AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Region

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Office is seeking a student or youth volunteer to act as a Student Activist Coordinator (SAC) for Mid-Atlantic Regional Office.  The SAC is an important volunteer position within the Amnesty International USA structure and is an excellent opportunity for young activists to become leaders and organizers not only on campuses, but in their local communities as well.  As a SAC, you will deepen your knowledge of human rights issues locally and worldwide, as well as acquire valuable organizing and activist skills.

Responsibilities:

1. Cultivate positive working relationships with local groups

• Maintain monthly contact with student and youth groups to which you are assigned.
• Ensure that groups have a clear understanding of AI’s Mission and policies and are aware of current action opportunities.
• Assist groups in developing yearly goals, planning an action calendar, and developing and implementing fund-raising activities.
• Recruit and organize new members
• Empower other students and youth in leadership positions.
• Help build local networks between group activities and local coalitions engaged in human rights work.
• Encourage students and youth to become members and get involved in the AIUSA’s governance process. 

2. Educate yourself about Amnesty International and its policy issues/decisions:

• Attend leadership training, State Meetings and Regional Conferences.  
• Familiarize yourself with AI’s position on priority campaigns and key human rights issues through regional office mailings and regular visit to Amnesty websites: http://www.amnestyusa.org

What SACs Can Expect From the Regional Office:

1. Training:  We will work with you to meet all your training needs to help you be the best SAC you can possibly be.
2. Materials and resources necessary to function as an SAC. This will include contact information for student groups and other AIUSA volunteer leaders.
3. Prompt reimbursement for expenses incurred in carrying out the SAC responsibilities.
4. Events and organization support by Regional Office staff upon request.

To Apply: please e-mail Jiva Manske (jmanske@aiusa.org) for MD, VA, and WV or Savannah Fox (sfox@aiusa.org) for DC, DE, and PA! 

The 2012 Mid Atlantic Regional Conference is right around the corner, and MARO couldn’t be more excited! Be sure to check out all the updates on the conference website! Check out some of the highlights:  

Undocumented and Unafraid: Maryland DREAMers and the Fight for the Right to Education
As the 2012 elections approach, no voices are louder than undocumented students, who have built one of the most powerful human rights movements in the country. One of the key battlegrounds is Maryland, where DREAMers have led the fight to defend their right to education, and inspired over 1 million fellow Marylanders to stand in solidarity with them. We’ll hear directly from those on the front lines as they share their stories of courage, discuss creative tactics for movement building, and show us all the sheer power of youth activism.

New Tactics in Human Rights: Collaborative & Creative Activism 2.0
Kristin Antin, online community builder for the New Tactics in Human Rights Project, will help to facilitate this amazing opportunity for all conference participants to share success stories with each other, inspire creativity, and build a stronger movement than ever. Drawing from case studies of cutting edge tactics for intervening in human rights crises around the world, we’ll sharpen our activist tools, strengthen connections, and develop new strategies to make real human rights impact on Amnesty campaigns.

March and Rally: Global Solidarity for the Right to Education!
From Maryland to Pakistan, people around the world are shining a light on the right to education. To cap off the conference, we’ll rally in solidarity with Malala Yousafzai, who was recently shot in Pakistan for her courageous calls for access to education for girls just like herself. We’ll also march side by side with undocumented students who have been fighting for access to higher education right here in our own region.

Join us throughout the day for a variety of panels and workshops such as Corporate Accountability and Environmental Justice, Careers in Human Rights, and Women’s Rights; and workshops on topics ranging from the fight against Islamophobia to protecting human rights using satellite imagery to theater and activism.

(Source: aiusa.org)