ACE seeks youth organizer

Alternatives for Community and Environment
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT — January 2010



Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) seeks a full time Co-Organizer/Director for its Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP). ACE is a nonprofit environmental justice organization based in Roxbury, MA. ACE builds the power of lower income communities and communities of color in New England to eradicate environmental racism and classism and achieve environmental justice. We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and to be decision-makers in issues affecting our communities. ACE organizes residents to identify and coordinate campaigns around critical environmental justice issues.

REEP is a youth-led, environmental justice, community organizing program. REEP builds youth leadership, community, and power to fight for environmental justice. Environmental justice provides a framework for young people to name and understand the systems of oppression in their surroundings, and to work for solutions to the problems that they experience on a daily basis. During the school year, REEP works with 2-3 public high schools to conduct in depth, student-led, community action projects.

The Co-Organizer/Director for REEP coordinates and oversees all aspects of the program with the other Co-Organizer/Director, including supervising youth organizers, developing work plans and budgets, and implementing the work plans.
Responsibilities (included but not limited to)

· Support Youth Led Organizing Campaigns and Community Action Projects: Support the participation and leadership of Youth Organizers in youth-led organizing campaigns and in schools community action projects.

· Leadership Development: Assess training needs to develop and provide training for Youth Organizers. Maintain and implement Youth Organizer basic training curriculum. Provide additional leadership development opportunities through hands-on experience, including conducting environmental justice tours and workshops.

· Supervision and Program Administration: Coordinate recruitment process for youth organizers. Hire (and fire if necessary) youth organizers. Create program work plans with youth organizers. Maintain personal development plans for each youth organizer and support personal development goals through training, hand-on experience, and referrals to other resources. Facilitate program planning and draft work plans for Executive Director Approval. Draft program budget for Executive Director and monitor and approve program expenditures.

· Program/Organizational Planning: Participate and co-lead REEP program team planning. Participate in ACE-wide strategic planning and other organizational development processes.
Qualifications

· Minimum 3 years experience in organizing and youth development

* Commitment to social and environmental justice and agreement with organizational mission and goals
* Ability to work well with diverse groups and populations

· Experience in grassroots and campaign organizing and advocacy

· Excellent communication skills- both verbal and written

· Skilled facilitator and familiarity with popular education principles

* Excellent organizational skills-- good attention to detail and well organized

· Solid computer skills (familiar with Word, Excel, Internet, and database)

· Team player, self-starter, quick learner, and ability to work in fast-paced environment

· Flexibility to work weeknights and weekends

· Bi-lingual ability a plus

Salary: $35,000-$40,000, depending on experience, plus health and retirement benefits. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume by February 5, 2010 to: ACE, David Jenkins, 2181 Washington St. Suite 301, Roxbury, MA 02119

Phone: 617.442.3343 x 225 Fax: 617.442.2425 Email: jobs@ ace-ej.org

Women and people of color encouraged to apply

For more information see: www.ace-ej.org

Stand with Chuck Solidarity Rally 12/9/08

Stand With Chuck - Solidarity Rally 12/9/08
December 2nd, 2008

Stand With Chuck Solidarity Rally 12-9-08 *click to download flyer*

Calling All Chuck Turner Supporters!

Stand With Chuck Community Rally!
Tues, 12/9 @ 6-8pm
Roxbury Community College
Cafeteria, RCC Student Center
(Orange Line T – Rox Crossing)

Stand With Chuck Solidarity Rally 12-9-08

Chuck Turner has been there for the people of Roxbury, as well as the city, the state and the nation for four and a half decades. He has fought for ever issue important to the community, and resisted every form of discrimination against his constituents. He has been a leader in fighting for community jobs for residents, and for CORI reform. He is the only politician who maintains an office right in the heart of the community, paid for out of his own salary. He has fought year in and year out for quality education for our youth, and has beat back the repeated efforts of those who would take away choice and educational access from the community. He has stood up to block evictions and foreclosures, and taken uncompromising stands against war, racism and abuse. We have always been able to count on him to be there for us.

Now its time for us to be there for Chuck! The attack on Chuck is an attack on the entire Roxbury community and all of the working people of Boston who have benefited from his fight for justice and opportunity. We will not be denied the people’s voice! Come out to show your support for the fighting leader of our community. Please join us on Chuck Solidarity Day on Dec 9th at RCC!

stand with chuck! monday

City Council member Chuck Turner accused of taking a $1000 bribe.

Please attend the Boston City Council open meeting, support one of our most progressive people's representative and leader, Councilor Chuck Turner. Its our turn to stand with him to protect his human rights and defend his leadership.
STAND WITH US!

