Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

"Don’t just teach your children to read, teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything."
George Carlin

There's a lot of opportunities this week, WeCAN Friends, so let's get right to it:


HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2017

Community Rights Awareness Workshop
presented by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) and sponsored by Post Oil Solutions & Rights and Democracy
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room (please use the entrance at 7 Canal Street). 10am-1pm.  FREE, but registration required: [email protected]. Refreshments will be provided. 
In this workshop, we take an in-depth look at how political and legal structures have been set up to protect the interests of an elite wealthy minority, at the expense of the majority of people and community self-government. We’ll look at how corporations have received more rights and protections than real people living in communities. Most importantly, we’ll look at how communities have pushed back against these oppressive structures to reclaim democratic self-government in their communities, and at the state level with a proposed Community Rights Amendment.


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Share the Harvest Stand 
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Elliott Street Park (on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 11am-1pm.
You are invited to participate in Edible Brattleboro’s Share the Harvest stand where we will be sharing produce from our gardens as well as donated produce from local farmers and gardeners. The stand is set up at the Elliot Street Park every Sunday from 11am - 1pm; rain location - in front of Experienced Goods / Transportation Center on Flat Street. Everything is available to the community at no cost. 
We are happy to accept your donations from your garden - please drop off your surplus to our stand on Sundays as close to 11amas possible. We also need volunteers to keep this going throughout the season. Please visit http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae to sign up for a spot. It’s real easy to sign up, and your contact information is never shared. We need teams of two to glean at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or to operate the stand on Sundays. Brief descriptions of the tasks are on the sign-up site, and complete directions are provided via email. Brattleboro Time Traders can earn hours, too!
URGENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: If we do not have sufficient volunteers in the coming weeks, we will not be able to continue to offer fresh produce every Sunday through October. I urge you to look over the schedule online and commit to offering several hours in the coming weeks so we can continue to provide this much appreciated service. We're using SignUp.com to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Come Grow and Share with Us!


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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2017-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2017

Inclusion Center Activities
sponsored by the Inclusion Center 
Monday September 11th, 2017 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 11:30am-3:30pm
Itinerary: 
11:30am  Lunch
12:00pm  Art
2:00pm    Discussion and Games
3:00pm    Hanging out

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Windham County VT Workers' Center Organizing Committee
Tuesday, September 12th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 6pm-8pm. For more information please email [email protected]. 
We will review the Draft VWC 2017/2018 Campaign Plan -- to get Act 48, (VT universal healthcare), implemented with full and equitable funding -- and generate feedback for the state Coordinating Committee. Also, updates on trying to get expanded hours/services for the Brattleboro Free Clinic, and other projects. 


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Protest Vigil at TD Bank

sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 15th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Noon-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!
If you’re a Vermonter, demand that state funds not be deposited with a bank investing in fossil fuels.
Contact your state legislators to support the bills in the House & Senate calling for a commission to explore the possibility of a State Bank.
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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A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindness
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 15th, 2017 at the Wells Fountain (Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-6pm. 
Post Oil Solutions will host a silent vigil of lovingkindness on Friday, September 15th, 5pm-6pm at Wells Fountain. Please join us in providing a meditative presence for the loving, compassionate society we are seeking. All are welcome to join us for a few minutes or for the entire hour. These silent vigils will be held under a banner that reads “May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness.”
People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. Please bring a chair, cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with. For further information, or if you wish to be part of a contact list that will inform people of future Lovingkind Vigils, please forward your name, e-mail address, and phone number to: [email protected] or 802.869.2141.

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Fantastic Wantastiquet Festival Gala Keynote Gathering and Concert
Saturday, September 16th, 2017 at the Latchis Theater (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 2pm-4pm. Donation of $10 suggested, but no one will be turned away.
Nationally-renowned Singer/Songwriter and Indigenous Rights Activist Lyla June, of Taos, New Mexico, will headline Brattleboro’s new Fantastic Wantastiquet Festival in a Gala Keynote Gathering and Concert at the Latchis Theatre at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 16, 2017. “Lyla June’s presence here issues a clarion call, an invitation to people of all nations to gather in the Wantastiquet region,” said John Wilmerding, Festival organizer.“She’s best known for her song, ‘All Nations Rise’, which became popular last year during the Unity Gathering in the Black Hills of South Dakota last year”, Wilmerding. “She also sang at the Standing Rock N.D. rally last year to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline.” Other special guests will be present, many of them traveling from afar.The Latchis program will be ‘admission-by-donation’ with a suggested amount of $10 and a policy of ‘no one turned away’. Proceeds will benefit indigenous groups’ charities, particularly those addressing youth suicide prevention and women's’ issues.
For information, please contact:
John Wilmerding
802-254-2826 landline
802-257-3367 mobile
[email protected]




