Please welcome the 2015-2016 Peer Advisors and 
Oxfam Action Corps Organizers!

Celebrity chefs support food aid reform

Recently just under a dozen celebrity chefs from across the country flew to Washington DC to voice their support of food aid reform to Congress. The lobby visits by these chefs on behalf of Oxfam America was featured in Heard on the Hill. 

So, you may ask, what's the connect to the Oxfam Action Corps? First, our very own Clara helped organize this very successful chef summit. And, second, food aid reform remains an important issue for the Action Corps. For those of you who are incoming organizers, the upcoming training in Washington DC next month will have some similarities to this recent chef summit. Among many issues addressed during the training, you can expect to learn about food aid reform. And, of course, you get your own chance to lobby to your Senators and Representative. Just in case you missed it, check out a first-hand account of lobbying with the Action Corps in a post from last month.

What's it like to lobby?

The Oxfam Action Corps provides a unique opportunity for concerned citizens to share their concerns about global poverty and hunger to their elected officials. Action Corps organizers take part in lobby visits to their Senators and Representatives during the annual training in Washington DC, and lobbying efforts continue throughout the year in Action Corps cities by volunteers who share relevant information on policy positions or provide petition signatures.

A personal account of lobbying with the Oxfam Action Corps was recently posted on the Albuquerque blog by Kathy Chavez: 

To Right the Wrong of poverty we tackled Capitol Hill. That process turned into one of the most rewarding and exciting things I have ever done. Before becoming an Oxfam Action Corps Volunteer, meeting with members of Congress and the Senate seemed out of my reach.

Read more and see several photos on the Albuquerque OAC blog here.

Reminder: It's Time to Become an Action Corps City Organizer!

Hello Everyone!

Let's talk about Action Corps: it is awesome. Period. No two ways about it. And luckily, it is once again that great time to join this amazing group of individuals as an Organizer!

Check out our page for more information about our locations in 16 different cities, the job description, and the application! And look below at what other Organizers have said about their experiences...

"This is leadership in practice. You can't just read a book on leadership. You have to put it into practice." --Jill Mizell, Researcher, New York

"Oxfam Action Corps has given me a ton of confidence... Gaining knowledge and being able to speak to people about the issues." --Amy L., Business Operations Analyst, Des Moines

"This has become one of the best parts of my life... I can't express enough how satisfying it is to be organizing with people who are just as committed and dependable and passionate. It is so great to have the support from the Oxfam America staff, and I've been really impressed by their accessibility, competency and friendliness." --Isaac E., Educator, New York City

Ready to join them? Apply to be an organizer or if you aren't ready yet, consider volunteering with any Action Corps in efforts to help Oxfam fight hunger and social injustices! Remember, Oxfam is here to Right the Wrong so come join us!

Local action. Global change. Become an Oxfam volunteer!

It's time for annual recruitment of volunteers for the Oxfam Action Corps. If you are a new or returning volunteer, sign up is now available online - apply now. Applications are due on February 1.

For current organizers, I've pasted a letter from Brian below. Please feel free to copy and spread the word.

Letter from Brian:

Each day, I work with Oxfam volunteers, supporting community efforts to create global change through local action. Now is your chance to get involved!

Our Oxfam Action Corps volunteer leaders are based in 16 cities across the country and, in just the last year, they have helped change the world by:

• Delivering reports and petitions to big food companies like Kellogg and General Mills to push them to stand up for farmers rights and fight climate change;
• Visiting Congressional offices – in DC and in their hometowns – to advocate for poverty-fighting foreign assistance, lifesaving reforms to food aid policy, and more;
• Mobilizing marchers at the People's Climate March in New York City;
• Hosting Oxfam America Hunger Banquets, World Food Day Dinners, and other events to raise awareness about the global fight against poverty, hunger, and injustice;
• Recruiting hundreds of new Oxfam supporters at concerts, music festivals, and other events;
• ...and so much more.

We're looking for skilled volunteers of various ages and backgrounds for our free national training in Washington D.C., April 24-28, 2015. We also provide online training and opportunities to meet other volunteers in your city. If you have some organizing experience and a passion for global justice, we want you! This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills with support from Oxfam staff and to take meaningful action locally to help change the world. Apply now >>

Our volunteers include people of all ages and backgrounds, including moms and dads, professors and students, nurses, pastors, bank tellers, tech experts, retirees, food workers, musicians and, yes, even rocket scientists! Here's what a few of them have said about their experiences:

"This is leadership in practice. You can't just read a book on leadership. You have to put it into practice." – Jill Mizell, Researcher, New York

"Oxfam Action Corps has given me a ton of confidence...Gaining knowledge and being able to speak to people about the issues." – Amy L., Business Operations Analyst, Des Moines

"This has become one of the best parts of my life...I can't express enough how satisfying it is to be organizing with people who are just as committed and dependable and passionate. It is so great to have the support from the Oxfam America staff, and I've been really impressed by their accessibility, competency and friendliness." – Isaac E., Educator, New York City

Check out more info here, and then apply to join the Oxfam Action Corps here. Applications are due on February 1.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me.

Thanks so much, and we looking forward to hearing from you.

Brian Rawson
Senior Advisor, Community Organizing
Oxfam America