Happy New Year

This video is from Oxfam UK and as we enter 2011 and approach the one year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, it's a great reminder that we must continue to put pressure on our leaders to end extreme poverty.

When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010, President Obama promised that Americans would stand with Haitians in their hour of greatest need. Your contributions made a huge difference, providing people with life-saving services and income-earning opportunities.

Now, Haitians need your support–your voice–as they look to their government to lead them in rebuilding their communities, providing vital services like schools and healthcare, and creating jobs.

Tell US legislators to support rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
1. To speak up, call 1-646-452-9493 and enter the pin number 3804.
2. Then say "My name is [your name] and I am a(n) [your job] from [your city and state]. We need to keep our promise and stand with Haiti."
3. Your message will be added to our nationwide voice resolution, and will be shared with members of Congress as we call on them to help Haitians build back better.

For more information on how to ACT FAST with OXFAM click here.

2011 will be a busy time for the Austin Oxfam Action Corps. Stay tuned to for updates coming soon and join us on facebook.

In pictures: women fighting climate change

As obvious as it sounds, climate change affects everybody. From the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina in 2005, through to the floods that covered Pakistan in July this year, we're all in this together.

But what's less well understood is that the impacts of climate change are much more likely to hit women the hardest.

It's not the easiest idea to understand. After all, everyone gets affected during a flood. But because in many parts of the world it tends to be women who grow the family's food, fetch fuel and water, and bring up the children, it's women who are most likely to be in harm's way when disaster strikes. So when clean water becomes harder to find during a drought, or when crops are destroyed by floods, it's often up to women to find solutions.

The slideshow below is a snapshot of the problems – brought on by climate change – that women are facing, and some of the many ways that they're fighting back.

At climate change negotiations taking place in Cancún this week, Oxfam is working to raise awareness of the critical role that women play in tackling climate change. And we're pushing for a much greater repsonse from the international community to meet women's needs.

-Natalie Brook
Oxfam Great Britain
Climate Change Campaigner

In pictures: women fighting climate change | Oxfam International Blogs

December Meeting

Meeting Reminder...Hope to see you there!

Day/Date: Monday, December 6
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: Daniel E. Ruiz Public Library
1600 Grove Blvd., 78741
Austin, TX

Ra Ra Riot and Fall Meeting

Oxfam volunteers with Wes Miles of Ra Ra Riot.


Find out how you can get involved at our upcoming fall meeting. We will plan for the remainder of the year and also start planning events for the New Year/ Spring. Light snacks and beverages will be served at the meeting. We hope to see you there!

Carver Library
(1161 Angelina, 78702)- Rm 4.
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Date: Thursday, November 18

Aziz Ansari and Upcoming Events

We had a great time at the Aziz Ansari show on Sunday. It was great to interact with everyone and meet some new friends. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table we hope to see you at some of our upcoming events.

Ra Ra Riot
Emo's
October 26
9pm

Fall Meeting
Carver Library
(1161 Angelina, 78702)- Rm 4.
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Date: Thursday, November 18

World Food Day

Today is World Food Day! Let's remember that global hunger is something that YOU can help end.



Tomorrow night we'll be at the Aziz Ansari show. Come check out our table at the Paramount Theatre, we'll be at the early show.

Austin Action Corps Fall Meeting

Join us at our fall meeting as we discuss our upcoming events and plan for future events.

The meeting is being held at the:

Carver Library
(1161 Angelina, 78702)- Rm 4.
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Date: Thursday, November 18

Light refreshments and beverages will be served.



Take Action now and ask Secretary of State Clinton to show US leadership on a global food security plan. This will ensure that international efforts are better coordinated in the face of extreme weather.

Your voice can make a difference!

