Student Social Justice Training Institute 2013 - Jul 17th-20th!

From SJTI:

SAVE THE DATE
Student Social Justice Training Institute 2013
University of Massachusetts Lowell
July 17-20, 2013

The Social Justice Training Institute will provide an an intensive developmental opportunity for students to examine the complex dynamics of oppression and to develop strategies to foster positive change on their campuses and in their communities.  Students who attend the institute will be given the opportunity to explore the identities that make up who they are and better understand the extent to which these identities impact all they do.

Through facilitated activities and exercises along with small group dialogue, participants will engage in conversations that will challenge and support them in their journey toward understanding how they can each - individually - impact our global community.  The institute is open to 50 undergraduate students on college and university campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cost is $495 which includes registration, lodging, and meals. Free ground transportation options will also be available. Please check www.sjti.org in the upcoming weeks for more information on important dates and deadlines (application deadline in April), tentative schedule, lodging accommodations and travel suggestions. Additional questions can be sent to student.sjti@gmail.com. 

National Young Feminist Leadership Conference - Mar 23rd-25th!

From the Feminist Majority Foundation:

The Feminist Campus Team knows that this is an important time for your groups as you organize and plan actions and events for the semester ahead. We want to make sure you have all the tools you need to plan your delegation's trip to this year's National Young Feminist Leadership Conference.

There is a ton of helpful information over at theNYFLC homepage, and we recommend you check out our fundraising page where you can find lots of suggestions to help your group raise funds for your trip to Washington, D.C. Also, make sure to book your hotel room with the DoubleTree Hotel before March 9th to receive a special discounted rate! Check out the NYFLC hotel website for information and to reserve your spot.

As usual, this year's National Young Feminist Leadership conference will provide leaders and members with valuable leadership training and guidance from two days full of amazing panels and speakers on a wide range of feminist issues. Here are just a few examples of what topics you can expect:

• Building a response to the Attacks on Abortion and Family Planning and the State and Federal Level
• Activist Skill Building in Social Media, Fundraising, and more
• Organizing in Your State Capitol
• Attacks on Collective Bargaining and Women Workers
• Global Reproductive Rights
• Ending Gender-Based Violence
• State Referendums and LGBTQ Rights
• Eco-Feminism
• And many more!

In addition, we will be giving out prizes to the three largest delegations as well as the group that has traveled the furthest! When you are ready to register your group, email us at nyflc@feminist.org for details on group registration discounts.Register today!

As always, your National Campus Organizer is here to answer your questions and help find solutions with you as you begin to plan your conference trip, so do not hesitate to contact us!

Teach For America Alternative Spring Break - Apply by Feb 10th!

From the Center for Community Engagement:

Teach For America - Las Vegas Valley & The Zappos Family Alternative Spring Break: March 17 - 23

The Teach For America – Las Vegas Valley & the Zappos Family of Companies Alternative Spring Break is intended to spark bold, new innovations that expand opportunities and close the achievement gap in the Las Vegas Valley community.
Who: You must be a freshman, sophomore, or junior in college. We are seeking applicants who are passionate about and driven by the objective of expanding opportunities for all children, especially in low income communities. Additionally, we are looking for participants who are risk-friendly and open to trying out new approaches or taking less-familiar pathways.
Application Deadline: February 10
More Information: https://sites.google.com/a/teachforamerica.org/alternative-spring-break/

ARC International Humanitarian Law Peer Education Program - Applications Due Feb 1st!

From the American Red Cross:


IHL Peer Education Program 2013

What is IHL?
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the body of law that places basic limits on how war is waged. It
aims to protect human dignity during times of armed conflict, and to prevent or reduce the suffering and
destruction that result from war.

Background
The IHL Peer Education Program is a new initiative from the American Red Cross to
to provide chapters with a model to disseminate IHL through direct outreach to young people, who in
turn will reach out to other young people. This year’s program is a pilot program with only nine other
chapters in the country participated. Through this experiential learning method, the goal is to expand,
broaden and diversify the reach of the ARC in teaching the American public about the laws of war and
why they are important.

The IHL Peer Education (“IHL Action Program”)
This program involves IHL Team Mentors which consist of a pair of young people ages 18-25, who
support (2) Team Members or other young people ages 13-17 or to learn about IHL and then to apply their
learning through a project.

Free Webinar on Gender Identity & Expression in the Classroom - Jan 16th!

