Dear Oxford Hub member,

Lots of exciting opportunities to get involved this week - from internships with the Oxford Hub (paid) and Oxfam (unpaid) over the summer to many many committee positions with the Oxford Hub committee and two of our initiatives - the Oxford Forum for International Development and U8. We think it's been a great first year and would like to see lots more happening next term and beyond - so get applying and get involved!

Positions available (some of these are newly created to better support the work of the Hub):

• Oxford Hub President
• Oxford Hub Secretary
• Oxford Hub Treasurer
• Oxford Hub Training Officer
• Oxford Hub Creative Director
• Oxford Hub Campaigns Rep
• OxFID Presidents
• OxFID Venue and Logistics Managers
• OxFID Publicity Manager
• U8 Forum Convenors
• U8 Research Manager
• U8 Publicity Manager

The deadline for all committee positions is Sunday 8th Week (8th June) and Wednesday of 8th Week (11th June) for the internship. Interviews will be held during 8th week. However, if you have exams in the next few weeks and don't feel able to apply properly, we are happy to postpone making a decision until the end of term. Just send us a short email saying which position you'd like to apply for and when your exams finish. 

Have a great week and hope to see you at the Oxford Hub social this Tuesday or at one of the Volunteers' Week events coming up in the next seven days.

Best,

Adam

Contents

1. The Oxford Hub's Charity Cocktail Crawl - because everyone loves alliteration (and cocktails)
2. VOLUNTEERS' WEEK
3. Oxford Hub - COMMITTEE POSITIONS
4. Oxford Hub: Oxford Forum for International Development - COMMITTEE POSITIONS
5. Oxford Hub: U8 - COMMITTEE POSITIONS
6. JUST CAREERS CO-ORDINATOR INTERNSHIP
7. ROSES OF RESPECT FOR TIANANMEN. Demonstration.
8. THE ROAD TO HELL - GOOD INTENTIONS AND INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS IN AFRICA
9. Voluntary opportunity in Oxfam head office
10. INTERNSHIP - SINGLEMINDED
11. Exams fund
12. Treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in UK - CALL TO ACTION

1. The Oxford Hub's Charity Cocktail Crawl - because everyone loves alliteration (and cocktails)

Tuesday 7th Week (3rd June)

Trinity might be turning into a bit of a washout but what better charity fun is there to be had than an indoors cocktail crawl? If you’re jealous of all those rowing socials then come along to the ultimate charity crew date and have a great time with people from all parts of the Oxford charity scene on Tuesday of 7th!

Purely in the name of essential research, we’ve visited all the best cocktail bars in Oxford and devised a stunning itinerary around happy hours so the cocktails will be nice and cheap too - feel free to join us on random parts of our tour, or partake in the mysterious Challenge by turning up at the start and finishing down in Cowley….

5-6.30pm: Giraffe in George St for food to go with their cocktails - we’re working on discounts right now.
6.30 - 7.30: Duke of Cambridge on Little Clarendon St
7.30 - 9.00: Angels on Little Clarendon St
9.00 - 11.00: The Grand Café, High Street
11.00 onwards: Cocos on Cowley Road

Email Laura & Polly at events@oxhub.org for more details/witty banter xxx

2. VOLUNTEERS' WEEK

As part of Volunteers' Week (1-7 June), the annual celebration of the work of UK volunteers, Oxford Hub: Student Volunteers are holding a series of events. If you are interested in volunteering, come along to one of our taster sessions in conservation, homeless and youth sectors. If you’d like to volunteer regularly in the next academic year, pop along to an information session and apply for a CRB check. Or, if you’ve finished your exams, why not donate your used textbooks to the Petnica Science Centre in Serbia? For more information visit www.oxhub.org or join the facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=29353082016

3. Oxford Hub - COMMITTEE POSITIONS

The Oxford Hub is the focal point for charitable activity at Oxford University and the founding Hub in the Student Hub initiatives which will be launching in 5 universities by autumn 2008.

We're currently recruiting for a new team - adding a few new positions where we think them necessary.  

President – To take over during Michaelmas

You are the spearhead of the Oxford Hub. You lead committee meetings, decide the agenda, and make sure everyone gets a drink.

You are the guiding force, co-ordinating those who run our various activities of the charity – the Student Volunteers, OxFID, U8, the Series, Training, Events - selecting and developing good ideas, and delegating tasks to those with the appropriate skills. Next year you will have to work to bring together the Oxford Hub’s local and international facing activities under one, cohesive banner. All enquiries about the charity come to you (emails, letters, questions) and you sign all the correspondence we send out. At Oxford Hub events, you welcome people (the audiences, guest speakers, etc) and tell them a bit about what the Oxford Hubs does and why it matters.