Oxfam UT Presents Meet the Producer: Francisco Ferreira

Sugar: we consume it on a daily basis. It's in our soda, our favorite desert, and our Sunday morning pancakes. But rarely do we stop to wonder: where did it come from? Who produced it? And under what conditions? Oxfam UT is proud to present sugar farmer Francisco Ferreira as he discusses the implications of Fair Trade on his life and his community. Ferreira is the President of Cañera del Sur, a sugarcane cooperative in Iturbe, Paraguay. Formed in 1961 by a group of farmers hoping to collectively negotiate better prices for their cane, Cañera del Sur became Fair Trade Certified in 1999. As a result, Cañera del Sur's members receive a higher price for their product and social premiums like reinvestment in the community. Today, Cañera del Sur is the sole sugarcane supplier to Maine ROOT's sodas.For more on Fair Trade and Cañera del Sur, check out the Fair Trade USA website.

Date: Wednesday, October 13 · 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Location: Texas Union 3.116, Texas Governors' Room

Aziz Ansari - Dangerously Delicious Tour

Hello out there! I hope you are having a great week so far.

Our volunteers are tabling at the Aziz Ansari show (Dangerously Delicious Tour) Oct. 17th at the Paramount.

We'll be at the early show and hope to see you there!

Stand Up 2010

Make noise, raise your voice, support the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)!

World leaders are meeting next week at the UN to chart the future of these bold goals. With only 5 more years to meet the goals, it is critical for the citizens of the world to speak up in support of achieving the MDGs.

Add your voice to those of organizations in Austin working to address these issues: A Glimmer of Hope, FaceAIDS, Journey with an Afghan School, Nobelity, Oxfam, RESULTS, United Nations Association - USA

Date: September 17, 2010

Time: 7- 8pm

Location: South steps of the Texas Capitol

For more information:
http://standagainstpoverty.org/suap/

http://www.endpoverty2015.org/en/stand-up

We will spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected. -- Millennium Declaration

Speak Out Because You Can

Oxfam's "Speak out because you can" video is a FINALIST in YouTube's 1forAll contest recognizing the freedom to speak, rock, or assemble! VOTE NOW for"Speak Out Because You Can" featuring women from Oxfam America and music by State Radio! Click here to cast your vote!

Oxfam press release and what we can do

US Senate pushes off action on climate bill, poor people continue to suffer

Washington, DC -- In reaction to the announcement that climate change legislation is delayed by the United States Senate, perhaps indefinitely, David Waskow, climate change program director of international humanitarian organization Oxfam America, made the following statement:

“It is critical that the US pass legislation to deal with the oil spill and impacts on communities in the Gulf Coast, but the world cannot stand to hear, again, that the Senate will not act on climate change. While Senators go on their summer break, millions of poor people on the front lines of climate change around the world can’t take a break from the droughts and floods made worse by climate pollution.”

"Without a commitment that the United States will work with other countries to solve the climate challenge and build resilience to its consequences, we cannot move forward globally. All eyes are on the US to show leadership. Failure on this critically important issue is just unacceptable, but the Senate has failed to match the leadership in the House and the Obama Administration has abandoned the helm.”

“Time is ticking away. We urge President Obama to lead and Senators to get back to work determined to deliver legislation that cuts harmful pollution and invests in the resilience of poor communities on the front lines of climate change. ” Click here for more news stories

Now is the time for us to take action. What you can do:

A. Join us tomorrow night for a phone banking party (6pm @ Amy's place - e-mail for directions)

B. Write a Letter to the Editor

C. Watch out for action alerts from Oxfam America

D. Remain Hopeful and speak out

I hope you had a great weekend and I hope to see you tomorrow night! (Dinner is provided)

Summertime updates

I hope everyone is having a great summer! I have a few updates for you. Please feel free to e-mail with any comments, suggestions, or ideas.

Are you creative, enjoy event planning, or just want to try something new?

We are seeking a few great volunteers to join our planning committee. We are working toward organizing a semi large scale event around Women's Equality Day (August 26th). We will discuss lightly at the phone bank night. If you cannot attend and are interested please e-mail for more information.

Lights. Camera. Help.

Oxfam's "Follow the Money" video has been nominated as a finalist in Lights. Camera. Help. The Non Profit Film Festival! Selections will be show from July 29th through the 31st. For more festival information click here.

