Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
-Edmund Burke (b.1729; d.1797)
Irish political philosopher, Whig politician, and statesman

     Happy Sunday and Happy February, WeCAN Community. We have a few new entries this week (including 3 entries for this coming Monday alone!), so please take your time and scroll though this week's offerings with your calendar in hand. If you're a group organizer, please consider getting your Spring events in soon--we look forward to posting them and March will be here before you know it.
     Have a wonderful week and we look forward to seeing you at an event or meeting in the near future. 

HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd, 2020-SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9th, 2020

Trump and Malignant Narcissism
part of the Brattleboro Democracy Forum and the Brown Bag Lunch Series
Monday, February 3rd, 2020 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
In August 2019 on MSNBC, Harvard psychiatry professor Lance Dodes diagnosed President Trump as a "malignant narcissist." Two and a half years earlier Dr. John D. Gardner of Johns Hopkins University concluded the same. 
In this presentation local psychiatrist Dr. Neil Senior will provide clinical definitions for the characteristics of malignant narcissism. Tim Kipp and Nick Biddle will describe policy actions, tweets, and behaviors of Trump that exhibit malignant narcissism. Audience members will be asked to pitch in. Nick says: When I say “failure to accept responsibility,” and you think Trump, what comes to mind? 
-Tim Kipp, taught US history, political science and law for 39 years. He has been a political activist since the 1960s.
-Nick Biddle, PhD,  retired professor of Latin American history, and  Brattleboro resident since 2013 
-Neil Senior, MD is a child & adolescent psychiatry specialist in Brattleboro, VT and has been practicing for 50 years.
Visit wecelebratedemocracycivilrightsforall.org, promoting positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people.

______

February Meeting of the Windham County Democratic Committee
Monday, February 3rd, 2020 at the Winston Prouty School (20 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in Holton Hall on the 4th Floor. 6:30pm. Please contact John Hagen at [email protected] for additional information.
The Windham County Democratic Committee (WCDC) is meeting on Monday, Feb 3, at 6:30 pm on the 4th floor of Holton Hall on the Winston Prouty campus in Brattleboro.  This month, the state chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, Terje Anderson, will be joining the meeting.  During the meeting we will be discussing Get Out the Vote efforts and our issue-based strategy for engaging with voters. We will also receive our first legislative update of the session.
Meetings of the county committee are open to the public and all are welcome to attend and share their perspectives and ideas on the issues being discussed.

______

A History of Voter Exclusion and Suppression in the United States with Tim Kipp
part of the Brattleboro Democracy Forum 
Monday, February 3rd, 2020 at the Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7pm-9 pm.
The United States is typically referred as a beacon of democracy, a “City on the Hill”, an example to the world. One aspect of that image is our enduring system of regular and fair elections. The last presidential election raised serious questions about the integrity of the voting process. With the 2020 presidential election underway attention is again rightly focused on the security of the electoral process in particular, threats from computer hacking- domestic or international. 
While the United States does have a stable electoral process having endured wars and depressions, the history of voting in the U.S., also includes serious actions of exclusion and suppression of particular groups in our society.  This presentation will explore that history and offer a forum for discussion of how we can make our electoral system more democratic. 
Tim Kipp, a retired history teacher of 39 years and a political activist since the 1960s
The views expressed by presenters and participants do not reflect the views of Brooks Memorial Library. 
Visit wecelebratedemocracycivilrightsforall.org, promoting positive nonviolent public action for democracy and civil rights for all people.

______

BEYOND WINDHAM COUNTY
We Must Do MORE Tour
hosted by Poor People's Campaign
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2020 at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew (8 Church Street, Greenfield, MA 01301). 7pm-9pm. Tickets are available here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/greenfield-ma-mass-meeting-we-must-do-more-national-tour
Join the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival in Greenfield for the 11th stop of the We Must Do M.O.R.E. national tour as we Mobilize, Organize, Register and Educate. We will hear from people directly impacted by systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the corrupt moral narrative. We will also hear from Rev. Barber and Rev. Theoharis, Co-Chairs of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This tour will lead into the Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington, where thousands of poor people and moral agents will gather at the nation’s capitol on June 20, 2020 to demonstrate their power.

______

Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, February 7th, 2020 (and every Friday) at TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT). In front of the building. 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. What You Can 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 in this era of global warming and climate change to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society.

______

Love Your Heart!: A Hands-On Vegan Cooking and Eating Experience
presented by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, February 9th, 2020 at the Brattleboro Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Community Kitchen (please use the 7 Canal Streetentrance). 4pm-6pm. Free! Donations accepted with gratitude. Call Shareholder Services to reserve your place at 802-257-0236 or email [email protected]. Join Edible Brattleboro chefs for a hands-on cooking experience celebrating heart-healthy foods in a three-course meal, including demos of oil-free sauté and salad dressings.

______

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dinner with the Climate
Monday, February 10th, 2020 at All Souls Church (29 South St, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 5:30pm.
All Souls Church in West Brattleboro invites all to a "Dinner with the Climate" on Monday evening, Feb. 10, at 5:30. The dinner will be followed by a presentation about Extinction Rebellion.
In keeping with the evening's focus, the meal will be a "meatless Monday," with entrees provided by the church. But if anyone feels inspired to bring a meatless offering, please do -- and bring a copy of the recipe to share as well.
After dinner Maria and Ward Ogden of the local chapter of Extinction Rebellion will talk about the XR organization. It is an international, apolitical climate movement that is using non-violent direct action to enact change. The talk takes about one hour with optional Q&A time afterward.
Concerned about climate change and not sure what to do about it? Find out about the many ways you can join the climate movement.