From GLSEN:


Gender Identity and Expression in the Classroom: The Experiences of Gender Nonconforming and Transgender Students in School

DATE: Wednesday, January 16th

TIME: 4-5pm ET

This webinar will discuss the role that gender expression plays in the school experiences of LGBT students and the attitudes and experiences of gender nonconforming and transgender students in school. Highlighting findings from several GLSEN research surveys, we will examine gender nonconformity issues for younger students in elementary school and discuss the prevalence of a hostile school climate for gender nonconforming and transgender youth in secondary school. 

We will also discuss educators' attitudes, efforts, and responses regarding gender nonconformity and transgender student issues. Finally, we will highlight critical resources for students and strategies for educators and advocates to create safer and more affirming schools.

Click here to register.

Teacher Leaders Needed - Apply for a Teaching Ambassador Fellowship by Jan 29th!

Teacher Leaders Needed: Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Application Released!

The application for the 2013-2014 Teaching Ambassador Fellowship has been released. We invite teachers to apply for either or both the Washington Fellowship and Classroom Fellowship programs by January 29, 2013 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Since 2008, the Department has employed eighty outstanding teachers on a full or part time basis through the Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program. This highly selective program was created because we believe that teachers should have meaningful opportunities to both contribute to, and understand, the policies that impact their students and school communities.

The Washington Fellowship is a full-time appointment based at the Department’s Headquarters in Washington DC. The Classroom Fellowship enables teachers to participate on a part-time basis for the Department, in addition to their regular school responsibilities, working in collaboration with the Department’s Regional Offices.

All Teaching Ambassador Fellows spend one year learning about key federal programs and policies; sharing their expertise with federal staff members; and providing outreach and communication about federal initiatives to other educators on behalf of the Department in order to help teachers understand and implement these efforts at the federal, state and local levels, to improve the likelihood of their success. For the Fellows, the program adds greater knowledge of educational policy and leadership to their toolkits to contribute to solutions at all levels for long intractable challenges in education.

To access the applications, please visit our Applicant Information page or go directly to www.usajobs.gov to apply for the Washington Fellowship and/or the Classroom Fellowship.  

Teacher leaders — please consider applying and share this information with your colleagues! Read the related ED blog. Sign up for updates on the application process. Call 1-800-USA-Learn or email us at TeacherFellowship@ed.gov with questions.

Apply by January 14th for Congressional Hunger Center National Hunger Fellows Program!

The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) is excited to offer a unique opportunity to be actively involved in the movement to end hunger and poverty. CHC is a bi-partisan organization committed to making access to nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food a national priority. Every year, we look for promising young leaders who care about addressing the problems of hunger and poverty in communities across the nation. Our national initiative, the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, trains, inspires and sustains a tight-knit community of emerging leaders committed to social justice. The program provides Fellows with an opportunity to gain practical experience fighting hunger and poverty, work with community-based and national leaders, deepen their analysis around poverty and develop leadership skills.  Each year, 16- 20 Emerson National Hunger Fellows help shape and implement local social justice programs all over the U.S. and then research and support national policy initiatives in Washington, DC.  

Participants are selected for this eleven-month program based on the criteria below.  Fellows are placed for five months with urban and rural community organizations involved in fighting hunger at the local level, such as grassroots organizing groups, food banks, advocacy organizations, economic development agencies, and local government offices.  They then move to Washington, D.C. to complete the year with five months of work at advocacy and public policy organizations involved in anti-hunger and anti-poverty work at the national level.  This unique program allows Fellows to bridge community grassroots efforts and national public policy. Applications are encouraged from candidates reflecting diverse educational, cultural, personal and experiential backgrounds.

Benefits

A living allowance of $16,000, health insurance, travel expenses, housing in the field, a $4,000 housing stipend in D.C., a $3,500 end of service award, relocation subsidies, professional development training opportunities, membership in a learning community of fellow Fellows, connection to an extensive network of alumni, partners, and experts, experience with community and policy leaders, training, mentoring, and leadership development, and experience in project management are included.

MEDLIFE

My name is Luis Limo. I am an Associate of Student Affairs for MEDLIFE and I wanted to forward this information to you.

Medicine, Education and Development for Low Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE) is a grassroots student network with a mission to free people from the constraints of poverty in order to live healthier lives. Our work includes creating an international network of student leaders to raise awareness about the root causes of poverty, as well as organizing medical mobile clinics and development projects for communities in need in Latin America. 

