With the economy on the skids, we sometimes feel that we can't do much about the problems we're facing. But doing something—anything—positive will not only channel some of the energy we've been spending on worrying, it will allow us to take back a little bit (however small) of control over our lives.
I started thinking about this when I got an e-mail today from the incredible woman from Brooklyn for Barack who got my boots on the ground for the Obama campaign in September:
Can't get enough CHANGE? Good! The election was just the beginning. This campaign was not just about bringing change to Washington, but also about bringing it to our own communities. It is up to us to make the change real.
Join us on Sunday, February 8th when more than 65 local nonprofits, charities and advocacy groups will come together for the first-ever "Continue the Change Service Fair." Organized by Brooklyn for Barack and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, the event will be part of an ongoing effort to harness the incredible energy sparked by the Obama campaign.
More people need our help now than ever, and this is an engraved invitation to Kossacks in the NYC area to pitch in. Follow me over the fold for details.
Event Details:
Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with representatives of organizations that are offering concrete volunteer opportunities like writing, teaching, tutoring, filmmaking, phonebanking, mentoring, word processing, stocking food pantries, sewing clothes for survivors of domestic violence, working w/ animals, canvassing, gardening and farming, ushering at performances, photography, and job- search mentoring.
There will also be a Make and Take arts table for kids and roundtable discussions on the following subjects: Local Environmental Activism, Using Technology to Monitor and Influence the Legislative Process, Health Care, Voting Rights, and Food Justice.
What: Continue the Change Volunteer Fair
When: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway (at Grand Army Plaza) 3rd Floor ballroom
Cost: Free, but a box of dried pasta for Union Temple's food drive would be appreciated
To RSVP, please email continuethechange@gmail.com or call 718-757-8572
For a complete list of participating organizations and more information about Brooklyn for Barack, please visit http://www.BrooklynforBarack.org
Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested!
If you are interested in one of the roundtable discussions, please mention that in your RSVP. And if you are available to distribute fliers for the event at your local subway stop, please email jenabrams@mindspring.com
The organizers are asking that this information be passed on to anyone who might be interested, so if you're not in the Tri-State area, please e-mail this info to your cousin who lives in Connecticut, your college roommate who works in Manhattan, or your old friend who moved to New Jersey. Oh, and please feel free to use the ideas to spark activism/volunteerism in your community!
Remember: "Be the change you seek."