OPIRG Brock

OPIRG Brock Membership Updates – March 29th, 2022.

Read past OPIRG Brock Newsletters: https://www.opirgbrock.com/membership

Meet the 2021-2022 OPIRG Brock Board of Directors!

  • Bhonita
  • Claire
  • Fiona
  • Kaho
  • Kostyn
  • Margret

We have a board vacancy! Keep an eye on our website for application information coming soon. 

Our next Public Board Meeting is April 25th at 6pm. To get in touch with the OPIRG Brock Board of Directors, please email opirgb@gmail.com

Important 2022 Membership Renewal Updates

2021 OPIRG Brock memberships are extended until April 30, 2022, to be renewed in May! Going forward, membership duration will be from May 1st – April 30th.

All CUPE 4207 members are immediately approved as OPIRG Brock members, but you DO need to register on the linked form for administrative purposes. More information about your membership can be found through the

OPIRG Brock website – Membership section

OPIRG Brock won the St. Catharines Making A Difference Arts Award! 

In November 2021, OPIRG Brock was nominated for – and won(!) the St. Catharines Making A Difference Arts Award!

 

Upcoming Events

Save the Date – May Day 2022

Justice for Workers and OPIRG Brock are getting involved with the efforts of the Niagara Regional Labour Council and Ontario Federation of Labour to organize an event for May Day 2022. Event details are still being organized, but please share with your networks and save the date! To get involved with organizing, email fairwagesniagara@gmail.com 

Niagara Free Store is accepting donations and looking for volunteers!

We are looking for donations and for volunteers to help with organizing and on event days! To inquire about either, email info@opirgbrock.com.

In June, weekly Niagara Free Stores will be back! Find us every Saturday at the weekend markets on James St. in St. Catharines! You can drop off donations at Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts (15 Artists Common, St. Catharines- donation bin is in the lobby, near the security window) and Fine Grind Cafe (37 James St., St. Catharines), hopefully with more to come! 

Use the #NiagaraFreeStore hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share and find items that are being given away! If you are sharing an item to give away, please include whether it needs to be delivered or picked up. If you are posting an item that you find on the side of the road, please specify the city and closest intersection if possible.

Niagara Tenants Union has launched a new Bad Landlord Reporting Form!

Use the Bad Landlord Reporting Form to share your experiences with bad landlords in Niagara. On this form, you will be asked if you would like to be followed up with, and if you would like to have your story published to this page. Need support or want to get involved with Niagara Tenants Union? Email them at niagaratenantsunion@gmail.com

Justice for Workers Niagara Needs Volunteers!

Justice for Worker Niagara, based out of Brock, is currently working on a long term campaign to secure two weeks paid sick leave for all employees at Brock, and are in need of volunteers/organizers! 

Volunteering opportunities include everything from campus research to partnership building. To get involved, please email fairwagesniagara@gmail.com or DM them on their Instagram or Facebook page!

Niagara Reproductive Justice 

If you see anti-choice activity in Niagara, please fill out NRJ’s Anti-Choice Activity in Niagara Reporting Form to help monitor and challenge anti-choice activity in the region. As part of this effort, they are also looking for volunteers for their Rapid Response Network, and their Abortion and Reproductive Support Network!

Share your experiences with reproductive and sexual health resources in Niagara at https://bit.ly/sharewithNRJ and find a list of Niagara-based reproductive and sexual health resources on NRJ’s website.

Resources, organizations and campaigns to check out:

Check out OPIRG Brock website main page for an up-to-date list of webinars, online events, petitions, fundraisers, rallies, etc.!

Shop OPIRG Brock’s Anti-Capitalist Gift List for rad gifts for activists including the 2022 Animal Activist Calendar, Activist Grab Bags, the Dis-O Guide to Niagara, and the Coming Out Monologues V.2!

Local Provincial, Federal and international campaigns & resources to check out:

Check out OPIRG Brock website main page for an up-to-date list of webinars, online events, petitions, fundraisers, rallies, etc.!

Community organizations to check out – click here

Why partnership with OPIRG Brock?

All CUPE 4207 members are members of OPIRG Brock! This campus and community organization has been working on social, economic, and environmental justice since 1988, and currently hosts projects like the Niagara Free Store, Naloxone Workshops, the Community Toolbox Workshop Series, as well as publishing The DisOrientation Guide to Niagara V. 2. OPIRG Brock also works directly with community groups like Justice for Workers Niagara, Niagara Reproductive Justice, & the Niagara Tenants Union. For more information or to inquire about getting involved, please go to www.opirgbrock.com

As a CUPE 4207 member, you also have access to an OPIRG Brock annual membership! Working on a range of social, economic, and environmental justice initiatives at Brock and throughout the Niagara region since 1988, starting in mid-2020, the CUPE 4207 membership passed a motion to set up a more formal partnership between our 2 organizations!

OPIRG Brock currently hosts and supports a wide range of programs in the region and community groups in the region, as well as publishing community-based resources that are available for free on their website: www.opirgbrock.com.

Current OPIRG Brock programming and resources to check out include:

  • Niagara Free Store, Naloxone Workshops
  • Community Toolbox Workshop Series
  • The DisOrientation Guide to Niagara V. 2
  • OPIRG Brock community makers markets
  • The Coming Out Monologues, & so much more!

OPIRG Brock also works directly with community groups such as the:

  • Niagara District CUPE Council
  • Justice for Workers Niagara
  • Niagara Reproductive Justice
  • Niagara Tenants Union
  • OUTniagara
  • No Fighter Jets Coalition
  • Positive Living Niagara
  • Suitcase In Point Theatre Company
  • Willow Arts Community.

With your annual membership, you gain the following rights & privileges:

  • Voting at the OPIRG Brock Annual General Meeting (AGM)
  • Running for election to the OPIRG Brock Board of Directors
  • Voting in the annual OPIRG Brock Board elections
  • Accessing the OPIRG Brock button-maker
  • Accessing services provided by the Niagara Skills Network
  • Regular newsletters, volunteer opportunities, & updates
  • Semi-regular raffle tickets for OPIRG Brock fundraiser raffles