Important Date Change - National Conference March 20-23
Previously publicized for the last weekend
in March, the National Conference will be held Friday March 20,
beginning in the evening, through Monday March 23, when we will lobby
on the hill. Note that most West Coast members of Congress are
traveling on Mondays and may not be in the office. If you are able to
stay through Tuesday, you will have a better opportunity to meet with
your Representative. Even if you can't, meeting with an aide on Monday
is a powerful action, and one that you will never forget. The weekend
events will prepare you to lobby, and if you've never done it before,
please consider coming to Washington in March, and taking action as a
citizen!
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Volunteer Appreciation
In every movement, there are a group of
people who are more actively involved than others. Those that aren't
active are with us in spirit and intention, and will respond to calls
of action, such as calling Members of Congress on a particular day
(Piece of the Pie, for example!), or mailing postcards as is the
National action between now and January's Presidential inauguration.
There are a group of volunteers and local
area peace activists that participated in a lot of actions this fall,
mostly in the busy September peace season. We want to appreciate their
participation and efforts by listing their names here. If we left
anyone out, please accept our earnest apologies -- we appreciate all of
your efforts!
Peace Proclamation Team in District 36 - Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Carson
Rick Pruetz, FAICP Planning and Implementation Strategies
Augustin Garnier, social activist / musician
April Halprin Wayland, author / peace activist
Justin Bensan, Student Peace Alliance (SPA)
L.A. area Organizer, and President, Youth for Peace & Justice Club
at Torrance High School Supported By:
Carl Farrington, Chair of South Coast Interfaith Council's Social Concerns Committee
Bill Latto, South Coast Interfaith Council's Social Concerns Committee
Jane Domiano, campaign volunteer
Jo Ann Gaines, campaign Congressional District Team Lead (CDTL) D36
Tory Haslinger, campaign State Co-coordinator Los Angeles, Valley and Santa Barbara areas
With thanks to
City Councils of Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Carson
Photographers Bev Morse in Redondo Beach and Vikki Larsen in Manhattan Beach
Ojai Peace Proclamation
Evan Austin, Director, Ojai Peace Coalition, and the Living Peace Team
With thanks to the Ojai City Council
"Living Peace in Ojai"
The Living Peace Team -visit here: Uran
Snyder (and friends), South Bay participant and peace representative
with a number of organizations, who contributed to several
events during the celebration of The International Day of
Peace, including a 1 hour workshop on the divinity "IN",
and facilitation of the World Peace Flag Ceremony, complete with 2 full
sets of flags.
Abbot Kinney
Wendy Fairbanks, organizer
John Choy
Jerilyn Stapleton, CDTL D28
Jen Sincero
Marshall Burns
Justin Bensan, SPA L.A. area Organizer
Jo Ann Gaines, organizer, CDTL D36
Tory Haslinger, State Co-coordinator Los Angeles, Valley and Santa Barbara areas
Peace Walks
Mel Taylor, organizer, CDTL D33
Taeke Sokuoto
Justin Bensan, SPA L.A. area Organizer
Deborah Weaver (and her two granddaughters!)
Karen Timko, organizer
Sherri Jaye, organizer
Kathleen Carman
Eric Vinson
Terry Mason, State Co-coordinator Los Angeles, Valley and Santa Barbara areas
We apologize that all of the wonderful
photos that were taken were not included in the October newsletter;
they have been archived and we will be able to display them on our
future website!
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Order your Holiday Cards Today!
Connect
with family and friends, spread the news about the Department of Peace
campaign, and help The Peace Alliance generate much-needed funds all at
the same time! Order your Holiday Cards today!
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Early Holiday Shopping?
You
can shop online at over 700 brand name stores through iGive.com, and
have a portion of each online purchase donated to The Peace Alliance!
On the main page of www.thepeacealliance.org, at the bottom of the
banner on the left-hand side, click on the iGive icon -- or, just click on this | |
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Time to exhale. This
election season has garnered more attention than any in recent history,
and we're confident that each and every one of you have been active in
your own way, no matter which candidate and which initiatives you may
have supported. As grassroots lobbyists for the campaign for a
Department of Peace and Nonviolence, the activism is part of who you
are. Your participation is a powerful part of our democracy, and we are
grateful. So reach over and pat yourself on the back for a job well
done!
As
we head towards Thanksgiving, and the holiday season, we have much to
be grateful for. The nation is shifting to a new administration in
January, and change is the mandate. We are hopeful that one change that
will be made is a shift towards creating and building a deep and
lasting peace in our nation that will reflect on the world. An action
you can take is to write a postcard to the President-elect, as are
campaign volunteers all across the country. Let's make a real impact --
everyone write a postcard!
And
as we move towards the holiday gift-giving season, consider becoming a
Peace Partner, and giving to the campaign. Even a small amount donated
monthly will make a huge difference in how we move forward. For other
gifts you may give, be sure to visit the online store at this addy:.
You can purchase peace-related and campaign-related gifts, but also
access Rumblefish Jewelry and RE:VOLVE Apparel, or shop through iGive
to various retailers, and Amazon.com. Go to the shopping page on the Peace Alliance website here:
If you
access any of these through the Peace Alliance website, part of what
you spend will be donated to the campaign -- what's better than that?
Enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday, write a postcard, and please plan to join us at our Annual Holiday Open House on December 13th!
In peace, and with great appreciation,
Terry Mason and Tory Haslinger
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Let's Welcome President-elect Obama! 
From
November 5, 2008 to January 20, 2009 (Inauguration Day) we're sending
postcards from our local communities to President-Elect Barack Obama
encouraging him to make violence reduction and prevention a national
priority and to increase funding for effective violence prevention.
It's quick, easy and fun to do!
