Hunger Banquet at UNLV

As part of UNLV's Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, The Las Vegas Oxfam Action Corps was invited to participate in the LEAD team's Hunger Banquet, on November 19th. They received all of their materials from Oxfam and invited Lauren to speak about the history of Oxfam, what we do and believe and how students can get involved. Jacob, Louie, Ruth and Gracie also participated. It was a good and impactful exercise. The students got at least an idea of the disparity in the world and some compelling statistics on hunger and poverty that really made them think. Also, as they are students, and really enjoy free food in any form - they actually seemed grateful for a plain, luke-warm, potato. It was a lot of fun and a good opportunity to raise awareness about Poverty, Oxfam and the Action Corps!

November Calendar

LVOAC Monthly Meeting - Octber 2008

October 22, 2008

Lv OAC members met at Lauren's house for an informal screening of Sisters On The Planet. A DVD, showcasing 4 women; Sahena, Sharon, Muriel and Martina; as they share their stories of how climate change has affected their lives. We followed up the screening with a discussion on Adaptation and thoughts and opinions on the film. For anyone who is interested in learning more about the film, or if you would like to obtain a copy of it your self, send us an e-mail, or go to: Oxfam America_Sisters On The Planet

We hope to see you all at the November meeting!

Connect with Nevadans Meeting with Senator Harry Reid

On October 9th 2008, the Las Vegas Action Corps had the opportunity to meet with Senator Reid in his office with twelve other community members at the Connect with Nevadans meeting. Tonopah Greenlee and Angelica Cox introduced themselves to the Senator and shared their concerns with the change in climate around the world, especially in developing countries. They explained what the Action Corps is doing locally to educate people on the issue. Senator Reid listened to their concerns, but stated that the U.S. must focus on the economic crisis now. He explained that once we get our country on the right track, we can help other countries.

Meeting @ Espee's

LV OAC's last meeting was held on September 25th at Espee's Gourmet Tamales. Gabby, Renee, Lauren and Angelica reviewed the following:

I. Potential meeting with Senator Reid- Senator Reid's staffers contacted the LV OAC and invited us to meet with the Senator on Monday September 29th to discuss our mission and our goals for the year. However, the meeting was put on hold due to the financial crisis. We will hopefully meet with him this month. If you are interested in coming, we'll see if we can squeeze you in.

II. Sisters on the Planet Screening- We have the funding for the screening, but we need some motivated individuals who want to put in some extra hours to organize this event. We have a few peeps who are volunteering. Gabby will be calling some libraries in LV for potential screenings, and Louie & Ruthie will be looking at UNLV and local theaters. Tonopah has contacted NPR to see if they would announce the
event. Also, we thought of having our next meeting at a member's home to watch the film before actually doing the BIG screening. This will give us time to discuss the documentary and digest our thoughts.
---To get more info about the doc go to:
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/campaigns/climate_change/sisters-on-the-planet

III. Adaptation 101: During the meeting we decided to review the Adaptation 101 packet. We discussed and shared our thoughts about the literature. It was great reviewing the packet to refresh our memories. If you have time, I encourage you all to take a few minutes and reread the Adaptation 101 packet. It really gives you some
perspective!

IV. Hunger Banquet: Will be discussed at the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 29TH, 2008 @ 6:30 pm---- LOCATION- TBA

We'll see you all on the 29th of October!

Tabling at the UNLV Involvment Fair

The OAC participated at the UNLV Involvement fair on September 9th to get more students engaged in the LV Oxfam Action Corps. Angelica and Tonopah talked to several students about our grassroots constituency. Those that were unable to get involved, were interested in signing our petition, which asks the next U.S. president to take climate change seriously. The two members met several interesting people, including a doctor who previously lived in South Africa and had traveled to over 100 hundred countries! He shared his experiences abroad and talked about his encounters with Oxfam in developing countries. The OAC members also met a volunteer for Amnesty International who is interested in working with the LVOAC.
As a result, the tabling event was a success!

Visit to Senator Reid's office

On Friday August 22nd Tonopah and Angelica visited Senator Reid's office to discuss the work that Oxfam is doing in Las Vegas and around the world. Kate and Katie, the two staffers, were excited to meet with the two OAC members to hear more about what our grassroots constituency is doing. The members shared concerns about the challenges poor people in the U.S. and in developing countries face-- flooding, droughts, cyclones, hurricanes, etc. They presented the "asks"-
1) Stop Hurting- by reducing our carbonemissions
2) Start Helping- by helping the poor ADAPT to the changes in climate. Overall the meeting went well! The staffers were very kind and genuinely interested in
OAC's concerns. Angelica and Tonopah have been in contact with them and they stated that Senator Reid takes this issue seriously.
Senator Reid is taking steps to reducing our emissions. He is also concerned in helping the poor adapt to natural disasters.

