Coordinator of Volunteer Programming and Community Engagement (Volunteer Coordinator)
The Coordinator of Volunteer Programming and Community Engagement manages the volunteer program and provides training and support for volunteers and Action Groups. The VPCE also works with other organizations to bring speakers and programming to the campus and wider community.
Email: vpce@opirgguelph.org
Omorowa Eguakun (she/they) is a passionate individual that is committed to Black and Indigenous liberation, and solidarity amongst other marginalized communities. She is excited about developing sustainable spaces for folks in her communities to learn about and directly challenge power and oppression on all levels. Omorowa is always learning and growing as the center of her praxis. This means learning from and centering the lived experiences of those in the margins, while also stepping back for people to be able to step forward and share their stories. Through learning from various movements, they aim to radically shift how we show up for one another and our methods of support. This curiosity shows up in transformative justice and abolitionist practices.
Coordinator of Organizational and Policy Development (Organizational Coordinator)
The Organizational Coordinator is responsible for organizational and policy development, Board support and development, and work associated with Ontario PIRG (the provincial network of PIRGs). This position is also responsible for managing OPIRGs’ physical space, administrative systems, bookkeeping and financial reporting, and equipment purchases and maintenance.
Email: organizational@opirgguelph.org
Mandy Hiscocks (she/her) is well known for her dedication and understanding of a range of issues. She has lived in Guelph for 30 years, many of which were spent studying and working at the U of G, so she has an in-depth knowledge of the campus and the community. Mandy is happiest when the OPIRG office is full of busy, enthusiastic people.
Speed River Project Coordinator
The Speed River Project Coordinator is responsible for managing OPIRG’s Speed River Project, which includes the Adopt-A-Riverside project. The Speed River Project Coordinator works with OPIRG staff, students and the broader community towards enhancing the ecological health of our rivers. Neighbourhood-based naturalization initiatives and educational programming form the heart of this project.
Email: speedriver@opirgguelph.org
Kiran Bhattarai (she/her) has a wealth of knowledge and experience about community development and environmental sciences. She also has international experiences on social and environmental activism.
CONTRACT STAFF
Canada Summer Job Staff
People’s History Project Researcher
The People’s History Project Researcher is a temporary staff person who is responsible the overall operations of the annual OPIRG People’s History Project.
This position is only active in the summer, and is sometimes funded by a Canada Summer Jobs grant.
Emails: php@opirgguelph.org and/or phpr@opirgguelph.org
Ecological and Heritage Walking Tour Coordinator
The Walking Tour Coordinator is a temporary staff person responsible for running the Ecological and Heritage Walking Tour during summer.
This position is only active in the summer, and is made possible through a Canada Summer Jobs grant.
Email: srpevents@opirgguelph.org
WORK STUDY STAFF
The OPIRG Work Study Support Staff are temporary staff who are responsible for assisting full-time staff in aspects of their work, engaging in training and skill-building, and taking on project specific tasks related to the organization. The Work Study program is run by the university and provides part-time employment for eligible students.
Assistant Library and Archives Coordinator
The Assistant Library and Archives Coordinator aids in the overall operation, function and promotion of the Radical Resource Library and the OPIRG Local/Provincial Archive. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: library@opirgguelph.org
Aimen Fatima (she/her) is a fourth year Engineering student at the University of Guelph with a passion for using technology to make a positive impact. Beyond her academics, Aimen is an enthusiast for raising her voice for important social causes, regularly raising her voice on issues close to her heart. Based in Kitchener, Aimen balances her studies with hobbies such as reading, painting, exploring new technologies, and engaging in meaningful community work! And she’s excited to have a meaningful impact at OPIRG!
Researcher
The Researcher contributes to ongoing work as well as projects of interest to them. Some examples of past research are related to sustainable and ethical purchasing policies and practice at the University of Guelph, the people in the U of G community whose work relates to OPIRG’s mandate, the Board of Governors’ progress on their commitment to divesting from fossil fuels, and the environmental and human rights records of corporate donors to the university. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: research@opirgguelph.org
Kieran (any pronouns) is a current student at the University of Guelph, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Sexualities, Gender, and Social Change. They are extremely passionate about community care and enacting change on local levels, as well as approaching all issues from a basis of shared humanity. They are also a huge nerd, and love DnD, comic books and anime; feel free to chat with them anytime, whether about local initiatives or what you’re currently reading!
