Center for Women’s & Gender Studies

Would you like to assist the GSC staff with this year’s Lavender Graduation ceremony on May 18th? We could really use some volunteers and would love to hear from you. Shifts generally last an hour but you’re more than welcome to volunteer for more time. Shifts will are available before (3:00 – 5:00), during (5:00), and after the ceremony (6:00 – 7:00).
If you’re interested, please e-mail us at matthewmckibben@austin.utexas.edu.

Latinitas – a non-profit organization working on the empowerment of young Hispanic girls through media and technology (www.latinitasmagazine.org) is
accepting applications for Summer Camp Leaders + Volunteers.

For more information contact: Hanne Vang Hansen, Latinitas Outreach Assistant
Visit the website for contact information: www.latinitasmagazine.com

My name is Kathy Blake and I am the Constituent Response Specialist for the Texas Council on Family Violence. Every year, we compile an annual report showing the number of women killed in Texas due to family violence. Our report is released in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In tracking this information, we track certain details in order to personalize these horrific tragedies. I have attached our most recent report. They can also be accessed through the following link www.tcfv.org. We look for the following information:

Her name, age, and date of birth
Her location
The name of the person who murdered her and what became of him/her
The manner of death and the date that it occurred
If she is survived by anyone
If she had a protective order in place

Last year, we lost 111 women due to family violence. We receive our statistical information from the Department of Public Safety along with individualized research. We compile the information and enter it into our Access program for tracking. Since it is such a large task, we rely on the assistance of volunteers and interns. I am reaching out to you today to see if you know of any students within your department that would be available to assist the Texas Council Family Violence with this project. Any amount of time would be greatly appreciated and the students would be able to work on this within our office based in Austin with supervision. If they are unable to commute, I can certainly work out a scenario where they can work on this project remotely. Ideally, I would be able to start with students in May of this year. The students would assist me in compiling the information, adding it to our databases and writing narratives.

I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully collaborating with you. I have a fondness for Women’s and Gender Studies departments since I received my MA from Rutgers University under the supervision of Elizabeth Grosz. It was such an amazing and life altering experience. It truly shaped the career paths I have chosen and enhanced the work that I do.

Hello WGS Community!

This year’s Explore UT is on March 5, 2011 and we need your help in representing the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies! For those of you who might not be familiar with this activity-filled day, here is the informational website: http://www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut/welcome.html

We will be hosting two events and are in need of volunteers to help set up, organize, run, and close-up throughout the day’s festivities. Check out the events that we will be hosting:

1.) Fun and Games with Feminism
11:00-3:40; South Mall
Try your luck at our trivia game by answering questions about important American women and win prizes. Challenge gender stereotypes by drawing yourself without using stereotypical features. Create your own buttons with your favorite feminist hero and more.

2.) What is Women’s and Gender Studies? : Questions and Answers with Graduate Students
3:40-4:40; South Mall
Prospective students interested in women’s and gender topics are invited to join us for this special Q&A session with current WGS graduate students. Ask questions about their research, the UT program, or get some advice about graduate school.

The volunteer schedule is as follows:
(2-3 volunteers needed for each shift)

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM —- Shift 1: Set up and Games
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM —- Shift 2: Games
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM —- Shift 3: Games, Questions and Answers

Due to the fact that each shift is only 2 hours long, please feel free to volunteer to cover more than one, or even the entire day!

Please respond with your availability as soon as possible – it’s going to be a fun day!

Cheers,
Ashton and Virginia
Please reply to: ashtonharding@mail.utexas.edu

VOLUNTEER ROLES IN THE SAFE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Volunteers are encouraged to take on multiple roles within the program. Some duties will include:

Curriculum Development. Volunteers will help design and implement new program curriculum and activities.

Community Outreach. Volunteers will research potential contacts within the school system (receptive teachers, counselors, GSA sponsors, etc.). They will obtain phone numbers/emails for our database, and contact those who may be interested in inviting us into the classroom. This role is vital to keeping the Safe Schools Program active.

Op-Ed Writers. We encourage Safe Schools staff to write opinion pieces for submission to local publications. Topics may vary, from LGBTQ teen suicide, to protesting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” TCRP is happy to assist in article submission.