August Montly Meeting @ McMullin's Irish Pub

The OAC team met on August 27th to discuss tabling and event updates, upcoming events, and lobby visits.
The following is what was reviewed in the meeting.

I. National Clean Energy Summit-- Lauren and Angelica shared their experience at the Summit with OAC members and discussed what they learned.

II. Tonopah and Angelica visit Senator Reid's office-- The two members discussed the outcome of the lobby visit.

III. Unity Rally at CSN--- Lauren and Angelica discussed the tabling event at CSN.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
I. UNLV Involvement Fair-
What: Tabling event at UNLV
When: September 9th and 10th 11:00 am- 3:00 pm
Where: UNLV Student Union
Who is volunteering: Tuesday (Angelica, Tonopah, Gabby)


II. Sisters on the Planet- Film Screening of the Oxfam Film. We have
some $$ to organize the event!
What: Four short films about women, in both rich and poor countries, who are determined to do whatever they can to put a stop to climate change.

III. Hunger Banquet at UNLV- November 20th at 5 pm, Student Union
208A--- more info to come

Next meeting Thursday September 26th. See you there!

Unity Rally

Angelica and Lauren tabled at the Unity Rally, on August 23rd at the Henderson campus of CSN.

This event was awesome! Renee invited us to come down and have a table at the Unity Rally sponsored by Nation For Change. We were able to speak with Dina Titus and she remembered the Adaptation packet we had given her at the Clean Energy Summit. It was just a really different crowd that concerts, or some of our other events - they seemed much more educated on the Climate Change issue in general and Oxfam's work. That being the case, almost everyone that stopped by signed the petition!

The following Guest speakers discussed Yucca Mountain, Nevada’s high rate of home foreclosures, renewable energy, and the lack of affordable health insurance for our community:

Peggy Maze‐Johnson
Local Expert on Yucca Mountain

Vicenta Montoya, Chair
Si Se Puede Democratic Club of Southern Nevada

Sanje Sedera, Chair Asian American Democratic Caucus

Greg Gilbert, Managing Partner
Holland and Hart, LLP

Clean Energy Summit

Oxfam America was kind enough to pay for Angelica and I to attend the National Clean Energy Summit, at UNLV, on August 19th.

"Industry leaders, scientists, policy experts, citizens, and the media gathered in Nevada at the national summit hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to chart a course for our nation's clean energy future. This is a pivotal opportunity to focus on defining a policy agenda that accelerates the development of renewable energy, energy-efficiency technologies, and robust clean energy markets in Nevada, the nation, and the world."

We made some important contacts and heard a few really impressive and compelling speakers. We were able to give Adaptation packets to Dina Titus and Hilda Solis. Further, it was just really encouraging to sit in a room of hundreds of people from across the country, all gathered in Las Vegas, of all places, and discussing such an important and prevalent topic. It wasn't a debate, or even really an exploration. It was an agenda, with goals and hopes for the future.

Oxfam Action Corps particpates in the Latino Congreso

This years National Latino Congreso brought together Latinos, from grassroots community organizations to national elected officials, to create a Latino agenda on a variety of issues, including climate change. Angelica Cox from the Las Vegas Oxfam Action Corps had the opportunity to attend the conference with Brian Rawson, Dugyen Nguyen, and Adam Motiwala to discuss Oxfam Action Corps' perspective on the climate change debate- the HUMAN FACE. The OAC team set up a table at the congreso and talked to latinos about the campaign. They also participated in the town hall meetings to learn more about the resolutions being presented. During the discussion on the resolution focusing on climate change, Brian Rawson presented the idea of "adaptation" and shared that since the U.S. is the number one emitter of green house gases, they should help those who are most vulnerable to climate related disasters. The Honorable Grace Napolitano was very receptive to Brian's comments and talked to him after the discussion. The team also had the opportunity to discuss "adaptation" with Earth Day Network. In the end, the OAC team was successful in adding "adaptation" to the amendment!

LVOAC presence at Early Voting

Thank you to Gabby for coming out with Lauren and Angelica to table at this event. The turn out was meager, but the caliber was great. We were able to speak to Vincent Ochoa and Frank Sullivan - both running for Family Court Judge as well as Nancy Allf - running for Nevada Supreme Court, seat B. All three signed the petition, Nancy put on a button and Frank displayed 2 Oxfam stickers right on the front of his shirt! They stood out, even from across the room as he networked with his colleagues and constituents.

