build The
Movement Apply to be a Campus Champion for Change
Organize Together Cover photo: An entire village pulls a fishing net from a pond in India.
Villagers living close to the hundreds of fish ponds in the districts of Tikamgarh and Chattapur used to work as fishers and labourers for rich landlords. After years of dwindling income, the people in the village of Madia stood up against their landlord. The fishers turned to Omprakash Rawat, a man who had started to become known in the community for his views about how people could, by working together, turn things around in their villages. This marked the beginning of Machuara Sangathan, a grassroots movement of fishers who would go from village to village to spread the word that communities could manage their own ponds and earn a productive income. This movement soon became a formal NGO– Vikalp – which continues with the support of Oxfam to work with communities in other districts to help fishers take over the management of ponds themselves. Omprakash Rawat is a Champion for Change. He understood that collaboration, collective action, and pooled resources could transform the capacity of communities. Oxfam’s campus network is looking for Champions like Omprakash – people who will take the lead to ensure that the impact of Oxfam’s campus groups continues to grow.
Oxfam Canada’s mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. Working with Canadians, our partners and allies around the world, we mobilize people and resources to change policies, practices, attitudes and behaviours that create inequality and human suffering. Oxfam is committed to strengthening a global movement in support of human rights and gender justice on a healthy planet. Photo Credit: Rajendra Shaw/Oxfam
Take Leadership “Leadership is the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations” - Jim Kouzes As a Campus Champion for Change, you will embark on a year-long journey with other youth leaders from across the country to develop resources, workshops, and systems to support Oxfam’s campus groups. A large focus of the Champions will be the National and Regional CHANGE Summits, as well as coordinating cross-Canada initiatives on key dates such as Oxfam’s GROW Week and International Women’s Day. From a basic framework, the team of Champions will build their own work plan bringing together individuals’ expertise and Oxfam’s agenda for social change. Becoming a Champion is big commitment. It means planning Oxfam into your life and schedule for the next year, understanding that at some times there will be spikes of work, and other times will be quieter. It requires creativity, critical thinking and the ability to work well with the rest of your team. Becoming a Champion is also a big opportunity. It means connecting to a network of smart, innovative social justice activists across the country, testing your own skills to see what you like doing and want to learn more about, and seeing the tangible impact of your volunteer work as Oxfam’s campus groups grow bigger and stronger across the country. If you’re interested in being at the forefront of organizing people to create a world without poverty and injustice, then being an Oxfam Campus Champion for Change is definitely for you.
Campus Champion for Change Location: Anywhere in Canada Status: Up to ten (10) hours/month, minimum of one (1) year commitment Reporting: Youth and Campus Outreach Officer Purpose Oxfam’s Campus Champion for Change positions are designed to leverage the skills and expertise of our most engaged supporters across Canada to assist with the implementation of Oxfam’s mission, vision and women’s rights focus on campuses across the country. Oxfam is putting together a network of great minds. We’re looking for the cream of crop – people who know about mobilization, social change and community development. We want people who know how to take a group of individuals and empower them to transform their work from ordinary to extraordinary. Working with the direction of the Youth and Campus Outreach Officer, Champions will participate in the innovation and implementation of Oxfam’s youth program by creating, testing and sharing campus-specific resources to work towards Oxfam’s mission. Champions will work as a national team to develop systems for cross Canada communication and networking among campus group members to increase groups’ collective impact. Together, Champions will support a national network of hundreds of youth volunteers. Campus Champions for Change will help build the capacity of Oxfam campus groups to promote women’s rights and gender equality, through leadership development and by offering expertise, resources and support. Structure The Champions team will be composed of 8 to 12 people. To narrow each Champion’s scope and maximize their impact, we are looking for people with a passion for, or experience in, one of the following areas: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fundraising Women’s Rights GROW Group Learning
The group will work in their issue-specific teams, or all together depending on the project. A Champion chooses one of area of focus, however they will contribute to all group conversations. All Champions will play a lead role in the design and facilitation of workshops for Oxfam’s National CHANGE Summit in September 2013. Champions will commit to at least one year in the position (May 2013 to April 2014).