All enquiries to adam.grodecki@oxfordhub.org

Secretary – To start at end of Trinity

You support the President in coordinating the Oxford Hub’s various activities, preparing agendas for weekly meetings and writing up minutes.

You also send out the Oxford Hub’s weekly emails to nearly 2000 students (projected 4000 next year), listing all relevant news, events and opportunities in Oxford.

Enquiries to adam.grodecki@oxfordhub.org

Treasurer – To start at end of Trinity

You will manage a budget of up to £20,000 over the course of 2008-09, looking after the Oxford Hub’s activities as a whole – Student Volunteers, OxFID, U8, the Series and more. You will work closely with the Oxford Hub's fulltime manager and negotiate contracts from sponsors such as DFID, the city council and companies.

This is a great opportunity to engage in a large-scale financial project and learn very useful skills in accounting at a small NGO. A head for numbers is a must, knowledge of excel helpful but by no means essential and necessary training will be provided.

For more information contact adam.oboyle@oxfordhub.org

Training Officer – To start at end of Trinity

The Oxford Hub’s training this year has been one of our most successful activities – running a dozen events since January and reaching out to over 150 students. This Officer is tasked with organising training sessions for Oxford Hub member organisations on varying topics – good campaigning, how to fundraise, how to recruit new members.
You should enjoy working with external organisations and partners, be resourceful, hardworking, creative, organised, and have good time-management skills.

For more information email Sanjay Nanwani on training@oxfordhub.org

Creative director – To start at end of Trinity

The creative director works to raise Oxford Hub’s profile across the university, town and even the country, ensuring that people know about our resources, events and opportunities. They work with a design team to produce the best possible flyers, posters, web design and publicity materials. They also co-ordinate the newsletter and termcard, giving a run down of events and activities that have been going on within the university.

Creative skills would be a bonus but are not essential. For more enquiries email john.mellor@oxfordhub.org

Campaigning Rep

It's not always enough to know the facts, sometime you need to get the message
out there.

- Do you have interest and experience in campaigning?
- Do you want to encourage more students to get actively involved?

Then this is the job for you!

Be creative; help inspire and coordinate termly campaigns around
topics of common interest. Connect students with community organisations to create a diverse and strong support base. Facilitate and support campaigning events, from stalls and sleep-outs to petitions and posters.

Email jenny.allsopp@wadh.ox.ac.uk for more details.

Who else is on the Oxford Hub committee?

• Oxford Hub: Student Volunteers President
• OxFID Presidents
• U8 President
• Oxford Hub Series Officers
• Oxford Hub Events Officers
• Social Enterprise Officers

To apply for any of these positions, please email adam.oboyle@oxfordhub.org by Sunday 8th Week (9th June) - unless you have exams (see email intro). 

4. Oxford Hub: Oxford Forum for International Development - COMMITTEE POSITIONS

The Oxford Forum for International Development, a Oxford Hub initiative, is currently recruiting for the OxFID Committee 2008-2009. Although the main Forum will not take place until Trinity 2009 it is our intention to start work on this now in order to confirm high-profile speakers and also begin organising a day-forums for Michaelmas 2008.

The positions below would take affect from the end of Trinity 2008 upto the end of Trinity 2009.

• President (x2): responsibility of co-ordinating events and being the liaison points between Oxford Hub and OxFID
• Venue and Logistics Managers (x2): responsibility for venue hire and event logistics and general co-ordination.
• Publicity Manager: heading the publicising of all OxFID events

Please email oxfid@oxfordhub.org telling us which position you would like to run for, why you would like to help run next year's Forums and any relevant skills/experience you may have. Deadline Sunday 8th Week (8th June) - unless you have exams (see email intro).

~ Many thanks, the OxFID committee 2007-2008.

5. Oxford Hub: U8 - COMMITTEE POSITIONS

U8 is a platform for students to engage with international development issues, and in Oxford has recently become an initiative of the Oxford Hub in line with the Hub’s wider aim to connect students with causes. The U8 President sits on the Oxford Hub’s committee and U8 is now recruiting new executive members for the coming academic year.
Positions available:

• Forum convener 1 – will co-convene an informal seminar series in Michaelmas 08, which provides an introduction to international development. A little familiarity with international development issues is required
• Forum convener 2 – will co-convene a ‘forum’ or discussion group in Michaelmas 08 that will allow participants to explore issues in international development, by profiling different countries each week
• Research coordinator – work with others to launch U8’s next round of research topics in November
• Publicity officer

To apply for any of these positions, or to express an interest in U8, please email u8@oxfordhub.com by Sunday 8th Week (9th June) - unless you have exams (see email intro).

