FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN:
Upcoming Events
MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING - WOMEN'S RIGHTS
SUN. MAR. 4, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Mill Valley Community Center
- MVCAN PHONE AND TEXT BANKING
- CANVASSING IN CD-10 WITH SWING LEFT MARIN - Many Dates Available!
SAVE THE DATE! MARCH FOR OUR LIVES - Sat. Mar. 24
DEMOCRACY CAFÉ - END GUN VIOLENCE - Sun. Mar. 18
SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS AT RISK OF DETENTION
AND DEPORTATIONROCK THE CONGRESS - Sat. Mar. 24
ECO TEAM MEETING AND FILM SCREENING - Wed. Mar. 7
FACING CLIMATE CHANGE EVENT- Sun. Mar. 11
MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING SUN. MAR 4, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
MILL VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER
Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health and NIRH Action FundThe MVCAN Monthly Meeting will feature guest speaker Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health. Andrea, a nationally recognized speaker, will talk about the urgent fight for reproductive freedom in the U.S. and her organization's innovative work to harness political power at the state and local level to ensure reproductive health, rights and justice for all. Andrea will offer a snapshot of the state of women's reproductive rights nationwide and talk about recent successes and how we can get involved.
This is an issue which gets far too little attention and represents a key battle for economic justice for women.
MVCAN Monthly Meeting
Sunday, Mar. 4, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
Also on our exciting agenda, hear about recent MVCAN successes and great opportunities for participation.
MVCAN PHONE AND TEXT BANKING
Congressman Jared Huffman dropping by to address phone/text bankers at an MVCAN phone bank. Photo: Marti Cermak
We've started our work early this election and are busy calling voters in our priority (flippable) California Congressional Districts, along with voters in PA-18 to elect Conor Lamb in the March 13 Special Congressional Election, as well as voters in Nevada to oust Senator Heller. We're also texting on behalf of Senatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, who is running against Ted Cruz in Texas.
For all our phone and text banks and training, you need to bring your charged cell phone AND your laptop, iPad or tablet, along with earbuds with a mic.
Phone and Text Bank in Sausalito
Sat. Mar. 3 - Phone/Text Bank, 2:30 - 4:30 pm in Sausalito.
Register here. This will be a regular working phone/text banking session.
We'll be calling for CD-10, Nevada and Conor Lamb in PA (E-Day 3/13.)
Phone Bank in Corte Madera
Mon. Mar 12 - Phone Bank, 3:00 - 5:00 pm in Corte Madera
Please join us at Jan's home in Corte Madera to call voters in the hotly contested PA-18 Special Congressional Election to elect Conor Lamb. Election Day is March 13 so you will actually be Getting out The Vote for this incredible candidate!
Please click here to register and get more details/directions.
Phone and Text Bank in San Rafael
Wed. Mar. 21 - Phone/Text Bank, 4:00 - 6:00 pm in San Rafael
MVCAN is co-hosting this phone/text bank at Marin Democrats' new headquarters on 4th St. in San Rafael. We'll be calling all the flippable California Congressional Districts
Please click here to register and get details/directions.
New? Get Trained to Phone and Text Bank
Earlier this month we trained more than 130 new volunteers to text and phone bank over two Saturdays! See below for more opportunities to train.
All attendees must bring their charged cell phones AND laptop, iPad or tablet.
Sat. Mar. 10 - PHONE BANK Training 101, 1:00 - 4:00 pm in Sausalito
Register here.
Phone Bank Training 101 is designed for phone banking novices, but also for those who dove right in without formal training. It includes role-play and practice calls. You'll learn how to make calls to voters in red and purple states and districts to get out the vote for the 2018 Midterms.
Sat. Mar. 10 - TEXT BANK Training, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in Sausalito
Register here.
Join us to learn how to use texting to contact voters. It's another tool we use to help increase voter turnout. It's effective–we reach a different target audience–and those of you who don't like to call voters may find this a good alternative. We’ll learn how to text voters using the Relay platform. We'll text for Beto O'Rourke, running for Senate against Ted Cruz in TX.
Sat. Mar. 17 - COMMUNICATIONS Training: Tools For Engaging With Voters,
10:00 am - 12:30 pm in Sausalito
This communications training will teach you effective tools that can be used with voters–or anyone in your life. The presenter is Kathi Walsh, who has a background in psychiatric nursing–and a great sense of humor. She will focus on how you can develop your listening skills as well as improve the way you ask questions. The training includes break-outs to practice your new skills and engage with voters in a whole new way.
