We're recruiting! Join the Oxfam Action Corps and fight hunger worldwide

Hey Everyone,

Oxfam America is currently recruiting new volunteers for 2012-2013. If you are interested in joining the Oxfam Action Corps please sign up and spread the word by February 14th at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org/.

Join the Oxfam Action Corps to support women farmers, fight global hunger, and build a better food system! You will meet great people and work together to change laws that can save lives, defend the rights of the world’s poorest farmers, and protect communities from rising food prices and climate change. You will gain leadership skills, have fun, and change the world!

Anybody can join the local effort! All levels of experience are welcome. You can also apply for Oxfam’s free four-day leadership training in Washington D.C. May 12 – May 15.

This year, we will mobilize for the GROW campaign for global food justice. The women and men in poor countries who struggle to grow enough food to feed their families are facing competition for land and water, rising prices, and climate change. We will call for laws that support women and farmers, sustainable practices, and resilience to climate change, and ensure a better future for people in the poorest regions of the world.

This is a year-round volunteer opportunity, with a deadline of February 14 to apply for the spring training. Find out more and sign up at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org/ .

Check out this video to see what we are all about:

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Earth Week at UVM

http://www.uvm.edu/bored/calendar/category/earth-week

Sister on the Planet will be showing on Earth Day, April 22nd at 5pm at UVM's Brennan's Pub. Please join local Oxfam American supporters and learn from firsthand accounts of how climate change is impacting women leaders throughout the world! Sphere: Related Content

Share your Citizen Climate Activist Story!

President Obama Wants Your Story! And so do we (by 4/21 if possible).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVs5_nbdxVo

* * *

Over the past 12 months, while lobbying for comprehensive climate and energy legislation, I’ve met with dozens of members of Congress. Over and over they’ve said to me: “My constituents don’t care about climate change.”

I’ve also met with many individuals and citizen groups, students and members of faith-based communities, business leaders and municipal employees and I know you do care.

To help get this message across to our elected leaders, the Natural Resources Defense Council and I are asking you to tell the story of what you and your group are doing to address the climate crisis and create a green energy economy for America.

Once we’ve gathered these stories, a team of citizen lobbyists will deliver them to Congressional and White House Administration offices, to let our government know we do care.

Forty years ago, on the first Earth Day, tens of millions of Americans joined their voices to show they cared, and government responded by creating the Environmental Protection Agency and passing the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.

Once again let’s show our leaders that people from all parts of America want them to complement our local actions by passing an effective climate and energy bill.

Please join us in changing the public conversation in America about energy and climate by sharing your story. And while you’re at it, please feel free to pass this on to others who have their own stories to share.

Sincerely, Barbarina Heyerdahl

Vermont Mom and Climate Activist

* *

Instructions for sharing your story:

Here’s what we need from you to get started:

Basic organization/business information:
Name, Number of members, Location (city, state)
Focus area (e.g. education, industry, community, faith-based)

A few paragraphs (about 500-600 words) on what your organization is doing to reduce global warming, promote clean energy, and/or help the environment.

Any other stories you would like to tell, such as a best practice for greening your community or a profile of a star worker/volunteer.

Photos! Interesting images will help illustrate your work. Especially compelling will be shots of your team in the field helping to clean up or green your community.

We want your stories by April 21st, when we have a special opportunity to present them to President Obama. But feel free to contribute stories throughout the rest of 2010. We’ll give them a basic copy edit for consistency, send them to a designer to package with the stories of other groups, and distribute them throughout all levels of government. The end result will be information that amplifies all of our voices!

We are excited to share your stories with decision makers all over the country.

Send your information to us at citizenclimatestories@gmail.com

p.s. email us for a .pdf file to give you an idea of what your group’s story will look like. Sphere: Related Content

Apply to be an Organizer with the Oxfam Action Corps!

Volunteer opportunity: Oxfam Action Corps organizer

Apply by February 15, 2010

Stand up to poverty and climate change – Join the Oxfam Action Corps!

Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization, invites you to join the Oxfam Action Corps, an exciting effort to cultivate grassroots leaders working to enact solutions to poverty and climate change!

The Oxfam Action Corps is a group of dedicated volunteer organizers in more than a dozen US cities who campaign with Oxfam in their towns, engage their elected officials, and reach out to community members at events and concerts. Anyone can join, but those willing to make a time commitment of one-year become eligible for a free Oxfam training in advocacy and organizing in Washington DC.

This year, Oxfam Action Corps organizers will mobilize around one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change and its impact on the world’s poorest communities.

Apply online at: http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org

The deadline to apply is Monday, February 15, 2010.

Oxfam Action Corps teams will be formed in the following cities:

Albuquerque, NM Austin, TX Boston, MA Burlington, VT Chicago, IL Columbus, OH Des Moines, IA Indianapolis, IN

Kansas City, MO Madison, WI Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN New York City, NY Philadelphia, PA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA

As an Oxfam Action Corps organizer you will help convene activities and inspire action—from house parties and film screenings to visits with elected officials—all with ongoing training and coaching from dedicated Oxfam staff. You and your local team will gain practical skills and leadership experience. Corps organizers commit to one year of volunteer service, giving approximately 5-8 hours/week.