What is U8? U8 Oxford is the Oxford chapter of U8, a network of groups in 34 universities around the world. In Oxford, we convene:

• Seminar series, where students can be introduced to issues in an organised and extensive way
• Forums, which provide an informal relaxed space for debate, deliberation and ideas sharing
• Research projects, where students can work as part of student teams on an extended project

6. JUST CAREERS CO-ORDINATOR INTERNSHIP

FULL INFO: Just-Careers Internship.pdf

Internship title: Just Careers Co-ordinator

Location: Student Hubs office, Cowley Road, Oxford

Key Contact: Adam O’Boyle, adam.oboyle@studenthubs.org

Start: June - Flexible

Working hours: 3 days per week fulltime (23.5 hours), ideally 8 weeks

Salary: £150 per week

Closing date for applications: 11th June 2008

Please send a CV and short covering letter setting out why you wish to apply for this role and what skills you will bring to this position to Will Horwitz at will.horwitz@studenthubs.org.

Purpose of placement:

To lead development of Student Hubs’ provision of Just Careers advice for students and graduates.

It’s time for a culture shift in graduate careers:

1) A socially-just career will no longer be ‘alternative’. Graduates will make sure their career, whatever it is, is socially just: a Just Career.

2) People will easily be able to access information to inform their decision to pursue a Just Career.

We believe that a Just Career:

• Is not a ‘sector’, it’s an aspiration.
• Is not necessarily an alternative to a lucrative career
• Is up to the individual – what does ‘just’ mean to you?

We will be the first generation for whom social and environmental considerations will be pervasive – whatever you do, you will engage with the world around you. Working with careers advisors, national organisations and students, you will begin the process of bringing this change about.

7. ROSES OF RESPECT FOR TIANANMEN. Demonstration.

Wednesday June 4th, 6:45, Church of St Mary Magdalen

Between April 15 and June 4, 1989, more than a thousand Chinese lost their lives and many more were injured as a result of the military crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square. For the last 18 years, every 4th of June, the Tiananmen mothers have tried to lay roses in remembrance of their beloved,and each year they have been turned away by the authorities.

Here in Oxford, we want to show our solidarity and support to groups like the Tiananmen Mothers, and next Wednesday all Amnesty Groups around the Oxford area (City, University, Brookes, Headington, Abingdon)will gather in the graveyard of the Church of St. Mary Magdalen (opposite Sainsburys Local). Then roses will be laid down at the Martyrs Memorial in respect for those who died at Tiananmen square.

This will be followed by tea and letter-writing in the Church premises.

NB: The money collected from this event will go towards the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal for China, for whose victims and relatives we offer our deepest sympathy. We also stand for them, their families, and the 1.4 billion citizens of China who deserve, like all of us, guaranteed protection for their basic human rights.

Please join us.

Check facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47781845653&ref=ts

8. THE ROAD TO HELL - GOOD INTENTIONS AND INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS IN AFRICA

Public Lecture: “The Road to Hell: Good Intentions and Intractable Conflicts in the Horn of Africa,” by Dr. Alex de Waal, with special guest Patricia Parker, founder and director of Kids for Kids.

Friday 7th Week (6 June), 5:15-7pm, the Mure Room, Merton College

Alex de Waal is a peominent researcher, writer and activist on African issues. He is a fellow of the Global Equity Initiative, Harvard; director of the Social Science Research Council program on AIDS and social transformation; and a director of Justice Africa in London. Dr. de Waal received his DPhil in social anthropology from Oxford University in 1988. He has worked with numerous international NGOs and authored several books on Darfur.

In this lecture, Dr. de Waal will focus on the intersection of Britain and the United States’s enthusiasm for the responsibility to protect and the challenges of north-east Africa.

The event is cosponsored by the Marshall and Rhodes Scholars Greater Darfur Initiative and Merton Global Directions Group. The lecture free and open to all. Refreshments from local restaurants and businesses provided. Donations appreciated and will be used to fund the development plan of the village of Kerkera in Darfur. More information available athttp://www.marshallscholarsforkerkera.org/. For more information, please contact Lyric Chen at lyricinc@chch.ox.ac.uk or Tarun Chhabra at tarun.chhabra@merton.ox.ac.uk

9. Voluntary opportunity in Oxfam head office

Oxfam’s UK Poverty department is recruiting for a dynamic, dedicated volunteer to help drive its communications and resource provision.