______

Debating Our Rights Series with Meg Mott: The Seventh Amendment, Right to a Civil Jury
Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7pm-8:30pm.
On Wednesday February 12th the Debating Our Rights series will continue with a discussion of the Seventh Amendment at 7 PM at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro. Although the right to a civil jury trial doesn’t get as much attention as the rights of criminal defendants, this overlooked right serves an important function in American government. A civil jury trial is the one reliable place where ordinary citizens can hold big businesses accountable.
“Unfortunately, fewer than two percent of civil cases are heard by a jury,” explains Meg Mott, Professor Emerita at Marlboro College. “Some of that has to do with the rise of administrative tribunals, such as the National Labor Relations Board, but most of it has to do with the current Supreme Court. For some reason, Justices are not a big fan of juries. That’s a problem because jury service is the best classroom for providing an education in civics.”
Mott will lead a discussion that looks at the arguments for and against the role of civil juries. Maybe contracts have gotten too complicated for ordinary citizens to understand. Maybe alternative dispute resolutions are more efficient than jury trials. But if not jury service, where else do Americans learn to deliberate?
Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Brooks Memorial, the event is free and open to the public.

______

Northeast Queer Farmer Alliance Winter Gathering
hosted by Rock Steady Farm and Flowers and Out in the Open
Saturday, February 29th, 2020 at Out in the Open (74 Cotton Mill Hill Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05031) in Suite A206. 10am-2pm. ADH accessible. Carpool info coming soon.
Calling all LGBTQI+ farmers from Pennsylvania to Maine to join the 2nd annual gathering of the Northeast Queer Farmers Alliance. A loose alliance of LGBTQI+ farmers seeking community and support.
A Potluck Brunch (bring your own plates, cup, utensils) will be available. Then, join our conversation about what the alliance is and what is in store for the year ahead-- details TBD.

______

Welcome Party: Out in the Open
Saturday, March 7th, 2020 at Cotton Mill Hill (74 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in Suite A206. 3pm-6pm.
See the new community space, meet new staff & board members, and celebrate rural LGBTQ community! More information about the afternoon coming soon!

______

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 
Want to make a direct impact on the lives of individuals in our community? The Brattleboro Community Justice Center needs you! For more information about how you can help in this important program contact [email protected].
The BCJC works with individuals recently released from incarceration in Vermont. This is an opportunity to connect with and support individuals who have struggled to make a successful & healthy transition back into the community.
We need volunteers to work with us to help support these individuals through joining weekly teams called COSAs (circles of support and accountability). 
Each new volunteer needs to attend two trainings to participate in our programs. We have two options coming up for the required 90 min DOC training: Feb 19 at 4:30pm in Brattleboro or March 19 at 6:45 in Bellows falls. There are also two trainings for the CoSA preparation training. Feb 7 evening & Feb 8 in Springfield or March 20 evening & March 21 in Brattleboro.

______

RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System
When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

______

NEWSLETTERS

Inclusion Center Winter Newsletter
Hello, Friends! You can find the latest Inclusion Center Newsletter here: https://icwinter2020newsletter.webs.com. Thank you for your support!

______

STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS  

Women Veterans Weekly Coffee and Tea Social
Thursday Mornings at Brattleboro Legion Post 5 Inc. (32 Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am.
All female veterans are invited to join in the Women Veterans group coffee held at the American Legion.  All women veterans are welcome. You do not need to be a Legion member.

______

Youth 4 Change
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 5:30pm-8pm. 
For more information please contact Youth 4 Change at [email protected].
Agenda:
5:30pm: Drop in homework time and art making
6:00pm: Food
6:30pm: Meeting and Organizing
Youth 4 Change is for local-area youth 12-22 interested in political organizing around local/state/national social justice issues that are important to them. Brattleboro area advocates and educators are holding a space, and assisting youth in building a strong personal tool kit to organize for change. Using a variety of creative methods, we aim to enable youth with tools for resilience, courage and compassion, while fostering their ability to speak up about issues that matter to them, and to take action in the name of love and liberation for all people.  Come explore issues of racial, economic and gender justice through art, movement, first-hand accounts and contemplative practices. Connect with area youth around the issues that matter to you and strengthen your tool kit for action! 

______

Windham County NAACP Regular Meetings
Monthly community meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at The Root Center for Social Justice (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor from 6pm-7pm. For more information please email [email protected]. All are welcome. 
The meetings are open to anyone interested in racial justice. The Mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

______

Racial Justice Organizing Meetings Hosted by Lost River and The Root’s BIPOC Caucus
hosted by The Black, Indigenous, & People of Color Caucus and Lost River Racial Justice
Next Meeting: Monday, February 24th, 2020 and
Every 4th Monday of the Month afterward at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:45pm-8pm. Dinner is provided; Childcare is available; Fragrance-free, nut-free, wheelchair accessible space. To learn more visit: http://lostriverracialjustice.org/racial-justice-organizing-meetings/ or contact [email protected].
All those who wish to join the movement for racial justice are encouraged to attend our monthly RJO meetings. These meetings focus on education, organizing, relationship-building, and collective healing. We work together in a multiracial group as well as in breakout groups for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-identified and white-identified people.

______
 

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.