AFSC

AFSC Mexico Summer Project 2009

Submitted by EmilyStewart on December 2, 2008 - 2:28pm

Organization's Name:

American Friends Service Committee

Full Description:

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is seeking motivated volunteers for the 2009 Mexico Summer Project that will run from June 25 to August 8, 2009. This is an opportunity to learn about diverse cultures and experiences and to learn ways to address the political, social, ecological, and economic challenges of the present and the future.

The project is carried out in collaboration with Servicio, Desarollo, y Paz, A.C. (SEDEPAC), a prominent Mexican non-governmental organization. AFSC and Quakers in Mexico launched the program in 1939. In developing and implementing the 2009 Mexico Summer Project, SEDEPAC and AFSC will work closely with Unidad Indígena Totonaca Nahuatl (UNITONA), an indigenous development organization in the area. The program is celebrating its 70th year and continues to provide positive life-changing experiences for diverse youth and local communities.

The Program
In 2009 participants will live together in indigenous communities in the mountainous northeastern region of Puebla, Mexico, commonly called the Sierra Norte de Puebla. After four days of orientation, including a 2-day home stay with a local host family (community immersion), participants are divided into five groups. Each group of about 10 to 14 spends the next seven weeks living as a family in an indigenous village where they engage with the local community in cultural and recreational exchanges, assigned work projects for sustainable development, and workshops on various topics important to the local community and the group members.

Qualifications
AFSC seeks applicants who are interested in service, advocacy, and social justice—both in Latin America and their own communities. Participants must be 18-26 years old and able to communicate well in Spanish, the language of the project at all times. AFSC requires that participants undergo a pre-project physical exam. They must participate for the full seven weeks of the program, from June 25- August 8, 2009 and be willing and prepared to live with a small group of peers in a remote rural area of Mexico.

Costs
Participants are responsible for a $1,350 project fee, which covers food, lodging, and transportation related to the project. Participants are also responsible for the cost of their travel to and from Mexico City. A non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon acceptance and the remainder in June 2009. Through the Dewitt Wallace Youth Travel Enrichment Fund of the New York Community Trust we are able to provide scholarships to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Applicants should fill out a scholarship request form along with the application if they want to be considered for a scholarship.

Applications
Please send an email to request the forms or click here for an application. All applications must be submitted to AFSC by March 20, 2009. In April, up to 34 participants and five facilitators from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico will be notified of their acceptance. Applicants from other countries should contact SEDEPAC at proyectoverano@sedepac.org.mx Additional qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if space becomes available.

For additional brochures and information:
American Friends Service Committee
IPLAC – Mexico Summer Project
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 241-7162
(215)241-7026 (fax)
mexicosummer@afsc.org
www.afsc.org/mexico-summerproject

“To be able to be a volunteer in such a project is to live with different cultures and poor communities and know you can learn and teach with examples.” --MSP 2006 Participant

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Program Assistant – Friends Relations Office

Submitted by fgc admin on June 13, 2008 - 9:05am

AFSC
yaf

Qualifications:

1.   A minimum of three years professional experience required, preferably with a faith-based, mission-driven organization in the area of peace and justice or social responsibility.   Undergraduate college degree or equivalent educational experience desirable.

2.   Advanced skill in use of PC applications, including exceptional database skills (Raiser’s Edge desirable); PowerPoint, comfort with using emerging technologies for building and managing relationships and distributing targeted communications.

3.   Member of Religious Society of Friends, or significant experience with Friends strongly desired; compatibility and familiarity with Quaker values and testimonies defining the work of AFSC and the ability to represent them to others required; sensitivity to the concerns and considerations of the larger Society of Friends.

4.   Creativity, flexibility, tact, and the capacity to exercise sound judgment in representation of AFSC policy and programming in a professional manner.

5.   Strong service orientation.

6.   Demonstrated high level of oral, written and interpersonal communication skills; ability to distill information and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including Quakers.

7.   Proven organizational skills, managing and completing complex tasks in a highly fluid environment; detail oriented without losing sight of larger context.

8.   Initiative and ability to manage and prioritize work and time; with the judgment to accept and request guidance as needed.

9.   Availability to attend some evening and weekend meetings, and occasional travel.

10.   Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the
       principles and philosophies of the American Friends Service Committee including nonviolence and
       the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.

11. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns and considerations of AFSC in
      regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and
      disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

Compensation: Salary Range 13, Non-Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The AFSC National Office is a unionized workplace, represented by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. This is a Bargaining Unit I position.