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide are facing a critical shortage in healthcare. This fall, MEDLIFE will be traveling across the United States to raise awareness about this important issue. If you believe there are students at your campus who would be interested in learning more about MEDLIFE and the One Billion+ Campaign, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Also, If your school has a particular student or group of students that you feel would be a good fit to join our national network, apply for one of our international internships, or participate in a MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic please feel free to forward this information on to them and I will gladly answer any question they may have. Lastly, if you have any questions about MEDLIFE please don’t hesitate to email me or contact our primary office in Lima, Peru at 207-433-0576.  

For more information about our activities, please see the link below.

As we say, medlove,

Luis A. Limo
Associate of Student Affairs
MEDLIFE
www.medlifeweb.org

Call for Nominations for GLBT Issues Awards - Due Nov 9th!

From NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education:

The NASPA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Issues Knowledge Community provides avenues for both social and professional involvement. Knowledge Community activities allow for personal and professional growth, increased awareness and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professionals and students, and promote understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender professional and student needs.

Call for Nominations:

GLBT Issues Knowledge Community recognizes individuals, programs, and research that have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of sexual and gender minorities inclusivity and education at the highest and broadest level. The awards aid to exhibit excellence and/or innovations that have added to the profession of Student Affairs and Higher Education and enhance the lives of their communities.

The NASPA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues Knowledge Community has six awards that are presented on behalf of the organization:

1.      Promising Undergraduate/Graduate Student Award (1)

2.      Outstanding New Professional Award (1)

3.      Service to NASPA (1)

4.      Service to Student Affairs (1)

5.      Exemplary Program (1)

6.      Research Award (2)

Click Here or copy/paste the link below to view the awards descriptions and qualifications. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ceyqls46627qscd/GLBT%20KC%20Awards%20Descriptions%202012.pdf

Click Here or copy/paste the link below for the Awards Nomination form. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEFIZU1GUTVvN3ZKQkFTV

m1lei0xSmc6MQ#gid=0

The deadline for submissions of all awards is Friday, November 9, 2012. Individuals selected for the award will be notified by January 28, 2013 and will be expected to submit a current resume or CV to the Awards Chair at that time.

If you have questions about preparing your application or other comments,

please email the Awards and Recognition Chair Nicky Damania at nickydamania@gmail.

Call for Judges:

We are seeking for volunteers to serve on the Awards Selection Committee to aid in selecting the recipients of seven awards. If you are interested in this opportunity or know of others who would be, please send an email to Nicky Damania at nickydamania@gmail.com.

--
T.J. Jourian
http://about.me/tj.jourian

Co-Chair, NASPA GLBT Issues Knowledge Community
http://naspa.org/kc/glbt/default.cfm

Showing Up for Racial Justice's "No Room 4 Racism" Campaign Kicks Off!

From Showing Up for Racial Justice:

EDUCATION ACTION TOOLKIT

Who isn’t tired of the barrage of negative assumptions, assertions and allusions to people and communities of color in this presidential election season. We at Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) want to re-focus this election on the real issues that matter to us not the thinly-veiled attacks on communities of color, poor people and women that prove so distracting and damaging well beyond Election Day.

Starting today, October 8^th and ending on Election day November 8^th, organizations and individuals from around the country will engage more white people in viewing the elections through a racial justice lens. Participants have signed up to take part in a series of actions designed to advance efforts for social justice and elevate the visibility of white people Showing Up for Racial Justice.

Throughout the month we will shine a light on some key issues: education, immigration, voter suppression, criminal justice, and the economy.

You can help amplify and create change with your communities, organizations, online, at work, and even in your own home. We’ve crafted these actions to fit into your lifestyle and allow you to Show Up for Racial Justice this election season because every little bit counts!

Week 1 = Education

The disproportionate numbers of children of color and poor children who are not graduating from high school, and the systemic pattern of a school to prison pipeline for young black and Latino youth are destroying the futures of millions.

What we can do: As white people showing up for racial justice we want to use this week to show that we believe all children and youth deserve an education that honors and respects who they are, are provided with equal and fair classroom settings, and who are given the tools to be successful, active citizens of the world.

