Illinois

Statewide Events:

Day at the Statehouse
University of Illinois, Springfield
April 10 and 11, 2005
Students from member campuses will meet in Springfield to receive lobby training, meet with legislators, rally for high education funding, and experience all aspects of the state capitol.
Contact information for further details: Stephanie Sharpe, ILCC Raise Your Voice Coordinator, ssharpe@rockford.edu or 815.226.4106

Organization/School Events:

Fair Trade Festival
Elmhurst College

Fair Trade
Monday March 7th /3:30-4:40pm
Elmhurst College Frick Center
This is an informative and social gathering to learn and discuss fair trade. What is it? How does it affect you? And others in the world? Get your questions answered over a complimentary cup of Fair Trade coffee.
Contact: Shelly Ruzicka: 630-617-3666

Fair Trade Bazaar
Wednesday March 9th/ 12-4pm
Elmhurst College, Frick Center
This is a gathering of fair trade stores and organizations selling their goods all in one place. There will also be a raffle to win fair trade items. Stop by and browse-everything from stationery, clothing, and home décor-find it all on the Elmhurst College campus.
Contact: Shelly Ruzicka: 630-617-3666

Hunger Banquet
Wednesday March 9th/5:30-7:00pm
Elmhurst College, Frick Center
Trade systems, including both barriers and the lack thereof, are a major contributor to world poverty and hunger. The Hunger Banquet will be an actively engaging dinner that will provide an experience of world wealth disparity. RSVP by Wednesday March 2nd required. (RSVP: phone: 630-617-3666)
Contact: Shelly Ruzicka: 630-617-3666

Free Trade Agreement Presentation & Discussion Monday March 14th/ 3:30-4:40pm
Elmhurst College, Frick Center
The main points and a critique of 10-year old North America Free Trade Agreement, and the proposed Central America Free Trade Agreement will be presented. There will be time for questions and discussion along with complimentary Fair Trade coffee.
Contact: Shelly Ruzicka: 630-617-3666

Fair Trade Speaker
Date/Time: TBA
Elmhurst College, Frick Center
Hear Darlene Gramigna from the American Friends Service Committee discuss her own experience with fair trade on a personal and professional level. Also find out what individuals can do.
Contact: Shelly Ruzicka: 630-617-3666


Hearts and Minds Movie Night and Discussion College of DuPage
2/17 7-9pm
Student Resource Center, College of DuPage
Hearts and Minds is a documentary about the Vietnam Conflict and its effects on American soldiers that were injured or held captive as part of the conflict and also outlines the effects on the Vietnamese culture and population. It also demonstrates the effect of the Conflict from both the Vietnamese and American perspectives including business, religion, and socio-economic discrepancies.
Contact: Tiffany Warzecha, Tiffany_Warzecha@umit.maine.edu
or Steve Gustis, Coordinator of Service Learning, College of DuPage, gustis@cdnet.cod.edu

Decisions in a Democratic Society (Panel Discussion)
College of DuPage
3/2/05 7pm
Student Resource Center, College of DuPage
We are hosting a panel discussion where we will discuss the topic of war and peace and the United States foreign policy and its long term effects on the average college student. Discussion will center on long term effects of choices that students make regarding past and current military and economic actions. Invited panel guests include an Illinois legislator, Vietnam Veteran, Iraq Conflict Veteran and current student and current professor at College of DuPage.
Contact: Tiffany Warzecha, Tiffany_Warzecha@umit.maine.edu
or Steve Gustis, Coordinator of Service Learning, College of DuPage, gustis@cdnet.cod.edu

Discussions in a Democratic Society (student dialogue)
College of DuPage
3/9/05 / 11:45-1:15pm
Student Resource Center, College of DuPage
Students will be given a "safe environment" to discuss their opinions on the choices of their fellow students to participate in the military and the consequences of those actions both in the Vietnam Conflict and the Iraq Conflict. By creating a safe space for students to discuss current events and the consequences of choices we hope to empower students to make positive changes to society at large.
Contact: Tiffany Warzecha, Tiffany_Warzecha@umit.maine.edu
or Steve Gustis, Coordinator of Service Learning, College of DuPage, gustis@cdnet.cod.edu


