For SURJ NYC Members

November Chapter Meeting: Organize to Resist A Federal Invasion

Thursday, November 6, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

We'll celebrate this incredible win and then turn our attention to what comes next: getting organized to resist a possible federal invasion of NYC. We're excited to be in action together to both stand up to potential backlash to Zohran's election and to organize alongside our partners for wins under the new administration.

On October 21, over fifty federal agents conducted a violent raid targeting immigrant vendors of color on Canal Street in Manhattan, arresting nine men from countries in Africa, plus four US citizens protesting. Backed by an armored vehicle and officers in military gear, this marked the first large-scale street operation by immigration officers in NYC. Based on what we’ve seen in LA, DC, Chicago, and other cities, a major escalation in these aggressive actions by federal agencies is likely coming soon. By the time of this meeting it may already be under way. It is time for us to prepare and get organized to prevent ICE from abducting our neighbors. Join our November chapter meeting to learn how we do this together.

Beyond Policing Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 19, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join the Beyond Policing Working Group at our monthly meeting! Group members are currently involved in the Justice Committee campaigns for Win Rozario, Allan Feliz and Delrawn Small. This month’s political education will be a discussion of Chapter 10: Avoiding Burnout and Going the Distance, from Let This Radicalize You. All are welcome!

Immigration Justice Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, November 25, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join the Immigration Justice Working Group at our monthly meeting. We will start with political education and then we will check in about our local work to disrupt deportation and immigration detention in NYC and across the state. We'll particularly hear about current organizing with the Dignity Not Detention campaign. New and returning folks welcome!

Housing and Immigration Justice Survey

The Housing Justice and Immigration Justice working groups have been thinking of ways to take action together around the cruel and damaging policies and rhetoric against the asylum seekers who have recently arrived in our city. Help us plan by letting us know what topics you might want to learn more about.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE SURJ CALLING-IN TEAM

The Calling-In team is seeking volunteers (ideally those who have participated in a Calling-In Workshop, though new members welcome too!) who are interested in strengthening the calling-in culture of SURJ and helping to expand and deepen calling-in skills within the NYC chapter. Varying levels of experience are welcome (including none at all). The team needs help with the following roles:

• Facilitators
  Time commitment is 1-3 hours per month
  Help prepare and facilitate Calling-In Workshops and practice sessions. Role includes familiarizing oneself with workshop curriculum, shadowing workshops and practice sessions to gain and hone skills, helping to prepare and facilitate workshops and/or practice sessions with a partner, and debriefing afterwards. Facilitators meet on a monthly basis for sharing and solidarity. Facilitation experience helpful but not necessary and all new or potential facilitators are welcome to move at their own pace.  

• Comms/Admin Work
  Time commitment is around 1-2 hours per month
  Support communications and logistics for Calling-In Workshops and practice sessions, and serve as the main liaison between participants and facilitators. This is a key role for welcoming and sustaining participation in SURJ activities. Activities include preparing workshop invitations and announcements, working with the SURJ NYC Communications Working Group to promote workshops, setting up registration forms, arranging Zoom or other meeting logistics, and supporting follow-up with workshop participants and teammates. This is a great role for anyone who loves these kinds of tasks or wants to be part of Calling-In but not in a facilitator capacity.

• Cross-Working Group "Synergizers"
  Time commitment is around 1-3 hours per month
  Support the strengthening of relationships between the Calling-In team and other working groups and neighborhood committees. This role is key to strengthening relationships across the SURJ NYC chapter. Activities include sharing updates from other working groups’ meetings and developing opportunities for calling-on workshops or practice sessions with them (based on their campaign needs). Interested folks should participate in Calling-In monthly meetings and be active with at least one other working group.

Join the SURJ NYC Welcome team

We are looking for a volunteer to join the SURJ Welcome Team. It is an awesome, small team of people who support the Welcome Orientations for new SURJ members. You will gain skills in facilitation and onboarding, join a team of amazing humans, and also get to meet new people interested in SURJ! 

What does this work involve? 

1. About three hours of onboarding training for facilitation and administration (and after this, it is super easy!)

2. Twenty minutes of admin once/month

3. One hour of facilitation each month