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| The Peace Alliance Newsletter May 2008 |
CONTENTS
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I have had the pleasure of working for this organization since 2000, and of experiencing all its various forms. It is such a blessing to me to have the opportunity to serve in this way and I want to express my gratitude to everyone for your peace-filled hearts, your many actions and your monetary donations. These are the things that keep us moving forward and nothing can be done without all of you. Having been part of this movement for so long it is amazing to see how far it has come. It gives me so much pleasure to hear the names of the people who have remained in touch all these years and all the new activists who have joined, and are joining the movement every day. It fills my heart with joy to see how people have been empowered and are flourishing as a result of putting action where their heart is. When I make supporter phone calls about credit card donations it always makes me smile when I hear reference made to the Department of Peace in so many of your recorded messages. So again I just want to say thank you so much for your hard work in making this world a more peaceful place, and for your continued striving to "be the change you wish to see in the world" In the words of Rumi, "Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." Together we can make a difference.
Debbie Urben Peace of the Pie Brings Sweet Rewards I was going to write about all of the incredible work the members of this grassroots movement did for our Fourth Annual Mother's Day-inspired "Peace Wants a Piece of the Pie" national action day on May 9, 2008. I was going to talk about the hundreds of pies delivered, the mirror action in Washington, DC (440 pies for the US House!), the new cosponsor who signed on (Congressman Wexler from Florida) as a result, and all that other stuff. Then I started reading your stories, and realized there's nothing I could possibly write that could top your own words and experiences. Laura Merrell, a volunteer in Washington's third district, turned a "no" and "just five minutes" into a memorable and meaningful visit that speaks volumes about who we are and what we're creating, and the incredible impact just one person (and her young daughter and neighbor) can make. Mary Jane Lavigne, Minnesota Co-state Coordinator, takes us to the other end of the spectrum, with a report on a deep, moving outdoor event she and her group coordinated. And we've heard so much more from people across the nation that is deeply inspiring and truly humbling. You are magnificent. I wish we had room here to include every word of every story, but we don't. I can only say, if you want to see a Department of Peace in action, read the Peace of the Pie reports. See what's happening out there and if you've a story to tell, send it in. We'll add it to the site so others can see, learn, and be inspired. What we are doing-and the way in which we're doing it is making a difference. Or as Laura from Washington reminds us, "Keep up the good work Everybody. WE ARE THE CHANGE and how sweet it is!" Read the Peace of the Pie reports. Creating Impact in the Presidential Campaign "Moral of the story....DO NOT GIVE UP ON THIS MOVEMENT!! Persistence truly does pay off, and we are in a pivotal moment in history to push this forward!" So shares M. Michelle McGrath, South Florida Department of Peace Campaign Volunteer, and passionate activist working to raise awareness among the presidential candidates. Michelle is far from alone. Department of Peace Campaign supporters from Florida to California to Kentucky to Michigan have been maniacs on a mission, attending presidential campaign events to deliver packets of information about the Department of Peace legislation (HR 808) to the candidates and their staff. From personal contacts at high-end private donor receptions, to squeaking their way to the front row at massive rallies, volunteers are getting the word out and helping candidates see we want to Make Peace a Priority this election season. Senator Obama encountered activists in both Kentucky and Florida just days apart. Kentucky confirmed the power of relationship when they encountered his state campaign director-coincidentally a former staffer in their third district Congressman's office. "I remembered you from last year. You brought pie!" she told them. "I knew who you were immediately and I personally gave Senator Obama both of your packets!" The Florida group caught his eye with their "HR 808" T-shirts. "What exactly do your shirts say?" he asked, "What's 808?" During