WHERE WE'VE BEEN & WHAT WE’VE DONE

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AIRLIFT SPECIAL ZOOM EVENTS

TUES, NOV 16 AND TUES, DEC 9

Also, learn how your tax-deductible investment now can help these grassroots groups grow new leaders, fight for their voting rights, and develop political power in 2022.

JOIN US!

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WRITE POSTCARDS TO REGISTER VOTERS IN PENNSYLVANIA

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SAVE THE DATE! IN-PERSON MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING Sunday, January 23, 4pm

WHERE WE’VE BEEN & WHAT WE DID

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KUDOS TO THE VOTER ENGAGEMENT TEAM & THE HARDWORKING PHONE BANKERS, POSTCARDERS AND TEXTERS TO VIRGINIA VOTERS

to make over 200,000 calls(!) to VA voters using the Hubdialer auto-dialer. This followed a busy first half of the year starting with the Georgia Senate Run-Offs, Special Elections around the country, and through the September 14 CA Recall Election.

Heartfelt thanks to our steadfast leaders for their tireless work this year--and over the past 5 years: Berta McDonnell, Celeste Perry, Corrie Sias (also our Text Leader), Jan O’Brien, Leigh Ann Townsend, Margaret Partlow, Marti Cermak, and Ruthanne Ranz-Appel.

And as we launch into the 2022 cycle, leadership is gearing up for more action. Starting with the Virginia State Legislature elections, Democracy Action Marin joined up with the Bay Area Coalition--a group of experienced phone bank leaders who have been leading large Zoom phone banks through the 2020 and CA Recall Elections. This is a very effective way to collaborate for the next few months to bring to volunteers the best experience as we transition to the 2022 Midterm elections. So stay tuned for upcoming opportunities for all to participate!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR POSTCARDING TEAM:
THANKS TO ALL OUR POSTCARDERS FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN VIRGINIA!

Together with Democratic volunteers across the country, our postcarders worked hard to keep Virginia blue. We're discouraged by the results, of course. But after taking a day or two to process the disappointment, we need to pick ourselves up, dust off, and resume the fight.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Virginia election. Together, our group wrote 33,000 of the 320,000 postcards written nationally for Reclaim Our Vote! And some of us also helped with phone calls and texts to voters.

To remember the positives, over the past few years, Virginia Democrats passed broad progressive laws such as raising the minimum wage, outlawing the death penalty, and expanding voter access. Since the Virginia Senate still remains Democratic, those laws should stay. Onward and upwards!

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The election victory is a major step forward for Tiburon in diversity and inclusion. Noah ran for office largely because of unfortunate events that occurred with the newly formed Tiburon Diversity Inclusion Task Force. Though the Task Force formed in late 2020 was made up of 5 community members and 5 Town Council members, it was clear that the recommendations of the Task Force were merely advisory. For instance, the Task Force played no role whatsoever in the hiring of the new Police Chief selected to replace the prior chief, who had retired under a cloud of incidents of racial bias. Noah’s election is an important step to improving this situation.

Noah is grateful to his many friends who supported him, including the Belvedere-Tiburon Community Action Network (BTCAN) and members Carol Korenbrot, Bronia Hill, Lorraine Gemigniani, Lynn Fennerman and Cheryl Caspi. Susan Bolle led the Tiburon volunteer team to mobilize voters with help from Pat Johnstone and the Marin Democratic Party. Together these dedicated volunteers canvassed hilly Tiburon, knocking on 1500 doors. They wrote 2000 postcards, made 1500 phone calls, sent 1500 texts and found dozens of supporters to put out lawn signs for Noah. No other candidate in the field had such support!

Much was learned from this locally-led campaign that used complementary turnout tools during a coordinated 10-week get out the vote campaign.

For more info on Noah’s victory, check out this Marin IJ article: Noah-Griffin-wins-Tiburon-Town-Council

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MVFREE WORLD CAFE A SUCCESS

The Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment (MVFREE) hosted a dynamic, thoughtful, inspiring evening to talk about what it means to be a person of color in southern Marin. Over 50 residents and community leaders came together for an evening conversation about belonging in Mill Valley, hosted by Lisa Jimenez, CEO and founder of OLAS Equity Strategies.

The evening started with presentations by BIPOC members of our community telling their experiences of racism living in Mill Valley. We were then given the question of the evening: How can we create a community of belonging for all people of color in Mill Valley? We met in small groups and freely gave our thoughts and stories of what this question means to us and how we can make change in our small town and world.

These conversations are part of our ongoing work for racial equity as we take steps to rectify past wrongs. Here is the link to watch the Race Matters Presentation, documents and contact information: WORLD CAFE.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - OUR MVCAN KUDOS EDITION

In case you missed being part of the more than 400 readers who looked at our original Kudos Edition launch back in July, please take the opportunity now to see our jam-packed 4th Anniversary Issue of the newsletter. It honors our work since MVCAN’s inception in November, 2016 and gives thanks to the many wonderful activists who made it all happen.

To check out our special Kudos Edition:

1. Go to mvcan.org,

2. Click on the newsletter link.

3. Click on MVCAN KUDOS EDITION 8.15.21

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JOIN AN ACTION TEAM

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED in a specific issue or support area? 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.

Eco Team 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 runs 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 Airlift in the Huffington Post .

Electoral The Electoral Team is phone banking, texting and sending postcards to pass voting rights legislation in Congress and win Special Congressional Elections-- all laying the groundwork for the 2022 Midterms. Our team of experienced electoral leaders will coach you from start to finish, providing you with the background you need to talk with voters.

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.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER YOUR SKILLS OR TALENTS?

Numerous positions and jobs are available – one-time or ongoing.  Contact volunteer@mvcan.org.

Thank you for all you do!
– June, Bernard, Eileen, Rebecca, and everyone at MVCAN

MVCAN News brought to you by June, Annie and Eileen