Friday, December 11, 2009

Campus intern training

Lokahi’s campus project with the ACLU-SC got off to a big start last week with our orientation and training. Students from five campuses gathered at the ACLU’s downtown offices to meet each other, learn about the history of the organization and get a crash course on outreach and campus organizing techniques.

ACLU Campus Ambassador training day

Our students this year come from varied campuses and backgrounds. Dan is our USC Ambassador, Alice will be working UCLA, Erica hails from CSULB, Kyle is from LA City College, and Alex is doing a community program covering the west side.

The students got a chance to hear from key ACLU staff, including deputy director Heather Carrigan, and the ACLU-SC Executive Director of the past thirty years, Ramona Ripston. They also spent a lot of time working with us on volunteer training, outreach techniques, organizing concepts, and administrative concerns. It was a lot of information packed into a one day training, but we are confident they will do great, and they will continue to attend monthly training’s throughout the school year in 2010 to fine tune their skills.

ACLU Campus Ambassador training

Our Ambassadors hit the ground running - several had recruited new ACLU members within days of attending the orientation, and all are balancing their finals and family holiday related commitments with getting their unique campus programs up and running.

Lokahi’s campus programs such as this are unique in the way that they are structured to maximize the time students give; interns receive a lot of support, direct management and ongoing training, but they are given a lot of freedom to create programs that are uniquely tailored to their campus environment. In the end, this allows them to have a meaningful ‘internship’ with something tangible to show for their efforts, while also providing a tremendous service and benefit to the organization they are working with. For our ACLU program, our Campus Ambassadors will be increasing ACLU membership, educating their campus about the organization and its current campaigns and helping to increase the awareness of the organization itself. In turn, student will be learning a lot about community organizing and outreach, cause marketing, fundraising and leadership and will end the program with an impressive resume of accomplishments.

Heather talks to ACLU campus interns

We are very eager to see our students get to work in the new year - check back for regular updates, and we’ll also post links to the individual student blogs soon as well.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Internships for Los Angeles based college students

Lokahi is excited to be launching a very cool program in a partnership with the ACLU of Southern California. We are recruiting four college students to take part in this year long program - a great opportunity to learn about organizing and building a movement.

Arron talks to an ACLU supporter

Visit our website for more information.



Thanks!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Rock for A Remedy looking for some volunteers


INDIGO GIRLS ticket
Originally uploaded by theatreknitter
Our friends at Rock for A Remedy asked us to put the word out to our volunteers about a chance to help them with food drives on the current Indigo Girls tour. Info is below - a great chance to make a big impact on poverty in your community. Plus, the crew at RFAR are good people too!

From RFAR:

As you may have already heard, Indigo Girls have partnered with Rock for a Remedy for the duration of their Spring/Summer '09 tour! RFAR will be hosting food drives at each of the tour stops beginning on April 8th in Asheville, NC!

We are looking for a few good volunteers! Read on to find out how YOU can help, and in turn, see IG for free in your town!

A little background info for you all:
Rock for a Remedy, Inc (RFAR) is a non-profit organization that partners with local food relief organizations and national touring artists to both gather food/monetary donations and encourage youth and adults to better their communities through charitable efforts.

RFAR's mission is to not only alleviate hunger in North America, but to also encourage and motivate concertgoers to volunteerism
and develop sustainable altruistic participation in the music industry at large.

Audiences have passionately responded to the food drive revolution, providing now over 100 tons of food over RFAR’s six-year history.

Each food drive directly benefits the community in which the concert is held.

Here's where YOU come in!

If you are interested in volunteering in your town, please fill out this survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0UGGPnI9jOjtQEFDgb7OfQ_3d_3d
An RFAR Team member will get back to you to let you know if you made the cut!

**MAY volunteers for McDonald Theatre, HOB Anaheim, Lensic, Stubb's and Tiptina! We need you!**


As an RFAR volunteer, you will be expected to help our organization collect canned food donations at the show as well as help educate fellow concert goers about hunger issues in your community. Your duties will talk place pre-show and you will be able to enjoy the concert when you're done with your assignment.

Please visit Rock for a Remedy's website to learn more about our mission! http://www.rockforaremedy.org

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Fight poverty and climate change in your community – join the Oxfam Action Corps

Our friends at Oxfam sent us a note asking us to help spread the word about their Action Corp program for this year. Deadline is fast approaching - check out the link below for more information!

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Concerned about poverty and hunger on a global scale, but not sure how to make a difference at the local level? The Oxfam Action Corps provides a way to change the big picture, starting with your local community, and we’re looking for committed people from your area to join today!

The Oxfam Action Corps is a group of dedicated volunteers in more than a dozen US cities who campaign with Oxfam in their neighborhoods, at town events, and concerts. Anyone can join! In addition, two volunteers from each city will come to Washington DC for an Oxfam training in advocacy and organizing.

The Oxfam Action Corps is based in the following cities: Albuquerque, NM; Austin, TX; Burlington, VT; Chicago, IL; Columbus, OH; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN ; New York City, NY; Palo Alto/San Jose, CA; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA

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

The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 14.

This year, Oxfam Action Corps volunteers will mobilize around one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change and its impact on the world’s poorest communities. While Climate change affects us all, it is having a disproportionate impact on people in poor communities. From floods in Bangladesh, droughts in Uganda, and hurricanes on the US Gulf Coast, Oxfam America is enacting solutions and calling for an equitable response to the global crisis.

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.


What are the ways that I can get involved?

- Apply to be a Corps organizer for your city and also become eligible to attend the Oxfam training in Washington DC. As a Corps organizer you will help convene local activities and inspire others to get involved, all with ongoing training and coaching from dedicated Oxfam staff.

- Sign up to volunteer with the Oxfam Action Corps in your city, to help out as needed with planning and participation in activities. All levels of experience are welcome!

Can you tell me more about the training?

The Oxfam Action Corps training will take place in Washington DC, April 18-21, 2009. The training is free, including your travel and related expenses. The two Corps organizers selected from each city will attend the training.

During the training you will:
- Meet amazing activists and learn from seasoned professionals in policy and campaigning.
- Learn how to engage people in your city
- Gain experience lobbying on Capitol Hill
- Prepare for a year of campaigning in your home city

Your support will be critical to promoting policies that could help lift millions of people out of poverty. You really can make a difference!


Sign up now at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org/oxfam_action_corps_application

The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 14

Thank you for your support!