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Announcement :: Globalization |
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KC Chapter of Reclaim Democracy Starts with A Bang |
Current rating: 0 |
by Mary Lindsay
Email: citizenpower (nospam) aol.com (verified) |
05 Dec 2004
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A Summary of the November 29 Public Forum on reclaim Democracy |
 Democraticelections.pdf (157 k) |
HiddenHistoryPrimerforKC.pdf (192 k) |
InherentRulesforKC.pdf (161 k) |
WhatYouCanDo-KC.pdf (165 k) |
There was a splendid turnout of over 50 people at the Public Forum! The original plan--for each person to introduce him/herself and share what aspect of corporate dominance had moved them to attend the meeting--had to be discarded due to the size of the group. Instead, I presented information about the mission and actions of ReclaimDemocracy.org Click Here
Four single-issue primers from RD.org were distributed and are the attachments in this email. There are other primers and many other articles of great interest available on the RD web site. "Primers - ReclaimDemocracy.org"
At the public forum, I told of various organized ways we can learn more about the democracy movement.
~One way is available through the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. It is a 10-session series "Challenge Corporate Power" . The program provides material to be read between sessions and a structured format for small group discussion. It's recommended highly but takes a long time to complete.
~A college professor has ordered the DVD of the documentary, The Corporation (not yet available to the public), and has offered us a screening in January or February.
~Another vehicle for learning is to have Jeff Milchen, founder of RD.org, come to KC and give a 2-day workshop "Presentations and Workshops by Reclaim Democracy" . I think this method would give us the "jump start" we need. There is clearly a large community of us (as evidenced by 50 people coming together on a snowing night!) that is eager to take action to reverse the rise of corporate dominance in America.
There was discussion about the importance of patronizing local, independent businesses. I agreed to forward information given to me that evening or in the next few days. That will come in a separate email.
A committee of four people with technical expertise generously volunteered to facilitate the development of a Kansas City area site on the forum on the RD web site. Forums on Corporations & Democracy They already have it up and awaiting postings! Thanks to Rich, Gordon, Margaret and Jon! (I didn't use their last names because we've not yet discussed the issue of confidentiality.)
We accomplished the essential goal of having enough new members (only 5 needed!) to officially sign a letter of intent to launch a local chapter Kansas City area - RDChapters
I want to clarify the issue of donating to RD. There is no fee to join the local chapter. You are not required to donate to the national organization in order to participate in the local chapter. However, "voting members or office-holders of a local Chapter must be current financial supporters of ReclaimDemocracy.org." I believe there is real value to our having the support of the national organization and I hope that anyone who is able to donate will consider doing so. And, I thank all of you who already have donated!
Here is the policy regarding donations, which I cut and pasted from the RD web site:
* When we receive a membership coupon with your local chapter's code on it (we can provide pre-printed coupons for brochures; you can write or stamp your code on newsletters), 50% of the contribution is set aside for your local chapter to use for local activities. We also are happy to credit web donations that specify your chapter in the notes box at the time of the donation (but please don't ask to credit anyone's donation retroactively).
At the Public Forum I addressed the implications of the nonprofit/nonpartisan status. I pasted the following from the RD web site:
* ReclaimDemocracy.org is absolutely nonpartisan. Chapters may not promote, endorse or discourage votes for any political party or candidate. A Chapter may not take a position on legislation or ballot initiative / referenda without explicit approval from the national office (there are strict IRS rules governing this advocacy that we can fill you in on at that time, or upon request). Publicizing results of candidate questionnaires with responses to requests for positions on issues is acceptable as long as no endorsement is given.
* Meetings should be free of any partisan political material or discussion -- even if you "know" you all have the same opinion. Please keep a strict separation between partisan politics and democracy work, and politely call anyone on it if they breach that boundary. Not only can our nonprofit status be endangered, but we cannot build a movement without remaining open to a wide range of views among people who share the common interest of revitalizing democracy and revoking illegitimate corporate power.
The decision was made by the group to have the next meeting:
Monday, December 13th from 7-8:30 PM
again at the Waldo Branch of the KC Library.
201 E 75th St Kansas City, MO
The agenda is being developed. We are working with Jeff Milchen, the director of ReclaimDemocracy.org, to determine the best way to proceed. It's a happy dilemma when a very special agenda is needed to tap the creativity and energy of so many concerned citizens. I ask for your patience. We will have a clear and useful agenda set before December 13. I will email an agenda to you next week.
The Kansas City area Chapter is off to a phenomenal start! Let's not lose the momentum!!
Yours truly,
Mary Lindsay |
See also:
http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org
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This work is in the public domain |
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Re: KC Chapter of Reclaim Democracy Starts with A Bang |
by Brandy D
dazdavis (nospam) lycos.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
06 Dec 2004
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I hadn't heard of RD before this post, but I am so in! I will be there next week! (You can add me to the email list) |