a Clinton campaign stop, a Florida volunteer Elena Brodskaya handed a packet directly to Senator Clinton, who was signing autographs at the time. She started to sign it and Elena stopped her, saying, "No! This is for you keep!" This happened just days after former President Bill Clinton was personally handed a packet in Detroit by Michigan State Coordinator Linda Henderson We haven't heard similar stories of folks reaching Senator McCain's campaign. Will you be the one? Read these stories on our website, and get great ideas how you too can help create an impact during this election season. And special thanks to New Hampshire volunteers who started this "birddogging" tradition at the very beginning of the election season, when there were still dozens of candidates! Inspiration from Congressman John Lewis On May 3, 2008, Congressman John Lewis (GA-5), a cosponsor of the legislation to establish a US Department of Peace and Nonviolence, spoke at the Peace Acts Forum at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, GA. In an impassioned speech, he spoke about the legislation and implored upon activists to keep doing this important work. "It will take time and persistence to create a widespread movement for this kind of change in this country. So you must be committed to the long haul," he said. "...you have to keep this idea before the members of Congress, but more importantly you have to build a movement. And if you believe in this department, and you stay committed to your goal, you can move this agenda forward." He continued, "You must not give up. You must not give in. You must not give out. You must use every means at your disposal to make your voices heard. Now is the time." Don't miss the full text of his remarks on our website. Ask
the Peacebuilder What is "Peace"? A very simple working definition for peace is how effectively we are able to transform conflict before it escalates into violence. This is a variation on the definition from Johan Galtung, the founder of the field of peace studies, of peace being the measure of two or more parties' ability to transform conflict nonviolently and creatively. If we want a more holistic and expanded view, the United Nations offers us a deeper definition and we'll discuss that also. Peace is not usually understood as being something that exists at home, within our country and our communities. Words that often replace peace in the domestic sphere include violence prevention, conflict resolution, and justice. Current thinking in the field of peace studies posits that peace is a state of being that can be cultivated within ourselves, our communities, our societies, our civilizations and our world. Peace happens at all levels. It is the task of activists in the Department of Peace campaign to educate the public and our legislators that peace is POSITIVE, ACTIVE and DYNAMIC. It can be fostered and it can be taught. Peer mediation, conflict resolution, dialogue skills can be taught. Policies and legislation can be passed and enforced. Attitudes can be shifted and transformed. Peace is not only the vision, but also the process in getting to that vision. Read more and join the conversation on our website. Actions You Can Take Add
Your Voice to "On Day One." Support
the League of Women Voters Caucus. Here's what you can do:
Ben & Jerry's Names Aaron Voldman "Peace Pioneer" Ben & Jerry's, the Vermont-based socially conscious ice-cream maker, announced that Aaron Voldman, Executive Director of the Student Peace Alliance (SPA) and a member of the Board of Directors of The Peace Alliance, is one of two nationwide winners of its "Peace Pioneer" contest. The announcement was made on May 27, 2008 at its New York City Times Square Scoop Shop. This recognition of the significance of our work is one of the most public and mainstream acknowledgments we've received to date. Congratulations to you and everyone in the campaign for, as Aaron put it in his acceptance remarks, "...helping ... build this movement to make peace as American as ice cream and apple pie." More
information about the award and the events in New York City is
available on
the SPA website.
Check back frequently as we'll add links to press coverage and video
of the event as we receive it. Stories from the Field
--------------------------------------- "[As we] stood in the center of the heart, moved by the energy abounding that day ...A pod of dolphins appeared -- perhaps attracted to the beat of the group of percussionists,| or perhaps to the good vibrations of a world ready for peace." Jo Ann Gaines, CDTL CA-36, and George Hoag, Volunteer, share the story of this powerful event.