The Clothesline Project - Domestic Violence Speak Out to follow
Columbia College Chicago
Tuesday, March 22, 5:30-7:00 March 22 and 23, 11-7pm The Hokin Annex 623 S. Wabash, Chicago IL 60605
The Clothesline Project is a visual display that raises awareness about the issue of violence against women. Inspired by the AIDS quilt, a group of women from Cape Cod, Massachusetts came up with the idea of using t-shirts hanging on a clothesline as a way of “airing society's dirty laundry.” The t- shirts serve as a personal tribute to the victims of violence. Each shirt is decorated to represent a particular woman's experience with violence, by the survivor herself or by someone who cares about her. This provocative display provides an opportunity for people to break the silence and tell their own story. As visitors walk among the display, they will hear sound effects: a gong, a whistle and a bell. The gong sounds several times to indicate that another woman has been battered. The whistle sounds once a minute to indicate that another woman has been raped. The bell sounds several times a day to indicate that another woman has been killed by an intimate partner.
Contact: Michelle Sayset at 312-344-8202 or msayset@colum.edu or Heather Hornor at missheatherkarin@yahoo.com.


Student March Against AIDS
DePaul University
Feb. 26, 2005
Washington D.C.
Students from across the country are going to gather in the nations capital to demand the government take action against AIDS
Contact: Traci A. Ackron, tackron@depaul.edu

Ways to Improve Community Impact with Vincentian Service Day Discussion
DePaul University
March 11, 2005
Panel of student leaders will engage in a dialogue regarding socialization and community service at DePaul University
Contact: elaurin@depaul.edu

Service Immersion Spring Break Raffle
DePaul University
February 15 - March 10, 2005
This grant will help build interest in having students participate in a Service Immersion. Students who have never been on a service immersion will attend an informational session to learn about the tenants and philosophy of our program.
Contact: Matthew Casey Bowles at mbowles@depaul.edu


Dirty Laundry
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
March 20-26, 2005
This activity will raise awareness of issues and inspire action by airing the “dirty laundry” of our society. Students will hang clothes lines all over campus with facts about issues that they have researched written on pieces of material and old clothes. There will be places available for discussion and reflections of the students throughout this event, as well as booths for further information on the issues.
Contact: Leah Orwig at leahorwig@hotmail.com


OASIS Outreach Day
Northwestern University
February 20, 2005
Location: Evanston and Chicago
OASIS Outreach Day is an opportunity for students at Northwestern University to explore local opportunities for civic engagement. Approximately 150 students volunteer at 10 sites in Evanston and Chicago. The day concludes with an opportunity for volunteers to reconvene and discuss their experiences.
Contact: Bonnie Lai at b-lai@northwestern.edu


Homelessness: Causes and Complexity
Roosevelt University
Feb. 18-20, Feb. 25-27, March 4-6, March 18-20
Location: Chicago. Illinois
Students will work at the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL), a transitional living center for individuals in a homeless situation, organizing the Suit Yourself program, part of the employment skills program to allow residents of the CCIL to access interview clothing and prepare for interviews. In addition to hosting a speaker on the causes of homelessness on campus, students will volunteer a set number of scheduled hours each week to staff the Suit Yourself Program during the Month of Action, will organize the clothing donations, will establish a database to monitor the donations, and will work with the residents of the CCIL to prepare for employment interviews
Contact: Diana Gaona at artemis10846@yahoo.com


Teen Outreach Day
Aurora University
March 12, 2005
Location: Maryville City of Youth, Aurora, Illinois
Students from Phi Alpha and S.W.A. will go to Maryville Academy to lead small groups of teens in various projects. Projects will range from cooking and jewelry making, to budgeting and team building activities. Following the event participants from Aurora University will hold a reflection/dialogue regarding the “Teen Outreach Day.”
Contact: Joanna Carroll at jcarroll01@aurora.edu


FOCUS Decatur
Millikin University
Date/Time: TBD
Location: Various Decatur Public Schools, Decatur, Illinois
Millikin students will work in conjunction with the Decatur Public School District to host a series of focus groups to discuss the high dropout rate of students from Decatur schools. Following the focus groups, the committee from Millikin will then make recommendations to the Decatur School Board based on the dialogue.
Contact: Erica Melton at emelton@millikin.edu