From Lou Finley:
If the younger ones steal your heart, come volunteer in the Fall at the Santa Fe Boys & Girls Club on Alto Street downtown. An after-school reading program, its mission is to take care of children's individual needs. Beginning September 8, it will run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:15 to 4:15.
From Gaye Pollitt:
No commitment or special training required. Just show up! I've been volunteering with this program for two school years and love it! Activities vary, but never the excitement or the need. Come help with reading, word games, worksheets, story writing, flash cards and other engaging teaching tools. All materials are provided.
Remember...this program is very flexible and ideal if your schedule is every-changing. You may volunteer as much or as little time as you have available. And you can just show up spur of the moment!
Contact program Coordinator (Mrs.) Lou Finley at 505-988-7278. She does an incredible job and will be happy to discuss the program and your schedule.
Friday, October 23, 2009
1st & 2nd graders at The Santa Fe Boys & Girls Club would love to read to you - with your help along the way.
Hosting an Exchange Student in a tough economy. Your next chance is January.
Question from Joan Lucci, local coordinator for Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): Holding back from hosting a foreign exchange student because of the economy? Please give it a second thought.
The exchange student's family is required to cover most of the student's living expenses, plus most programs provide health insurance for the student. Sure, as a host you will be responsible to provide the student a place to stay and food to eat, but consider the value! When you host a foreign exchange student, you will be part of a program that has proven to be one of the best diplomatic tools in bridging cultures.
You can and should apply anytime. The next semester is in January. Making a decision to host an exchange student could make a wonderful holiday gift for two families -- you as the hosting family and the student's family!
A family in Nashville says, "If we can do it, anybody can." Hear how they were able to host a student in a tough economy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyeRicBEVB8&feature=player_embedded
For more information about the next group of students hoping to find a host family, please contact me:
Joan Lucci, 505-920-2385 or visit my blog at: http://nmexchangestudents.blogspot.com/.
Learn more about Council on International Education Exchange at CIEE.org
The exchange student's family is required to cover most of the student's living expenses, plus most programs provide health insurance for the student. Sure, as a host you will be responsible to provide the student a place to stay and food to eat, but consider the value! When you host a foreign exchange student, you will be part of a program that has proven to be one of the best diplomatic tools in bridging cultures.
You can and should apply anytime. The next semester is in January. Making a decision to host an exchange student could make a wonderful holiday gift for two families -- you as the hosting family and the student's family!
A family in Nashville says, "If we can do it, anybody can." Hear how they were able to host a student in a tough economy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyeRicBEVB8&feature=player_embedded
For more information about the next group of students hoping to find a host family, please contact me:
Joan Lucci, 505-920-2385 or visit my blog at: http://nmexchangestudents.blogspot.com/.
Learn more about Council on International Education Exchange at CIEE.org
Wise Fool joins ¡EV! and seeks volunteer members for Board of Directors
Wise Fool is currently seeking positive and motivated individuals to join our active board of directors!
It is Wise Fool New Mexico's mission to ignite imagination, build community, and promote social justice through performances and hands-on experiences in the arts of circus, puppetry, and theatre. Wise Fool leads empowering circus and puppetry workshops for youth and women year-round at our studios in Santa Fe and Penasco, and in schools, libraries, and community centers across the state. Wise Fool also creates professional performances, tours throughout the United States and abroad, and provides high-quality circus entertainment for community and private events.
A 501(c)(3) since 2000, Wise Fool was honored with a Mayor's Excellence in the Arts Award in 2005, received the prestigious Pinon Award from the Santa Fe Community Foundation in 2008, and was voted Best Theatre Group by readers of the Santa Fe Reporter in 2008 and 2009.
To learn more about (or sign up for!) Afterschool Fools or Trapeze Choreography or Partner Acrobatics, visit Wise Fools website !
Or to explore becoming a Board member, please contact the current Wise Fool Board Chair, Sondra Frank, at 930-9045 or sondra.frank@earthlink.net.
It is Wise Fool New Mexico's mission to ignite imagination, build community, and promote social justice through performances and hands-on experiences in the arts of circus, puppetry, and theatre. Wise Fool leads empowering circus and puppetry workshops for youth and women year-round at our studios in Santa Fe and Penasco, and in schools, libraries, and community centers across the state. Wise Fool also creates professional performances, tours throughout the United States and abroad, and provides high-quality circus entertainment for community and private events.
A 501(c)(3) since 2000, Wise Fool was honored with a Mayor's Excellence in the Arts Award in 2005, received the prestigious Pinon Award from the Santa Fe Community Foundation in 2008, and was voted Best Theatre Group by readers of the Santa Fe Reporter in 2008 and 2009.
