Today’s post clarifies the purpose of the June 10 training, as many have written it sounds very interesting, but they don’t want to canvass. We also provide info about one last time to participate in the Wall of Love, and close with an extraordinary, inspiring video.

Community Organizing and Community Conversations for Equity – Clarification. This training is relevant to anyone who wants to persuade anyone about a political candidate or issue. All of us have experienced the frustration of trying to explain why you support universal healthcare, a $15 minimum wage, or a specific candidate. You use facts, data, quotes, and logic and get nowhere. This training is NOT limited to those who want to canvass. The training will help you be more effective when you write a letter to the editor, testify at a City Council meeting or Roundhouse hearing, discuss politics with friends over dinner, or post on Facebook. The training will also introduce some key principles to effective organizing, information that could inform your choices about the organizations and actions where you  devote your activist time. After spending an hour with Mark Diaz Truman yesterday taping a special one-hour edition of Retake Our Democracy (airing on KSFR 101.1. FM, Saturday, June 3, at 11 am), I can promise you he has an absolutely riveting way of conveying information. At the June 10 training, he will be presenting on effective community organizing and engaging your audience through the use of what he calls your ‘public narrative.’ If you want to see an absolutely brilliant example of a personal narrative, check out the video at the bottom of this page. For more information about the broader grassroots campaign for equity around which this training is oriented, click here.

The training is filling up quickly, so if you want to attend, I’d recommend signing up soon. I am also recommending coming with 2-3 friends. If you do so, you and your friends will have experienced the training together and will in effect form a small “affinity group.” You will be more likely to continue the work of the larger equity campaign with the support of friends with social connections.

Here’s the info once more: Community Organizing & Community Conversations for Equity. Saturday, June 10, 1pm-6pm. Santa Fe Community College, Jemez Room. Get more information and RSVP AT THIS LINK. To ensure admission, you must RSVP. We have a large space, but we are limiting numbers to ensure opportunities for dialog, small group work, and practice using the communication techniques introduced. When you get to the Facebook page, click “Going.” This puts you on the list of attendees. No confirmation email follows. You are in. If you aren’t on Facebook, RSVP by emailing paul@retakeourdemocracy.org. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN SFCC CAMPUS MAP .

Today. May 30, 5pm-7:30pm. Wall of Love. Another Chance to Contribute. Warehouse 21. 1614 Paseo de Peralta. There’s been a lot of talk about building walls. Let’s build a Wall of Love to bring us all together. Paint a 12″x12″ tile to add to the wall. All ages, skill levels, and abilities welcome. All materials provided. Please wear clothes you can paint in. Join this celebration of community and love! Donations to cover the cost of supplies are greatly appreciated. Click here to RSVP via Facebook. The Wall of Love will be installed at the Railyard, across from the Farmer’s Market, in late June. Would your school, church, community group, or family like to make your own Wall of Love? Contact Margaret Lubalin at mlubalin@gmail.com for more information. Under the direction of Margaret Lubalin and Bobbe Besold, this project has really taken off. From all accounts it is a blast to participate and will become a local cultural-political icon when complete.

A great example of a public narrative: Valarie Kaur, Watch Night Service. Six minutes of inspiration, encouraging us to continue to push for justice. The last minute is incredible.

In solidarity, Paul and Roxanne

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