For information please see below.

LA LUCHA CONTINUA,
Dorotea Manuela
(617) 922-5744

Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:39 AM
Subject: Stand with Chuck: Monday @ 3pm

<< please forward widely >>

Press Conference and Open Council Meeting on Chuck Turner

Monday, Nov 24
3-5pm
Boston City Hall, 5th Floor

The City Council is holding an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss
Councilor Turner's situation. Friends and supporters should flood
City Hall in recognition of Chuck's dedicated service towards the
uplift of his community. If Chuck has supported you or your
organization, please help demonstrate your appreciation this Monday.

Turner will hold a press conference for his supporters, and will
denounce the maneuver led by Council President Feeney to revoke his
Chairmanships of the Education and Human Rights Committees.

Turner's next court case is scheduled on December 10th at Federal
Court in Boston.

Contact Lorraine Fowlkes 617 635 3510 (downtown) or Angela Yarde 617
427 8100 (district) for more information.

=====
Related articles:

1) Globe article on Turner Case
(http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/11/chuck_turner_i.html)
2) Excepts from Turner's Public Statements - Open Media Boston
(http://www.openmediaboston.org/node/422)

=====
1) By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff

WORCESTER -- Surrounded by supporters and a crush of media as he left
the federal courthouse in Worcester today, City Councilor Chuck Turner
proclaimed his innocence and vowed to return to work Monday.

"I am absolutely positive that a jury of my peers will come to the
conclusion that I am innocent. ... I know I am innocent," Turner said.

Turner said the City Council plans to hold a meeting Monday to
determine whether he can continue to serve. But the council has "no
voice in the matter of whether I serve," he said.

"The only people who can make the decision whether I serve is my
constituents," he said, noting that he was reelected with 82 percent
of the vote. "I believe my district is firmly committed to having me
serve as their city councilor."

"This is supposed to be a democracy," he said. "I am not going to let
this abuse of power continue."

About 30 supporters gathered around him, at one point chanting,
"Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!" Some carried various signs, including some that
read, "We Stand by Turner."

Turner said he had been told today that the FBI had asked the council
to turn off his computer and telephone.

Justin Holmes, chief of staff to Council President Maureen Feeney said
no one in Feeney's office or the central staff's office was told to
block access to Turner's phones or computer.

"The council took no action to prohibit Councilor Turner or his staff
from accessing his office today," Holmes said.

'Mr. Turner is not guilty of what he has been charged with," said
Turner's attorney, Barry Wilson. "I don't think Mr. Turner is guilty
of anything."

Asked about photos released by the government that allegedly show
Turner accepting a cash payment, Wilson said, "I've seen some grainy
photos. I don't know what they show."

"I think somebody doesn't like Chuck Turner," he said.

Turner headed to a nearby parking garage. Before he got in his
daughter's sport utility vehicle, he vowed, "I am going to be back at
work Monday."

======
2) Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner's post-arraignment statement Worcester
Transcribed from the uncut WCVB-TV Channel 5 video by Freeman Z

Source Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMR_8Dy9lTc

Chuck Turner:

"I have said many times over the last few years, that I do not agree
with the process of trying people in the media. And because of that
belief, ah, I am not going to comment in my statement on my case,
except to say that I am absolutely positive that a jury of my peers
will come to the conclusion that I am innocent. The reason why I
believe that will be their conclusion is that I know I am innocent.

"However, there is a very important issue that I am going to be
focusing on right now. (interruption: 'Move away from the door!' Press
conference moves a few feet.)

"My concern at this moment is not with the case that I'm involved in.
My concern is that it has been reported to me that while I have been
down here in Worcester, the F.B.I. asked the City Council President to
turn off my computers and to turn off my telephone.

"It also has been reported to me that the City Council plans to have a
meeting at three o'clock on Monday in the council chambers to
determine whether I can continue to serve.

"My view is that the city council has no voice in the matter of
whether I serve. The only people ...the only people who can make the
decision whether I serve my constituents ...are my constituents.

"I was elected by a vote of eighty two percent, and I think that
suggests that my district firmly is committed to having me serve them
as a City Councilor.

"As your (crowd: cheers, applause) ... as, as, (crowd: Chuck, Chuck
Chuck...) (Turner silences crowd.)

"You know, as your ...as your stories will confirm, and I hope you
include it in your stories, the F.B.I did not arrest me at my house
when they came to my house at six o'clock in the morning, they
arrested me at City Hall at six thirty.

"The reason why they didn't arrest me at six o'clock was I had left my
house at five thirty to come to work.