To learn more about (or sign up for!) Afterschool Fools or Trapeze Choreography or Partner Acrobatics, visit Wise Fools website !
Or to explore becoming a Board member, please contact the current Wise Fool Board Chair, Sondra Frank, at 930-9045 or sondra.frank@earthlink.net.
Got FUND RAISING talent? Want to help stage just one Event? Adult literacy needs you ASAP!
Unless they get some serious fund raising for their ADULT literacy and ESL (English as a Second Language) tutoring, Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe (LVSF) will be forced to continue eliminating extremely valuable projects and will not be able to afford to buy special high interest/low reading level instructional materials for new tutors and students.
We all know that the economy has brought a downturn in donations and funding across the board. For LVSF, the decrease has been 50%! But the need does not diminish -- 49% of adults in Santa Fe County are either functionally illiterate or speak only limited English!!! 49%!!!
LVSF's outreach is unique and impressive, including a variety of literacy programs from its home base at Santa Fe Community College, at workplaces in Santa Fe and in locations throughout the community.
This does not have to be an on-going volunteer commitment. Staging a wonderful, one-time fund raising event would be a huge help! If you have FUND RAISING TALENT and want to help resolve this very serious situation, please contact me: Meredith Machen, LVSF Board President, 505-577-6337, mermachen@cybermesa.com
We all know that the economy has brought a downturn in donations and funding across the board. For LVSF, the decrease has been 50%! But the need does not diminish -- 49% of adults in Santa Fe County are either functionally illiterate or speak only limited English!!! 49%!!!
LVSF's outreach is unique and impressive, including a variety of literacy programs from its home base at Santa Fe Community College, at workplaces in Santa Fe and in locations throughout the community.
This does not have to be an on-going volunteer commitment. Staging a wonderful, one-time fund raising event would be a huge help! If you have FUND RAISING TALENT and want to help resolve this very serious situation, please contact me: Meredith Machen, LVSF Board President, 505-577-6337, mermachen@cybermesa.com
UPDATE: Tutors Needed...or talk to Citizen Schools if you would like to share what you do best in life to help kids succeed in the real world!
UPDATE from Michelle Vignery, Campus Director for De Vargas Middle School
TUTORS FOR STUDENTS. We have found in the opening weeks of program that many of our students need one-on-one attention. Some struggle with math, some with reading, others just need redirection to focus on their work. We need volunteer tutors from 3:30 - 4:30 Tuesday through Thursday and 4:00 - 5:00 on Mondays. You can tutor one to four days a week – it does not matter which days. All we ask is for a commitment to consistently communicate which days you will be at program, and which days you will be absent.
Tutors would need to complete a background check prior to working with the students. This can be done online at http://www.citizenschools.org/ by registering to become a Citizen Teacher. Tutors need not be certified teachers – or even have prior tutoring experience. They must be patient, kind, and enjoy helping students to succeed academically. For more info, please email me:
mailto:memichellevignery@citizenschools.org
Take your profession or passion and turn it into a life-changing apprenticeship for young people. It will be an unforgettable experience of growth and learning for you both.
The Citizen Schools New Mexico program gives adults the opportunity to help middle school students move to a long-term trajectory of success. We need volunteers for our DeVargas Middle School campus in Santa Fe at 1720 Llano Road. And for our Albuquerque program as well.
Devote 90 minutes only one afternoon a week for 11 weeks. Enable young people to learn real-world skills by creating real-world projects. (Lawyers turn their apprentices into prosecutors, artists cultivate young muralists, and gardeners lead a team of twelve-year-old green thumbs.) The culminating project will be a product, presentation or performance called a WOW! and presented to a public audience of family, school staff, and community leaders.
Past WOW!s include a video on lead contamination, a prize-winning solar car, an arts festival, a naval warship design, a CD of local music, even a financial plan for a new business- all created by young people themselves.
For further information, contact us:
Michelle Vignery, Campus Director for De Vargas Middle School 505-310-3213 michellevignery@citizenschools.org
Josefa E. Bethea Wall, Citizen Schools State Coordinator New Mexico 505-265-4332 josefabetheawall@@citizenschool.org
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.citizenschools.org/
TUTORS FOR STUDENTS. We have found in the opening weeks of program that many of our students need one-on-one attention. Some struggle with math, some with reading, others just need redirection to focus on their work. We need volunteer tutors from 3:30 - 4:30 Tuesday through Thursday and 4:00 - 5:00 on Mondays. You can tutor one to four days a week – it does not matter which days. All we ask is for a commitment to consistently communicate which days you will be at program, and which days you will be absent.