Please click here to register and get more details/directions.
Full house of phone/text bankers. Photo: June Cooperman
CANVASSING IN CD10 WITH SWING LEFT MARIN
There are lots of great opportunities coming up to canvass voters in CD10 to help flip Congress in the 2018 midterms. We will be volunteering in Modesto, Manteca, and Tracy, CA. Volunteers will lay the groundwork for unseating Jeff Denham (R) by visiting Democratic voters as part of a locally-based effort to activate them prior to the election.
Under the auspices of Swing Left Marin, we have multiple chances to canvass and register voters. So pick some dates that work for you and join us! We can and will make the difference in 2018!
Single-Day Canvassing Opportunities
Unlike the monthly Tracy canvasses, the actions listed below do NOT require a monthly commitment and can be done as a one-day event. Come the months you can, but you must pre-register for the events.
Modesto:
Canvassing – Sat. Mar. 24, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com
If you wish to carpool, contact Bridget Gleason from Swing Left Marin 510.910.4893. We will be leaving from the Larkspur Ferry terminal at 8:00 am.Once-a-Month Commitment for Canvassing in Tracy
The Tracy GO Team, which coordinates activities with Swing Left Marin in Tracy, requires a monthly commitment for canvassing. (You can share the commitment with another person, for example, canvassing in alternating months).
You can come for an initial canvassing day and "test drive", whether or not you want to commit to canvassing one day a month going forward.
No previous experience is needed - training will be provided.
Tracy Monthly Canvassing:
Sat. Mar. 10 and all 2nd Saturdays - Swing Left Marin/MVCAN - 11:00 am Tracy
(Most of the volunteers for second Saturdays are MVCAN members.)
There are a few spots remaining for 2nd Saturdays.
To register and find out about carpooling, contact MVCAN member Larry Litvak at: llitvak@aol.com
Sun. Mar. 4 and all 1st Sundays - 1:00 pm Tracy
Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com
Sat. Mar. 17 and all 3rd Saturdays - 11:00 am Tracy
Email Bridget at SwingLeftMarin@gmail.com
Single-Day Voter Registration Opportunity in Tracy
There are only NINE more Voter Registration actions led by Swing Left Marin in Tracy before the primary election! And our next opportunity has just been made available:
Tracy Voter Registration - Sat. Mar. 10 – 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Please sign-up here
We may have to place a limit on the number of volunteers we can accept for each event, so please sign up now if you are interested.
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH FOR OUR LIVES - SAT. MAR. 24
Join the young people of our country in their heartfelt protest march for Gun Safety on March 24. Stay tuned for more details in the following weeks about MVCAN’s participation in this national event against gun violence.
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES
Sat. Mar. 24, 1:00 pm
Civic Center, San Francisco
In another anti-gun-violence event, local students will be participating in a 17-minute school walkout in remembrance of the 17 people killed in the Parkland shooting.
NATIONAL STUDENT SCHOOL WALKOUT
Wed. Mar. 14, 10:00 to 10:17 am
Please check next week’s newsletter and MVCAN’s Facebook page as we develop a plan to participate in support of students here in Marin.
DEMOCRACY CAFÉ - END GUN VIOLENCE
Come to Democracy Cafe for an afternoon of art, music and politics!
Our theme this month: How can we end gun violence?
Among many other activities, we will be creating signs for the “March for Our Lives” rally on Sat. Mar. 24
Activities:
- Create your own signs:
- Sing Along with the Freedom Singers
- Hear Music and Poetry about social change
- Discuss Ideas to end gun violence
We’ll meet young activists and artists, including singer Kayla Campbell, student at Tam High School. They will perform songs and poems about making the world safer for everyone.
Democracy Café – End Gun Violence
Sun. Mar. 18, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, 616 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley
Please RSVP here.
SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS AT RISK OF
DETENTION AND DEPORTATION
June Cooperman, Sue Fishman and Rebecca Brackman at the ICE protest in SF Feb. 28.
Attend a one-evening training session and learn how you can participate in documenting events where immigrants are at risk of detention and deportation. The Marin Rapid Response Network is offering training to become a legal observer to help monitor ICE activity.
How does Rapid Response support the needs of at-risk immigrants? A hotline has been set up where a dispatcher receives a call, and if it is an actual raid, will alert the legal observers within 10 miles of the event to respond. The trained observers are sent to the location to observe and report. The videos and notes collected by observers are then sent to local and regional Rapid Response networks to be used in cases of ICE abuse and in defending people at risk of deportation.
