FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S MVCAN NEWSLETTER (1/30/20):

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS

1. MVCAN MONTHLY MEETING - Special guest speaker!
   Sun. Feb 9, 4pm - 5:30pm, Mill Valley Community Center (NOTE EARLIER TIME)

2. MVCAN HOSTS CANDIDATES’ FORUM - ENDORSES CANDIDATES FOR MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

3. LAUNCH OF 2020 PHONE BANKING & ELECTORAL ACTION IN Corte Madera - Kick-Off Electoral/Airlift Party on Sat. Feb 1, plus Phone Banks and Training.

4. FIGHT VOTER SUPPRESSION “RECLAIM OUR VOTE” EVENT - Sat. Feb 8, 3-5pm, San Anselmo

5. CIVIL RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION MVCAN TEAM MEETING -
   Sun. Feb 9, 3pm - 4pm (NOTE NEW START TIME) in lobby MVCC

6. HELP WITH THE MARIN CENSUS - MAKE SURE EVERYONE COUNTS

7. VOTE NO ON MARIN MEASURE D (SAN GERONIMO GOLF COURSE)

8. TRAVEL TO PHOENIX, AZ TO CANVASS AND REGISTER VOTERS - March 2 - March 4 (Mon thru Wed)

9. CANVASS IN TRACY - 2nd and 3rd Saturdays

SAVE THE DATE SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: MVCAN HAS BOOKED CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN FOR OUR SUNDAY MARCH 8TH MEETING AT 5PM! DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHAT WE DID

1. GREAT MVCAN TURNOUT AT THE WOMEN’S RALLY AND MARCH SF 2020

2. WONDERFUL CELEBRATION AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

3. MILL VALLEY HOUSING ADVISORY MEETING

1

MVCAN FEBRUARY MONTHLY MEETING

Sunday, Feb 9, 4pm-5:30pm (note new time)

Join us for an exciting meeting with special guest speaker Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH).

Guest speaker: Andrea Miller of NIRH

Andrea spoke very eloquently at one of our meetings in 2018 about women's reproductive justice. She will be giving us important updates regarding the possible repeal of Roe v. Wade and other pressing reproductive issues.

Also, come hear from our awesome MVCAN Airlift team with compelling updates from the extraordinary grass root groups in swing areas that Airlift funds.

MVCAN February Monthly Meeting

Sunday, Feb 9, 4 - 5:30PM (Note earlier time)

Mill Valley Community Center

180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley

2

MVCAN ENDORSES MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES AND CANDIDATE FOR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 3

At last month’s meeting, in a packed house, MVCAN and community members had a wonderful opportunity to hear from the local candidates in Marin--all 5 MV City Council candidates and Board of Supervisors’ candidate Stephanie Moulton-Peters. In the form of a written questionnaire and live at the forum, the candidates weighed in on important local issues that reflect MVCAN values and mission such as affordable housing, environmental initiatives, and taking a stand on state and national issues.

To see the questionnaire and answers from 4 of the 5 candidates see: candidate questionnaire.

(Sashi McEntee did not submit answers.)

NOW, MVCAN IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR ENDORSEMENT OF THREE MILL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL RACE CANDIDATES: URBAN CARMEL, KIRK KNAUER, AND MAX PERREY.

ADDITIONALLY, MVCAN IS PLEASED TO ENDORSE CANDIDATE STEPHANIE MOULTON-PETERS IN THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RACE FOR DISTRICT 3.

Retiring BOS incumbent Kate Sears has endorsed Stephanie Moulton-Peters for the Board of Supervisors. Both Kate and Stephanie have been great supporters of MVCAN and our priorities.

3

JOIN IN 2020 ELECTION YEAR KICK-OFF & AIRLIFT PARTY!

Kick-Off Meeting, Saturday, Feb 1

Phone Banks, Saturdays, Feb 8, 15, and 22

Training for Spanish Activists, Sun Feb 9

2020 ELECTION KICK-OFF MEETING in Corte Madera

Join MVCANers and the Democracy Action crew -- Susan Bolle and her fab team at the Corte Madera Town Center to kick-off the start of the 2020 Election Year!

At the Kick-Off meeting, we’ll be talking about how we plan to take back our democracy via calling, texting, canvassing, writing letters and postcarding. In addition, our partners from MVCAN’s fundraising project Airlift will tell us what they're up to in 2020.

Kick-Off Meeting & Airlift Party
Sat. Feb 1, 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Town Center Corte Madera, Community Room
770 Tamalpais Dr. Suite 201

Corte Madera (PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION HAS BEEN UPDATED)

Please RSVP: HERE

We'll have wine & food and you'll have a chance to reunite with all our wonderful community members and catch up. See you there!

