster a non-hierarchical working environment by following consensus decision-making processes. WPIRG strives to be an anti-oppressive working environment by proactively opposing all forms of oppression such as those based on gender, race, class, sexual preference, age, cultural heritage/ethnicity, religion, gender orientation, and ability.
WPIRG has a high turnover in volunteers and the two to three permanent staff provide continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. They carry out critical support work that maintains the integrity of the organization, assist volunteers in their activism, and provide connections to other activists and organizations. They have an awareness of and interest in issues relating to racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, anti-semitism, ableism and other forms of discrimination, and the ability to work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. WPIRG is a small office environment so staff work collaboratively and share some responsibilities. The primary support for staff is one another.
The Position
The Organizational Development Coordinator is responsible for the overall operations of the organization. Primary responsibilities include financial management, including coordination of bookkeeping, budget setting, and audit; capacity building; strategic planning, including long-term and short-term planning, operational improvements, and visioning; project evaluation; training and supporting a volunteer Board of Directors; policy development; grant writing & administration; maintenance of the organizational infrastructure (i.e. maintenance of library, computer network, etc.) which supports the activism of volunteers.
Integral to the further improvement in WPIRG's ability to meet its mandate is continuous consultation with volunteers, especially the Board of Directors, in developing new approaches and solutions in all areas. Specific objectives and responsibilities that fall under the categories may be articulated by the Board of Directors in workplans that are developed and approved by the Board from time to time – additional responsibilities may also be added.
Employment Terms
This is a full-time one year contract position to replace an employee who is on leave. Because WPIRG is located on a university campus, it follows the cycles of university life – four month terms (the busiest terms being Sep-Dec and Jan-Apr with the slowest term being May-Aug). Work time allocated to the various areas of responsibility will vary greatly, depending on the time of year and academic term. Some evening and weekend work is expected.
Expected start date is May 16th, 2011. The position is 35 hours a week at a rate of $20.01 per hour with extended health care benefits and four weeks paid vacation per year. This is a fixed-term employment and unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1281.
Qualifications
-Demonstrated interest and experience in social and environmental justice and familiarity with contemporary issues and their interconnections
-Anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying this throughout your work
-Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic office environment
-Ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
-Excellent problem solving capacity in a fast paced environment
-Organizational management experience, including financial administration and policy development
-Excellent collaborative skills
-Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
-Demonstrated skills and training in inclusive process: theory and practice of consensus decision-making; anti-oppression; group dynamics; and conflict resolution
-Ability to design and lead workshops & training
-Experience with not-for-profit organizations and working with a volunteer Board of Directors
-Experience writing and administering grants
-Familiarity with a post-secondary environment
-Comfortable learning new technology and software (PC & Mac)
How to Apply
WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe in their cover letter the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to WPIRG. Also in their cover letter, all applicants are asked to provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression. Applicants must provide a resume with 3 references, a cover letter, and a response, no longer than 500 words, to one of the following questions:
- What does anti-oppression mean to you, and how do you engage in anti-oppression work?
-What is the role of organizers in social change?
Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday April 27th at 5pm. Interviews will be held between May 2nd – 6th. Deliver submissions to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; or email applications to info@wpirg.org. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you!
Submission Deadline: April 27, 2011, 5 pm
WPIRG is seeking a dynamic, personable, and creative individual who has a life-long interest in issues of social and environmental justice to fill the full time contract position for the Organizational Development Coordinator from May 2011- May 2012.
The Organization
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) is a student funded and directed organization that provides support for students to research, educate, and take action on environmental and social justice issues. WPIRG endeavours to foster a non-hierarchical working environment by following consensus decision-making processes. WPIRG strives to be an anti-oppressive working environment by proactively opposing all forms of oppression such as those based on gender, race, class, sexual preference, age, cultural heritage/ethnicity, religion, gender orientation, and ability.
WPIRG has a high turnover in volunteers and the two to three permanent staff provide continuity and stability in this ever-changing organization. They carry out critical support work that maintains the integrity of the organization, assist volunteers in their activism, and provide connections to other activists and organizations. They have an awareness of and interest in issues relating to racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, anti-semitism, ableism and other forms of discrimination, and the ability to work with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. WPIRG is a small office environment so staff work collaboratively and share some responsibilities. The primary support for staff is one another.
The Position
The Organizational Development Coordinator is responsible for the overall operations of the organization. Primary responsibilities include financial management, including coordination of bookkeeping, budget setting, and audit; capacity building; strategic planning, including long-term and short-term planning, operational improvements, and visioning; project evaluation; training and supporting a volunteer Board of Directors; policy development; grant writing & administration; maintenance of the organizational infrastructure (i.e. maintenance of library, computer network, etc.) which supports the activism of volunteers.
Integral to the further improvement in WPIRG's ability to meet its mandate is continuous consultation with volunteers, especially the Board of Directors, in developing new approaches and solutions in all areas. Specific objectives and responsibilities that fall under the categories may be articulated by the Board of Directors in workplans that are developed and approved by the Board from time to time – additional responsibilities may also be added.
Employment Terms
This is a full-time one year contract position to replace an employee who is on leave. Because WPIRG is located on a university campus, it follows the cycles of university life – four month terms (the busiest terms being Sep-Dec and Jan-Apr with the slowest term being May-Aug). Work time allocated to the various areas of responsibility will vary greatly, depending on the time of year and academic term. Some evening and weekend work is expected.
Expected start date is May 16th, 2011. The position is 35 hours a week at a rate of $20.01 per hour with extended health care benefits and four weeks paid vacation per year. This is a fixed-term employment and unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1281.
Qualifications
-Demonstrated interest and experience in social and environmental justice and familiarity with contemporary issues and their interconnections
-Anti-oppression analysis and proficiency in applying this throughout your work
-Self-direction and ability to take initiative in a dynamic office environment
-Ability to prioritize work and manage numerous tasks simultaneously
-Excellent problem solving capacity in a fast paced environment
-Organizational management experience, including financial administration and policy development
-Excellent collaborative skills
-Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
-Demonstrated skills and training in inclusive process: theory and practice of consensus decision-making; anti-oppression; group dynamics; and conflict resolution
-Ability to design and lead workshops & training
-Experience with not-for-profit organizations and working with a volunteer Board of Directors
-Experience writing and administering grants
-Familiarity with a post-secondary environment
-Comfortable learning new technology and software (PC & Mac)
How to Apply
WPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe in their cover letter the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to WPIRG. Also in their cover letter, all applicants are asked to provide a brief statement on their views of power and oppression. Applicants must provide a resume with 3 references, a cover letter, and a response, no longer than 500 words, to one of the following questions:
- What does anti-oppression mean to you, and how do you engage in anti-oppression work?
-What is the role of organizers in social change?
Deadline for Submissions is Wednesday April 27th at 5pm. Interviews will be held between May 2nd – 6th. Deliver submissions to The Hiring Committee, WPIRG, Student Life Centre room 2139, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1; or email applications to info@wpirg.org. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you!
