The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) has declared Climate Change one of this year's pressing issues! Their newly-formed Climate Change Initiative is charged with finding ways to preserve the Earth and to examine the global inequities caused by climate disruption. They have formed a Task Force website at http://www.digitaluniverse.net/uuuno/ where you can follow current events related to climate change, discuss plans with other members, and join events to help the cause.
One event currently being promoted is the Intergenerational Spring Seminar in April 2010. Still in the planning stages, this event will bring together UUs from all over North America. At the New York City United Nations Office, participants will gain an understanding of why climate change is happening, the global dangers it poses, how this relates to the Unitarian Universalist faith, and what actions should be taken in the face of this change. There will be speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including scientists, social advocates, activist leaders, and ministers. At the end of the three-day conference, participants will work together to draft a statement to the Secretary General of the United Nations. This statement will determine the future mission of the UU-UNO Climate Change Task Force.
The office is still recruiting a variety of volunteers to help plan the Spring Seminar. Volunteers will gain great experience in leadership and event planning and can participate in the Seminar free of charge. It is possible to volunteer from anywhere in the US, since the work can be done over the phone and internet. The office currently needs volunteers familiar with web programming and audio/video broadcast to help set up a live feed of the Seminar which will be put on the web for all to see. This is the first year the web will be used to widen the audience of the Seminar, so even if you can't attend in person, you will still be able to view the event and discuss it with other UUs in real-time on the UU-UNO website!
There are other kinds of volunteers needed as well; including Food Organizers, Youth Leaders, and more. You can read more about the Seminar and how to become a volunteer on the event page linked to at the top of this article.
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written by Jessica Ansel, Spring Seminar Planning Co-ChairThe Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) has declared Climate Change... more
Over the last few months, Causecast has been highlighting exceptional volunteers from our network of organizations. This month, we’re proud to feature Cima Kalmanson of Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Starlight Children’s Foundation is a national nonprofit that provides support for seriously ill children and their families. As a volunteer, Cima Kalmanson spends time with the children at the array of events put on by the organization.
How did you originally get involved in volunteering for Starlight?
In 3rd grade, my family doctor confirmed that I had some health problems and I required surgery. Being in the hospital was scary; no TV, no toys, and I felt alone! My classmates sent handmade cards to me, which I posted on the wall in my hospital room. My family came to visit but I really felt so isolated, sad and afraid. I forgot how to smile. Years later, I began to volunteer for many different charities. I got involved with Starlight when I saw an advertisement for volunteers, went to a group meeting and then became more involved with all of the different events, fundraising, auctions, kids activities – whatever they needed.
What’s been your most memorable moment?
During a Christmas event back in 1985, I met a young boy who had cancer; he came from a big family. I was sitting on his bed making up a story about his favorite treat, ice cream. He was so happy to hear my story that I called it Chris’ favorite flavors. After about 15 minutes, his sisters, and parents came in and listened as well; we all were laughing and having fun. Chris loved ice cream, but couldn’t have any since he was having chemo.
I said see you soon, and he gave me a big hug and a kiss. He whispered in my ear, “I know I am going to die very soon, but my mommy doesn’t know. Please,” he asked, “ask the nurse to bring my family ice cream.” I held my tears and said, “I will ask for you.”
Sadly, two weeks later, he died. When we were at the hospital, the nurse who took care of him showed me a picture he drew two days before he died. It was a giant ice cream cone smiling, and it said “Thank you Cima for the best Ice Cream story I ever heard, I could taste all the flavors it was YUMMY.”
I just cried.
How has your life changed through public service?
It truly has been so enriched, knowing whatever you do can truly change someone’s life, or make them feel better, even if it’s short term seeing everyone smile through pain and sorrow. Giving can open your heart and mind.
I feel very lucky to have the chance to continue to reach people through my efforts, by being the best volunteer I can.
I am the person I am today – good, kind, and giving – because of organizations like Starlight. They shine and I get to share the sky as a small star with them.Over the last few months, Causecast has been highlighting exceptional volunteers from... more
This week, we launched Impact, our new section devoted to giving back. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of our HuffPost community, it immediately lived up to its name...This week, we launched Impact, our new section devoted to giving back. Thanks to the... more
President Obama combined an appeal for volunteerism with a tribute to one of the nation's most prominent exponents of public service, former President George H.W. Bush.
Obama reminded an audience at Texas A&M University that the senior Bush called for a "thousand points of light" and set up the first White House office devoted to volunteer work. "It's a vision that's changed lives across this country," Obama said.
Speaking at the Points of Light Institute, Obama also urged people to volunteer to help children or feed the hungry, saying they can fill in where government comes up short.
"The need for action always exceeds the limits of government," Obama said, adding that service is "integral to achieving our national priorities."