Classroom Facilitators. This is one of the most important roles within the project. Facilitators will conduct activities in the classroom and promote positive, healthy discussion. Facilitators should have previous classroom experience and be able to demonstrate the ability to handle difficult discussions and student behavior. Facilitators do not need to identify as an LGBTQ individual. They do, however, need to be available at least once a month during school hours.

Guest Speakers. We include 2 guest speakers in every class presentation. Guest speakers should identify themselves as a LGBTQ person and be willing to discuss their personal experiences in a classroom setting. Some topics may include: a coming out story, harassment/bullying they may have experienced (especially in high school), stereotypes, and how they are affected by them, etc. Pictures and stories are encouraged to illustrate points. Guest speakers should be available at least once a month during school hours. We hope to include as many diverse people and stories as possible.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Amanda Hill, Amanda@texascivilrightsproject.org. 1405 MONTOPOLIS DRIVE AUSTIN, TX 78741 PHONE: 512.474.5073 ext. 102 FAX: 512.474.0726

It is almost time for Project Reach Out (PRO) on Saturday, November 6th, 2010!

Project Reach Out is a large-scale, biannual volunteer event sponsored by the UT Student Volunteer Board. Our mission is to unite the UT student population for one day of service to help the needs of the Austin community. Previous PRO events have counted over 500 volunteers serving a variety of non-profit agencies throughout Austin, all in a single day.

A list of agencies is now available and we would like to invite you to sign up at http://tiny.cc/projectreachout !!!

Please register by clicking on the link in the “Register Here” column for the agency you prefer. Please note the time shift and location. We will keep you updated on the day-of instruction after registration period.

If you have questions please contact us via e-mail at svbprojectreachout@gmail.com

I’m working on the information issues in intimate partner violence, specifically those inherent in community interactions, social media, and agency services.

What sources are trusted? What inhibits effective information decision making? How are required documents managed for personal and official purposes? How is safety maintained on the Internet?

These are just a handful of the information issues that need to be addressed. If you are interested in talking through any of these questions and/or working with me on a research or service project, then please let me know. I could use help — anything from a conversation to a short volunteer stint on a project to an Individual Study on a full scale study. Thanks!

Lynn Westbrook,
Associate Professor, 232-7831, School of Information,
lynnwest@ischool.utexas.edu

Hello Beautiful People of the LGBTQGrad World… National Gay Men’s Health Awareness Day (NGMHAD) is just around the corner and we could use your help!! Gay/Queer men remain one of the highest at-risk communities for HIV and though not everyone may identify as Gay/Queer or Man for that matter, HIV in the Queer Community affects us all!

When: The Health panel will likely take place on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010 and the Mixer most likely on Sept. 29 or 30.

Details are forthcoming. How can I help, you ask? Currently volunteers are needed to help with the health panel and mixer. Health Panel Help: If you or someone you know share a particular interest in HIV issues and are willing to give a presentation/organize a panel, feel free to grace us with your knowledge(s). Mixer Help: 15-20 volunteers are needed to ally the mixer. Planning Meetings and Contact

For those who are seriously interested in helping with this event, feel free to email Timothy at: elijahscome@yahoo.com <mailto:elijahscome%40yahoo.com>  and he can assist you with further details such as location. Also, if you need some help generating some ideas or if you have any questions and Tim’s hands are full, please feel free to contact me at: youngt1982@gmail.com <mailto:youngt1982%40gmail.com> .

Goodwill GoodGuides Youth Mentoring Program needs volunteer Mentors!

·        Mentors are needed for one year (4 hrs/month); hours are flexible!

·        GoodGuides matches “at risk/at-hope” Youth (ages 12-17) with caring adults in a one-on-one mentorship. Youth meet with a Mentor, over the course of a year, and do fun, everyday activities (art projects, going to museums, bike riding, playing sports, or just talking). Mentors also help Youth build and explore education and career goals for the future. GoodGuides wants to make Mentoring accessible and easy so, Youth and Mentors are matched based on, common interests, availability and location. In fact, mentoring can take place anytime of the day including, evenings and weekends. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on the life of a young person. Also, we are open to ideas and those interested in leading workshops for our group. GoodGuides wants to match 100 Youth in Austin this year. Please help us reach this goal!