AFSC is a smoke-free workplace.

Description:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

Job Description

Job Title:   Program Assistant – Friends Relations Office

Region/Unit:   Advancement

Supervisor:   Director of Friends Relations

Location:   Philadelphia, PA

Program Description: As part of the Advancement unit, the Friends Relations Office (FRO) provides a coordinating and amplifying function for the work of AFSC within the wider Quaker community. In collaboration with the AFSC regions and units, the FRO helps interpret the work of AFSC to various Quaker audiences as well as listen to concerns, questions and suggestions to bring them back to the AFSC, to enrich our work and advance partnership with the community of Friends. Additionally, the FRO serves as an internal facilitative resource on Quaker concerns and process

Summary of Responsibilities: Provide administrative and programmatic support for the Friends Relations Office to connect with, inform and engage Quakers to join in and support AFSC’s work. Work collaboratively across the organization to provide timely responses to inquiries and requests for support.

Responsibilities:

1.   Serve as the office’s initial interface with Quaker constituencies; track all inquiries, follow up with involved AFSC and other staff, maintain files, and route feedback to relevant departments and staff.
2.   Keep track of contact people and resources available for outreach on AFSC programs.
3.   Coordinate provision of literature and materials to Quaker constituencies, including the loan of banners and displays.
4.   Provide administrative support for the AFSC- Friends Relations Committee, including recording meeting highlights and action items and coordinating with General Secretary’s Office staff on Corporation business.
5.   Organize meetings and events, including invitations, publicity, room scheduling and set up, and catering.
6.   Monitor newsletters and other Friendly literature for opportunities for outreach and linkages; keep abreast of AFSC program initiatives around the country of particular interest to Friends.
7.   Assist in monitoring program expenses. Prepare vouchers, check transmittals, travel expense reports for staff and committee members, and other administrative tasks as assigned.
8.   Assist with annual planning and prioritizing of opportunities and initiatives for outreach.
9.   Support AFSC as a learning organization through internal and external networking and information sharing with respect to Quaker roots and engagement with the Friends community; conduct research and interpret materials as requested by supervisor.
10.   In conjunction with other Advancement units, national units and regional offices, assist with development of resource materials for Quaker constituencies; interpreting work of AFSC in meaningful and appropriate ways for age/context; involve Friends as much as practicable.
11.   Serve as liaison for internship and volunteer opportunities; outreach to young/adult Friends on available opportunities.
12.   Assist with orientation of new staff and occasional in-house discussions on Quaker faith and practice; along with Director, serve as resource on Quaker process and ethos.
13.   Other duties as assigned.

Pacific Mountain Regional Office

Submitted by fgc admin on March 27, 2008 - 10:26am

AFSC
yaf

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
1. Some experience in organizing for social change and justice in Arab-, Muslim-, or Jewish-American communities and knowledge or background of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iraq.

2. At least one year of organizing campaign experience desired, preferably with interfaith constituencies. Experience working with nonprofits and coalitions.

3. Self-starter, ability to work with little supervision, comfort with both team and independent work.

SKILLS REQUIRED:
1. Ability to organize in communities and bring people together to work toward a specific goal.

2. Ability to develop program work and ability to maintain working relationships with Arab, Muslim, Jewish and inter-religious communities in the U.S.

3. Ability to take the initiative in handling and following up on program details.

4. Computer and clerical skills adequate for correspondence and routine office chores, including database experience.

5. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.

6. Comfort with and ability in facilitating consensus decision-making and in working with Quaker committees.

COMMITMENT:
1. Commitment to social justice and nonviolent social change.

2. Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, gender, age, and sexual orientation and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

3. Commitment to the aims and traditions of the AFSC, although membership in the Society of Friends is not a requirement.

Description:

Job Description

Job Title:        Program Associate
Supervisor:   Middle East Program Coordinator
Program:    Regional Office, Middle East Program: Faces of Hope Campaign
Location:    San Francisco, California
Hours:        Temporary and Part-Time: 16 Hours/Week
Compensation: $1,500-$1,650 per month, depending on experience. This position is funded until at least September 2009.