Champions Key dates May 8th May 15th June 3rd June 10th
Champions applications close Champions selected Champions Orientation Meeting Champions 1st team meeting
June to September
National CHANGE Workshop Planning Team project plans created
September 18th to 22nd September 23rd
National CHANGE Summit and Gender Justice Summit In person team planning meeting – looking back and moving forward
October 13th to 19th
GROW Week
Nov 1st
Unwrapped Holiday Campaign
January – February
Regional CHANGE Summits In person team planning meeting – looking back and moving forward
March 8th
International Women’s Day
April 1st
Champions 2014 Applications open
Make an Impact By actively contributing to Oxfam’s youth network, Champions will have the opportunity to test and improve their skills in project management, networking, facilitation and research. The following outlines the responsibilities of campus champions: Advise and Design Review Oxfam tools and resources in testing phase and help identify gaps Initiate projects based on group needs in alignment with Oxfam Canada’s initiatives Contribute to the design and implementation of training and workshops for Oxfam’s CHANGE Summits Support Work with campus groups to ensure they are equipped to be advocates for women’s rights Participate in campus groups acting as an additional support to groups Provide specific guidance to help increase Oxfam campus groups’ capacity to raise funds Direct interested individuals to Oxfam’s tools and resources to raise funds, organize and take action Assist with the recruitment, training and orientation of incoming Campus Champions for Change Communicate Respond to campus group inquiries related to the GROW campaign, Oxfam’s programs and fundraising efforts Act as Oxfam ambassadors at events including public speaking and representing Oxfam Act as a core contact for community and campus group members/leaders Network with other campus based volunteers to build a cross Canada movement Participate in regular virtual meetings with other Champions for Change as required Fundraising Champions will work with campus groups with an eye to supporting and improving their fundraising capacity. This includes supporting and working to improve the resources for signature Oxfam fundraising initiatives as well as providing training in fundraising skills and acting as an Oxfam representative at fundraising initiatives. Women’s Rights Champions will focus specifically on evaluating and improving the capacity of individuals and groups to advocate for women’s rights. Specifically, these Champions will take the lead on campus-based activities for International Women’s Day (March 8th). Additionally, they will act as leads on gender training units. GROW Champions will ensure that campuses are well versed and well equipped to educate and mobilize their campuses on issues of food security, land rights and climate change. Specifically champions will support campus initiatives during GROW Week (October 13th -19th) and act as leads on GROW training. Group Learning Champions will work to provide ongoing support to help groups trouble-shoot problems in relation to recruitment, retention and member growth. They will work to share innovations between campus groups and to strengthen the network of groups across the country. They will take leadership on training related to group learning and development.
Put your Skills into Action As a champion you will work with a dynamic team to take action and make an impact. You will also have the chance to reflect together on your work, learning about yourself and your skills. As a champion you will have the opportunity to: Build your own leadership capacity as a communicator, presenter and facilitator by working with experienced staff and other highly skilled activists and trainers from across the country Network with like-minded people across Canada in a way that directly influences the success of an organization Broaden and deepen your skills and understanding of Oxfam policy, advocacy and program work;
Being a campus champion isn’t for everyone. As we said before, it is a big commitment, as well as a big opportunity. We want to make sure champions are helping to build Oxfam’s campus network. If any of the following applies to you, consider whether now is the best time to be a champion: You are already in a leadership position within your campus group Campus Champions are designed to add resources to campus groups You are over 30 years old Campus Champions exist to create a youth supporting youth network This is your first volunteering opportunity with Oxfam Campus Champions should have some familiarity with Oxfam’s campus group network Think you have what it takes? We’re looking for: Demonstrated interest in women’s rights and gender justice Demonstrated experience in leadership roles Demonstrated experience with volunteer coordination Strong communication and organizational skills; experience with public speaking an asset Ability to work independently, as well as effectively in a team setting Excellent time management and organizational skills Demonstrated interest in international development, social justice and eradication of poverty Fluency in English and excellent written communication skills, fluency in French an asset Access to a computer with internet and email Time Commitment: Up to ten (10) hours/month, minimum of one (1) year commitment
Ready to build the movement? Apply online at www.oxfam.ca/campuschampions