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No Retreat- A Putney Huddle Mini Retreat
hosted by The Putney Huddle
Sunday, September 17th, 2017 at the Green Mountain Camp (565 Green Mountain Camp Rd, Dummerston, VT 05301). 10am-2pm.
Carpooling from the Putney Park & Ride (by the fire station). Meet at 9:30am. We'll wait until 9:35am before leaving. There will not be childcare at this event.
The Putney Huddle presents a day of relaxed learning, fun, food, and connection. Whether you have been a part of the Huddle or are just interested in partaking, you are welcome to join us as we explore through listening and activity many aspects of being involved in local politics and activism, guided by those deep in the movements.
Featuring Vermont’s All Stars
-Poet, Activist, and Guilford Selectboard Member, Verandah Porche
-Senator Rebecca Balint
-Activist and Author, Ann Braden
-Environmental Activist and Contender for Governor James Ehlers
Along with representation from Rights and Democracy, Sister District, The Putney Democrats, The Local Love Brigade, and many more.
Chair Massages from Collin Leech, Tacos By Tito or brown bag lunch.
Please keep in mind that this is at a camp. The paths between bathrooms and buildings are all dirt. We are invited for this meeting as guests. We must be respectful of the land and clean up after ourselves. We are still seeking volunteers for set up and clean up.

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Share the Harvest Stand 
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Elliott Street Park (on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 11am-1pm.
You are invited to participate in Edible Brattleboro’s Share the Harvest stand where we will be sharing produce from our gardens as well as donated produce from local farmers and gardeners. The stand is set up at the Elliot Street Park every Sunday from 11am - 1pm; rain location - in front of Experienced Goods / Transportation Center on Flat Street. Everything is available to the community at no cost. 
We are happy to accept your donations from your garden - please drop off your surplus to our stand on Sundays as close to 11amas possible. We also need volunteers to keep this going throughout the season. Please visit http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae to sign up for a spot. It’s real easy to sign up, and your contact information is never shared. We need teams of two to glean at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or to operate the stand on Sundays. Brief descriptions of the tasks are on the sign-up site, and complete directions are provided via email. Brattleboro Time Traders can earn hours, too!
URGENT CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: If we do not have sufficient volunteers in the coming weeks, we will not be able to continue to offer fresh produce every Sunday through October. I urge you to look over the schedule online and commit to offering several hours in the coming weeks so we can continue to provide this much appreciated service. We're using SignUp.com to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Come Grow and Share with Us!




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UPCOMING EVENTS

Youth4Change Group Meeting
Monday, September 18th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 5:30pm-8:30pm. The space opens at 5:30 for arts and hanging, 6:00 is food, and the group meeting/activity is 6:30-8:00. Email [email protected] with questions. 
Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth 12-21, especially those in historically marginalized communities, who are seeking conscious conversation and action around racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice. At our Sept. 18 Meeting we're having Mel Motel come teach and work with us around the Restorative Justice practices in schools and in the community.



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Girl Power Fall Book Talks: Picture Books
Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main St, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301) in the Children’s Room. 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Join us at Brooks Memorial for a fast-paced picture book talks from three local book superheroes: Local Author Ann Braden, Everyone's Books Owner, Nancy Braus, and Youth Services Librarian, Lindsay Bellville. For this first book talk in the series, we will discuss picture books, both story and biographical for kids ages 2-8 with smart, spunky, female characters that you should add to your night-time read-alouds or book shelf. RSVP for free childcare by contacting the Children's Room through email [email protected] or calling (802)-254-5290 x110. This is the first in a series of talks about books with strong female characters.




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The Root Social Justice Center’s 4th Birthday Celebration!
Saturday, September 23rd, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 3pm-10pm. The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.
Come celebrate The Root Social Justice Center’s 4th Birthday on Saturday, September 23rd! We’ll gather at The Root at 3pm to make signs and learn songs and then at 4pm we’ll parade through Brattleboro, highlighting racial justice. At 5pm we’ll meet back at The Root for a potluck dinner and a short program where we’ll release our new logo! Dancing will begin at 7pm and will go until as late as 10pm. 
Come for part or all of the event. Bring your art, music, talents, racial justice signs, and yourself for the parade. If you would like, bring a potluck dish to share, or something to grill. Bring the whole family! We are raising fun and funds to keep our space and programs going strong for the next year. The event is wheelchair accessible. Please come fragrance-free.
Call 802.254.3400 or email [email protected] for more information.

