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On Behalf of Mothers
Everywhere
May 9th, 2008
Let [us] solemnly take counsel with
each other as to the means whereby
Join us in
our fourth annual Mother’s Day “Peace of the Pie” National Action Day!
On May 9th (the Friday before Mother's Day), gather members of your
community to take pies to your local Congressional offices, letting
your members of Congress know that “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie,”
(i.e., the federal budget). In years past, members of congress signed on to support the Department of Peace legislation after our Peace of Pie Action, so we know it can be a very effective action. We know all too well the lack of attention and resources that serious peacebuilding efforts receive in our nation. It’s time for that to change. Your participation in this Mother's Day-inspired* campaign is a creative way for us to get out the word about the Department of Peace and to let Congress know that we want our government to make peacebuilding a national investment priority.
In 2006, supporters delivered pies to 140 Congressional offices. In 2007, they visited 250 offices, almost doubling the number. What will the numbers be in 2008?
PARTICIPATE!
Sign up Participation in this Mother’s day-inspired campaign can consist of any one or all of the actions listed below. Please don’t let this list limit or intimidate you, it is your own individual/group’s availability and creativity that should guide your actions. Do as much or as little as you are willing and able to do -- it will all have an impact.
Visit your Congressional Office
On May 9th, take a pie to your local Congressional
office with a downloadable national
budget pie chart showing the tiny slice that represents the
portion of the U.S.
federal budget requested for the Department of Peace, and ask your member to
support the legislation. Ideally you will set up an official meeting with the
local office, however, a drop by visit will also have impact. Bring community
members.
You can get more tips and guidelines on doing Congressional meetings here...
Materials are updated and available to download.
Media
Peace of the Pie is a great opportunity for local press to cover Mother’s Day and the Department of Peace Campaign in a unique way. Television, radio, print and internet media are all appropriate targets for whatever type of event you plan.
House Party/Outreach Event
Sometime in the weeks before Mother’s day, host a Peace of the Pie house party or public
outreach event to spread the word about why citizens all over this country are
taking pies to their local members of Congress on behalf of the Department of
Peace legislation. Educate them about the legislation and enroll them in
joining you in your May 9th Congressional visit. If you would like,
this event can also be a fundraiser for The Peace Alliance and the local
campaign. more.... Public Event/Rally
Before
or after your Congressional office visit, hold a rally with local citizens at a
park or on the steps of City Hall. Bring Department of Peace banners, signs, and materials. Bring your kids and have music. Make it a
festive and fun event. Invite media to cover your activities. Help create
visibility for the campaign and your efforts. more. . .
Check out photos and reports generated from local “Peace of the Pie” events in past years: Be creative, have fun!
Peace of Pie Photos from the Past
* Mother's Day was in part inspired by Julia Ward Howe, who nursed the wounded during the American Civil
War, and also wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic. In 1870 she started
a crusade to institute a Mother's Day as a Day for Peace. Click here to read her Mother's Day proclamation.
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