For more information visit http://http://www.austingoodwill.org/wds/goodguides.html or e-mail caitlin.morris@austingoodwill.org

My name is Ami Kane and I am the Conference and Workshop Manager for GENaustin. I have been in this role for just a few months now and one of my big tasks is to begin developing a core of volunteers to deliver one time workshops throughout the community for girls in 4-12 grades.

Workshop Volunteers

GENaustin is looking for enthusiastic, empowered women to conduct workshops throughout the Central Texas area. Workshop Volunteers will deliver GENaustin one time workshops in schools and community partner locations for girls in 4th-12th grades. Workshop topics include body image/media literacy, healthy relationships, and communication/friendships.

Location: Most volunteer hours will be spent throughout the greater Austin area, delivering workshops at schools community partners. A few hours may be spent at the GENaustin main office at the Ann Richards School completing administrative tasks.

Key Responsibilities:
• Training—as this position leads workshops for girls, attendance at a 6 hour comprehensive facilitation training is required.
• Direct service—delivering GENaustin’s workshop curriculum to girls in grades 4-12.
• Administration—occasionally, Workshop Volunteers may be asked to assist with workshop administration, such as contacting schools to schedule workshops.

Reports to: Conference and Workshop Manager, Workshop Coordinator

Length of Appointment: One school year

Time Commitment: Flexible, however:
• Workshops usually take place during school hours (8am-4pm).
• Workshop volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of two workshops a month (workshops are usually 1 hour each; the total commitment per workshop is approximately 3 hours when planning and travel time are included.)

Skills:
• Must be committed to the goals/mission of GENaustin.
• Must be team oriented.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must attend Workshop Volunteer training.
• Group facilitation experience and/or experience working with youth are preferred.

The Girls Empowerment Network’s mission is to foster healthy self-esteem in girls by engaging them to explore and define their personal values and to build skills that empower them with confidence and courage to make wise choices.

For more information contact Ami Kane at (512) 841-4036, fax (512) 841-7465 or visit www.genaustin.org

The Lilith Fund is hosting the 7th Annual Reproductive Equity Awards on April 22nd and

needs volunteers for the event. We also need volunteers on an ongoing
basis for mailings, phone calls and auction item pick-up. For more
information or to volunteer, email info@lilithfund.org.

The Lilith Fund is a Texas based reproductive justice abortion fund. As an all-volunteer non-profit, Lilith provides low income women with small grants to assist with the cost of an abortion.

6-month commitment, 3 hours a week

Intake volunteers attend weekly Worker in Action Meetings to assist workers in making a wage claim. Workers face minimum wage and overtime violations or receive no pay at all. Some workers are also injured on the job and are not given proper medical treatment or are wrongfully fired. Intake volunteers orient them to the wage claim process, help calculate wages, and help them navigate through bureaucratic processes with the Texas Workforce Commission, Austin Police Department, the Department of Labor, and other avenues of reclaiming unpaid wages.  Meetings are held ever Tuesday from 6:30-9. Spanish fluency is required. A two-hour training is provided before you begin as an intake volunteer.

For more information, please email selena@workersdefense.org

Workers Rights Advocate: 10-month commitment, 5 to 10 hours a week

WDP Workers Rights Advocates recover unpaid wages of Latino/a immigrants when they are not paid minimum wage, overtime, or not paid at all. Advocates accomplish this through working directly with workers and negotiating with employers and collaborating with local and state agencies. Advocate will receive training from PDL staff and work closely with the Workplace Justice Coordinator to recover unpaid wages.   Advocates must be detail oriented, responsible, and self-motivated, have basic computer skills and be fluent in both Spanish and English. Additionally, advocates must be available every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9pm for Wage Claim Meetings, where they will work with unpaid workers.

For more information please e-mail selena@workersdefense.org

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 5:15 – 7:30
Location: City Hall Atrium
Event: Living Legacies: Honoring Women’s Activism Across Generations
Contact: Angela Howard Frederick at angelahoward@mail.utexas.edu

The City of Austin Commission for Women is hosting a citywide event to celebrate Women’s History Month. We are in need of volunteers to assist with registration. The event will provide an opportunity to network with some of Austin’s women leaders and community activists. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Angela Howard Frederick at angelahoward@mail.utexas.edu by Tuesday, March 16.