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 over 20 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
People’s History Project Researcher
The Research Coordinator 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 made possible through a Canada Summer Jobs grant.
Emails: php@opirgguelph.org and/or phpr@opirgguelph.org
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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
Isaiah Borrowman (he/him) is a 4th year Psychology student at the University of Guelph. He is passionate about issues surrounding sustainable development, as well as understanding the socioeconomic factors at play in everyday life. He aspires to be a lifelong learner, always ready to consider new possibilities. An avid reader, Isaiah is right at home within OPIRG’s library, and hopes to continue learning from the group’s research and activism.
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
Vanessa Virgo (she/her) is a fourth year student at the University of Guelph passionate about conservation and sustainable community development. She is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world by researching and raising awareness for socioecological issues. While at OPIRG, she looks forward to learning from those in the Guelph community and building a foundation for her activism!
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
Sonya Mungal (she/her) is a passionate student in the Criminal Justice and Public Policy program at the University of Guelph. She is eager to learn more about what activism means and how she can support her community best. Sonya strives to create diverse spaces where individuals feel comfortable and safe to express themselves. She practices this through active listening and continuing to learn about what support looks like for different individuals. She is excited to be a part of OPIRG and be a part of a passionate growing team!
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
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 and the OPIRG community as a whole as she would love to engage with the activists involved as well as propose new ideas to elevate pre-existing initiatives. As an Events and Programming Assistant, she hopes she can make a change this upcoming semester and participate in as many events as possible.
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
Eknoor Walia (she/her) is a fourth-year student studying microbiology at the University of Guelph. Eknoor is passionate about various social and environmental justice issues and aims to continue her journey in becoming a better advocate and ally. She is excited to expand her knowledge while engaging with the Guelph community. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching movies, baking, and doing yoga.
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
Zero (they/them) is a student at the University of Guelph currently completing an undergraduate thesis on transgender sexual consent navigation. Zero is committed to the solidarity and liberation of all oppressed people. They are passionate about community care and organizing, and aim to center individual and community lived experiences. Through working at OPIRG, Zero hopes to further connect with and support the local and wider community.
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
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
Lilli Porter (she/her) is a fifth year Bachelor of Arts and Sciences student minoring in biology and geography. Lilli is passionate about radical change through social and environmental justice and strives to be a better ally and advocate to folks living on the margins. She is also an experienced event planner and outreach coordinator within the University of Guelph community. Lilli strives to create spaces for individuals to come together to build community, participate in collective activism, and learn from the lived experiences of one another. Her wish is to make a meaningful contribution to the Guelph community in the form of education and community building during her time with OPIRG.
Symposium Coordinator, Planning and Logistics
Email: symposium_logistics@opirgguelph.org
Rachelle Sauve (they/them) is a cook, caterer, gardener, advocate, writer, educator and community organizer. Deeply moved by resistance struggles- they believe that it is possible and it is necessary to denounce, defund, disarm and dismantle all systems of supremacism that denigrate the potential of healthy, just and sustained life and wellness for all living beings. They work, at the same time to encourage, inspire and empower community connectivity, renewed relationship to land and the human propensity to act from love, kindness, creativity, collaboration and courage.