Applications open for 2014-2015 organizers!

Happy New Year everyone! It's recruitment time for Oxfam Action Corps, as my year is starting to draw to a close. (It has flown!) We are currently seeking 2 dedicated individuals to lead grassroots advocacy and organizing efforts with the Oxfam Action Corps from April 2014 through March 2015. You'll work alongside Oxfam staff and volunteers on our GROW campaign to build a better food system through support of farmers, women, and their communities.

This commitment is beyond that of one of our regular volunteers. An organizer takes a consistent leadership role in grassroots advocacy and outreach, recruiting volunteers for events and activities, such as house parties and visits with elected officials and business leaders. Organizers receive ongoing training and coaching from dedicated Oxfam staff. They commit to one year of volunteer service, giving approximately 8-10 hours/week. People who apply to be organizers are eligible for selection to attend a high-quality, free 4-day training and day of lobbying in Washington, DC from Saturday, April 5 – Tuesday, April 8 (spaces limited to two people per city). Travel and accommodation are provided by Oxfam.

Click here for more information or to apply! 

Happy Holidays from OAC Philly!

OAC Philly is slowing down for the holidays...we hope you have a wonderful, safe December and look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year! We're in the planning stages for a number of events - International Women's Day in March will be the biggest - and excited for the year to come.

To catch up from our last post - the Hunger Banquet at University of Pennsylvania was a great success! Penn for UNICEF did a fantastic job. The Hunger Banquet focused specifically on the plight of children in poverty around the world. It ran so smoothly and closed with performers from different campus groups, which was a treat. A big shout-out to them for a job well done.

We also visited two International Marketing classes at West Chester University last month to talk about the Behind the Brands campaign. Coca-Cola has signed on with us (hooray!) but Pepsi and ABF continue to drag their feet. If you haven't already, pop over to the website to add your name - there's no reason for the products we consume to ruin people's lives through land grabs!

Watch this space for updates, but if you would like a question answered or to get involved in the meantime, please feel free to email me at philadelphia@oxfamactioncorps.org. We'll see you in 2014!

Upcoming Hunger Banquet!

Join Penn for UNICEF for its ANNUAL HUNGER BANQUET! Sunday November 17th at Bodek Lounge (Houston Hall) University of Pennsylvania. 

Come experience how income disparities affect world hunger, get the chance to meet the woman who stood up to the UN and a MNC who were involved in human trafficking ring in post-war Bosnia, and enjoy great performances by Penn's performing arts groups!

 Keynote Speaker: Kathryn Bolkovac.

Ms. Bolkovac is an advocate against human trafficking and the inspiration behind the award-winning film, The Whistleblower.

Trailer: http://www.bolkovac.com/movie- related.html

When Nebraska police officer Kathryn Bolkovac saw a recruiting announcement for private military contractor DynCorp International, she applied and was hired. Good money, world travel, and the chance to help rebuild a war-torn country sounded like the perfect job. She was soon shipped to Bosnia, where DynCorp had been contracted to support the UN peacekeeping mission. She was assigned as a human rights investigator, heading the gender affairs unit. Once she arrived in Sarajevo, she found out that things were a lot worse than she imagined. At great risk to herself, Kathy began to unravel the ugly truth about officers involved in human trafficking and forced prostitution, and their connections to private mercenary contractors, the UN, and the U.S. State Department. Soon, she was demoted, then fired. Feeling threatened with bodily harm, she fled the country, bringing the incriminating documents with her. Thanks to the evidence she had collected, Kathy won a lawsuit against DynCorp, finally exposing what they had done. Kathy advocates and warns of the inherent danger when we contract out our wars and that it is our responsibility to protect the weak and disenfranchised in times of peace. Both gripping and inspiring, Kathy’s story, depicted in The Whistleblower, of courage and honor in the face of insurmountable odds shows that just one voice can make a difference.

Admission is free and dinner from Pattaya will be served (vegan options will be available). $5 donation strongly suggested, all donations will go to support Syrian relief efforts.

Performing arts groups include Onda Latina, Excelano Project, Penn Naach, Dischord, Sparks Dance Company, and Pan-Asian Dance Troupe.

You don't want to miss this!!!

https://www.facebook.com/ events/197210253798073/

Upcoming Film Screening!

In honor of World Food Day, join us on Sunday, October 20th at 7pm on the UPenn campus for a screening of the documentary "Land Rush". Click here to reserve your free tickets and for more details.  It will be a fun evening with snacks and lively discussion - this film relates directly to Oxfam America's current Behind the Brands campaign focusing on land rights and sugar production. Come on out, we'd love to see you there!

David Wax Museum

Hey all! Too many concerts and too much excitement over this way....we're a little behind with posting. Time to catch up...

On September 14th OAC Philadelphia tabled at the David Wax Museum concert at World Cafe Live. While plenty of bands invite us to table at their shows (and we appreciate each and every one!), David Wax has a special connection to Oxfam. He used to be an intern in our Boston office! Very cool. He came over after the show, and while I was too distracted to get a picture, I did get his signature....on our Behind the Brands petition. Fellow band member Greg Glassman also came over and signed as well. Thanks guys!

In addition to a great show, we got almost 50 signatures - it was a very receptive crowd. Thanks also to World Cafe Live for being such a great space, and thanks again to the band for being such strong Oxfam supporters. Hope the rest of the tour goes well for them.

Look forward to posts about Arctic Monkeys and Neko Case coming shortly. And check out our Upcoming Events page to see what's coming next, if you haven't already!