He urged students to develop a "public service mindset," adding that it can help ease the nation's partisan divide as well.
Bush introduced Obama, recalling how he first met "our president" back in 2005, when Houston was helping care for refugees from Hurricane Katrina. After the two presidents exchanged a warm greeting, Obama joked that if the wind had been different, Bush "would have parachuted in."
George W. Bush, who lives in Dallas, did not attend.
In his remarks, Obama noted that the elder Bush passed up a life of privilege to serve a variety of posts in public service, from U.N. ambassador to CIA Director to president. He cited Bush's work with former president Bill Clinton to raise money for Katrina relief.
"There's no place for partisanship when a great American city is under water," Obama said
Obama also lauded a former Texas A&M president, current Defense Secretary Robert Gates and a holdover from the George W. Bush administration. Obama said his Pentagon chief "could not be doing a better job."President Obama combined an appeal for volunteerism with a tribute to one of the... more
Volunteers are awarded a trip to the Virgin Mobile Freefest, a music festival raising money and awareness for youth homelessness. Sir Richard Branson of Virgin encourages social change and activism during this time of economic challenges. Attendees donate money and time towards homeless youth for entry into the free festival. Virgin Unite focuses on the cause by benefiting StandUp For Kids, Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and other organizations. This video follows the journey of two volunteers whose service and generosity led to a free trip across the country to see bands such as Blink 182, Weezer, Franz Ferdinand, The Bravery, Public Enemy, and more. (Music Credit: Girl Talk and Michael Cheever)Volunteers are awarded a trip to the Virgin Mobile Freefest, a music festival raising... more
Seven Reasons to Get off Your Ass and Help featuring....
Habitat For Humanity
Kinga visits the Habitat for Humanity job site in San Pedro, California where she meets several volunteers who are building homes for families in need, and changing their lives in the process. http://current.com/items/88829191_habitat-for-humanity.htm
Ok. Imagine this. You're walking down this street and someone asks you for your hair. You heard me. Right then and there. For your HAIR. You gotta read it to believe it.Ok. Imagine this. You're walking down this street and someone asks you for your hair.... more
Volunteer Abroad Chile La Serena Orphanage Program Schools Day Cares Welfare Missions Overseas http://www.abroaderview.org...Volunteer Abroad Chile La Serena Orphanage Program Schools Day Cares Welfare Missions... more
Its not just about Politics, though Politics is also important here.
Its not just about numbers, though Numbers are important too..
It’s about Faces, So many of them…..
Faces who have seen too much in too little a time. …
Here you see many slums , but no millionaires.
You will find travellers but no destination….
These are internally displaced People of SWAT.
Many of them settled in IDP camps established..
at Mardan, Nowshehra and other areas,
while the majority chose to stay independent.
A large portion of these displaced people arrived at Karachi
where they are living with their relatives, or rented houses
with high rents. This is there story.
Bonier is situated around 60 miles from Islamabad.
An idyllic place with a history full of traditions, simplicity and peace.
All this changed one fine morning….
The terror had finally arrived Taliban’s.
They came with colourful Promises.
The promise of quick justice,
Divine Law, Sharia.
Soon the terror removed its masks and unveiled its true face.
The recent Operation by Pakistan against Taliban forces
For them this was a ray of light, a glimmer of hope.
But everything comes with a price.
The army needed space,
the collateral damage too much a political baggage;
they had to be removed from the war zone.
With in few days more than 1.5 million people left their houses…
and settled for different parts of Pakistan.
Even here, their miseries are far from over.
The new place offers them nothing but a reminiscence
of what they have left behind.
What could have been theirs?
These children are a product of fear;
these faces the faces under terror.
These faces need to be seen,
these voices be heard,
for they tell a story not covered in any of the debate rooms.
They tell why a combination of poverty, ignorance, deception and ultimate terror alters the course of human lives in such a short span of time.
These faces need to be helped.
Because in the end, they are all human faces.
Kazim Raza, Karachi. PakistanIts not just about Politics, though Politics is also important here.
Its not just... more
Every morning while on the way to office or coming back in evening it’s not possible for the karachiets to ignore baggers, children with car screen wipers and drug addicts. But unfortunately hardly seen some one talking to them to share there grievan...ces, to know what turns them into a LIFE without SOUL.....