PHONE BANKS RESUME ON SATURDAYS

Please join us to call voters in AZ and CA. We have a lot of work to do to win in 2020!

Phone Bank in Sausalito
Saturday Feb 8, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (note earlier time)
Sign-up: HERE

Phone Bank in Sausalito
Saturday Feb 15, 3pm - 5pm
Sign-up: HERE

Phone Bank in Sausalito
Saturday, Feb 22, 3 – 5pm
Sign-up: HERE

In addition, we will be hosting a training workshop in Spanish For Activists and Voter Communication techniques. This workshop is intended for those who would like to be more effective in their outreach to the Latinx community. We’ll cover vocabulary and topics that will increase your confidence in your phone-banking, canvassing, and voter registration activities. (For intermediate Spanish speakers.)

Training - Spanish For Activists
Sun, Feb 9, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (new time)
Sign-up: HERE

You'll always have coaching from our experienced leaders to help you to be as effective as possible, from start to finish, whether you're brand new -- or a veteran. If we have texting assignments, our text coaches will get you started.

Please bring your charged cell phone AND your laptop, iPad or tablet along with earbuds with a mic. And don’t forget your water bottle.

See you for the Kick-Off Meeting, Phone Banks and Spanish Activist Training!

4

RECLAIM OUR VOTE EVENT - FEATURING DYNAMIC SPEAKER, ANDREA MILLER - Sat. Feb 8, 3-5pm

Reclaim Our Vote is a volunteer-driven, nonpartisan voter outreach campaign to fight voter suppression in various states that have been severely impacted by it, especially in the South.

Reclaim Our Vote has been the source of the wildly popular “Writing Postcards from Home” efforts organized by MVCAN member Bob Haar, politicalbobh@gmail.com. To date, this group has written over 25,000 postcards to disenfranchised voters of color!

Come meet Andrea Miller, director of Reclaim Our Vote and founding Board Member of the Center for Common Ground. She’ll tell us about what Reclaim Our Vote is doing in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and other states in 2020, and what we can do in Marin.

Hundreds of thousands of voters of color have been purged, de-registered, or otherwise disenfranchised. Reclaim Our Vote has a brilliant strategy for directly engaging voters of color in their swing state communities. We are participating in their actions from here: come find out how you can join us!

MVCAN is co-hosting this event, which is spear-headed by multiple other Marin grassroots groups and also serves as a fund-raiser for ROV. Thanks partners!

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CIVIL RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION MVCAN TEAM MEETING

Sun. Feb 9, 3pm - 4pm

Immigration/Civil Rights Team Meeting

Sunday, February 9, 3pm - 4pm (right before the MVCAN Monthly Meeting)

Mill Valley Community Center (meeting in lobby)

180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley

All Community Members welcome. Join us there!

6

MARIN CENSUS: HELP COUNT EVERYONE

Community Action Marin and Canal Alliance are teaming up to lead the drive for a full, fair and accurate Census 2020 count of everyone who lives in Marin County.

This will likely be the most difficult Census in recent history. Immigrant and low-income communities of color are the most at-risk of being undercounted; intimidated into hiding, with every reason not to trust the government, many do not know that they are protected by law and their participation in the Census can only help them.

Here are two great ways to support the census:

BECOMING A TRUSTED MESSENGER

Get the facts and tell your friends, family, and neighbors all about the Census. For instance, many immigrants still believe they will be asked whether they are citizens and are afraid of being deported if they complete it honestly.

Get informed and stay up to date by texting COUNT to 415-338-9887 or signing up at marincensus2020.org and you can receive important updates by either email or text.

BECOMING A PAID CENSUS TAKER

The U.S. Census Bureau is looking to hire Census Taker jobs to visit households and help residents complete census questionnaires. We’re looking for local residents, especially those who represent and connect with hard-to-count communities, to apply for these jobs.

Join us for this workshop to learn more. Bring your heart, compassion, and commitment to stand up for those marginalized in our community. We'll teach you everything you need to know.

We’ll walk you through the timeline, eligibility requirements and application process.

Bilingual job seekers especially welcome!

Census Jobs Workshop

Sat, February 8, 1 – 4 PM

Pickleweed Branch of San Rafael Public Library

50 Canal Street, Suite 170A

Register for the Census Jobs Workshop: HERE

There will be more More Census Training Opportunities.

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SAVE THE SAN GERONIMO VALLEY HABITAT - VOTE NO ON MEASURE D!

Marin Measure D, sponsored by real estate special interests promising to bring golf back to San Geronimo Valley, seeks to overturn this Trust for Public Land plan. Measure D would alter the San Geronimo Valley Community Plan — which was developed over decades by local residents — to require the primary use of that property be golf.