Susan Fishman, an MVCAN member who has been participating as a legal observer, says “It's been a wonderful experience to be part of something so important.”
Join in and help support the immigrant members of our community!
You do not need to have a legal background or be bilingual to become a Legal Observer.
Training Dates for Legal Observer Volunteers
Mar. 7 or Mar. 21, Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Apr. 4 or Apr. 18, Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Training Location:
First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, Canoles Hall
510 Fifth Ave, San Rafael
For more information contact Olivia Beltran - Obeltran@cwcenter.org
(415) 526-2486 x 303
ROCK THE CONGRESS: UNITING PROGRESSIVES TO WIN
Rock the Congress is a one-day conference that will provide Bay Area activists with the training and skills they need to join and build a strong and lasting coalition of progressive activists who are dedicated to winning elections and regaining Democratic control of Congress.
ROCK THE CONGRESS – UNITING PROGRESSIVES TO WIN IN 2018
Sat. Mar. 24, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Balboa High School, 1000 Cayuga Ave., San Francisco
It’s now more important than ever to train and unite activists to win elections. This is the only way to effect changes in legislation, including gun safety. The conference will feature breakout sessions with tracks from Beginner to Leader, as well as fabulous speakers.
Please join us at the pivotal moment at Rock the Congress on March 24th.
ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SCREENING - TIME TO CHOOSE
Award-winning Tiburon producer and environmental activist Jeff Horowitz will show his film addressing the urgent need for the world to take action to combat global warming.
Film Screening of Time to Choose
Wed. Mar. 7, 7:00 pm
Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Dr., Tiburon
A question and answer session will follow the screening. (This is a free event.)
Join us next week at our MVCAN ECO TEAM MEETING
When: Wed. Mar.7, 7:00 pm
Where: Good Earth - 201 Flamingo Rd, Mill ValleyLEARNING HOW TO FACE CLIMATE CHANGE
We know climate change is real – What do we do now?
Attend an event, sponsored by OFA, to help deepen your understanding of the climate crisis. Expect the best and latest in science and interactive discussion.
Special focus will be on how to talk about these issues – whether water, drought, pollution, or rising tides - and engage voters, including those who live in Congressional Districts with climate deniers. David Kunhardt will be presenting.
Facing Climate Change
Sun. Mar. 11, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Marin County Democratic Headquarters
1344 4th Street (between C and D Streets), San Rafael
Parking is free on Sundays
JOIN AN ACTION TEAM
WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED? Much of MVCAN's work is done in one of our 10 awesome action teams. Click the team name to read their latest news and find their next meeting.
Civil Rights/Immigration battles for justice and fair treatment of women, immigrants, working people and followers of all faiths.
Communications works on strategy, branding, messaging and program development for MVCAN. They are looking for bright ideas and people who want to make them happen.
Dump Trump 's 25 active team members work on ways to remove Trump from power, with special focus on Russia collusion. This topic is hot!
Eco Warriors are engaged in change at the local, state and national levels, to impact the CA carbon tax, climate change, and community outreach and action.
The Economic Action team has launched AIRLIFT, our first national project. AIRLIFT funnels money to grassroots groups in winnable 2018 districts. These are seriously vetted groups that work all year round in their communities–they get tangible results without blowing through millions of dollars. Read about it in the Huffington Post .
Electoral is focused on the 2018 Midterm Elections, when all 435 seats in the House plus 33 Senate seats are up for grabs. We intend to grab as many as possible. The Electoral team works to elect Democratic candidates for federal and state level elections using phone/text banks and travel to targeted districts to talk with voters through phone calls, texts, door-to-door canvassing, voter registration, and campaign volunteering.
The Events team creates special events to engage our friends and neighbors to take political action with MVCAN.
Health Care is forging ahead after their successful fight over the repeal/replace of ACA.
Tech supports MVCAN through technology.
Women's Rights fundraises and canvasses for NARAL and Planned Parenthood; supports women in public office(s); and engages in local, state and federal legislation for women's protection and rights.
NEW TO MVCAN?
Visit MVCAN.org to learn about the organization and strategies, join a team, read past MVCAN newsletters, and gain helpful Resistance tools.
Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Suz, Danny, Eileen, and everyone at MVCAN
MVCAN News brought to you by June, Annie and Suz
