[WestMALocals] Fwd: [AriseAction] Valleywide Spokescouncil Oct 17, Amherst

[Owen Broadhurst]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: timbabwe1 <timothymasonanderson at gmail.com>
Date: Oct 7, 2006 3:17 PM
Subject: [AriseAction] Valleywide Spokescouncil Oct 17, Amherst
To: AriseAction at yahoogroups.com

<please forward as appropriate>

Dear Progressive Friend,

In these perilous times of failed government, a threatened
environment, and widespread injustice, it is imperative that We the
People band together to reinvent our communities. There are numerous
independent organizations located in the Pioneer Valley.  In our
quest to link-up and connect these many organizations into one
cohesive body of commitment, solidarity and action (at least
sometimes!) we are now inviting up to three representatives of every
single group of 20 or more people to belong to this new, exciting
alliance. Operating with consensus decision making authority, our
goal is to help create a critical mass of power around important
issues of genuine concern to us all.

The Valleywide Spokescouncil seeks to be a viable agent for
significant change!  The emphasis of this council will be less on
research and more on discussion of planning for specific action-
oriented outcomes.  What are the major problems we wish to correct?
What are the significant solutions we desire to create? How many
people will it take to succeed?  How do we cooperate with these other
groups so we all get our goals for peace, justice and equality met?
In brief, the Valleywide Spokescouncil seeks to mobilize hundreds of
representatives and tens of thousands of people, all focused like one
laser beam on specific goals of our choosing. We believe that
consolidated action can and will result in significant success.
Aren't you ready to win a few?

At this point we are primarily discussing and organizing around
increasing the number of representatives in the Spokescouncil, since
we are committed to acting only with the consensus of the critical
mass needed to assure success on a project, or set of projects.
However, at the first three gatherings we couldn't resist
brainstorming!  Some examples of exciting possible actions we could
take together are:  creating sustainable local farming, creating
affordable housing for all, creating universal health care, creating
intentional communities, creating a regional bio-mass plant, creating
a "shared bank of hours" based on equal trade and bartered services,
stopping Wallmart, stopping the war, and stopping Vermont Yankee.


Please join with us by sending a representative, or two, or three to
our next meeting on
Tuesday Evening, October 17
South Meeting Room
Bangs Community Center
70 Boltwood Walk
Downtown Amherst
from 7 to 9

Spokescouncils will be held monthly, on the third Tuesday when
possible, in Amherst.  The November council is November 21, same time
and place.


Let's work together on some of the many things we agree upon to help
create what we truly need and want right now.  We encourage you to
visit us at our web site www.valleywidespokescouncil.net.  Please
RSVP or ask questions of us here at timbabwe1 at aol.com.  Or phone Tim
with questions at (413) 559-1656.

We look forward to meeting you all and remain with respect and
exciting anticipation,

Sandra, Tim, Sanford and Lois


PS:
~We hope to soon offer other opportunities for group representatives
to meet together to connect, build trust, have fun, dream, plan,
organize etc.  In order to facilitate all this, we are asking for
contributions of all kinds, including places for the council to meet,
food for the councilors, help with the web site, grants for staff,
printing, supplies, etc. At this point we are just volunteers with a
dream and a plan and very little free time to give.  We need and want
the full participation of everyone who cares.  Let us know if you can
help.

~If you do not yet have a group of 20 to represent, you may still
attend, but you may not block consensus.

~Though we had hoped to expand to Springfield over the summer, we
have found that, for now, given our limited resources, we need to
work from one place at a consistent time monthly.  We are willing to
help start, facilitate or connect with other groups doing similar
work anyplace we can!

~Thanks to Doug for drafting this letter!






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-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org