2 MINUTE ACTION: In just 1 click you can spread the word

Twitter: click for an already formatted tweet: http://bit.ly/surj-nrfr-edu (Or copy/paste in Twitter and make sure to use our #noroom4racism tag) Education is as important as the economy. Youth deserve a future, not incarceration. #schooltoprisonpipeline #noroom4racism

Facebook: Post this image on your facebook page and share your thoughts on the mis-education of our youth, and the perils of systemic racism in our education system.

5 MINUTE ACTION: Download, print and snap

Using our readymade sign: just print it out and snap a pic of you holding it and upload it to our facebook page or website.
You can do it on your lunch break, or even when you get home from work — taking a photo with your whole family is a great reason for starting a dialogue about critical issues of race. Be bold and share via your facebook too. Feel free to get creative and make your own sign too!

ON A WEEKEND OR AFTERNOON

Over Dinner…. Hold a house party to discuss race and the election: Use a short movie, or the presidential debates to spark the conversation. Use the Ballots and Beyond toolkit for ideas for how to structure the house party and conversation. This is a toolkit put together by Catalyst Project (www.collectiveliberation.org) as a fundraising tool and can be adapted to your locale.

On a Saturday with Your Friends
1. Go to a public place with at least two people, and a video camera.
2. Signage reads: Does it Matter if Your Black or White? Education, Race, and the Elections 2012
3. Interview people on camera after engaging with them the way the racism is being used during this campaign.
4. If they AGREE with you, ask them to say the following on camera: My name is _________ and I want a fair campaign, where all Americans are unified—not divided—by race and culture. No Room 4 Racism

ONGOING:“Thanks for Doing It Right!”

We know it doesn’t happen a lot, but when someone does something “right” around race in the election make a note of it. Hold it up as how we want to see the issue of race communicated during this campaign. If you notice someone doing it right, or someone doing it wrong, we want to hear about it! Write a short post on our website, or share on Twitter and use our campaign #NoRoom4Racism!

Using social media consider the following steps:

1. First, state what the person/media campaign did that was positive
2. Use the positivity to point out issues of “fairness”
3. Use comparisons of when people haven’t been “fair” about race
4. Reiterate this is what everyday Americans want

HELP US CREATE THE MOVEMENT: NO ROOM 4 RACISM!

Your Actions are important! We want to shine the light on people who care! So please document your action(s) and do the following:

• Post on our Facebook: ShowingUpForRacialJustice
• Post on our website: showingupforracialjustice.org
• Share on our Twitter Feed: @ShowupforRJ

For more information on how to get involved, or media inquiries please contact JLove: 917-753-0186 OR jlove@jlovecalderon.com

Students Rebuild "One Million Bones" Project

From Students Rebuild:

I’m writing from Students Rebuild, a non-profit organization that provides ways for young people worldwide to connect and take action on critical global issues. We’ve partnered with One Million Bones to offer the opportunity to learn about, and to take a stand against, humanitarian crises by being a part of a participatory art installation by crafting a handmade bone. Each bone will also generate funds (donated by the Bezos Family Foundation) that will go directly to rebuilding lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. 

In Spring of 2013, the project will culminate with the laying of one million handmade bones on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as a visual petition against mass atrocities and as a symbol of hope and solidarity with the victims and survivors. Students and groups across the world are making bones and gaining an opportunity to discuss not only worldwide humanitarian crises, but also values, ethics and respect in their own communities. From Austria to Japan, India to Morocco, and from all over the United States, young people are discovering the connection they can forge by making something with their hands. The bones may be made out of a material of your choice (such as clay or paper mache) and creativity is encouraged – they may be inscribed with messages of hope, with the individual maker’s name, or in some way made personal.

To learn a little bit more about our project, please do not hesitate to call or email me. In the meantime, to find inspiration and get questions answered, please:

• Visit the Students Rebuild website
• Watch these videos:
• Preview installation of 50,000 bones in Albuquerque
• A team from Tallahassee, Florida in the news
• An artist leading a group of kids in a bone-making workshop
• Actress Annabeth Gish making a bone and issuing a call to action
• Read this article in the Huffington Post
• Contact me via email or phone (206-275-2048 ext. 120)

Shadia Savo

Students Rebuild

Phone: 206.275.2048 ext. 120

E-mail: shadia@studentsrebuild.org

Apply Now for SJTI: The Student Experience

From the Social Justice Training Institute:

Apply by April 23 to attend

SJTI: The Student Experience

July 11-14, 2012

The University of San Francisco

The Social Justice Training Institute will provide an intensive developmental opportunity for students to examine the complex dynamics of oppression and to develop strategies to foster positive change on their campuses and in their communities.

