[Dance Spree] Spokescouncil tonight, 7-9, Amherst Bangs Center

[Timbabwe1 at aol.com]

Just a quick reminder about the Valleywide Spokescouncil  tonight, 7-9 at the 
Bangs Center.
 
We're hoping that everyone understands that the  facilitators of this group 
are in no way pushing a specific agenda other than  helping to get more and 
more progressive groups working together.  Also, it  is fine if you are not yet 
officially the representative of a group.   Please come and check it out!  Or 
come next month (Third  Tuesdays).
 
In solidarity,
 
 
Tim Anderson
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Dear Progressive Friend,
 
In these perilous times of failed government, a  threatened environment, and 
widespread injustice, it is imperative that We the  People band together to 
reinvent our communities. There are numerous independent  organizations located 
in the Pioneer Valley.  In our quest to link-up and  connect these many 
organizations into one cohesive body of commitment,  solidarity and action (at least 
sometimes!) we are now inviting up to three  representatives of every single 
group of 20 or more people to belong to this  new, exciting alliance. 
Operating with  consensus decision making authority, our goal is to help create a 
critical mass  of power around important issues of genuine concern to us  all. 

The _Valleywide  Spokescouncil_ (http://valleywidespokescouncil.net/)  seeks 
to be a viable  agent for significant change!  The  emphasis of this council 
will be less on research and more on discussion of  planning for specific 
action-oriented outcomes.  What are the major  problems we wish to correct? What 
are the significant solutions we desire to  create? How many people will it take 
to succeed?  How do we cooperate with  these other groups so we all get our 
goals for peace, justice and equality  met?  In brief, the _Valleywide 
Spokescouncil_ (http://valleywidespokescouncil.net/)  seeks to  mobilize hundreds of 
representatives and tens of thousands of people, all  focused like one laser 
beam on specific goals of our choosing. We believe that  consolidated action can 
and will result in significant success.  Aren't you  ready to win a few?
 
At this point we are primarily discussing and  organizing around increasing 
the number of representatives in the Spokescouncil,  since we are committed to 
acting only with the consensus of the critical mass  needed to assure success 
on a project, or set of projects.   However, at the first three gatherings we 
couldn't  resist brainstorming!  Some examples of  exciting possible actions 
we could take together  are:  creating sustainable local farming, creating 
affordable  housing for all, creating universal health care, creating intentional  
communities, creating a regional bio-mass plant, creating a "shared bank of  
hours" based on equal trade and bartered services, stopping Wallmart, stopping 
 the war, and stopping Vermont Yankee.


Please join with us by  sending a representative, or two, or three to our 
next meeting on 


Tuesday Evening, October  17  
South Meeting Room 
Bangs Community  Center
70 Boltwood Walk
Downtown Amherst
from 7 to 9
 
Spokescouncils will be held monthly, on the third Tuesday when  possible, in 
Amherst.  The November council is November 21,  same time and place.
 
 
Let's work together on some of the many things we agree upon to help create  
what we truly need and want right now.  We encourage you to visit us at our  
web site _www.valleywidespokescouncil.net_ 
(http://www.valleywidespokescouncil.net/) .   Please RSVP or ask questions of us here at _timbabwe1 at aol_ 
(mailto:timbabwe1 at aol.com) 
.com.  Or phone Tim with  questions at (413) 559-1656. 

We look forward to meeting you all and remain  with respect and exciting 
anticipation,

Sandra, Tim, Sanford  and Lois   


PS:  
 
~We hope to soon offer other opportunities for group  representatives to meet 
together to connect, build trust, have fun, dream, plan,  organize etc.  In 
order to facilitate all this, we are asking for  contributions of all kinds, 
including places for the council to meet, food for  the councilors, help with 
the web site, grants for staff, printing, supplies,  etc. At this point we are 
just volunteers with a dream and a plan and very  little free time to give.  We 
need and want the  full participation of everyone who cares.  Let us know if 
you can  help.
 
~If you do not yet have a group of 20 to represent, you may still attend,  
but you may not block consensus.
 
~Though we had hoped to expand to Springfield over the summer, we have  found 
that, for now, given our limited resources, we need to work from one place  
at a consistent time monthly.  We are willing to help start, facilitate or  
connect with other groups doing similar work anyplace we can!
 
~Thanks to Doug for drafting this  letter!

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