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WHAT IS WPIRG?

WPIRG is working to achieve a just, environmentally-sound, and democratic
society:

- we facilitate research that explores and documents social problems

- we publish our work and hold educational events in order to spread
awareness of these problems,

- and we work to develop and  implement solutions.

WPIRG is a bridge between the campus and the community.  Students, who
often feel isolated on campus, have an opportunity to apply their
knowledge to pressing social concerns.  At the same time, community
members gain access to valuable information and participate in WPIRG's
activities.

As a campus-based organization, WPIRG reflects the interest of students
in going beyond simply learning about injustice, hunger, and pollution.

WPIRG works together with community-based organizations to provide a
vehicle for doing something about these problems.

WPIRG is committed to participatory democracy, that is, the right of all
people to real control over their lives, and to share in the decisions
affecting them.  We challenge the concentration of power in our society,
and advocate ways of redistributing that power.


HOW WPIRG GETS THINGS DONE

True democracy depends on access to information for all members of
society.  Yet, knowledge in our society is not viewed as common property;
instead, it is often the private preserve of professional elites,
corporations, and state bureaucracies.

WPIRG strives to break this knowledge monopoly through its research -
which we call public interest research - by digging, prying, and probing
to bring out into the open what would otherwise be hidden or only
partially revealed.

Public interest research exposes and documents problems, but it also
analyzes.  It penetrates beyond the surface elements of a problem to
explain the underlying causes, such as the inequitable distribution of
economic and political power.

Finally, public interest research motivates action.  It points towards
solutions to a problem and the means by which these solutions can be
implemented.  Public interest  research has as its goal, change; it has
as its message, act.

Public interest research guides much of what we do and is carried out by
individuals through our research-for-credit program and by working groups
that are formed by WPIRG participants around a specific issue of common
interest.


WHAT WPIRG DOES: SOME ISSUES

Because WPIRG is involved with a wide range of issues - instead of
concentrating on only one or two topics - we can provide a broad overview
of the issues confronting our society.

WPIRG sponsors seminars, conferences, workshops and other educational
events, both on and off campus, in which faculty and students are
encouraged to take part.  WPIRG also maintains a large resource library.

Volunteers organize themselves into issue-oriented working groups.  Just
two of our current working groups
- Sustainable Communities ß examining the government's decision to build
a new highway #7 between Kitchener and Guelph and promoting better
tranportation alternatives.
- Recycles Cycles ß collecting discarded bikes, fixing them up, and
returning them to the community.

Other issues being worked on include animal rights,
clearcutting/forestry, natural landscaping/pesticide use, international
development, biotechnology, and radio show production.


GETTING INVOLVED WITH WPIRG

WPIRG is a volunteer organization.  Volunteers are involved in virtually
every aspect of our work.

We welcome anyone with an interest in what we do.  There are dozens of
ways to become involved - from filing to taking on large projects.

Lack of previous organizational experience is no barrier.  Through WPIRG,
you can share knowledge and skills with others, and gain practical
experience you need to be effective in working for your convictions.  You
can learn things that aren't taught in the classroom, like how to make
decisions cooperatively, and how to influence important political
decisions in our society.


WHY GET INVOLVED?
 
Everyone gets something different out of their involvement with WPIRG. 
The benefits include:

Accomplishment:  WPIRG provides a vehicle for people to work on the
social issues which concern them.  Over the history of the organization,
volunteers have initiated and participated in a tremendous variety of
projects and activities.

Skills development:  WPIRG offers workshops, resources, practical
experience, and other forms of support in developing a wide range of
useful skills.

Work experience:  Getting involved with WPIRG can be useful in developing
many transferable job skills, as well as a foundation for future work
with similar organizations.

Empowerment:  Getting involved with WPIRG may help in overcoming a common
feeling of powerlessness and discouragement.  WPIRG provides an
opportunity to become active, develop confidence, and discover hidden
talents.

Community:  Through WPIRG you can meet other like-minded people.  WPIRG
is a friendly, supportive  environment in which to develop your ideas and
abilities.


PARTICIPATE TODAY!

For information on volunteer opportunities and orientations, contact the
WPIRG office in GSC 125, 885-1211 ext. 2578.