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Holiday Party! 
Mark
your calendars! We will have a Holiday Open House for all volunteers in
the campaign for a Department of Peace! We intentionally are setting
the day and time hoping that some of our group as far as San Luis
Obispo, Santa Barbara, and north to D25 will be able to join us. Please
come, and share in the joy of the holiday season, connecting with the
peace-makers and peace-builders in our community.
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Time:1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where:Terry Mason and Paul Chepikian's house
16425 Otsego Street
Encino, CA 91436
We look forward to seeing everyone!
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Calendar
Key: 
Events in blue
All Calls in purple
Meetings in Green
Volunteers needed in Red
City Team Meeting location:
Arcana Workshops
3916 Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 107
Culver City, CA 90230
Valley Team Meeting location:
Terry Mason's residence
16425 Otsego Street, Encino, CA 91436
NOVEMBER
Nov 11: Veteran's Day
Nov 11 (6-7 pm PT): National ALL CALL; (219) 509-8020, access code 80808#
A general campaign update that will include a brief section to discuss the Presidential Postcards for Peace.
Nov 13 (6 pm PT): SPA National Action Conference Call
(218)
339-4300, access code: 515365# An in-depth conference call to discuss
how to organize the Presidential Postcards for Peace national action on
your campus or in your community.
Nov 14-16 (Fri 7-9:30 pm, Sat/Sun, 9:30 am-6 pm): Respectful Confrontation Workshop, Glendale
Respectful
Confrontation: The Practice of Compassionate Engagement -- A Weekend
Workshop with Joe Weston. This workshop will shift and reframe your
views on Confrontation, Assertiveness, and True Power -- leading to
more self-confidence and peaceful interactions with others. The
principles offered will be put into action and brought to life --
allowing you to embody the teachings -- through physical exercises,
meditation, basic martial arts techniques, breath work, and interactive
role plays. $295 (financial assistance available). Los Angeles Wellness
Work, 540 West Broadway, Glendale, CA 91204, (818) 247-5125, (818)
247-2062, www.wellnessworksglendale.org
Nov 15 (10 am - noon): Combined Team Meeting - City
Address
above . RSVP 24 hours in advance: Tory Haslinger amzonbabe@aol.com,
310.855.1303 or Jo Ann Gaines jogaines1@hotmail.com, c 310.200.3598.
Nov 16 (3 pm - 5 pm): Combined Team Meeting - Valley
Address above. RSVP 24 hours in advance: terry@lupineproductions.com, 818.687.2942.
Nov 20 (6-7:30 pm PT): Nonviolent Communication Call; (712) 432-1601, access code: 470821#
DECEMBER
Dec 2 (6-7 pm PT): National ALL CALL; (219) 509-8020, access code 80808#
Dec 10: Human Rights Day. 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Dec 13 (1-5 pm): Annual Holiday Party, Terry Mason's residence
Open to all campaign volunteers in our area; 16425 Otsego Street, Encino, CA 91436;
RSVP: terry@lupineproductions.com, 818.687.2942
Dec 18 (6-7:30 pm PT): Nonviolent Communication Call; (712) 432-1601, access code: 470821#
2009 National Conference!!!
Mar 20-23:
5th Annual National Conference, Washington, DC
"PEACE WITHIN REACH: People and Politics Partnering for our Common Security"
Fri:
Leadership Program; Sat/Sun: Conference; Mon: Meetings with our Members
of Congress on Capital Hill; Confirmed Speakers: Riane Eisler (The
Chalice and The Blade), Ocean Robbins (Youth for Environmental Sanity
(YES!)), Rita Marie Johnson (Academy for Peace of Costa Rica; Campaign
for a Ministry of Justice and Peace), Rich & Yvonne St. John-Dutra
(Challenge Day founders), and more in the works; Hotel: Hyatt Crystal
City, Arlington, VA: http://crystalcity.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp;
single or double $165, increase for 3 or 4 / room.
Mon, Mar 24: Meetings with our Members of Congress on Capital Hill
Tues, Mar 25: Hill Briefing
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Another South Florida Connection to now President-elect Obama
Notes from Ana Campos, State Coordinator in South
Florida, where the campaign volunteers have been very busy during the
campaign season...
As
Senator Obama, made his *hello* rounds shaking hands with people,
he stopped in front of Michelle and the little peace kitten pounced at
the opportunity she had struggled to see all week really. She said "You
need to create this! You need to make this a priority!" as she put the
blue DOP brochure in front of his face. He looked at it - he read it-
he seriously nodded his head in acknowledgement and he said...
'We're working on it. We're working on it."
I'm
proud of the peace ninjas and peace kittens in our group. When you make
up your mind, and are determined to do something good - the impossible
becomes possible and those doors open.
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FAQs from the desk of State co-leads Terry Mason and Tory Haslinger
Q: With everything that the new administration has to address, how can we make peace a priority?
A:
Congress is a reactive body. The
same is true for our new President. History shows that newly elected
Presidents do try to act on the promises they made during their
campaign. So we know that the economy will be front and center on the
agenda of our new administration. The cost of violence in our society
is reeling out of control, and continues to grow. Just as investing in
public works has promise to improve our economy by creating jobs and
improving our infrastructure, so does investing in violence prevention
in our schools and homes, and strengthening peacekeeping efforts
internationally through foreign assistance and diplomacy. By investing
in violence prevention, we can reduce the amount of money we are
spending reacting to violence after it occurs. Making peace a priority
is consistent with improving our economy.
Take part in the national action to
write a postcard to President-elect Obama. Get additional postcards,
stamp them, and help your family and friends do the same. This message
must be made clear to have an effect. The more cards that are sent, the
more powerful the message will be!
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