Who we are?

International Volunteer Group (IVG) is Oxfam Japan’s English-speaking volunteer group formed in December, 2007. It works to create awareness within Japan about issues Oxfam deals with and raises funds to support Oxfam's work.

What we do?

1. Fundraising Events
The IVG tries to find fun, innovative ways to raise money for Oxfam’s various projects. When we organize a fundraising event, we try to give everyone who attends as much value for their money as possible whilst having a good time.
Here are some of the fundraising events we have organized:

■Christmas Party
The Oxfam Christmas party, held on 15th December, 2007 was a resounding success with over 80 guests showing up, surpassing our expectations. There were vegan dishes and non-vegan Christmas dishes cooked by IVG members together with great music, including a djembe performance!

■Spring Picnic
The Oxfam Spring Picnic was held on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the Yoyogi Park. It was a lovely day and participants could enjoy the beautiful park and celebrate the cherry blossom season with fun and educational games and superb vegan and non-veg food.

■Parties for Peace
Parties for peace, in collaboration with the IVG, held a party on July 20th, 2008 at the Oath in Shibuya. Participants enjoyed great music by renown DJs but the highlight ,of course, was the yummy All-you-can-eat vegan BBQ sponsored by Second Harvest and Allishan Foods!

■Africa Night
Was a fun night of African music, art and games held on July 24th, 2008 at the funky Pink Cow in Shibuya!

2. Awareness Events
■English Workshops
The English Workshop is the main awareness program put on by the IVG. They are generally held twice a month, on a Saturday afternoon from 2-4pm and the aim is to generate discussion on issues Oxfam is involved with. The workshops offer intermediate level English workshops for people interested in improving their English whilst learning about different issues around the world, what Oxfam is doing about them and how each of us can be part of the change. The workshops are aimed at non-native English speakers with translations provided in Japanese. Prior topics have included: Health and Development in Mali, CSR and disability in Albania, Religious Freedom in Britain, Natural Disaster and Poverty and Fair Trade, Gender inequality and education.

■Monthly Newsletter
The IVG publishes a monthly newsletter. Join us in our commitment to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and social injustice. As a member of our eCommunity, you will receive our monthly email newsletter and occasional alerts about urgent advocacy campaigns and humanitarian crises.
To subscribe to the newsletter, send an e-mail oxfam.ivg.newsletter@gmail.com with the subject "subscribe". We will never sell or rent your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Future Events
■Oxfam Pub Quiz
Every Month, Oxfam supporter Paul organizes a Quiz Night in his pub Heaven's Door in Shimokitazawa where participants have a nice eve challenging their knowledge both about Oxfam's work as well as many other topics while drinking, laughing and meeting new people. The entrance fee of \1000 per person goes to support Oxfam activities around the world.

★And the next Quiz Night (Pub Quiz) will be held on Sunday 26th Ａｐｒｉｌ 2009 at Heaven's Door in Shimokitazawa!
If you want to improve your IQ or just kill some brain cells with a beer or two, join us for our monthly pub quiz! Free shots for clever clogs!
●Date: Sunday 26th Ａｐｒｉｌ 2009
●Time: from 7PM-10PM
●Price: 1000 yen per person (all of which goes to Oxfam!)
●Place: Heaven's Door, Shimokitazawa
●directions: http://heavensdoortokyo.com/


■Oxfam Japan’s Monthly English Workshop
Oxfam Japan is offering medium level English workshops for people interested in improving their English whilst also leaning about different issues around the world, what Oxfam is doing about them, and how each of us can be part of the change. The workshops are aimed at non-native English speakers with the translations provided in Japanese, however people from any language background are invited to participate.

★Next English workshop will be held on April 25th.
●Time:14:00~16:00
●Place: Meeting Room (Oxfam Japan Office)
●Level: Intermediate
●Cost: 1000円
※ If you want to know more details, please check "News" column at the top page of our site!!

■IVG Meetings
We hold monthly meetings, on the 3rd Friday of every month at the Oxfam Office. The main aim of the monthly meetings is to network, let everyone know what is going on, and to provide volunteer opportunities.
We organise most of our events at separate meetings. That way you can choose what you want to get involved in without sitting through hours of dull meetings!
Be aware that new volunteers need to be briefed and registered before attending the meetings so please email the coordinator (Dipal) beforehand at oxfamjp.ivg.coordinator@gmail.com and set up an appointment.
All volunteers take an online survey before attending the monthly meetings.
The meetings themselves don't cost anything to attend, but we go out for drinks and dinner afterwards -the results of the online survey determine where we go!

Board Members 2009/2010
■President: Heather Komatsu
■Vice President: Klara Losonczy
■Awareness Coordinator: Alex Parker
■Fundraising Coordinator: Joelle Herin
■Newsletter Coordinator: James Messerly
■Promotions Coordinator: Samantha Woodgate
■Sponsorship Coordinator: James Messerly

How Do I become a Volunteer?

Email the volunteer coordinator at oxfamjp.ivg.coordinator@gmail.com
and set up an appointment. Bring your Resume/CV along with you. You will b added to the mailing list and can then start attending the monthly meetings.

Looking forward to having you join us!

■IVG on Facebook

The IVG is on Facebook as well so please join our online community!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18137796609&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fs.php%3Fq%3DOxfam%2BIVG%26init%3Dq