The Symposium and Book Fair Coordinator is a contract position that will work with the Symposium Committee in the organization of OPIRG Guelph’s Social and Environmental Justice Symposium and Rebel Knowledge Book Fair in March 2017.

HOURS OF WORK:

8hrs/week late November until Winter Holidays in December, 16hrs/ week January – February, in addition to work on the day of.

RATE OF PAY:

$20.00/hr

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The OPIRG work environment has little day to day supervision. The Coordinator works cooperatively with all other staff (i.e. full time / part time, permanent, and contractually limited staff) to ensure the goals of the Symposium are met. This position will be accountable to the Symposium Committee, made up of members of OPIRG’s Board of Directors and the Coordinator of Organizational and Policy Development.

Must be able to work flexible hours; at times you will be required to work significant overtime based on demands of the Symposium and Book Fair and, as such, will be expected to schedule appropriate time off to compensate for the overtime worked.

ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM:

The OPIRG Guelph’s Social and Environmental Justice Symposium is a convergence of academic and community research, activism, and art focused on social and environmental justice issues. We are aiming to make research more accessible to all and to foster deeper relationships and idea sharing between academics and community organizers. Our goal is to support students in developing research that is useful to community based campaigns and projects working for social change and fostering a space for this exchange to take place. We would like to encourage opportunities for students’ energy and work to be useful as a valuable resource to improve community organizing. This symposium will highlight community –based social justice research by students and community groups.

DUTIES: The specific duties will include:

General Logistics

The Coordinator will:

Book venues for the Symposium and Book Fair

Organize panels and workshop facilitators

Coordinate table arrangement and bookings

Coordinate food and arrange for known dietary restriction needs.

Marketing

The Coordinator will:

Coordinate the design, printing and distribution of promotional materials

Connect with CFRU, the Ontarion, and other local media to create PSAs and book speaking time on local programming

Connect with professors, campus groups, local organizations, and allies.

Operations during Symposium and Book Fair

The Coordinator will:

Coordinate event outreach and participation solicitation

Handle enquiries from speakers, facilitators and attendees

Coordinate OPIRG volunteers

Work closely with OPIRG staff

Committee Assistance

The Coordinator will work with Committee to:

Set theme and direction

Review Submissions

Organize themes and presentation structure

Plan timetables

Apply for grants and negotiate partnerships/sponsorships



QUALIFICATIONS:

OPIRG (General)

Minimum of 2-3 years demonstrated experience (paid and/or unpaid work) is required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are very important to this position.

Fluency and excellent skills in using the English language both written and verbal are essential in order to function effectively in the campus and Guelph communities and to be able to deliver the services and programs as required.

Having a second language is an asset.

The position requires a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression theory and a developed analysis on the political and social aspects of oppression.

Proven knowledge, expertise and experience in community activism/engagement, especially in implementing activities that are geared to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change are necessary.

Proven skills and abilities are essential in the areas of computer software, media (i.e. internet, newspapers, and radio), financial management, and facilitating workshops.

An ability to effectively represent the organization in a variety of public forums is essential.

Position (Specific)

For this position individuals would need to hold plenty of energy, a calm professional manner, the ability to cope with pressure, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to coordinate and evaluate, meticulous attention to detail and effective time management, troubleshooting, and organisational abilities.

OPIRG welcomes the contributions that individuals from marginalized communities bring to our organization, and invites aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people with disabilities to apply. We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they, as individuals who identify with marginalized communities, would bring to the OPIRG organization in their cover letter.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants should submit a resume, a one (1) page letter outlining your skills, and a one (1) page statement on power and oppression no later than:

18 November 2016 AT 11:59 PM (MIDNIGHT)

Interviews are planned to be held on the week of 21 November 2016.

Mail:

OPIRG-Guelph Symposium Committee

24 Trent Lane, University of Guelph

Guelph ON N1G 2W1

Email:

organizational@opirgguelph.org (only PDF or Word documents will be accepted)

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.