LVOAC Monthly meeting _ July 2008

Thank you to Gracie, Seth, Ruth, Shawna, Tonopah, Barb, Gabby, Becky, Louie, and Jacob for joining Lauren and Angelica at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Maryland pkwy.

Jacob lead this months meeting and a really good discussion on Why People Volunteer.

Other topics discussed included:

• Oxfam Action Corps at a Glance handouts
• Angelica's recap of the Latino Congresso
• Lauren's recap of Coldplay and the 800+ sign ups we got!!! :0)
• Lobby Visit updates
• Climate Change news: All of these are posted on our Google group at lv-action-corps@googlegroups.com
• Early Voting tabling at the Sheet Metal Workers Union on 2560 Marco
• August 1: First Friday
  
• August 22: Rebels Give Back
• September 10th and 11th: UNLV Involvement Fair
• Upcoming Hunger Banquet
• Next Meeting: August 27th @ McMullans Irish Pub, 6:30 pm

Coldplay @ the MGM, July 19, 2008

Thank you so much to: Adam, Angie, Anupa, Becky, Danielle, Gracie, Jacob, Jen, Jennifer, Jessica, Kimberly, Louie, Marsha, Michele, Rachel, Renee, Ruth and Shawna!!!! And a very special "Thank you!!!!!" to Pete!

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about how we'd do. I had no idea about how the crowd would receive us with Vegas being Vegas. And, hosestly, as I hadn't ever worked with half of you guys - I was a little anxious about that as well. But it was all for naught! Pete told me last night that we had over 800 sign-ups!!!! You guys worked so hard and impressed the hell out of me. Thank you for being on time and for your passion and commitment! I hope you enjoyed the show and will consider joining the LV Oxfam Action Corps and working with us again in the future!!!!!

Again, thank you a million thank you! :0), Lauren

"We must hold together our world, not expecting that others will take up the slack, not doing casual harm to one another by failing to do our share. "

LV OAC August Calendar

Hello OAC crew! On June 25th the OAC gathered together at Panera Bread on Lake Mead and Tenaya to discuss upcoming events. Lauren, Angelica, Gracie, Ruthie, Michele, Jacob, and a new member Rene, made it out to organize the events. For those of you who could not make it, here is a recap of our discussion:

We all shared something that meant something to us. Jacob talked about an inspirational book called Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Angelica shared a special gift from Costa Rica given to her by her host family, and Gracie read some letters about ending poverty written by her 4th grade students. After show-and-tell, we talked about the calendar and upcoming events:

• JULY 10th = Get together at Springs Preserve @ 6pm. Purely social, no Climate Change rhetoric.
• JULY 19th = Coldplay!!! Will probably have a get together before that to plan but have to cement volunteers.
• JULY 23 rd = Next monthly meeting @ 6:00pm. Jacob is choosing the location and a specific topic he would like to talk about.
• JULY 24th or 25th = Tentative lobby visits, nothing concrete, nothing confirmed but we're hoping to have some visits on those dates.

After that, we all picked a topic from the Climate CHange Q&A Sheet Lauren had brought, read it out loud and went around and discussed it. We also began preliminary planning for the hunger banquet.

Hope to see you all at the next meeting, which will be JULY 23rd.

LVOAC Attends Gnarls Barkley Concert to Spread the WORD

The Las Vegas Oxfam Action Corps has done it once again! On Saturday June 21, the team set up a table in front of the Mandalay bay beach entrance, along side the World Food Program. The team talked to people waiting in line about adaptation and climate change. They managed to get a few signatures before Gnarls Barkley fans slipped in through the doors. Unfortunately the LVOAC was not allowed to set up inside the concert, but they made the most of it!

Coldplay!!!!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to give you all a heads up on the Coldplay concert coming up on the 19th of next month. If you want to help spread the word about Oxfam's fight against poverty and see an awesome concert too - and we welcome everyone! Just take a second and go to : http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/act_now/concerts_2008/?searchterm=concert%20application
to apply, we will be choosing our volunteers from that list. Tell your friends!

OUTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL TONIGHT!

GNARLS BARKLEY
WITH THIEVERY CORP.
MANDALAY BAY BEACH
SAT JUN 21 2008 7:45 PM
Gates open at 7:30PM.