Social Media Assistant
The Social Media Assistant runs OPIRG Guelph’s social media accounts and puts out the weekly newsletter. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: socialmedia@opirgguelph.org
Zein Talaba is going into his third year of Political Science at the University of Guelph. He is eager to apply his knowledge of political systems and communication strategies to enhance OPIRG’s online presence. Zein is passionate about connecting with the student body through engaging content and ensuring the dissemination of important information. In his role, he aims to foster a sense of community and encourage active participation in OPIRG’s initiatives. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Zein enjoys hiking, exploring new places, watching and playing basketball, and staying informed about current events. He is excited to contribute to the dynamic team at OPIRG and support its mission through effective social media management.
Events and Programming Support
The Events and Programming Support staff person assists in planning, running and promoting OPIRG events. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: programming@opirgguelph.org
Ana Lilliman is a Queer Latina artist based in Guelph, Ontario. Ana is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Honours Studio Art. Ana is a multimedia artist with a focus on performance and video. She tends towards themes of identity, social issues, and humour.
Organization Representative
The Organization Representative sits in OPIRG Guelph’s seat on the Central Student Association Board of Directors and attends Student Leaders and Administration Meetings on our behalf. They also assist with promoting our work through information tables, classroom talks, and speaking in meetings of other clubs and organizations. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: rep@opirgguelph.org
Rose Abdul-Kadir is a passionate student ready and determined to participate in OPIRG events and activities to help the community dismantle social injustices and environmental issues at the University of Guelph. As a woman part of the Middle Eastern community, she deeply understands complex societal-related notions such as marginalization and discrimination towards ethnic groups and races. She is thrilled to help out the current action groups to engage with the activists involved, propose new ideas to elevate pre-existing initiatives, and represent OPIRG as a whole. As the OPIRG representative, she hopes she can make a change this upcoming semester by participating in as many events, and educating students about the organization.
Archives Assistant
The Archives Assistant works on maintaining, promoting, and adding to OPIRG Guelph’s physical and digital archives. This position is active in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Email: archives@opirgguelph.org
Alex Andrysek (he/him) is excited to join OPIRG Guelph as the Archives Assistant. With a strong interest in social and environmental justice, Alex is eager to contribute to the preservation and management of OPIRG’s important records and documents. He is committed to learning effective archiving techniques and making this information accessible to the OPIRG community. In addition to his work, Alex enjoys painting, reading, and rock climbing.
Speed River Projects Event Support
The Speed River Project Event Support staff person assists in planning, running and promoting tree plantings, park maintenance, invasive species control and river cleanup events. This position is active in the Fall and Spring/Summer semesters.
Email: speedriversupport@opirgguelph.org
Anna Noseworthy-Turgeon (she/her) is a second-year Ecology student at the University of Guelph. She is fascinated by nature’s interconnectedness and passionate about learning and doing her part to support and protect ecosystems like the Speed and Eramosa River systems.
Rebel Knowledge Symposium Coordinators
The Symposium Coordinators are temporary staff members who are responsible for the overall operations of Rebel Knowledge, OPIRG’s annual Social and Environmental Justice Symposium.
The start date and length of these contracts, the number of hours per week, and the number of people in the position varies from year to year.
Symposium Coordinator, Outreach and Promotion
Email: symposium_outreach@opirgguelph.org
Solim Abambora (she/her) wants to make a positive difference in her lifetime, whether big or small. She has always been interested in how many of the world’s troubles – environmental damage, colonialism and neocolonialism, racism… you name it – are interconnected. She believes that just like how problems have a ripple effect, action against one problem can lead to action for other causes. Solim is committed to learning and understanding different realities and lived experiences in order to advocate for her passions. As a business graduate, she cannot emphasize enough the power of the Consumer and hopes to help OPIRG gain the awareness it needs to help more people.
Symposium Coordinator, Planning and Logistics
Email: symposium_logistics@opirgguelph.org
Matt Burrows (He/Him) has been a member of the Guelph community for 5 years. He is passionate about community building around food security and mutual support, as well as large and transformative direct action. Matt gets his motivation from the strength and resilience of those in the Guelph community and beyond, and is moved by the support that people can be counted on providing for each other. For this years theme of student power at the Rebel Knowledge symposium, he is thrilled to take a deep dive into the rich history, present, and future of students demanding justice from their institutions and government.