--------------------------------------- North Dakota's Howard Barlow shares how he and a group of volunteers got the Eastern North Dakota Synod, comprised of 102,614 Lutherans in 234 congregations, to support a resolution in support of the Department of Peace legislation. Learn more from Howard and his team. --------------------------------------- If you have a story from the field, please email it to Wendy Greene with the subject line "Story from the Field." We will be happy to consider it for this space and for posting on our website. New Tools and Resources "Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country" by Ed Tick, PhD In
this YES! magazine article, Ed Tick explores how, "We
wish, as the gospel song says, "to study war no more." But
scholars count over 14,600 wars in the last 5,600 years of recorded
history. War is so epidemic in its occurrence, devastating in its
impact, and lasting in its aftermath, that we must study it and tend
to it and treat it. If we are to return war to its proper place as
a last defense when absolutely necessary, we must heal the wounds
of our soldiers and communities." Read
more... Give While You Websurf with iGive Do you search the web? If so, we invite you to begin using iSearchiGive.com every time you search the web. Each search means $0.01 for our cause and while the numbers may seem small at first, we all search the web hundreds of times every month, and our combined efforts can truly add up. And since it's powered by iGive.com (a site that has been helping causes raise money online since 1997), we know it's not just a flash in the pan! Monthly Grassroots Conference Calls
Hosting a Peace Empowered Event? Don't forget you can list it using our Distributed Events Tool. You can always see all listed events (if any) or Search for events on this page. And don't forget, you can also create your own fundraising campaigns! |
~~~ Regional Conferences It's not too late to join a regional conference! June 19-22 will find the Midwest region Building a Culture of Peace in the Heartland. We've added a new conference in Florida July 18-20, Californians will come together in Berkeley to explore A World Beyond Violence August 1-3. Get more information and find links to register for your regional conference (where available) here. ~~~ SPA Hits 100! Congratulations everyone in the Student Peace Alliance! This month, SPA reached a milestone 100 chapters nationwide. That mean the campaign of youth, by youth, for youth for peace is rooted at high school and college campuses from Alaska to Arizona to Wisconsin to Texas. You can see the full list on the SPA website. Congratulations everyone! ~~~ PSA Hits 68! WWTO in Illinois became the 68th television station to air our 30 second PSA "Stand Up and Be Counted." We smashed our goal of 50, and continue to gear up for our Spanish voice-over re-launch in September. Contact our National Communications Director Patty Kuderer to learn how you can get the PSA aired on your local television station. ~~~
Support Continues to Grow! Welcome Representative Robert Wexler (D FL-19) joined us as a cosponsor to the legislation (HR 808) on May 20, 2008. If you haven't already, contact the Congressman and thank him for his courage and commitment. This brings our total number of cosponsors (including the sponsor, Congressman Kucinich) to 70. Can you make one more call or visit to urge your representative to become number 71? Word Just In - Albuquerque is # 36 for city council resolutions! Jodee Oyas just emailed that the resolution passed 6 to 2. For a list of all the cities, counties, and tribal councils who have endorsed the Department of Peace and Nonviolence, and to find out how you can do likewise in your city, click here For a list of the 69 Congressional co-sponsors of HR 808, click here. For a list of organizations endorsing the Department of Peace campaign, and a form to sign up yours, click here. ~~~ Quote of the Month
If you have a favorite quotable from a notable about peace or evocative of what peace means, we will be happy to consider it for this space. Please email us at Quotable Quotes. ~~~ Get Active in your Community! ~~~ Supporting The Peace Alliance Visit
Our Store Shopforpeace.net ~ Do you Shop Online? If you shop online for books, music, electronics, appliances or any other products, consider using our affiliate link with Amazon.com or the iGive participant stores. Amazon.com For every purchase you make using this link, we get a percentage of the sale. If you already shop regularly online, this is a simple way to help fund the work of The Peace Alliance! Click here.
Join iGive.com to support The Peace Alliance. Their online mall features over 685 trusted online retailers like Lands' End, Staples, NORDSTROM, JC Penney, eBay, Expedia.com, Barnes & Noble, QVC, & PETsMART to name just a few! A percentage of EACH purchase is donated back to The Peace Alliance, plus a bonus $5 donation if you shop within 45 days. The more stores you visit, the more chances to win a $1,000 donation during the Surfathon! No purchase required. Please Join iGive and do your shopping for peace. ~~~ Update Your Profile |
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