Note that the Trust for Public Land has stated repeatedly in print and in public that Measure D will not bring back golf.

Measure D does not change the underlying economics that led to closure of the course. It merely blocks restoration and recreational benefits for the public, and sets the stage for future development on fragile habitats in West Marin. Passage of Measure D would set an unfortunate precedent for loss of local control of community plans.

The Sierra Club is focused on getting out the vote for the NO on Measure D on the March 3, Marin ballot. They’re asking for volunteers to attend an evening of phone banking -- call lists, scripts, and refreshments will be provided!

PHONEBANK FOR NO ON MARIN MEASURE D  

Tues, Feb 4, 6 - 8 pm

Trust for Public Land Clubhouse
5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo, CA

Sign up at Phone Bank for NO on Measure D

Please bring your own cell phone.

Detailed information about the No on Measure D campaign can be found at:

Sangeronimoforall.com.

Please join in spreading the word to vote No on Measure D!

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TRAVEL TO PHOENIX, AZ TO CANVASS AND REGISTER VOTERS

March 2 to March 4 (Mon thru Wed)

Commit to Flip Blue is heading back to Phoenix, AZ to register voters for the 2020 election and get out the vote for the upcoming Democratic Presidential Primary Election on March 17! We will be registering voters from Monday, March 2 - Wednesday, March 4.

We plan to hit college campuses in the greater Phoenix Metro area to register new voters and to remind those already registered that they need to vote by March 17 in their Presidential Primary. Young voters who vote in their State's Primary Elections are much more apt to vote in the General Elections in the Fall.

We are again partnering with Field Team 6 and AZ Blue 2020 for this event. If you are interested in joining us, please be sure to first sign up with Field Team 6 for the sessions that you want. (Tip: do not book your airfare or housing until you sign up.)

Voter Registration Trip - Commit to Flip Blue Phoenix, AZ

Monday, March 2 – Wednesday, March 4

To sign up with Field Team 6, click: HERE

For detailed plans on the trip, including possible flights and a tentative schedule, please contact Margaret Tanaka, MVCAN’s contact at Commit to Flip Blue, mtanakacommit2flip@gmail.com.

Note that most people will want to fly to Phoenix from the Bay Area on Sunday, March 1, and return in the evening or late afternoon on Wednesday March 4. There will likely be some help from our local partners for some housing and local ground transportation. Please contact Margaret Tanaka if you are interested.

Let’s flip Arizona! See you there!

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CANVASSING IN TRACY

2nd and 3rd Saturdays monthly

Bill Jansen and Paul Klonsky in Tracy.

As we get closer to the March 3rd primary, the number of volunteers going to Tracy to canvas for Congressman Josh Harder and the other Democrats on the ballot has been increasing. Recently, more than 40 volunteers showed up on a Saturday morning to spread out in pairs to talk with registered Democrats and independents about the election and to elicit support for Josh and the democratic candidates.

In February, we will be canvassing in Tracy on the second and third Saturdays of those months and also likely the last weekend before the March 3, California primary election.

When you sign up below, please also contact Bill Jansen, MVCAN CD-10 Canvassing Coordinator, at billjpolitics@gmail.com or (415) 516-1112, so he can coordinate MVCAN participants.

CARPOOLING: MVCAN is arranging carpools to the canvassing sessions in Tracy. We meet each canvassing date at 8:30 AM at the Larkspur Ferry parking lot, Row J, and return around 4 PM.  

SIGN UP FOR CANVASSING (Please indicate your home organization as "MVCAN")

Saturday, February 8 - sign up HERE

Saturday, February 15 - sign up HERE

WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHAT WE DID

1

GREAT MVCAN TURNOUT AT WOMEN’S RALLY AND MARCH SF 2020

More than 25 MVCANers and friends met to watch the rally and march together for the 4th year running. Special thanks to Marin’s Freedom Singers and chant leaders for making the march so much fun!

2

WONDERFUL CELEBRATION AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY IN MARIN CITY

Many of our community members joined the celebration last week. All heard a great program of inspiring speakers and music. Many thanks to Peter Graumann who participated in planning and many aspects of the event.

3

MILL VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING

Gary, Dennis and Barbara.

Several MVCAN members attended the recent Mill Valley Housing Advisory Committee Meeting to advocate for increased and affordable housing in our community.

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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 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 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 still hard at work to take back our country in battleground states all over the country...preparing for next year's general election. We're canvassing, calling, texting and sending letters & postcards to defend our hard-won House seats and take back the Senate. Our team of experienced electoral volunteers will help get you started to talk to voters to make sure they are registered and ready to VOTE THEM OUT. We feature Voter Communication training and we'll coach you every step of the way. Join us to take back our country!

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