So, if you weren't at the meeting on Tuesday, here's what you missed.
The video embedded at the top of this post.
Fearless leader Josh Dunn (the one with the curly hair) gave a quick news update. As always, here are the links.
For all of you out there who wrote to your Representatives and Senators, thank you. President Bush signed the act into law. It's a huge, long over due step in the right direction.
Coming up in November, we will be teaming up with FIMRC, ONE, and SHOW to host Child Survival Night. Be on the look out for more information and how you can get involved.
Finally, I'd like to give a quick shout out to all of those who helped with the Benefit Concert - Amanda and Nadia, for all of your work in organizing it; all of the volunteers who showed up early or left late; all of our performers, because this wouldn't happen without you; and Starbucks - what a great venue. Readers, please, find time to find someone involved in the concert and thank them. It's a lot of work, and it so often goes unnoticed.
I'll have the rest of this week's update finished later, but for right now, here's the stuff happening TONIGHT!!!
The benefit concert is at Starbucks downtown (across from the arch and Five Guys). It starts at seven and will go until 10:30. Getting in is $8 - for three hours of amazing music, including Parker and the UGA Accidentals.
It'll be worth it - if you haven't been to one of our benefit concerts before, then you should definitely come. It never ceases to amaze me how talented student musicians are.
"But we want to be more involved. How do we do that?"
Excellent question. We need people to help set up, run the merch table and collect money from people coming in, and most importantly, we need people to help clean up afterwards. If you're interested in doing any of that, talk to Amanda and/or Nadia.
Wow. I just realized how long of a hiatus this blog took - sorry about that folks. I shall try to do better in the future. But if it's any consolation, I am very well rested.
If you missed the meeting this week, you missed a lot. So here I am to catch you up.
First, the size of Tuesday's crowd surprised me. There are a lot of people coming in, which is great. Keep it up, guys!
Second, the proceedings of the meeting:
First, we watched two videos. Because of the room taken up by embedding videos, I'll give you a link instead.
Uganda: The Long Wait - produced by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This video focuses on the return of the internally displaced from camps to their home villages and many of the challenges they face. This video sums up the purpose of Schools for Schools - even when the war is over, there will still be plenty of work to be done.
IC/DC: Calling Out East Side - with Tim Shortley, the State Department's adviser for the Northern Uganda peace talks, promoting last semester's Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. , and discussing the role Invisible Children is playing in the peace process. The government has taken notice, and it's because of us.
Third, we heard from both sides of this year's election - where do Obama and McCain stand on Uganda, Darfur, Africa, and the issue of child soldiers? We encourage you to look into both candidates' foreign policy platforms and take their stances into consideration when you vote in November. But above all, we encourage you to vote.
Fourth, events. On Friday (3 October), we will be hosting International Coffee Hour with FIMRC (see Facebook for details). The event will last from 11 until 1. We need volunteers, so if you're interested in helping out, contact Josh Dunn (the one with the curly hair) to see what you can do: jadunn1@gmail.com. And, get excited! Our first benefit concert is coming up on Wednesday, 8 October. It will be at the Starbucks downtown (next to Five Star Day and across the street from the Arch). It's bound to be a good time for a good cuase.
Fifth, we wrote to our senators and representatives (find out who represents you). Congress is working on the Child Solders Accountability Act and we need your help to encourage them to pass it. Please, write a letter. Get your friends to write letters. The voice of the voters will be heard, especially in an election year.
Finally, we watched another video, TRI: Invest in Peace.
First of all, sorry about the late post. This week's been slightly crazy.
Second of all, for new members: We want to get to know you better. In order to accomplish this goal, we ask that you do one of two things. First, you can pick up a form at the ICU meeting on Tuesday and fill it out. Or, secondly, you can email us the info on the form - we would like your name, e-mail, a list of talents and interests, and a list of other organizations you participate in. This way, we can help you find the group(s) that best fit your personality. It also helps us coordinate screenings. For example, if you are involved with the Presbyterian Student Center, we would love you forever if you helped us set up a screening there. Or in your dorm. Or sorority/fraternity. Or anywhere else. Finally, it helps us make sure everybody is on the LISTSERV - our mass e-mail list.
