Episode 47: A visit from OPIRG Guelph

On the Breezy Breakfast of June 3, 2021 we were joined by Mandy Hiscocks - Coordinator of Organizational and Policy Development and Natali Euale Montilla (Rosa Amarilla) - Coordinator of Volunteer Programming and Community Engagement - from The Ontario Public Interest Research Group Guelph.

OPIRG has a very long history in Guelph. It has encouraged many community campaigns ranging from promoting organic gardening and reducing pesticide use to the Campaign for Disinvestment in South Africa, to the ongoing Rivers Cleanup and now the campaign for Fossil Free Guelph.

Nationally, THE “PIRGs” were ‘launched by “public interest” activist Ralph Nader in the early seventies as a means to harness the energy and talents of students to help solve pressing social and environmental problems. The OPIRG Guelph chapter was founded at the University of Guelph in 1976 following a visit that Nader made to Waterloo in 1974.’

OPIRG is an organization that determines its activities democratically. It works to ‘strengthen the link between the University of Guelph campus and our surrounding community. While OPIRG is campus-based, the goal is to inspire and involve students, faculty, and other staff in addressing issues of environmental and social justice in the community. Much of the local work involves collaborating and networking with individuals and groups in the Guelph area to build partnerships with like-minded organizations.'

OPIRG has been the cradle of many who became prominent in the Guelph Community: Peter Cameron was there from the start. Former Mayor Karen Farbridge was at the helm for some years before becoming mayor. It was influential in establishing the Hillside Festival.

As Public Interest Founder Ralph Nader expressed to former OPIRG stalwart the late Carole  Milligan:  “Once you are an activist, you will never be lonely again”. If you’re inspired by OPIRG’s vision there are many types of activism that you can get involved in: from writing articles, becoming a Board member, joining an Action Group or even proposing new projects and initiatives.

Listen in on this episode to hear Nat and Mandy outline how OPIRG kills boredom - creates life long opportunities for community building while working for social and environmental justice everywhere.

 

 

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