Volunteering 3 days a week for a minimum of four months, you will play a vital role in helping end poverty and suffering in the UK. You will take on interesting projects, develop new skills and meet new people.

To find out more, see the role profile, and apply; please visit

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer/latest.html#ukppcomms

or contact Will on 01865 473281 or whorwitz@oxfam.org.uk

Please note the closing date for applications is Wednesday 10th June.

10. INTERNSHIP - SINGLEMINDED

Internship: Project Manager Volunteer
Organisation: Single Minded – For Women who want to move on after separation or divorce. A six-week course which helps to build self-esteem, careers and networking. www.singleminded.org.uk
Location: Oxford / Working from home
Key Contact: Alison Bird, ali.bird(at)btinternet.com

Purpose of placement:
1) To launch a nationwide network working with the originator.
2) The framework exists – take it to the next level.
3) Opportunity to add competencies to your CV.

Key responsibilities:
1) Project-manage the nationwide launch of a local model
2) Build upon educational materials for the six week course
3) Investigate sources of community funding for new members
4) Plan and deliver a PR campaign, marketing via all channels
5) Research volunteering and social-enterprise models of delivery
6) Publish results to the wider community

Key skills and competencies required:
1) Proficient MS Office and internet user
2) Good communicator with creative/entrepreneurial mindset
3) Motivation: Might suit someone interested in Women’s studies/social policy/psychology/education/social enterprise

Conditions – hours and days of work, rates of pay (if any) and any
special circumstances:

Hours: Flexible to suit but approx one day per week for 3 months.
Special conditions: Able to work online from home.
Pay: Generous expenses

Start and end date for position: May 2008 – September 2008

11. Exams fund

Dear all, you may know that a student run initiative is encouraging students to donate to charity when they finish their exams or as an alternative to trashing. We are selling party hats, party horns and garlands (all profits go to Oxfam, Christian Aid and the Oxford Poverty Action Trust; if we raise over £5,000 from this and other fundraising activities we will receive a contribution from the proctors) from Hertford lodge around the clock and from Univ at the time periods of 11:45 to 12:30 tuesday 7th week, 11:45 -12:30 and 4:45 -5:30 saturday of 7th and 11:45-12:30 saturday of 8th (when the most people are finishing their exams). Helium balloons will also be available from Hertford and univ at the critical time periods mentioned.

12. Treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in UK - CALL TO ACTION

We hope that you have found this evening informative. We felt it would be useful to provide people with some suggestions for how they might take action as individuals to address some of the issues raised this evening:

• If you would like to know more about the work of the Independent Asylum Commission or download the full report then please visit their website at: http://www.independentasylumcommission.org.uk/
• If you would like to find out more about the City of Sanctuary concept then contact Amy Merone by e-mail at amymerone@yahoo.co.uk to get involved. For general information visit www.cityofsanctuary.com
• For more information on Citizens Organising and how to get involved contact the Reverend Angus Ritchie by e-mail at director@theology-centre.org
• If you would like to volunteer your time to help refugees and asylum seekers directly then please contact Maira at Asylum Welcome on office@asylum-welcome.org
• Refugee Resource has a Mentoring service and regularly trains people as volunteer mentors for individuals. This requires a minimum of a 1 year commitment and the ability to meet once a week with the person you are matched to. If you are interested then please contact Gemma Humphrey gemmahumphrey@refugeeresource.org
• Employers – Do you know about entitlement to work? Many employers are reluctant to employ refugees due to confusing documentation and fear of prosecution. If you want to know more about this or can offer work placements or jobs please contact bridgetcrampton@refugeeresource.org
• For campaigning and lobbying try http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/, who can help with letter writing and lobbying, http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/, who have a wealth of research, training and general information around refugee issues and run their own campaigns, http://www.stillhuman.org.uk/, who are leading a campaign to end destitution for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Finally, get involved in Refugee Week (16th-22nd June) and get others involved too, for further information contact Asylum Welcome on 01865 722082 or Refugee Resource on 01865 403280 and keep an eye on the local press and http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/ for events.
• There is also a web-site http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/ which contains a great deal of useful information including information packs that you can download or print from the website.

www.oxfordhub.org