Oxfam America Blog » Blog Archive » In Haiti, reunited with her grandmothers–at last

Oxfam America Blog » Blog Archive » In Haiti, reunited with her grandmothers–at last

LCD Soundsystem @ Stubb's

Check us out this Tuesday at the sold out LCD Soundsystem show at Stubb's. Our volunteers will be tabling (and dancing) near the entrance. Hope to see you there!

Summer Kick-Off Meeting

Austin Oxfam Action Corps
Summer Kick-Off Meeting

Thursday, May 27, 2010
6:30 p.m.
Dominican Joe Coffee House - 515 S. Congress Ave

Come join us as we recap what we've been up to and what we have planned for the coming months.

All are welcome! Whether you're a long-time Oxfam supporter or you just learned about us, the kick-off meeting is a great place to meet members and leaders of the Austin Oxfam Action Corps as well as learn how you can make a difference.

Bring your friends, meet new ones, and discover how we're working to enact positive change across the planet!

OK Go! - Oxfam Action Corps

We will be tabling at tonight's sold out OK Go concert at The Parish. Swing by and say hello -- or if you learned about us from the show, thanks for checking us out!

Happy Earth Day!

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day -- for a good perspective on the missions and challenges the Earth faces today compared to 1970, check out this Washington Post story.

Today also effectively marks the start of the Oxfam Action Corps' second year in Austin!

Amy Loper and I were recently selected by Oxfam America to be Austin's Action Corps leaders for the coming year, taking the reigns from Charmagne Coston who did an incredible job with the group in its first year. We're happy to afford Charmagne a bit of a breather and fortunate to still have her commitment and dedication to the group!

Earlier this month, Amy and I travelled to Washington, D.C. for four days of non-stop training with Oxfam America staff and leaders from the other Action Corps cities. It was an inspiring experience that left Amy and I ready to further Oxfam's causes in central TX.

The trip was capped off by a visit to Capitol Hill where Amy and I met with the offices of Sen. Hutchison and Sen. Cornyn, as well as Rep. Doggett (25th District) and Rep. Smith (21st District) to present our case for funding international adaptation.

We have much more exciting news and plans we look forward to sharing with you in the near future as we demonstrate to the rest of the country and the world the power and passion Austinites possess!

-Misha

Walk for climate justice - Sat. March 13- 3:30 pm

Join the Austin Oxfam Action Corps to help put a human face to the devastating affects of climate change. The walk is a visual representation of the current and future hardships caused by erratic temperature and rainfall, flooding, drought, competition over scarce resources—and the growing distance that poor people, especially women and children, will have to walk for water.

We've all seen the images on the evening news: the droughts, floods, hunger, and disease. Decades of greenhouse gas emissions have finally caught up with our climate—and it's the poorest among us who are worst affected. Oxfam America organized the Walk for Climate Justice to draw attention to these impacts and to highlight the human face of climate change.

Meet at the TX Capitol S. Steps in Austin, TX 78711, 3:30pm

OXJAM 2010!

15 bands, 2 stages, $8

All proceeds going to Oxfam America's Haiti Relief Fund

Stop by our table on Saturday and enjoy the show!

Tuesday, March 9 - Call in day to members of congress

On this day Sisters on the Planet (SOP) ambassadors will be storming capitol hill demanding that our Senators take bold action on climate change. Our Senators need to know that we will support them and are committed to do what is necessary. Given the positions that our Senators hold, we must rethink our action on this day. We will call in to our local Representatives and urge them to reach out to their colleagues in the Senate. We must allow our voices to be heard and speak out in solidarity with the SOP ambassadors.

Pledge to call your Representative

Our nation's future and our world are counting on the US Senate to take action. Please join us this week to do what is necessary and let your voices be heard. Take the pledge today and on Tuesday, we will send you talking points and calling information to get you connected with your Representative.