BACKGROUND: The work of the American Friends Service Committee to promote peace, social justice, and humanitarian service is rooted in the experience and faith of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). While AFSC staff is not required to belong to any particular denomination or faith, they are expected to understand and support AFSC’s Quaker foundations. These guiding principals are based on the belief in that of God in every person, and the right of each person to reach his or her full potential.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Regional Office Middle East Program Associate works on the AFSC’s Faces of Hope campaign (http://www.afsc.org/israel-palestine/default.htm) that seeks to lift up, publicize and support the growing numbers of Palestinians, Israelis and Iraqis who are taking tangible steps towards justice and peace. The work includes educational efforts, organizing, outreach, and witnessing. The campaign builds public support for our peace-building allies in Israel/Palestine and Iraq by:
•   Public education about the work of peace groups in the Middle East
•   Stimulating support for peace groups in the Middle East; and
•   Assisting with visits to region by Middle East peace group representatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Work in consultation with national and regional AFSC staff implementing a local campaign with a primary focus on supporting groups in the local Region and the Middle East who are working for peace and justice. Elements of the campaign will include:

•   Maintaining a current, annotated list of peace groups and websites;
•   Educating on the work of peace groups, their campaigns and response to crises in the Middle East;
•   Sponsoring speaking tours of visiting Middle East peace groups; and
•   Facilitating visits of people in our region to the Middle East.

2. Attend, occasionally, evening meetings of the Middle East Committee and the Interfaith Witness for Peace in the Middle East and implement activities they undertake such as:

•   Public and off-the-record programs of inter-religious dialogue;
•   Projects promoting work against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia; and
•   Inter-religious convocations against war and injustice.

3. Review program email regularly, monitor the major websites on which the program relies and send out materials as appropriate.

4. Administer the office work of the program in the absence of the Program Coordinator.

5. Provide overall office and administrative support, including database maintenance.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The Regional Office Executive Committee has overall responsibility for the policies and direction of the Region. The Middle East Program Associate works under the direct supervision of the Middle East Program Coordinator.

Application Instructions:

To Apply: Letter and resume by March 21, 2008. Contact Stephen McNeil.

Send to AFSC, 65 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; fax: (415) 565-0204; smcneil@afsc.org. Position to begin in April.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

Invitation to attend the Nobel Peace Summit in Rome

Submitted by EmilyStewart on October 23, 2007 - 9:58am

Invitation to apply to join the Delegation of Young People attending the Nobel Peace Summit in Rome

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has been invited to send 8 young people (ages 18-23) to participate in this year’s Nobel Peace Summit in Rome, December 13-15, 2007. The meeting’s theme this year is The Next Generation of Peacemakers. There will be sessions with the Nobel laureates and interactive sessions with students in Colleges and Universities in Rome. This year’s Summit will likely include the participation of the Dalai Lama, Mohammed Younis (Grameen Bank), President Gorbachev, Betty Williams, Mairead Maguire and Shirin Ebadi and others. The Organizations who have received the Nobel Peace Prize will also be represented.

AFSC is fortunate to have resources from a donor to pay the expenses for the 8 young people attending (except for shopping or other incidentals).

AFSC Statement on the situation in Burma

Submitted by EmilyStewart on October 23, 2007 - 9:40am

As a Quaker organization rooted in Friends’ belief in the power of love to overcome violence and to transform social evils, the American Friends Service Committee shares the world’s hope that Burma might open itself to change.

The courageous witness of the monks of Burma spoke to their nation’s aspiration for peace, its peoples’ desire to be free from fear and want, and their aspiration to build a just and compassionate society. The monks’ bravery, and that of the ordinary people who gathered to protect them, carried an effect far beyond the borders of their own country.

We honor the monks’ courage and we hold them in the light as we continue to be concerned for their safety. We lift up minority groups who have endured decades of persecution, forced labor, and displacement in struggles to retain their identities and their homes. We also remember Aung San Suu Kyi, the rightfully elected leader of the country, who has been held in detention for most of the past 18 years.

We are concerned that with each renewal of repression, the possibility for dialogue and reconciliation within Burma grows more and more remote. Dialogue and reconciliation among all factions and ethnic groups are the only hope for long-term stability and security of the country. Threats and rhetoric will not be effective, but the combined moral and political pressure of many nations might.

In this dark time, we see hope in a global community increasingly united in its call for change in Burma. We urge that this growing consensus be acted upon at every possible level. Two weeks ago the Association of South East Asian Nations urged the junta to release all detainees and “to take its place in the comity of nations.”

The American Friends Service Committee joins this growing call for Burma’s leaders to end their isolation, rejoin the comity of nations and to open themselves to mediation.