Tutors would need to complete a background check prior to working with the students. This can be done online at http://www.citizenschools.org/ by registering to become a Citizen Teacher. Tutors need not be certified teachers – or even have prior tutoring experience. They must be patient, kind, and enjoy helping students to succeed academically. For more info, please email me:
mailto:memichellevignery@citizenschools.org
OR...become a volunteer Citizen Teacher!
Take your profession or passion and turn it into a life-changing apprenticeship for young people. It will be an unforgettable experience of growth and learning for you both.
The Citizen Schools New Mexico program gives adults the opportunity to help middle school students move to a long-term trajectory of success. We need volunteers for our DeVargas Middle School campus in Santa Fe at 1720 Llano Road. And for our Albuquerque program as well.
Devote 90 minutes only one afternoon a week for 11 weeks. Enable young people to learn real-world skills by creating real-world projects. (Lawyers turn their apprentices into prosecutors, artists cultivate young muralists, and gardeners lead a team of twelve-year-old green thumbs.) The culminating project will be a product, presentation or performance called a WOW! and presented to a public audience of family, school staff, and community leaders.
Past WOW!s include a video on lead contamination, a prize-winning solar car, an arts festival, a naval warship design, a CD of local music, even a financial plan for a new business- all created by young people themselves.
For further information, contact us:
Michelle Vignery, Campus Director for De Vargas Middle School 505-310-3213 michellevignery@citizenschools.org
Josefa E. Bethea Wall, Citizen Schools State Coordinator New Mexico 505-265-4332 josefabetheawall@@citizenschool.org
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE http://www.citizenschools.org/
Want to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold? Volunteer for Girls Inc.
"Dear World, It’s me, a girl who is not afraid of standing up for people and myself. I don’t care what other people think of me. I am who I want to be. I am not afraid to be different." By Breanna (age 9, Zona del Sol Center)
If this gives you the good chills like it does me everytime I read it, then maybe you've found your volunteer niche...Girls Inc. of Santa Fe.
From Tiffani Moody
Since 1955, we have been a strong advocate for the changing needs of girls and young women in the Santa Fe community...to help girls stay in school, prepare for financial independence, avoid teen pregnancy and violence, and to interact with role models. Girls often say that their time at Girls Inc. is when they feel the safest, both physically and emotionally. Learning is supported by field trips, community projects, arts and crafts, special mentoring and other ways of experiencing the heritage, culture and diversity that make Santa Fe unique.
Our volunteering need includes:
- Event assistance
- Office help
- Program collaboration.
Please contact me...Tiffani Moody at 505-982-2042 or tmoody@girlsincofsantafe.org. Or, visit our website at www.girlsincofsantafe.org.
Volunteer with Impact DWI
Impact DWI's mission is to reduce drunk driving and alcohol abuse. Volunteers are needed to help with all of our activities listed below and with data entry:
Conduct DWI Victim Impact Panels
Supervise community service of students from Teen Court
Do research on DWI
Draft and lobby for anti-DWI legislation
Make presentations in the schools and before community organizations
Conduct a Sober Driving pledge campaign
Conduct surveys of DWI offenders.
We have three websites:
http://www.impactdwi.org/
http://www.pedaforteens.org/
http://www.alcoholtaxincrease.org/
If our activities are of interest, please contact me: Richard Roth, PhD, 505-471-4764 or via email RichardRoth2300@msn.com
Conduct DWI Victim Impact Panels
Supervise community service of students from Teen Court
Do research on DWI
Draft and lobby for anti-DWI legislation
Make presentations in the schools and before community organizations
Conduct a Sober Driving pledge campaign
Conduct surveys of DWI offenders.
We have three websites:
http://www.impactdwi.org/
http://www.pedaforteens.org/
http://www.alcoholtaxincrease.org/
If our activities are of interest, please contact me: Richard Roth, PhD, 505-471-4764 or via email RichardRoth2300@msn.com
Habitat for Humanity: Learn how to frame walls, install sheetrock, landscape, paint! Sound like fun? Join us!
Absolutely no prior construction experience required. You've seen touching news coverage of a family entering their new home made possible by their sweat equity and Habitat. Now come be part of that story! Help build affordable homes for Santa Fe area families.
Get all training on site. Learn how to pour concrete, frame walls and roofs, insulate, install sheetrock, build fences, landscape, paint and other cool construction tasks. The construction site is open Tuesday-Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm. All volunteers should plan to work 8 hours on the site.
You must be age 16 or above to volunteer with Habitat in any capacity. You can register as a volunteer online at http://www.santafehabitat.org/ .
Any questions? Please contact us : info@santafehabitat.org or call (505) 986-5880.
Get all training on site. Learn how to pour concrete, frame walls and roofs, insulate, install sheetrock, build fences, landscape, paint and other cool construction tasks. The construction site is open Tuesday-Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm. All volunteers should plan to work 8 hours on the site.
You must be age 16 or above to volunteer with Habitat in any capacity. You can register as a volunteer online at http://www.santafehabitat.org/ .
Any questions? Please contact us : info@santafehabitat.org or call (505) 986-5880.
One-on-One reading program, HOSTS. Trust me...it doesn't get much better than this!
From Gaye Pollitt:
HOSTS stands for Help One Student to Succeed. It's a during-the-school-day reading mentorship program at Cesar Chavez Community School for 2nd - 5th graders. I'm in my third school year of being a mentor myself, and I'm hook-line-and-sinker-in-love with the program and its incredible results. And did I mention the children!??!!! Since you get to work with the same child week after week, you develop a precious relationship and get to view first-hand the progress your child is making.
You can be involved for as little as 30 minutes a week ... but I'm betting you'll sign up for more.
Contact Debby Maas, dmaas@sfps.info, dedicated and enthusiastic HOSTS Administrator, about the 2009-2010 school year. You'll be glad you did.
DIRECTIONS: Turn RIGHT off Cerrillos (headed south) onto Jaguar (at the traffic light for Jaguar and Gov. Miles Road). Turn RIGHT onto Avenida Contenta (at the STOP sign). Turn left into the school parking lot. HOSTS classroom is facing the parking with a sign in the window.
HOSTS stands for Help One Student to Succeed. It's a during-the-school-day reading mentorship program at Cesar Chavez Community School for 2nd - 5th graders. I'm in my third school year of being a mentor myself, and I'm hook-line-and-sinker-in-love with the program and its incredible results. And did I mention the children!??!!! Since you get to work with the same child week after week, you develop a precious relationship and get to view first-hand the progress your child is making.
You can be involved for as little as 30 minutes a week ... but I'm betting you'll sign up for more.
Contact Debby Maas, dmaas@sfps.info, dedicated and enthusiastic HOSTS Administrator, about the 2009-2010 school year. You'll be glad you did.
DIRECTIONS: Turn RIGHT off Cerrillos (headed south) onto Jaguar (at the traffic light for Jaguar and Gov. Miles Road). Turn RIGHT onto Avenida Contenta (at the STOP sign). Turn left into the school parking lot. HOSTS classroom is facing the parking with a sign in the window.
Santa Fe Public Schools always looking for volunteers. Apply now.
Got time for helping kids? Believe attention to our young people in any fashion is an investment in their future - and ours? Then consider volunteering with the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) this coming school year!
What can you do? Take a look at this list! Surely something will "call" to you. Anything you sign up for will be appreciated and valuable!
- Participate in reading programs!
- Provide computer training and assistance.
- Assist with science projects and field trips.
- Act as mentors to students.
- Provide positive adult role modeling.
- Assist with use of media centers.
- Provide individual attention.
- Share your hobby with classes.
- Act as a community resource instructor.
- Assist on advisory committees.
- Lend support to school offices.
Email me: SFPS Volunteer Coordinator, Helen Pacheco, HPACHECO@sfps.info
Democratic Party of Santa Fe County ... active and reinvigorated! Events planned.
Future Events:
Next meeting Nov. 18:
All candidates for Democratic nomination for Land Commissioner
January 19, 2010:
LEGISLATIVE DINNER - Save the date
The County Democratic Party has lots going on! For full details about current and future activities, contact me: Richard D. Ellenberg, Chair Democratic Party of Santa Fe County, 505 992 1396 or rde@cybermesa.com
Next meeting Nov. 18:
All candidates for Democratic nomination for Land Commissioner
January 19, 2010:
LEGISLATIVE DINNER - Save the date
The County Democratic Party has lots going on! For full details about current and future activities, contact me: Richard D. Ellenberg, Chair Democratic Party of Santa Fe County, 505 992 1396 or rde@cybermesa.com
If you have a letter to the editor you would like to send out:
This list is provided by The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe.
Empower yourself!
Albuquerque Journal: http://www.abqjournal.com/letters/new
KUNM: news@kunm.org
KSFR: news@ksfr.org
New Mexico Senior Citizen: nmseniorcitizen@comcast.net
Weekly Alibi: alibi@alibi.com
Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Angel Fire: news@sangrechronicle.com
Union County Leader, Clayton: ucleader@plateautel.net
Rio Grande Sun, Espanola: rgsun@cybermesa.com
Las Vegas Optic: dgiuliani@lasvegasoptic.com
Los Alamos Monitor: laeditor@lamonitor.com
Rio Rancho Observer: theobserver@rrobserver.com
Santa Fe New Mexican: letters@newmexican.com
Santa Fe Reporter: editor@sfreporter.com
Santa Rosa News: editor@santarosanews.com
Taos News: editor@taosnews.com
Chronicle News, Raton: chroniclenewsnm@yahoo.com
New Mexico Independent: david@newmexicoindependent.com
Sandoval Signpost: email@sandovalsignpost.com
The Grassroots Press: grassrootspress@gmail.com
The Independent: independent@lobo.net or via www.the-independent-newspaper.com. Call 286-1212 for more information about submissions.
Empower yourself!
Albuquerque Journal: http://www.abqjournal.com/letters/new
KUNM: news@kunm.org
KSFR: news@ksfr.org
New Mexico Senior Citizen: nmseniorcitizen@comcast.net
Weekly Alibi: alibi@alibi.com
Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Angel Fire: news@sangrechronicle.com
Union County Leader, Clayton: ucleader@plateautel.net
Rio Grande Sun, Espanola: rgsun@cybermesa.com
Las Vegas Optic: dgiuliani@lasvegasoptic.com
Los Alamos Monitor: laeditor@lamonitor.com
Rio Rancho Observer: theobserver@rrobserver.com
Santa Fe New Mexican: letters@newmexican.com
Santa Fe Reporter: editor@sfreporter.com
Santa Rosa News: editor@santarosanews.com
Taos News: editor@taosnews.com
Chronicle News, Raton: chroniclenewsnm@yahoo.com
New Mexico Independent: david@newmexicoindependent.com
Sandoval Signpost: email@sandovalsignpost.com
The Grassroots Press: grassrootspress@gmail.com
The Independent: independent@lobo.net or via www.the-independent-newspaper.com. Call 286-1212 for more information about submissions.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
What do we do NOW to push the New Mexico Legislature to raise revenue sources in January?
From Connie Bell, a Grassrooter and education activist:
Did everyone see this yesterday?
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1216850.shtml?cat=500
They are talking about furloughs of 9-15 days between now and June 30. I will continue to be grateful to have a job at all, but this will really hurt some of my fellow State employees.
I do not regret our efforts to prevent large budget cuts to Education, although recent news reports claim our PED is spending more on top administrator salaries compared to other states our size. I DO think that we need to push the Legislature to enhance revenues (RAISE TAXES!) in January. What can we start doing NOW?
If you've got an answer to Connie's question, please contact her:
conniebsfnm @ gmail.com
Did everyone see this yesterday?
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1216850.shtml?cat=500
They are talking about furloughs of 9-15 days between now and June 30. I will continue to be grateful to have a job at all, but this will really hurt some of my fellow State employees.
I do not regret our efforts to prevent large budget cuts to Education, although recent news reports claim our PED is spending more on top administrator salaries compared to other states our size. I DO think that we need to push the Legislature to enhance revenues (RAISE TAXES!) in January. What can we start doing NOW?
If you've got an answer to Connie's question, please contact her:
conniebsfnm @ gmail.com
Special Session over. Read all about it! Less than 1% education cut!
GOOD JOB!!!! I really feel like we made a difference. While even 1% is unacceptable, imagine what would have happened if 2,000+ people had not marched to the Round House and hundreds had not shown up during the session as watchdogs!?
The blogs listed in the column on the right will give you the details.
For now, thanks for all your attempts to influence the outcome. We have a special concern on ¡EV! about education funding because of all our volunteer efforts for literacy and education. Although still unacceptable, at least the resulting cuts to education are less than a 1% cut...for now.
However, keep the contact information for Governor Richardson. You're going to need it -- to influence the "working group" the Governor intends to assign. They will have preliminary responsibility for the budget before January's 30-day legislative session. The "battle of the budget" will once again be addressed and threaten education.
Phone:
(505) 476-2200
E-mail form:
http://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6
The blogs listed in the column on the right will give you the details.
For now, thanks for all your attempts to influence the outcome. We have a special concern on ¡EV! about education funding because of all our volunteer efforts for literacy and education. Although still unacceptable, at least the resulting cuts to education are less than a 1% cut...for now.
However, keep the contact information for Governor Richardson. You're going to need it -- to influence the "working group" the Governor intends to assign. They will have preliminary responsibility for the budget before January's 30-day legislative session. The "battle of the budget" will once again be addressed and threaten education.
Phone:
(505) 476-2200
E-mail form:
http://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6
Sunday, October 11, 2009
PAST EVENT: DWI Town Hall Meeting, Santa Fe
From Richard Roth, PhD, Executive Director, IMPACT DWI, Inc.
Learn more about what's happening specifically in Santa Fe and about the Governor's 2010 proposed DWI legislative crime package.
Learn what you can do to help. Sign up to mobilize change through community action!
For more information, please contact Christine Thomas, Managment Analyst, Office of the Drug and DWI Czars, Office of the Governor. 505-231-6637 or Christinee.Thomas@state.nm.us
Learn more about what's happening specifically in Santa Fe and about the Governor's 2010 proposed DWI legislative crime package.
Join the first Santa Fe Town Hall Meeting addressing the Governor's DWI package
6:00pm-7:00pm at Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Room
6:00pm-7:00pm at Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Room
Wednesday, October 21. Presenters will be
DWI Czar Rachel O'Connor
MADD Director Lora Lee Ortiz
Santa Fe DWI County Coordinator Rebecca Beardsley
Learn what you can do to help. Sign up to mobilize change through community action!
For more information, please contact Christine Thomas, Managment Analyst, Office of the Drug and DWI Czars, Office of the Governor. 505-231-6637 or Christinee.Thomas@state.nm.us
Thursday, October 8, 2009
PAST EVENT: Demonstration for Education, Fri, Oct 9 in Santa Fe
Editor's Update: My congratulations to AFT for an incredibly successful and highly organized rally last Friday. They came from Albuquerque with 2,000 t-shirts and went home with none. They handed out food and drink while folks gathered and distributed water along the rally route from the Railyard to the Roundhouse. AFT presented enthusiastic and well-informed guest speakers. They asked rally goers to complete huge WHILE YOU WERE OUT message sheets that were first hung on "laundry lines" for all to read. Later they were delivered to the Speaker of the House and Pro Tem of the Senate. The messages were heart-felt, candid and full of suggested options to teacher pay cuts and student value cuts. They distributed postcards addressed to Governor Richardson for rally-goers to sign demanding he protect kids and teachers from budget cuts. Below is the info we provided in advance of the event.
Santa Fe Rail Runner Depot
YOU NEED TO ATTEND!
410 S. Guadalupe Street
Parking - Manhattan St. Garage & lot @ 500 Market Street
Sack lunch, water, t-shirts for first 2,000
NOON, Friday, the 9th..Meet-Up & Rally at Rail Runner Depot
12:30 pm – March five blocks to Roundhouse
1 - 3:45 pm – Roundhouse Demonstration & Media EventsParking - Manhattan St. Garage & lot @ 500 Market Street
Sack lunch, water, t-shirts for first 2,000
NOON, Friday, the 9th..Meet-Up & Rally at Rail Runner Depot
12:30 pm – March five blocks to Roundhouse
YOU NEED TO ATTEND!
For more details, visit some of these sites:
BETTER CHOICES NEW MEXICO (a new organization worth knowing about!): http://betterchoicesnewmexico.com/
Listen as public radio station KUNM 89.9 FM interviews ATF
President Ellen Bernstein about the October 9 rally, march and
demonstration in Santa Fe to stop lawmakers from cutting the
student value again.
Click here: http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/tpIQcA11HQaC/
Listen as public radio station KUNM 89.9 FM interviews ATF
President Ellen Bernstein about the October 9 rally, march and
demonstration in Santa Fe to stop lawmakers from cutting the
student value again.
Click here: http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/tpIQcA11HQaC/
SIMPLY PUT...
Our kids don't deserve this kind of treatment. Their families cannot afford this. Our entire community will suffer. THERE ARE BETTER WAYS and we've got to make our voice heard.
1. Restore preK-12 student value cuts, higher education cuts, public services cuts, & stop state budget cuts.
2. Close tax loopholes for out-of-state corporations.
3. Roll back tax cuts for richest New Mexicans.
Our kids don't deserve this kind of treatment. Their families cannot afford this. Our entire community will suffer. THERE ARE BETTER WAYS and we've got to make our voice heard.
1. Restore preK-12 student value cuts, higher education cuts, public services cuts, & stop state budget cuts.
2. Close tax loopholes for out-of-state corporations.
3. Roll back tax cuts for richest New Mexicans.
Organizations endorsing this event as of 10/2:
ABQ Teachers Federation
Better Choices New Mexico Alliance
American Federation of Teachers - New Mexico
New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
New Mexico Building Trades Council
Northern Federation of Educational Employees (Northern New Mexico College, Espanola)
Rio Rancho School Employees Federation
ABQ Educational Assistants Association
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes
Cibola County Federation of United School Employees
Central New Mexico (TVI) Employees Union
Taos Federation of United School Employees
Cuba School School Employees
Penasco School Employees
Jemez Mountain School Employees
Zuni Federation of United School Employees
Santa Fe School Employees Federation
ABQ Secretaries and Clerks Association
National Education Association - New Mexico
McKinley County Federation of United School Employees
NM Alliance for Retired Americans
New Mexico Labor United
Catholic Church of New Mexico
How about these as possible sources for the needed education funding?
As funding relates to cuts in education, the funds are there!!! Isn't it time to consider using a portion of these funds...
- In corporate coffers sheltered by tax laws in New Mexico which cost the state forty to fifty million dollars a year in lost revenues, even in this bad economy. Read an Op-Ed by Senator Peter Wirth on this subject: Click here.
- In tax breaks granted in 2003 to the wealthiest top 10% of New Mexicans who used to pay a personal income state tax rate of 8.2 percent. That rate today is 4.9 percent and is estimated to cost New Mexico's schools and state government $500 million a year in lost revenues.
- In the state's cash reserves? Where is President Obama's stimulus money for education, given to the Governor in a $318 million block grant? Was it stockpiled by the state? Did it end up in New Mexico's cash reserves instead of being used "quickly, in order to prevent cuts, and to save and create public school jobs"? (quote from White House press release!)
- In the State's $11.8 billiion (with a "b") investment assets account. Really?? Curious?? Read more.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The State's $11.8 billiion (with a "b") investment assets account. And schools are being asked to cut their budgets another 10%?
This "Op-Ed" is written by a financial specialist and Grassroots activist.
States can balance their budgets by 1) increasing revenues (taxes and economic growth) 2) cutting expenditures 3) borrowing 4) taking money they already have from their investment accounts.
The State of New Mexico is not 'broke!' It has $11.8 billion in investment assets (value as of 6/30/09).
The State distributed over $400 million from these investment funds in calendar year 2009 through June 2009, and over $700 million in fiscal year-to-date.
The $550 million budget shortfall represents approximately 5% of the state's total investment assets. And a much, much smaller per cent if we were just talking about education funding.
Can the state afford to increase its distributions from its investment assets to cover the shortfall? One could easily argue that, while the state had $3.4 billion in investment losses in fiscal year-to-date, representing a 22% loss in its asset base, that it could weather another 5% loss.
Admittedly, the State Investment Council is restricted in its use of funds, and even in the method and timing of distributions. However, the Governor and legislature must surely see that people are desperate. Desperate times call for strong leaders. We need a strong leader that understands and sees the financial solution is within reach.
For those of you with the fortitude to wade through this New Mexico State Investment Council 42-page Investment Performance Report (FY 2009), here is the source for the above data. Click here.
States can balance their budgets by 1) increasing revenues (taxes and economic growth) 2) cutting expenditures 3) borrowing 4) taking money they already have from their investment accounts.
The State of New Mexico is not 'broke!' It has $11.8 billion in investment assets (value as of 6/30/09).
The State distributed over $400 million from these investment funds in calendar year 2009 through June 2009, and over $700 million in fiscal year-to-date.
The $550 million budget shortfall represents approximately 5% of the state's total investment assets. And a much, much smaller per cent if we were just talking about education funding.
Can the state afford to increase its distributions from its investment assets to cover the shortfall? One could easily argue that, while the state had $3.4 billion in investment losses in fiscal year-to-date, representing a 22% loss in its asset base, that it could weather another 5% loss.
Admittedly, the State Investment Council is restricted in its use of funds, and even in the method and timing of distributions. However, the Governor and legislature must surely see that people are desperate. Desperate times call for strong leaders. We need a strong leader that understands and sees the financial solution is within reach.
For those of you with the fortitude to wade through this New Mexico State Investment Council 42-page Investment Performance Report (FY 2009), here is the source for the above data. Click here.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Help create the Government you want!
Send individual messages to our Congressmen!
Want to get results? Want to voice your concerns, opinions and ideas? While names on a petition get noticed, they do not have near the weight as constituents making individual efforts.
SO DO IT ALL...Call. Email. Visit their offices. And sign petitions!
Email or fax to the contacts below.
PLEASE NOTE: Those website/email links below do not accept "attachments," therefore, your message needs to be written into the electronic "form" that's provided.