Walk for Climate Justice, Saturday March 13, 3:30pm

Join the Austin Oxfam Action Corps to help put a human face to the devastating affects of climate change. The walk is a visual representation of the current and future hardships caused by erratic temperature and rainfall, flooding, drought, competition over scarce resources—and the growing distance that poor people, especially women and children, will have to walk for water.

We've all seen the images on the evening news: the droughts, floods, hunger, and disease. Decades of greenhouse gas emissions have finally caught up with our climate—and it's the poorest among us who are worst affected. Oxfam America organized the Walk for Climate Justice to draw attention to these impacts and to highlight the human face of climate change.

Meet at the TX Capitol S. Steps in Austin, TX 78711, 3:30pm

OXJAM 2010

15 bands, 2 stages, $8

All proceeds going to Oxfam America's Haiti Relief Fund



Murdocks and Bleu French Laundry Present

OXJAM 2010

AT UNITED STATES ART AUTHORITY, Austin, Texas

March 6, 2010


Loud & raw rocknroll takes on the Haiti cause when a massively distinctive gang of local Red River rockers hijack the United States Art Authority, Austin, Texas for an 8 hour, 2 stage free-for-all at OXJAM 2010 on Saturday, March 6th.

The Murdocks & Bleu French Laundry hook up for this one time event featuring 14 bands, a multi-media experiment, 2 DJs, a too cool for school silent auction, all on inside & outside stages at the arts hub, with proceeds dedicated to Oxfam's effort to aid earthquake victims in Haiti. You can trip out, flip out to the latest in Texas neo-psych or rip it up, rocks off with the 'rollers, all loud & proud at these slots:

INSIDE
12:45am - Lions
11:45 - Tia Carrera
10:45 - Murdocks
9:45 - Woven Bones
8:45 - The White White Lights
7:45 - Planet Rye Co.
6:45 - The Ripe
6:00pm - Michael Kingcaid of What Made Milwaukee Famous
DJ Scorpio

OUTSIDE
11:00 - Mixed Use Media
10:00 - Ringo Deathstarr
9:00 - The Lemurs
8:00 - Smoke & Feathers
7:00 - Til We're Blue or Destroy
6:00 - Prayer For Animals
DJ Businessman

Action begins at 5pm doors, 6pm-2am show. PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE at local vinyl heroes Antone's Record Shop.
$8 cover, further donation earns you your halo. Sponsored by OxFam, Minor Productions, & KLBJ The Rock of Austin.
The United States Art Authority is an All-Ages venue.

Location:
United States Art Authority
510 West 29th Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 441-2123
http://www.unitedstatesartauthority.com

Walk with a Sister - International Women's Week!

Women from around the world are taking action to combat climate change, and all of us - women and men - can join them.

Join fellow activists at the Carver Library, for an evening of fun surprises, discussion, and a look into how women around the world are working to adapt to our changing climate.

These are stories of inspiration, of hope, and of the power of people to bring about change. Sahena, Sharon, Muriel, and Martina might have very different lives, but what they share is a certainty that progress only comes about when you stand up and make your voice heard.

Check us out on facebook for more information

Concert for Haiti- Austin Music Hall

Stop by our table this Sunday at the Concert for Haiti being held at the Austin Music Hall. Our volunteers will be there and around in the crowd. Feel free to stop by and say hello!

Oxfam has been working in Haiti for over 30 years. Working to create sustainable means of earning a living and helping Haitians reduce their vulnerability to disasters. Oxfam's emergency team, based in the capital, has been supporting rescue efforts, assessing the damage and responding with public health and water and sanitation services to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.

Oxfam's emergency work is tailored according to need and provides both immediate relief and longer term support to help people get back on their feet and support themselves.

click here to read more on Oxfam's relief efforts in Haiti

What can you do?
-Stop by our table on Sunday
-Online: oxfamamerica.org/haiti
-Watch: Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief” will be televised on all major networks tomorrow, Friday January 22nd at 8pm ET
-Oxfam has been selected as one of seven aid agencies that will receive funds from this event