Directed and Produced by Kazim RazaEvery morning while on the way to office or coming back in evening it’s not possible... more
The youth of our age, surrounded by a swarm of difficulties and problems is in search of a solution, but what he eventually finds is more and more of difficulties and disappointments. When unemployed and poverty numbs all his senses, paralyzes all his muscles, he feels life is nothing but a futile effort, a bottomless pit of poverty and indigence. According to one estimate, in past 10 years, around 10 thousand Pakistanis have been killed by security forces, crossing Greece-Turkey border illegally. In pursuit of an ever evading happiness, who are these ill-informed people and who are the traffickers involved in this heinous trade of human trafficking. The real issue is how come the educated ones of our country fall prey to these human traffickers. Poverty and related problems are the main reasons behind human trafficking and illegal immigration. Your pursuit of happiness can bring this much misery and suffering, one can only know by meeting the people under Custody of FIA, who have recently been deported from the Turkey Border. It seems an obvious enough advice to have a safe albeit simple life at home, than to a have risky prosperous life abroad. But mired deeply in the troubled waters, it’s only dreams of a happy living that make these people go through all sorts of troubles.
I just pray that my country Pakistan finds a leader, a person who can improve the situation in our country, so that no one thinks about leaving this country and going through this humiliation This heinous crime of Illegal immigration, despite efforts by the State, is flourishing. One obvious contributors of this crime are the people who become a victim of agents’ treacherous promises, lost their lives’ savings and became a victim of dark alleys.
The question that haunts us all is till what time these traffickers would dupe the gullible of their livelihoods and till what time the carcasses of the youth of our country would be feasted by the beasts in unknown wildernesses.
Directed and Produced By
Kazim Raza
Masmedia Productions
Pakistan
923333705114Sans Papiers
The youth of our age, surrounded by a swarm of difficulties and... more
Amongst the most beautiful regions of the world, the picturesque valleys of Swat and Buneir used to be huge tourist attraction. The people of this land were remembered for their ethereal beauty and generous hospitality.
But all this changed in a short span of time. These valleys soon became a symbol of terror and insecurity for the tourists. Even the locals started feeling insecure in their homeland.
With a population of around 5 millions, these valleys became a burning inferno right in front of the eyes of the world, fuelled by religious bigotry and fanaticism.
To eliminate the menace of terrorism, Pakistan Army started its operation in the troubled region, the subsequent resistance by Taliban forces turned this halcyon patches into a war zone.
Lush green fields turned into deadly bunkers, happy faces suddenly plagued by death stricken silence. The ensuing uncertainty culminated into the biggest exodus of human history. Around 3 million people left their homes to taste the bitter tastes of homelessness, settling in the Tent Villages at Mardan, Naushehra and Swabi.
Leaving the war zone was an unavoidable decision, the migration inescapable, but in these testing times, the true essence of people came out. Armed with the sense of compassion, sacrifice and devotion came out the helping hands. And pretty soon many a new shelters started appearing. The sense of homelessness started giving way to a glimmer of hope, peace and security.
A huge contingent of IDPs in Swabi was welcomed b y Mr Liaquat Taraki, the chairman of Tarakai group and Head of Liaquat Khan welfare trust. The aim and mission of Trakai trust is to make Swabi a prosperous district, and to help elevate the living standard of Swabi people by eradicating poverty and backwardness.
Directed and Produced By " Kazim Raza"Amongst the most beautiful regions of the world, the picturesque valleys of Swat and... more
Music fans partner with UK charity to massage their way into the history books
430 people lined-up to create an army of masseuses in the Guinness World Record for the longest back massage chain which was organised by v, the National Young Volunteers Service, and took place at the Leeds festival - The previous record was 260 people.
v staged the world record attempt at the Leeds Festival to illustrate how simple and easy it is to do others a favour – including giving a person a massage.
The World Record is part of v’s Outdoor Favours campaign to show teens and young adults how fun and easy it is to do a favour for someone, no matter how big or small. The campaign has been touring the UK’s hottest festivals to help inspire the nation’s 16-25 year olds to spend some time volunteering.
Take a moment to post your personal plan to perform a good deed, volunteer or engage in a charitable activity in observance of the newly established September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Help create a wonderful legacy that honors the victims and those who rose to service in response to the attacks on our home.
Check out the site. So many people are doing alot of amazing things. From very simple to the incredibly complex. What will you do on 9/11?Take a moment to post your personal plan to perform a good deed, volunteer or engage... more
Here’s how a growing movement is tackling the problem – with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in hand.Here’s how a growing movement is tackling the problem – with peanut butter and... more
Once again we return to our So You Want My Job series, in which we interview men who are employed in desirable jobs and ask them about the reality of their work and for advice on how men can live their dream.
Today we feature a different sort of job; it’s not something you can do as a career. Rather, it’s a two year service experience that you may decide to undertake at any time in your life. Travis Hellstrom is currently serving in Mongolia as a Peace Corps volunteer. The Peace Corps is a government program started in 1961 by President Kennedy which sends American citizens all over the world to work on development projects and promote mutual understanding. If you’ve been looking for some way to give back to the world, need an idea for how to spend your gap year, or are looking for a satisfying adventure, the Peace Corps is definitely worth checking out. Thanks to Travis for giving AoM an inside look at the life of a Volunteer.Once again we return to our So You Want My Job series, in which we interview men who... more
Launched in 1996, www.servenet.org is a website that mobilizes and empowers the volunteer service community to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing local communities. Since its inception, servenet.org has enabled millions of youth volunteers to connect with local nonprofits to make a difference in communities throughout America.
