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The event schedule and activities
November's Colville members chose for spring events are adaptable
for most groups and in any season. In May, our event plans looked
like this;
4:00 - 6:30 PM, Open Mic, Political Action
6:30 - 7:30, Potluck dinner and guest speaker, attorney Douglas Hiatt of Seattle
8:30 - 11:00 PM, Music and dancing with the Planetary Refugees
The theme of May's gathering (and throughout 2009) is Project Decarceration and aligned with a request from Senator James Webb's staff. They had met with some allied groups based in Washington D.C. earlier in the month and asked people that supported S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009, to do three things:
(1) Secure organizational letters or statements of support for the legislation, directed to Webb's office.
(2) Conduct outreach to a broad spectrum of organizations that have an interest in the criminal justice system, including: judges, lawyers (defense and prosecutors), conservative and liberal think tanks, women's and girls' organizations, law enforcement, local government and others. As you reach out to organizations, please let us know so we can keep track of organizations that should receive information about future meetings.
(3) Support in securing additional cosponsors in the Senate and moving legislation in the House.
 Co-sponsors of S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 |
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There are growing numbers of House Bills, too, and remember that a small group of volunteers can easily educate and motivate guests that come to your meetings.
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 Signing postcards asking for Sen. Cantwell's support of S 714 |
Add a little fun, perhaps some music and you have the components of not only a productive time, but one that people will remember.
A bright spot, aside from November's fruit trees blooming, were morning headlines, major newspapers heralding the "Drug War is Over."
While loved-ones are imprisoned, it's not really over, but our group invigorated knowing political possibilities aren't a distant dream, that our work makes progress.
Please join us. If you or your group needs assistance making a banner, publicity poster, or radio service announcement, we are here to help. If you are having trouble finding a resource on our website, contact the November Coalition staff -- help is an email, or a phone call away. We are here to help us all find ways we can be effective organizers of social change.
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