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Letters To Editors Drop-In Party for Healthcare Justice
Monday, September 25th, 2017 at the Putney Library (55 Main St., Putney, VT.). 6pm-8:30pm. For more information please email [email protected].
Drop-In space to come by and work out a letter to the media in support of implementing universal healthcare in Vermont. We need a steady drumbeat of public voices in the media, and local and state L.T.E. banks are building. Handy will be an LTE template based on personal stories, updates about Vermont healthcare initiatives and legislation, and folks to help work out the letter. 


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Study Group Opportunity
sponsored by Brattleboro Solidarity
Multiple Dates: September 25th, 2017, and October 2nd, 9th, and 16th at Antioch University in Keene, New Hampshire (40 Avon St, Keene, NH 03431) from 6:00pm-7:30 pm. There will be soup and bread. We ask that you commit to all four days.
When people are in the streets against police brutality, it is important to come together to expand our knowledge on the history of race and whiteness in this country. Brattleboro Solidarity will be hosting a study group to expand our understanding of the construction of whiteness as a tool for economic exploitation and the historical division along race and class lines in the U.S. 
REGISTER by emailing [email protected] to receive the readings prior to the first class. 


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Progressive Party of Vermont Biennial Reorganization Meeting 
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017. Brooks Memorial Library,  Library Local History Room on the Mezzanine Floor. (224 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6pm.
There are currently seven Progressives in the House, three in the Senate and two holding state office, the Lieutenant Governor and the Auditor. It holds the most elected seats in the country for a third party. The Progressive Party expects its candidates to support and advance its principles ((http://progressiveparty.org/principles/) and platform ((http://progressiveparty.org/vpp-platform/) and we will be discussing our organizational practices at this meeting. 

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Climate Change Café, A Community of Concerned Citizens: Grieving in the Age of Climate Change
a project of Post Oil Solutions 
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) at 6pm. Connie Baxter, the Bereavement Program Coordinator for Brattleboro Area Hospice, will lead and facilitate this workshop. FREE. Light Refreshments Available.
Grief for our changing climate can be paralyzing.  The irony is that this grief has to be acknowledged and experienced in order for us to find hope and a path to action.  In coming together to share grief we can find support from one another to face the emotional challenge that despair for our planet presents. We'll participate in a range of activities designed first to identify the unique grief each of us feels for our changing planet and then to explore how this grief can be transformed to hope and action. For more information: [email protected].


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Freedom March
Wednesday, September 27th at Pliny Park (Corner of High and Main Streets, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-5:45pm. Speakers Anna Stevens and Ellen Schwartz will speak 15 minutes before the March. 
Join us on a Freedom March to demand prison reform and to encourage our State Government to work to reduce the prison population here in Vermont. Speaking at a 15 minute rally before the March will be Anna Stevens of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Brattleboro resident Ellen Schwartz. Schwartz is president of the Vermont Workers Center whose mission is "taking action on issues of concern to people most impacted by economic and social injustice." For more information, please call Eesha Williams at (802) 254-2531 or e-mail [email protected].

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Queer and Trans Youth Homecoming Dance
co-sponsored by Green Mountain Crossroads and Youth4Change
Friday, September 29th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 7pm-11pm. 
For more information please email [email protected] or [email protected].
Open to all queer and trans youth 13-22 years old. Outright Vermont uses its monthly Friday Night Group to throw a dance night to celebrate the Fall and school season. Live DJ, food, lounge, hilarity.


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Rights & Democracy's Movement Politics Training
sponsored by Rights and Democracy (RAD)
Saturday, October 14th, 2017 in Manchester, VT (location TBD). 9:30am-4:30pm. The training costs $50 or signing up as a $10/month sustainer (we will accommodate those to which the financial cost may be a burden). 
To move from protest to power we need to get serious about impacting elections, either by running for office ourselves or supporting campaigns run by our allies in the movement. Join RAD Political Director Isaac Grimm, RAD Comms Director Shay Totten, Bennington Representative Kiah Morris & former Manchester Rep. Steve Berry for a training on how to build powerful grassroots electoral campaigns.
If you'd like to join our day long movement politics training, fill out this registration form.  We will then follow up with a phone interview before accepting applicants. Training starts with a grounding in how we got to our current political situation, our long-term agenda, and a power analysis, and then delves how to build our base, the nuts & bolts of planning & executing a campaign, messaging & media, fundraising, and operating a field campaign.