Students who attend the institute will be given the opportunity to explore the identities that make up who they are and better understand the extent to which these identities impact all they do. Through facilitated activities and exercises along with small group dialogue, participants will engage in conversations that will challenge and support them in their journey toward understanding how they can each – individually – impact our global community.

Visit the institute's web site for more information. If you wish to attend, please make sure to apply online by no later than Monday, April 23, 2012.

Questions? Please contact Brian Arao at 415.422.6824 or student.sjti@gmail.com.

Camp Outright Seeking Volunteer Staff Members - Applications due April 11th!

 

From the SJTI listserv:

Come spend a few weeks in the Green Mountains! This opportunity is ideal for EVERYONE, from retirees, professionals of all ages, to undergraduate/graduate students interested in receiving a brief training and a lot of hands-on experience as camp counselors or activity leaders working with a vulnerable youth population.

Camp Outright is a seven day/six night traditional residential summer camp program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning youth and their Allies (LGBTQQA), ages 13-22. Campers will participate in a wide variety of daily activities based upon their interests, including swimming and boating, team games like soccer and baseball, archery, and tennis. Other activities will include visual and performing arts, nature exposure activities, and special topical workshops to address needs stated by LGBTQQA youth. 

“Serving as a volunteer staff member was an honor as I was able to maintain a connection with campers as well as tend to the development and care of staff. Camp Outright was an unbelievable and life-altering experience for youth coming into their own sexuality as well as the staff who worked with the youth tirelessly.” - Camp Staff

“There has never been a place that has felt more like home than Camp Outright. Everyone there is my family, and I love them all.” - Camper

A Camp Outright volunteer staff member is:
1.    Able to uphold the Camp Outright mission and values within the camp community.
2.    Dedicated to ensuring the safety, fun, growth, and well being of all campers.
3.    Committed to bring out the best in both self and others.
4.    Knowledgeable of and responsible to outlined standards, policies, and procedures.
5.    Consistent, patient, and enthusiastic.
6.    Invested in working with youth and adults of diverse backgrounds.

All Camp Outright volunteer staff must:
1.    Complete the application and interview process and pass a criminal background check.
2.    Fulfill position requirements.
3.    Attend one of the staff training weekends tentatively scheduled July 14-15 and July 28-29.
4.    Attend staff orientation on August 11, 2012.
5.    Present documentation of current First Aid and child and adult CPR certification prior to camp.
6.    Be at least eighteen years of age on August 14, 2011 (**and if directly supervising youth, must be at least 3 years older than youth being supervised)

Positions for full time volunteer camp staff include Cabin Counselors, Head Counselors, Floaters, Lead Medical, Lead Mental Health, Medical Staff, Lead Waterfront, Lifeguard, Program Head, Art and Craft Specialist, Drama Specialist, Land Activity Specialist, Nature Specialist, and the Camp Historian.
A number of the positions have overlapping responsibilities and all involve a lot of contact with you. 

If this is something that interests you, check out the camp for yourself at http://www.campoutright.org/.  First consideration for camp staff will be April 11, 2012, so start filling out your application now to be a part of this amazing experience! Contact Leigh at (802) 862-7520 or leigh@ywcavermont.org with questions and queries. 

National Association for Multicultural Education Annual Summer Institute - Registration Open Now!

From the National Association for Multicultural Education:

NAME is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the summer 2012 institute, Addressing the Demographic Imperative: Recruiting and Preparing a Diverse and Highly Effective Teaching Force.

The institute will begin at noon Thursday, June 28, and conclude at 2pm Saturday, June 30. It is designed primarily for teams of up to 5 people, representing a college of education, school district, and community, who wish to develop a plan for diversifying the teaching force in their own region. Although individuals may register, you will note that registration rate is lowest if you come as a member of a team. Your registration fee will cover your attendance at workshops, most meals, and conference materials. Do not make travel arrangements until we have contacted you, letting you know that enough people have registered to make this institute a “go.”

The attached flier provides some information about the workshops that will be offered. We are very excited by the excellent expertise and records of experience that the workshop presenters will be making available to you!

Register early, since attendance is limited to 125 people. The registration link can be found at: http://nameorg.org/name-2012-summer-institute/