Want to Be an Activist?
Feeling frustrated about the world around you? Think there is nothing you can do to change anything? Think one person can’t make a difference? Do you want to be an activist but can hardly find the time? We at Fifty-One % have compiled this list to get you motivated. Heard the adage "Think globally, act locally"? Here is your chance to put it into practice. Join one of these groups on campus, find a place in the community to volunteer, or check out one of these sites next time you are surfing the web.
FACES– (Farmington Area Citizens to End Sweatshops) Check out the article by Erin Clark for your introduction and contact information on page 16.
FMLA– (Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance) Get your introduction from member Tiffany Maiuri in her article.
READI– (Rainbow Educational Alliance of Diverse Individuals)
This group is dedicated to educating the campus and community about gay, lesbian and bisexual issues.
You can also get involved around the Farmington community as a volunteer for the Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services (SAVES). You can become a hotline volunteer (training is provided) or volunteer time for office work, fund raising and legislative action. To be an active member you’ll need to pay annual dues but think of the good work you’d be doing, the five dollars is really worth it. They are located at 49 Main Street, Room 5. For more information call SAVES at 778-9522.
The Abused Women’s Advocacy Project (AWAP) has helped thousands of abused women and children since 1977 to find safety and support. AWAP is based in Auburn but has outreach offices in Farmington, Rumford, Norway and Lewiston. To volunteer, call 778-6107.
You can also get academic credit for doing women’s studies interships with SAVES, AWAP, and other local organizations. For details go to http://www.umf.maine.edu/~women/internships.htm
Or for the armchair activist; go online and check these sites out:
The Hunger Site
Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger. 75% are children. This site donates 1 1/2 cups of staple food paid for by sponsors to a hungry person, every time you click the Donate button. Sign a petition to end world hunger and you can educate yourself about world hunger. Note: you can only donate once a day. http://www.thehungersite.com
The Rainforest Site
Almost two acres of tropical rainforest disappear every second. Click on the Save the Rainforest button and a sponsor pays to preserve 25 sq. ft. of rainforest. Your donation adds to the more than 550,000 acres of rainforest already protected by the Nature Conservancy Adopt An Acre® program. You can also sign a petition to protect the rainforests. Note: only one click per day.
Working for Change
Never before could you do so little and still harass so many world and corporate leaders. Register with this site and browse their action lists. The actions come in easy to follow categories like environment, global affairs, etc. The site saves you information so you can log in from anywhere and saves you the time and trouble of having to enter your name and email address on every letter you send out. Just click on the action you are interested in; there will be an email already written which voices your concerns. You can add your own comments, and then hit the send button. Your letter of protest or support is sent, and you can feel good about getting involved.
http://www.workingforchange.com/