We opened the meeting by watching the trailer for War/Dance. If you missed it (or just want to see it again), here you go:
After the trailer, Parker gave a quick update of the news from Uganda, available online here and here. A brief note on the news: I cannot stress the importance of staying up-to-date enough. Whether you're tabling, hosting a screening, or just talking to someone who has commented on the awesome IC shirt you're wearing (yes, it happens), knowing the latest breaking news is of inestimable worth.
Oh, yeah, and upcoming events.
On 10 September, we are working the Activities Fair. If you're walking around the fair, stop by and hang out for a little why. We'd love to see you.
On 11 September, we are hosting a screening of the Rough Cut in Brumby at 8 pm. This will be a blue card event, so if you're a freshman in Franklin, stop by, hang out, and work your way towards early registration. And bring your friends.
On 13 November, the Southeast Roadies from IC will be stopping by to show us the new documentary, Go!. This will also be a blue card event.
In addition, we have several things we are trying to set up: a Starbucks benefit concert, a date auction, and several bake sales. Talk to Nadia for more information and to volunteer.
One last note: We would like to thank Five Guys Burgers and Fries downtown for hosting the percentage night, as well as everybody who stopped by for dinner.
It was great to see everybody at the meeting last night. And especially so many freshmen! We hope to see you back next week in SLC room 207 (conveniently located less than fifty feet from Jittery Joe's).
Here's a quick recap of what all happened last night:
We got mixed up with the people from SGA. But it's alright. We love them anyway.
We welcomed you to the first meeting of the new year and showed the trailer for Go!, which the IC roadies will be showing when they come later in the semester.
JD (the Josh Dunn WITHOUT the amazing facial hair) read a quick update of what's happening in Uganda. If you missed it or want to keep up with the news during the week, you can look here and here.
We (the leaders) introduced ourselves and what we do. Then we broke up so that you could come meet us and talk about getting involved.
If you missed the meeting or had to leave early, have no fear, you can still be involved. And here's how.
Josh "JD" Dunn is in charge of activism - setting up screenings and all that. And while he seems to know everybody on campus, he needs your help. As fun as screenings are, there is just not enough time in the day for one person to do it all.
Hillary Hunter is in charge of PR and media. This means fliers, press kits, and generally, making pretty things for people to look at. If you are "PhotoShop savvy" , we'd love to have you help out. Or, you could help us distribute the fliers and press kits - it's a great way to get to see Athens and the UGA campus.
Amanda Burke is in charge merchandise. They make pretty things for people to wear. It's kind of like PR that we can sell. If you like making your own clothes (or want to learn how), this group is meant for you. Plus, you get the satisfaction of seeing someone wearing a hat and saying, "I made that."
Alice Serres is in charge of the art team. This is for those of you who see the world in a different way and know how to express it.
Jon Kim is in charge of "Change for Change". People almost always have loose change, but never use it. More often than not, it collects in jars, pockets, and under couch cushions. John has a dream of a world in which the change does more than just sit around, but instead goes to the greater good, and he has kindly invited you to join in.
Drew Lewis (that's me) is in charge of the blog - the thing you're reading right now. If you want to write for it, submit pictures or videos, or are "HTML literate", I'd love to have your help.
Of course, these teams are not mutually exclusive. They serve as more of a jumping off point. If you want to make hats for the merch team and host a screening in your dorm, we will not stop you. On the contrary, you might just become our favorite person ever.
Shalom and see you next week.
Edit: It was brought to my attention that I misspelled Alice's last name and Jon's first name. My sincerest apologies to you both.
Found this article from the Associated Press. An interesting look at life outside of northern Uganda, worth reading.
Excerpt:
Stephen Batte works in a quarry under the blazing sun, chipping rocks into gravel with a homemade hammer. It's tiring, boring and dangerous.
Stephen is 9 years old, and has been on the rock pile since he was 4....
***
At the height of the 22-year conflict between the government and a brutal, shadowy rebel group called the Lord's Resistance Army, almost two million people fled. Most ended up in squalid government-controlled camps, but advocacy groups estimate that there are up to 600,000 in the cities.
A truce has enabled many of the camp-dwellers to go home, with food, tools and building materials provided by the government and aid groups. But the urban refugees don't qualify for help and have remained unregistered and invisible....
***
"I wish I could be helped," he said, picking at a large scab on his knee, "but I cannot see another life for me."
Shalom.
Post Script: Originally posted 1 June 2008 as "Life in Uganda"