"My constituents understand that I am a seven day a week City
Councilor. That I begin my day at six o'clock and I end my day at ten
o'clock at night. That's why they have elected me to the last five
terms. I have a responsibility to serve my constituents and I am not
going to let the City Council stand in the way of that responsibility.

"If Councilor Feeney ... Council President Feeney, does not turn on my
phone, Monday morning, when I come to work, and turn my computer back
on, then we will go to court and challenge their right to deprive my
district, a district of majority Black and Latino constituents, of the
representative that they had chosen.

"This is supposed to be a democracy. How could the Boston City Council
even consider ... even consider, taking away from my constituents ...
and their constituents, the leadership that they want.

"I think that is horrendous for them even to think that. I think that
is horrendous for City Council President Feeney to turn off my
telephones and computers so that my staff could not do the work that
they have been hired to do.

"I am not gonna let this ...I am not gonna let this abuse of power
continue. And I will be in court, challenging the City Council if they
don't respect my constituents."

Boston Human Rights: Ideas and Action Conference

July 31, 2008
At the Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA
9:00-5:30

Program:

Welcome

The Leading Rogue State: Individual Rights?
Jean Lynch (disabled)
Rubén Rumbaut (migrants)
Tanya Golash Boza (migrants)
Dave Brunsma and Dave Overfelt (housing rights)
Brian Gran (youth)
Respondent: Ty de Pass
Presider: Alberto Moncada

The Leading Rogue State: Collective Rights?
John Barnshaw (water)
Mark Frezzo (democracy)
Rodney Coates (culture)
Judith Blau (trade)
Respondent: Grace Ross
Presider: Alberto Moncada

Human Rights Cities
Shula Koenig, PDHRE: The People’s Movement for Human Rights Learning

Roundtable Discussions: Social Identity?
Gender, Youth, Immigration, and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transsexual identities

Roundtable Discussions: Social Policy?
Health, Environment and Food, Peace and War, Labor, and Housing

Closing Remarks


Register Online:
www.bostonhumanrights.org

Sponsors include: Mass Global Action, Mass-Care, Open Media Boston,
Boston College Department of Sociology, Boston College Center for Human
Rights and International Justice, Sociologists without Borders, Society
for the Study of Social Problems, and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice.

Contact: info@bostonhumanrights.org

Lots of Jobs at Corporate Accountability Int'l

Lots of job openings, from campaign organizers to development officers, at Corporate Accountability International, formerly known as Infact. All in Boston.

Check them out.

Janitor Negotiations.

Support Tufts Janitors in their campaign to earn a living wage and decent health care.

> Sign the Petition

> Get Updates

> Jumbo Janitor Alliance

Lets' Crash the Party!

So, this post is mostly directed at those in Ohhh-three! Sorry, the rest of you. But there are ways that others can help-- read on!

I have received multiple emails and postcards from Tufts telling me of the 2003 Five-Year Reunion Party to happen on May 17. All of them went in the trash. And then I got another one.

Something similar happened to me a couple of years ago when the University College had an alumni event. I ended up going with a couple of friends and although we had invitations, it felt like we were crashing the party. It was fun (though maybe not for them!). So I thought that I would see if there is interest in crashing the reunion party. Let me tell you what I have in mind:

The Social Justice Fund has funded the Jumbo Janitor Alliance, which is an organization that supports janitors at Tufts as they seek a better contract with One Source. Many people will remember that this struggle has been going on for quite some time. The late Gerald Gill was a strong supporter of the Tufts janitors, even before they were outsourced and were forced to take a drastic pay cut for doing the same work.

The class of '03 is having a fun affair at Vox Populi in Back Bay. Lets show them what the vox populi really sounds like and organize a voice of dissent for a fair contract for the Tufts Janitors. Register for the event an then shoot me an email to let me know that you are coming! Here is a place where the Tufts Progressive Alumni Network can really get to work!

For those of you not in '03, there is a list of other events going on. You can distribute information here or just email the organizers of these events letting them know how you feel.

We can have fun at our reunion. If we do it our way.

April 3 - Climate Justice Series at Tufts

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. Beverly Wright (Xavier University and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice) and Ted Glick (U.S. Climate Emergency Council and the Climate Crisis Coalition) will speak on behalf of their work in environmental justice.