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WeCAN Cafe: Recharge Your Activist Spirit
Thursday, October 19th, 2017 at 118 Elliot Street (Brattleboro, VT 05301). 7pm - 9pm
As a follow-up to the WeCAN Spring into Action Fair, the WeCAN organizing team is excited to offer a monthly community event for the fall designed to recharge your activist spirit. Starting in October, the WeCAN Cafés will happen on the THIRD THURSDAY of the month from 7pm–9pm at 118 Eliot St. in Brattleboro. These will be evenings filled with a mix of food, music, poetry, skill building, information sharing, short inspirational exercises or documentaries, connection to others, and a cash bar. We’ll celebrate small local and statewide successes and share strategies for self-care. This struggle is a marathon, and it's vital that we all take the time to refill our own reserves. The goals are to build community, to learn from each other, to remind ourselves that we are not alone, and to head home feeling better than when we arrived. 


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Local Love Brigade Party at Avenue Grocery
Saturday October 21st, 2017 at the Avenue Grocery (82 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301). 2pm-4pm. 
Join the Local Love Brigade! Drop by, get a cider donut, and make postcards to send out in an avalanche of love to support victims of hate. There will be plenty of materials to make a card, and no artistic experience is necessary. All are welcome.


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IN DEVELOPMENT

Impeachment Rally
Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). Time TBD. 
Join us for a PEACEFUL PROTEST to be held in Montpelier, VT, at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). 12pm to 5pm (tentative).
Our immediate goal - to get Phil Scott, Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, and Peter Welch to take up the call for Impeachment proceedings based on Trump's "intimidation, failure to supervise, and unbecoming conduct." Donald J.Trump’s leadership poses a threat to the peace and safety of our nation on both national and international levels. His immoral reputation and misconduct are an embarrassment and threat to the freedoms this country stands for and will not be tolerated by United States citizens.
Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/the-people-impeach-donald-j-trump
Do you have questions or are wondering what you can do to help organize, get the word out, and prepare? Contact Sarah Vitale at 802.246.7603 or email her at [email protected].

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS

Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meetings
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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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

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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VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Sister District 
Here is an update from the Vermont district team:
SisterDistrict Soup
We currently offer a monthly soup subscription to benefit either SisterDistrict directly or our current candidate (subscriber's choice!) and we are considering extending our offering into this Fall/Winter; if you would be interested in subscribing to a monthly soup offering please use this form to get in touch! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU1Vv1oJRgTBATJ8TTp8vHUaGFIz0coVCVe28gYVOrK9K-BQ/viewform?c=0&w=1 
For more information please email [email protected] or [email protected]. 
In addition to raising money to help get our nation onto a better trajectory, we are also committed to providing you the most delicious and locally-sourced soup that we can. Vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options will be available. 
There is no reason that you can't eat well and resist at the same time!
SisterDistrict is an organization that connects you with your local home district team to work on Sister Races in Virginia, Washington State, and Georgia. The goal? To turn Red states Blue. Support these critical races by donating to them and sharing about them on social media. Or, get in on the fun by joining your local district team for even more action items! 

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Exchange Student Hosts Wanted
PAX (Program of Academic Exchange Vermont) is looking for families who are interested in hosting a high school exchange student for Brattleboro HS and Bellows Falls for the upcoming school year.  Clara is one such student, a 15 year old girl from Spin whose interests include skiing, scouting and gymnastics.  Could you open your home to one of these students? Host families come in all shapes and sizes - they represent the diversity of American culture, with varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds. Among those who truly enjoy the exchange experience are parents looking to give their families a glimpse of the world and introduce them to new customs and cultures, without having to travel the globe.
Many of our host families do not have high school age children, while others have adult children who no longer live at home. They say that hosting an exchange student gives them an opportunity to enrich their own lives and connect with their community in a whole new way.
If you've considered hosting but have questions, please contact Kimberly at [email protected] or 802-824-3792.

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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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Thank you, fellow weCANers, for your dedication to facilitate change for the better. We urge you to take some time for yourself this week; caring for your own self is as important as caring for others. 

Your Friendly WeCAN Admins,
Ann and Joanna