Oxfam Action Corps organizers are eligible for selection to attend a 4-day training and day of lobbying in Washington, DC from Saturday, April 18 to Tuesday, April 21 (spaces limited). Travel and accommodation are provided.

Here is what previous Oxfam Action Corps organizers said:

“As an activist, I had done fundraising. But the Oxfam Action Corps was about public education and raising awareness, and I found people really appreciated my work.” Khadija, Mechanical Engineer, Pennsylvania.

“My work with the Oxfam Action Corps has helped immensely in building organizing and mobilization skills. It was a great way for me to start reaching out and getting to know the people in the community.” Julie, Assistant Human Resources/Office Manager, Colorado.

To sign up go to: http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org

The deadline to apply is Monday, February 15, 2010.

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Final Instructions: TOMORROW'S SLO-MO Flash Mob

Dearest VT Oxfam Action Corps members and fellow flash-mob participants!

Since we will NOT be gathering ahead of time to deliver specific instructions to flash mob participants, we are counting on you to PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING & SHARE OUT THE INFORMATION (especially to those not RSVP through facebook or evite -- our central communication mechanisms).

We've got over 100 people RSVP'ed!! All of these folks will gather to demand that world leaders SEAL A REAL DEAL: one that is FAIR, AMBITIOUS & BINDING (F.A.B.). We will be moving in SLOW MOTION throughout the Burlington Town Center Mall to draw attention to the molasses-like speed of the international climate negotiations. Please join us!

INSTRUCTIONS:

BEFORE NOON

• SET YOUR CELL PHONE ALARMS TO GO OFF AT NOON
• If you feel so moved, prepare signs sharing your take on what is needed for a real deal (find ready-made "Real Deal" & F.A.B. posters here)
  

AT NOON

• "SHOP" IN SLOW MOTION FOR FIVE (5) MINUTES
• Start making your way from wherever you happen to be in the downtown mall to Church Street -- the gathering of zombie-like people all walking in the same direction, will surely draw a crowd.

AT 12:15PM

• GATHER FOR A PHOTO ON CHURCH STREET (OUTSIDE the mall, between Starbucks & Old Navy)
• Expect media coverage and bring a camera!
  
• A small group of event organizers and volunteers will be wearing t-shirts that spell out our "ask" and gathering signatures from supporters in the crowd to be delivered to the Senators Leahy & Sanders. If you would like to help, please approach someone with a t-shirt and introduce yourself! :)

ASAP AFTER (12:30PM?)

• SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO directly to photos@tcktcktck.org (and copy Vermont@OxfamActionCorps.org, please!) -- these photos will be displayed immediately to world leaders at Copenhagen!
  
• Give yourselves a pat on the back for pulling off a powerful, fun & peaceful (read: LEGAL & NON-VIOLENT) direct action in the struggle for climate justice!
  
• Consider participating in one of the Climate Justice Vigils being organized throughout Vermont -- http://www.350.org/map

Many thanks to all for your time and support!

Happy Holidays,

the VT Oxfam Action Corps Sphere: Related Content

SLOW MOTION FLASH MOB

On the weekend of December 12th, 2009, climate activists all over the world will be gathering to demand a REAL climate DEAL from their world leaders -- one that is simultaneously FAIR, AMBITIOUS & BINDING (FAB!).

In Burlington VT, at noon on the 12th (12/12 @ 12pm), join the VT Oxfam Action Corps in delivering our message by continuing your holiday shopping IN SLOW MOTION to call attention to the molasses-like speed of climate action.

WORLD LEADERS: The world wants a fair, ambitious and binding international treaty -- SEAL A REAL DEAL!

To RSVP, please visit our event links on Facebook and/or Evite. We hope to see you there! (in slow-mo!)

A few instructions:

1) set your cell phone alarm for 12pm so that we all start at the same time, regardless of where we are inside the mall
2) shop in slow-motion for 5 minutes!
3) make your way towards the Church St entrance to the mall (near Old Navy and Starbucks) to take a photo which will be displayed to world leaders at Copenhagen! Sphere: Related Content

International Day of Climate Action

Written by Andy Burkhardt.

Last Saturday, October 24th I took part in the International Day of Climate Action. It was organized to send a message to world leaders that we need a strong, binding, international agreement to combat climate change.

The first activity I took part in was being a part of an aerial photo of humans spelling out "350 Vermont." It was pouring rain on us, but it didn't dampen our spirits. In fact it was pretty fun even though we got soaked. I even got interviewed by the Burlington Free Press (on page 2) when I was there.

From there we slowly ambled down along a winding route towards City Hall Park while church bells were ringing 350 times. It was pretty moving and probably got a number of people wondering what was going on. There were a lot of people marching which made it even more powerful.

Nearing the end of the night I attended a dance party at Slade Hall where the band Dubnotix performed in support of climate action. It was a great day, and even better because similar things were happening all over the world. It was nice being able to participate in something much larger than myself, and to see people all over the world organizing for a single important cause. Sphere: Related Content