Grassroots Organizing Workshops! Register now!

If you want to do more organizing for economic human rights in Maine, coming to this weekend could be a way to help do it better. GROW weekends have always been energizing events. Cost is on a sliding scale --- pay what you can.

GROW New England's

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING WORKSHOPS

For New and Experienced Grassroots Organizers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to Learn More about Creating Grassroots Social Change

September 18-20, 2009
Tanglewood 4-H Camp, Lincolnville, Maine (near Camden/Belfast)



Why GROW New England?

We believe in a better world, where there is:

*Respect for civil liberties;
*Commitment to nonviolent conflict resolution;
*Economic justice and rights for all;
*Affordable health care, housing, and education;
*A healthy environment and sustainable living practices;
*Celebration of diversity in age, race, gender, etc.


Join new and experienced activists from Northern New England as we:

*Learn and teach about the "big picture" of social change;
*Gain new organizing skills;
*Learn about successful models throughout the region;
*Celebrate successes.

Comments from past GROW weekends:

"It was the best experience of my life. The weekend felt like a community-building utopia."

"Wonderful. Took away exactly what I was hoping to gain from the weekend"

"It was nice to be around like-minded folks who are looking to make progressive changes in the world."

"I've made several contacts for future projects and allies for my life's mission. GROW made me grow."

GROW Weekend Schedule:

Friday September 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Making a Difference: Skills for the Effective Organizer

Cost: Part of GROW weekend, see below, (participants can come Thursday evening if necessary but contact first)

This workshop provides basic skills and background for anyone who is new or relatively new to organizing. Good reminder and refresher for more experienced organizers as well.


Friday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to workshops (see list), GROW will use interactive methods to help attendees develop their skills in planning actions/events and becoming better organizers.

Some Scheduled Workshops Topics (Our theme this year is "Organizational Development:")

€ Grassroots Fundraising

€ Overcoming Oppression in Grassroots Groups

€ Coalition Building

€ Media Strategies for Grassroots Groups

€ Leadership Development

€ Consensus

€ Meeting Facilitation

Cost: $10 - $80 (pay what you can/all welcome) includes housing (bring bedding), meals, all workshops, use of facilities and nearby outdoor environments.

Accessibility: Facilities are accessible.

Child Care: IF YOU NEED CHILDCARE, PLEASE CONTACT Larry Dansinger (contact info below). Childcare will be available at no cost, during workshop times only. Those bringing children must register by September 7.

Food: Meals will emphasize local food sources and will offer meat, vegetarian and vegan options. We can make individual adjustments as needed. Meals are included in the registration costs. Attendees will be asked to help with meal preparation or clean-up.

Travel Costs: If you need help with travel costs, please contact us. Call a contact person for ride-sharing options.

Registration: We encourage people to register by September 7 to help with meal and travel planning, though last minute registrations will be accepted. Registration materials and directions will be (e)mailed after you register.


Registration Form

Name__________________________________
Address_______________________________
Town/city_____________________________
Zip code_________________
Phone_________________________________
Email _________________________________

Please Check all that Apply:

___I am registering for the September 18-20 weekend

Enclosed is $_____ Check payable to:
'Resources for Organizing and Social Change' (ROSC). Address is below. Partial payment is okay. Remainder due when you arrive. Paying the entire amount when you arrive is also an option, but paying some before the weekend is helpful.

Childcare
___I need childcare. Please list ages of children.
______________________________________

Ride Share:
___I need a ride from_____________________
___I can offer a ride from _________________

Please note any other special accommodations required (diet, health, sleeping, etc.)_____________________
____________________________________________________________________________


Return this form to:
GROW New England/ROSC,
161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951
or email to rosc@psouth.net.

For registration questions:

Iggy, 207-415-4458, iggy@riseup.net
Larry, 207-525-7776, rosc@psouth.net
Jacqui, 207-934-1911, jacquio50@yahoo.com


In order to create a world
that provides for the well-being
of everyone, we have to ORGANIZE!

In order to take back our power
we have to ORGANIZE.

In order to ORGANIZE
we need to gather, learn, share and
plan with each other.


For a more complete schedule and updated workshop offerings, please contact those below. Information will be added when confirmed, especially in September.

Notes From July 25, 2009 Meeting

Saturday, July 25, 11 a.m. to about 1 p.m. in Waterville, Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant St.

Preceded by Housing Committee meeting from 10 to 11 a.m., same date and location, to work on plans for the right to permanent housing for everyone in Maine

REPORT ON NATIONAL POVERTY CONFERENCE BY SEVERAL LOW INCOME PEOPLE AND OTHERS WHO ATTENDED. IDEAS AND STRATEGIES TO END POVERTY IN MAINE AND BEYOND.

Notes from June 27, 2009 meeting

Those attending: Debbie Larlee, Jan Lightfoot-Lane, Marlene Lightfoot-Lane, Tammy Trask, Ina Demers, Dave Wagner, Larry Dansinger

1. Change the name of the group? We discussed the name and shortening it or changing it. Keep the "poor people" part? Who gets a vote on decisions? We decided to keep the name.

2. Report from Housing Group (Marlene and Jan). No room available but met in a hallway for one hour. Talked about what's available for more affordable housing, including Section 8, General Assistance, shelters, re-use of military bases, job corps facilities. Find out what can be done in counties. Stories from people who have been in shelters. What can be done with empty houses? Banks can't kick out renters from foreclosed houses. People need to know their rights (use Maine Equal Justice, Pine Tree Legal, others). Meeting again at 10 AM on July 25 in Waterville.

3. Large gathering. Something to describe how many people are in shelters and how many are left out. Media is afraid to talk about this. Brainstorm ideas to promote rights. Make sure we invite people from POWER, MAIN, etc. to come together and to endorse. State constitutional amendment? Something in writing and legal endorsement would help. Use schools and colleges to help. Use list of 25 ideas as some possible strategies. Do something on July 4, December 10 (anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights), Constitution Day? Need to discuss this more.

4. How do we keep in touch with each other? Use the list serve and facebook. Jan says we can use www.change.org. Maybe a website and blog to keep in touch. Tammy and her daughter will see if facebook will work. We already have a "mainersrights" list serve for those using email.

5. Report back from Poverty Conference. This may give us some ideas of what we can do in Maine. We will do this report with at least some or many of those in Kentucky on July 25, 11 AM, in Waterville (location to be arranged). We may also want to do reports in other locations.