By WorldChanging TeamLaunched in 1996, www.servenet.org is a website that mobilizes and empowers the... more
Yolanda Narain, a scientist at healthcare company Roche in Welwyn Garden City and a part time volunteer at the Welwyn Garden City Oxfam shop, has just returned from a two-week trip-of-a-lifetime to Vietnam, travelling as part of the Oxfam Communication and Exposure Tour.
From a base in Hanoi, Yolanda travelled to the Bao Yen, Bat Xat and Bac Ha districts in Lao Cai province in the north of the country and Ninh Thuan in the south, visiting Oxfam projects along the way. “Visiting the real Vietnam outside the busy tourist route was such a treat, and seeing first-hand the impact that Oxfam projects are having on people’s lives was fantastic,“ she said.
In particular, Yolanda was struck by how welcoming people were to her group, as well as their great enthusiasm for change. She said, “As I was thinking about how challenging their lives must be, I was pleasantly surprised to see fun, laughter and commitment, an immense commitment to make things better for their families and those around them.”
Yolanda and her group visited community projects including water management, livelihood and education projects, as well as a humanitarian programme in Bao Yen, an area badly hit by typhoon Kammuri in August 2008.
After two weeks in Vietnam, Yolanda is now back in Welwyn Garden City, but agrees that this is not a trip that she will forget in a hurry. She said, ”When Oxfam first told me that they were sending me to Vietnam, I was not aware of how lucky I was. I am now!”Yolanda Narain, a scientist at healthcare company Roche in Welwyn Garden City and a... more
At the faVour farm we never put a healthy faVour down! So go forth, be kind and for flock sake does us a faVour at www.favourfarm.co.ukAt the faVour farm we never put a healthy faVour down! So go forth, be kind and for... more
This year, you've decided you want to do more on your vacation than lounge around like a beached whale, eh? Well why not volunteer, but not just volunteer anywhere, why not check out the Los Amigos Biological Research Station which allows guests to work alongside and with researchers in the Peruvian Amazon. Pretty cool, right?
Last month I got to see the Los Amigos Biological Research Station first-hand when I traveled with Green Living Project as they documented this sustainability project. What makes the Los Amigos so special? Well, in terms of biodiversity, this is a hotspot, with over 4,000 species (including humans) identified on the 160,000 hectare preserve. The station itself borders a 360,000 acre Los Amigos Conservation Concession, meaning that an enormous area around the site is protected which is all the better for doing research on. Being so remote, it does take a little bit to get there - including a 4 hour boat ride from the nearest city, but this affords you the chance to stay at and see the most active research station in the Amazon basin, with on average 25 researchers at the station every day.
What Will Volunteers See and Work On?
Volunteers at the station agree to work a few hours each day, doing things like catching and counting beetles, trail maintenance, working in the kitchen and a variety of other scientific and general maintenance activities. In return, they get access to all facilities, three square meals a day (most of which are made from foods grown sustainably on the property), plenty of free time to explore over 60 miles of trails and This year, you've decided you want to do more on your vacation than lounge around like a beached whale, eh? Well why not volunteer, but not just volunteer anywhere, why not check out the Los Amigos Biological Research Station which allows guests to work alongside and with researchers in the Peruvian Amazon. Pretty cool, right?
Last month I got to see the Los Amigos Biological Research Station first-hand when I traveled with Green Living Project as they documented this sustainability project. What makes the Los Amigos so special? Well, in terms of biodiversity, this is a hotspot, with over 4,000 species (including humans) identified on the 160,000 hectare preserve. The station itself borders a 360,000 acre Los Amigos Conservation Concession, meaning that an enormous area around the site is protected which is all the better for doing research on. Being so remote, it does take a little bit to get there - including a 4 hour boat ride from the nearest city, but this affords you the chance to stay at and see the most active research station in the Amazon basin, with on average 25 researchers at the station every day.
What Will Volunteers See and Work On?
Volunteers at the station agree to work a few hours each day, doing things like catching and counting beetles, trail maintenance, working in the kitchen and a variety of other scientific and general maintenance activities. In return, they get access to all facilities, three square meals a day (most of which are made from foods grown sustainably on the property), plenty of free time to explore over 60 miles of trails and use of canoes/kayaks to explore the Los Amigos River which borders the property.
More at the link . . .This year, you've decided you want to do more on your vacation than lounge around like... more