Stop by our Oxfam Action Corps
table at the concert to learn
about climate change and how
you can take action to help those
most affected
by it.

Urgent Legislation

Tell the Senate: Help poor people deal with climate change

Right now, the Senate is debating a bill that could make a big difference for these people. We need your voice today.

Currently, the Senate is debating a bill that would require companies to buy permits in order to continue emitting the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The revenue from the sale of those permits could be used to assist poor people who are already facing the consequences of climate change.

As the largest emitter of pollutants in the world, the US has a responsibility not only to cut our own pollution but also to help poor people survive the consequences of climate change. But the opposition will be fierce – so it’s up to us to take a stand. Ask your senators to ensure that the Lieberman-Warner bill requires a higher level of emission permits to be sold—rather than given away to polluting companies—and uses the money raised to help the poor adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Click here and you can take action now!!!

"House Party" @ UNLV

Our first official house party was yesterday!!!!! Who said it had to be in an actual house, anyway? Thank you so much to Michele, Jacob, Ruth, Gracie, Mike, Cindy, Ken, Kara, and Marie for coming out and supporting Angelica, Barb and Lauren. Your support means a lot to us! We introduced Oxfam, Oxfam America, Adaptation, and each other! Then, in true action corps manner, took some action and wrote letters to our legislators: Harry Reid, Jon Porter and Shelley Berkely. We also watched a DVD on poverty and ate some chocolate cupcakes with Oxfam green frosting and decided on the time and date of our next meeting; June 25th at 6:30. We hope you all can make it!

Taking Action at the Breeders Concert

The LV Action team joined the Breeders at the House of Blues on Friday May 2nd to talk to fans about climate change and how it is affecting the people in the developing world. Although the team was placed in the smoking section of the HOB, they were able to spark up interesting conversations about the climate change issue. Las Vegans who attended the concert were very concerned about what the U.S. is doing to help humans adapt to natural disasters.

The Faces of Those Hit First and Worst

The people that are most affected by climate change are the world's poorest people living on less than $2 a day. Changes in weather have already caused an increase in hunger, water shortages, and disease. If climate change continues at the current rate, millions of people may be displaced. Because of the lack of resources, reports suggest that there will be an increase in international conflicts. Here are the true stories of those hit first and worst, and how Oxfam America is helping them adapt to the changes.

In the Chimbu Province of Papua New Guinea Highlands, the village leader James Gigami reports that villagers are experiencing unpredictable weather, which is impacting their crop yields.

Thandi, who lives in the small village of Hluhluwe in South Africa, is among millions being affected by climate change. "The ground used to be soft and easy to dig by hand; water was freely available just under the surface and food was plentiful; there was a lake nearby that provided fish for us to eat. But now the land is dry and hard and there is no water under the surface; even the lake has dried up." Having less water means that it is more difficult for villagers to grow nutritious crops for people living with HIV/AID.


In Bangladesh, Rahim lost his home to Cyclone Sidr. In the image, Rahim and his family rebuild his home. "Father can't go to sea now, because the boat he works in is lost and the nets are on top of the tree, tangled and torn," says Rahim.

The Breeders @ HOB May 2nd!!!

Do you like the Breeders?

So do we!

And we're having a table at their concert this coming Friday at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Stop by and learn more about Adaptation and climate change and what you can do to help!

See you there!

Festival of Communities @ UNLV

Angelica, Barb and Lauren went out to UNLV last weekend to table at the school's Unityfest.

We met a lot of amazing and eager people who really encouraged us and lprooved us right in thinking that there are plenty of people in Las Vegas who want to learn more about Adaptation and climate change. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, especially Jacob, to Angelica's Dad for being so supportive, to Barb for setting up the table and being so organized and prepared and to Angelica for making posters and signs for the buckets! We ended up with about 5 pages of signatures and a lot of new contacts!

Peace!

Summerlin Earthfaire! April 19th

Hi Everyone!

So, we went out to the Earthfaire, eventhough we were unable to reserve a table. We wanted to do some mingling with green-minded "earthy" people and just get a good idea of who exactly that might be in Las Vegas.

We were asked to leave about 45 minutes into the event because we weren't registered to be there. However, by that time we had already secured about 30 signatures or so and talked to a lot of people. Some awarenes was raised and some interests piqued. Also, we were able to start some buzz in the community and get the LV action corps on the lips of a few people - what more could we ask for?

Angelica did manage to sign us up for next year and we are really excited to be able to return in 364 days and get a lot more accomplished! If you'd like to come along next year let us know!

Peace!