Greetings,

A sense of hope is alive in our nation, even with the significant challenges we face. We are honored to be part of a movement that is 100-percent committed to being part of the solution. As always, there's so much happening throughout the Department of Peace Campaign, there's no way to share it all. Here's just a taste of what we're all creating together:

Vote for Peace at Change.org and Help Spread the Word
The website www.Change.org is holding an online event through Jan 15, 2009 calling for the "Top 10 Ideas for America," which they will present to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day. Change.org says, "We will then build a national campaign to advance each idea in Congress, marshaling the resources of Change.org, MySpace, and our dozens of partner organizations and millions of combined members." Imagine our campaign with expanded support like that!

The idea to "Appoint Secretary of Peace in Department of Peace and Nonviolence" is currently in FIRST PLACE in the category "Other" and second place overall. We need your help to keep it there all the way through January 15. Visit the site today and vote for peace, then use their "Email a Friend" link to spread the word.

Seven Days Left for "Peace Within Reach" Early Bird Pricing
Save 25% on your registration to the Department of Peace Campaign National Conference, March 20-23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Now is the time, at the beginning of the 111th Congress, when we have the maximum potential to influence the legislative agenda. It's up to us to turn out in historic numbers to inspire our Congress to establish a new priority -- making peace a strategic policy and funding objective. Room and rideshare information is now available when you register. Early Bird Pricing ends December 31, so register today.

Last-minute Gifts Still Available
What better gift than the Gift of Peace? Simply donate to The Peace Alliance in the name of your friend or loved-one and print out our specially designed gift card. You won't even have to leave the house! Learn more about this and other great gifts that also give to The Peace Alliance and a culture of peace on our website.

Peace Alliance Educational Institute
As previously announced, we're establishing an affiliated organization to support educational and research activities in support of a culture of peace. Donations to The Institute, which are expected to be tax-deductible, may now be made by printing out the updated donation form and mailing it with your check or credit card information to:

The Peace Alliance Educational Institute
PO Box 70095
Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Online donating will be available soon. Thank you for your support for peace!

From the Board
Wondering what the Board of Directors of The Peace Alliance does? The Board's primary focus is to support the staff in running an organization that most effectively vitalizes our movement toward a culture of peace. At the December 15, 2008 meeting, for example, the Board's agenda included an update from our Executive Director, Lynn McMullen, on The Peace Alliance budget and fundraising plans; how to advance our Legislative Strategy bearing in mind the staffing gap created by Rob Atkinson's tragic loss; progress on planning our upcoming March '09 D.C. National Conference; progress on our national Strategic Plan Goals; a discussion of "grassroots metrics," i.e., how to measure the growth and strength of the volunteer network; and a status report on the establishment of our new 501(c)3 charitable corporation.

Our Board is seeking ways to create closer ties with our volunteers, so if you have any questions for the Board, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with "To the Board" in subject line.

Your Directors send their warmest wishes to each and every one of you for the best holiday season ever, and look forward to an exciting and peace-filled New Year.

Ask the Peacebuilder
Marianne Perez answers questions from her inbox about Peacebuilding, including this latest one from Richard: "… we already have the United States Institute [of] Peace which is highly regarded. Why [do] we need another peace organization…?" Read Marianne's response and add your voice to the conversation.

North Carolina Walks for Peace
We missed this great story when reporting on this year's Walks for Peace. Read all about the action-packed weekend sponsored by the Western North Carolina Student Peace Alliance, including their news coverage. Thanks to everyone for participating!

In peace and partnership,

All of us at The Peace Alliance

Don't forget our Monthly Grassroots Conference Calls
Times for all calls: 6:00 PM Pacific/ 9:00 PM Eastern
Call In Number for all calls: (712) 432-1601 Access code: 470821#
Click here for more information about monthly calls, and to hear recordings of previous calls. The next dates are: