Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year-to-come, whispering, 'It will be happier.'"
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Happy New Year, WeCAN Family! We wish you health, happiness, and justice in 2018 and we thank you with all our hearts for the effort you've put forth in the past year. 2018 will afford activists loads of opportunities to stand up and be counted, all culminating in Mid-Term Elections in November, and we look forward to helping you accomplish your activism goals throughout the year.

Take a look at the events coming up this week and start 2018 off on the right(eous) foot:

Attention: Voter Petition Meeting Cancelled
We are sorry to say we have decided to cancel our drive to collect signatures to petition the Town to fly the "We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights For all" banner over Main Street for free after hearing from the Town of Brattleboro that all Main Street banners should have equal civil rights. We can legally get an Article on the Town Meeting Warning if we have enough signatures, but we have decided not to do it. We will go back to fund raising to fly the banner in the future. Please let us know if you would  like to continue to support flying the banner and if you have ideas for fundraising events to fly the banner etc. Thank you all for your support. We hope you had a good Holiday and wish you a happy New Year,
Woody and Susan

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2018-JANUARY 7th, 2018

Youth4Change Organizing Meeting
Monday, January 1st, 2018 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 5:30pm-8pm. 
Contact: [email protected]
Y4C will have strategy check-ins about our active campaigns, working groups progress, speaking at the MLK Jr. event on 1/13, and the trip up to the VT Youth March/Rally on 1/20. Art/Hang time at 5:30, Food at 6:00, Meeting 6:30 - 8:00.
Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities, who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice. Y4C meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month.

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Windham County Organizing Committee for Vermont Workers’ Center Meeting
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018 at The Root Social Justice Center, (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 6:00pm-8:00pm.
Contact: [email protected]
We will be checking in about projects and working groups, and further plan turnout and testimony for the January 23rd Hearing on the Future of Healthcare in Vermont, in Montpelier with healthcare committee legislators (https://www.facebook.com/events/159189041369587/). 
The Vermont Workers' Center is a member-run organization, organizing with a human rights framework on issues of concern to people most impacted by economic and social injustice. Our Healthcare Is A Human Right campaign is focused on winning a healthcare system that works for people, not for profit, and provides dignified wages and conditions for people working in the healthcare field. 

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Public Hearing
Thursday, January 4th, 2018 at Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301) in the MultiPurpose Room. 6pm.
Vermont's Public Utility Commission will hold a public hearing on the sale of Vermont Yankee (from Entergy to NorthStar) on Thursday, January 4 at Brattleboro Union High School's MultiPurpose Room. The formal notice is here:http://puc.vermont.gov/event/puc-case-no-8880-public-hearing 
Agenda: 6pm: Presentation 7pm: Public Comments

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, January 5th, 2018 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided.
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. The State of Vermont Keeps Most of Our Cash in TD. What You Can You Do (besides attending the vigils):
If you’re a TD depositor, change banks!
Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society. For more information please contact [email protected] or 802.869.2141.

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Winter Farmers’ Market
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, January 6th, 2018 (and every Saturday through March) at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. 
Area musicians will perform from 11am-1pm. No pets allowed. Metered parking available within walking distance. Restrooms and cafe seating available on site. Family friendly. 
We are beginning our 12th Season! Join us every Saturday for vegetables, fruits and meat from local farms, a variety of baked goods, locally and regionally produced artisan crafts, and freshly prepared food in the beautiful River Garden building on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro. 
EBT customers can turn $10 into $20 with CropCash
INFO: contact Market Manager, Sherry Maher, 802.869.2141, farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.

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Letter Writing and Storytelling Workshop and Potluck
facilitated by the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign of the Vermont Workers’ Center
Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at the Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 5pm-7pm. Wheelchair accessible, all-gender inclusive bathroom. Fragrance & nut free space. As with all Hive activities, this event is open to the public. For questions and childcare/interpretation needs please contact [email protected] or call 802-257-4436.
The January Hive potluck will feature a letter-writing and storytelling workshop, facilitated by the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign of the Vermont Workers’ Center. The vision of the campaign is that our healthcare system should guarantee all of us access to care we need.
In addition to yummy food, we’ll have updates on the state of healthcare in Vermont and information and people and tools to help you write a letter or tell your story. Sharing our experiences with the healthcare system is an important way we can change the public narrative about healthcare to one that is human-centered, rather than being framed in terms of costs, profits, and policy that is divorced from our lives. Start the New Year by Changing the Healthcare Narrative. We hope to see you on January 6!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Indivisible Brattleboro Regular Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 in the Holton Hall Conference Room at the Winston Prouty Campus (209 Austine Dr, Brattleboro, VT 05301). Fourth Floor. 6pm-8pm.
We will be addressing the 2018 Vermont legislative session and strategies for coordinating our efforts with other Vermont Indivisible groups. 

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The Putney Huddle Organizing and Action Meeting
Sunday, January 14th, 2018 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 1:30pm-3:30pm.It's time to Huddle up and own 2018 as our year to paint the country blue! This month we will set the annual agenda with local leaders and partake in an important Sister District campaign activity. Join us!
"The most important political office is that of the private citizen." -Louis D. Brandeis

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Brattleboro Food Co-op
January 15th, 2018 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Tables will be set up throughout the store. 10am-6pm.
The Brattleboro Food Co-op is holding its second annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event this year on Monday, January 15th.  From 10am-6pm local social justice and activist groups will be present throughout the store. We are also further increasing our allotment for how many community volunteer hours Co-op owners can use towards their working shareholder discount.  We hope that by offering our Shareholders the opportunity to get something back for lending a hand to the work you do, the Co-op is able to send some support and inspiration your way to help you continue your work and achieve your goals.
The Co-op did a lot to broaden our local connections over the last year, and we hope to continue deepening those roots as much as possible in 2018!  We invite any and all WeCAN affiliated groups to participate. Call or email Ruth in Shareholder Services at 802-246-2821 or [email protected] to schedule your time ASAP! 

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Climate Change Café presents
a project of Post Oil Solutions 
Ecopsychology: The Human Psyche with the Earth in Mind (& Body)
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6pm-8pm.
Free, light refreshments available. For more information please contact [email protected].
Regardless of who we think we are at this moment, in essence we're all ancestors of peoples and cultures that once had a profound kinship with the more-than-human world.  However, right now we are living in a time of unspeakable ecological disconnection and disruption. Perhaps now more than ever, it's time to more deeply search for who we are in relationship to the Earth and all its inhabitants.  
With our guide, integrative psychotherapist Dave Cohen, we will explore a broad overview of the fundamental ingredients that make up the vital work of ecopsychology. This is an approach that deeply considers us – our minds, bodies, and senses – and our felt relationships to the ecological and social worlds we inhabit, as well as the ways in which the industrial worldview is redefining who we are and perhaps even hacking into our status as human beings.
Dave Cohen is an integrative psychotherapist in Brattleboro, VT (www.davecohenccounseling.com), specializing in approaches in mind/body modalities and ecopsychology.

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A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindness
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Monday, January 29th, 2018 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), part of the Brown Bag Event. 12pm-1pm. 
With a banner that reads “May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness. Please Join Us” Post Oil Solutions is continuing to host  silent vigils of lovingkindness for the peaceful, socially just society we are all seeking.
At a time when basic values are being assaulted and ignored, it is essential that we both express and simply be our inherent heart values. Though silent, the Vigil of Lovingkindness is intended to give voice to these values—selfless love, personal integrity, service to others, moral courage, and a basic commitment to the sacredness of life--that are the foundation of a wholesome society, and to speak up for the compassionate alternative that they represent. Please join us. All are welcome to join for a few minutes or for the entire hour. People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. There are chairs, but please bring a cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with. 

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Non Violent Direct Action Training Opportunity: Call for NVDA Training Participants (REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEBURARY 3rd, 2018)
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions and 99th Monkee Affinity Group
Saturday, February 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room on the 2nd Floor. 9:30am-5pm.
TRAINERS: Cate Woolner & Carol Lewis
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.
Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.
There are only 25 places and some have already been taken; it is advisable to register early.
For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or email him at [email protected]. 
Participating in this training does not mean you plan to risk arrest while involved in a non-violent direct action. It is important for all of us in the environmental, social justice, racial & gender equality, peace, and democracy movements to be well-versed in non-violence. In addition to risking arrest, we need to consider all the roles necessary to make our efforts successful, including being a support person, a legal, police or media liaison.
Workshop Goals Include:
•To understand and become inspired by the spirit and history of non-violent direct action
•To prepare for participation in non-violent action that may be necessary as time goes on
•To deepen connections and build stronger community among activists in the greater Brattleboro area
•To consider joining an existing affinity group, or creating a new one.
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town. Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers. There are only 25 places, and some have already been taken. So it is advisable to register early. For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or [email protected]. 

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS

Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meeting

Reoccurring racial justice organizing meetings every 2nd Monday at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio of the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor. 6pm-8pm. Childcare provided. Fragrance & nut free space.  

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Youth4Change Regular Meeting 

The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 
Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth ages 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice.

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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Childcare as a Radical Act: Sign up to Provide Childcare!

The Family Solidarity Action Network is moving forward with their next big effort to support families in local activism: a collective of folks to provide childcare for local activist meetings or events. If you or someone you know would be able and willing to offer childcare (as a volunteer, or paid) for meetings and events please fill out this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YGVI8wECe4ZDdghtAG147j7ktwgB_J5ZoWUPkwGrOhM/edit#gid=0
We are looking for people young and old with varying degrees of experience.  Having a large pool of people to call on will make it much easier for organizers to arrange childcare for meetings, allowing for more voices of families with young children to participate in local activism!  We will then be making this list available to other local organizations so we can be sure that childcare doesn't have to be a barrier to participation for anyone. 

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM
To stream live: Visit www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353

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 Democracy, Eventually 

WVEW 107.7FM, Brattleboro Community Radio Station
You can listen to recorded and archived episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/democracy-eventually and you can find us on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/democracyeventually/ and on Twitter here @Democrazeee.
We are Democracy, Eventually a radio show covering local, state, and underreported national news stories from a progressive analysis. We air live on WVEW 107.7FM LP Brattleboro Community Radio Station.

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Once again, we thank you for all that you do for your community and beyond. We appreciate you! 

With Thanks,

Ann, Joanna, and Leslie