SUGGESTION: Write your message in Microsoft Word (or equivalent) and copy/paste it into the form. That way you can send the same message to each Congressman, plus save a copy for yourself.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D- NM)
DC PHONE: 202-224-5521
NM PHONE: 800-443-8658
DC FAX: 202-224-2852
http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/types/email-issue.cfm
Senator Tom Udall (D- NM)
DC PHONE: 202-224-6621
NM PHONE: 505-346-6720
DC FAX: 202-228-3261
http://tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Representative Ben R. Lujan, Jr. (D - 03)
DC PHONE: 202-225-6190
NM PHONE: (505) 984-8950
DC FAX: 202-226-1528
https://forms.house.gov/lujan/contact-form.shtml
Representative Martin Heinrich (D - 01)
DC PHONE: 202-225-6316
NM PHONE: 505-346-6781
DC FAX: 202-225-4975
https://forms.house.gov/heinrich/contact-form.shtml
Representative Harry Teague (D - 02)
DC PHONE: 202-225-2365
NM PHONE: 575-393-0510
DC FAX: 202-225-9599
http://forms.house.gov/teague/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
Want to get results? Want to voice your concerns, opinions and ideas? While names on a petition get noticed, they do not have near the weight as constituents making individual efforts.
SO DO IT ALL...Call. Email. Visit their offices. And sign petitions!
Email or fax to the contacts below.
PLEASE NOTE: Those website/email links below do not accept "attachments," therefore, your message needs to be written into the electronic "form" that's provided.
SUGGESTION: Write your message in Microsoft Word (or equivalent) and copy/paste it into the form. That way you can send the same message to each Congressman, plus save a copy for yourself.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D- NM)
DC PHONE: 202-224-5521
NM PHONE: 800-443-8658
DC FAX: 202-224-2852
http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/types/email-issue.cfm
Senator Tom Udall (D- NM)
DC PHONE: 202-224-6621
NM PHONE: 505-346-6720
DC FAX: 202-228-3261
http://tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Representative Ben R. Lujan, Jr. (D - 03)
DC PHONE: 202-225-6190
NM PHONE: (505) 984-8950
DC FAX: 202-226-1528
https://forms.house.gov/lujan/contact-form.shtml
Representative Martin Heinrich (D - 01)
DC PHONE: 202-225-6316
NM PHONE: 505-346-6781
DC FAX: 202-225-4975
https://forms.house.gov/heinrich/contact-form.shtml
Representative Harry Teague (D - 02)
DC PHONE: 202-225-2365
NM PHONE: 575-393-0510
DC FAX: 202-225-9599
http://forms.house.gov/teague/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
Sunday, June 14, 2009
PAST EVENT: CALL TO ACTION...Community Forum on DWI, Wednesday, July 8th, 6pm
From Dr. Richard Roth, a DWI researcher and citizen lobbyist for 11 years:
Impact DWI will sponsor a Community Forum on DWI next Wednesday, July 8, from 6-9pm in the Jemez Room at Santa Fe Community College.
"...Because of the recent tragic crash that ended four young lives in our community, Impact DWI is sponsoring a Community Forum to provide an opportunity for citizens to share opinions and mobilize for actions to reduce DWI in New Mexico. I will provide background information."
Bring your suggestions or write them down on forms that will be provided at the forum. There will be an open mike for sharing ideas. All suggestions will be posted at http://www.impactdwi.org/ and distributed by email to those who provide an email address. As leaders come forward for various initiatives, working groups will be formed.
Impact DWI, Inc. is a community action and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce drunk driving and alcohol abuse. It is run strictly by volunteers. Read about our volunteer activities and the outcome of this Community Forum by clicking here.
Impact DWI will sponsor a Community Forum on DWI next Wednesday, July 8, from 6-9pm in the Jemez Room at Santa Fe Community College.
"...Because of the recent tragic crash that ended four young lives in our community, Impact DWI is sponsoring a Community Forum to provide an opportunity for citizens to share opinions and mobilize for actions to reduce DWI in New Mexico. I will provide background information."
Bring your suggestions or write them down on forms that will be provided at the forum. There will be an open mike for sharing ideas. All suggestions will be posted at http://www.impactdwi.org/ and distributed by email to those who provide an email address. As leaders come forward for various initiatives, working groups will be formed.
Impact DWI, Inc. is a community action and advocacy organization whose mission is to reduce drunk driving and alcohol abuse. It is run strictly by volunteers. Read about our volunteer activities and the outcome of this Community Forum by clicking here.
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