Thursday, April 3
Reception from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Rabb Room Lincoln Filene
Lecture at 6:00 p.m., Braker 01

Boston SkillShare: 50+ Workshops THIS weekend!

yeah! here it is:


the 2008 BOSTON SKILLSHARE!


now with over *50* different workshops! to see the updated workshop schedule and full descriptions, visit
http://bostonskillshare.org/workshop.php

saturday and sunday
april 5 and 6, 2008

register at MIT's stata center
32 vassar street, cambridge
10:30am-6:30pm
$3-10 sliding scale and/or volunteer
www.bostonskillshare.org

skillshare workshop list (visit http://bostonskillshare.org/workshop.php for updated schedule and descriptions):

Esperanto Conversation
Introduction To Juggling
Learn To Knit
Practical Urban Cycling
The Truth About Identy Theft
35mm Film Pinholes: Simple Cameras Made Out Of Trash
Beginning Lampwork: Making Glass Beads
Creating Emotional Safety As A Facilitator
Drag King 101: Strut For Success!
Intermediate To Advanced Juggling
Sprouts And Microgreens
Crafting Creatures: Easy Techniques For Knitted Stuffed Animals
Games And Fun And Games And Fun And Games: Fun And Games
Herbal First Aid
Kick the Kibble: Cooking for your Animal Companion
Lesbian Dating 101
People's Poetry Workshop
Rad Library Resources
Grow It Yourself: Beginner Urban Gardening
How To Become A Backgammon Master
Mental Health: Navigating Systems, Self-Care, And Safety Planning
Salsa, Merengue, Spanish & La Lucha
Supporting Survivors Of GLBT Abusive Relationships
You Are Not A Number: Applying To Grad School Even If Your GREs Are Low
Destroy The Binary: Taking Back Gender
Free (the) Net : Build Your Own Wireless Internet Router
Home Brewing
Intro To Linguistics
Mask Making And Cardboard Sculpting
Time Management
Vintage Moped Restoration And Small Engine Repair
Basic Self Defense
Electronic Design, Microcontrollers and You
Fun with Fermentation!
Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, And Blocks To Success
Run, Run, Run For Fun
Speed Erotica
Strap It Down, Pack It In: Drag King Masculine Performance Workshop
Chemical Weapons & Police Tactics
I Wanna Felt You Up
How To Use Your Story: A Community Organizing Overview
Prefigurative Parenting: Growing Empowered Kids from the Beginning
Soccer for All
Wild Carrot: Natural, Conscious Herbal Contraception
Yurts and Simple Shelters! What. Why. How.
Basic Bicycle Maintainence
Growing Yr Own Mushrooms
JP Kickball©: Strategize And Socialize
Personal Coaching 101
Protest Street Tactics
Soap Making And Embroidery Everyone Can Do It!
Know Your Rights!
Wiggle It Just a Little Bit: Indoor Worm Composting

Labor standards in the cut flower industry

You're Invited to....

The Thorns of the Global Cut Flower Industry

Valentine's Day is coming up?

Any Idea Where Your Flowers REALLY Come From?

Presented by: Nora Ferm, International Labor Rights Forum

Tuesday, February 12th @ 4pm
Starr Auditorium, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
University, Cambridge, MA

Refreshments will be served.

If you have any questions, please contact
Karen_vega@ksg08.harvard.edu or Emerita_Torres@ksg09.harvard.edu

For information about the International Labor Rights Forum's
Fairness in Flowers Campaign, visit:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/MdLOLeY1kP0n/
--------------------------------------------------

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

http://www.unionvoice.org/join-forward.html?domain=laborrights&r=T7LOLeY1_W8E

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for
International Labor Rights Forum at:

http://www.unionvoice.org/laborrights/join.html?r=T7LOLeY1_W8EE

Have you heard of SoJust? Socializing for Justice?

Socializing for Justice is a network for like-minded people engaged in social justice issues - focused on building a progressive cross-issue community.

We're doing it by putting the SOCIAL back in SOCIAL JUSTICE. Twice a month we organize socials that are focused on giving attendees a chance to meet each other and make connections. Events attract newcomers to the city to seasoned organizers and everyone in between.
I invite you and your colleagues to attend our next event on Wednesday, January 30th - Putting the Social Back in Social Justice IV at the Foggy Goggle on Boylston - bring flyers about your organization for the free literature table! It's a great space meet volunteers. Event details are posted below.

Check out our press release to learn about the group's origins and philosophy. Any chance there's somewhere you can hang a flyer? Here's the PDF .

Let me know if you have any questions - info@socializingforjustice.org.

Thanks, I hope to see you on the 30th!
Robbie


Putting the Social Back in Social Justice IV
Are you looking for like-minded progressives to hang out with in Boston? Want to cross-promote your events and campaigns? Are you new to the area and looking for groups to get involved in? Are you psyched about building strong cross-issue coalitions?

Join Socializing for Justice at the Foggy Goggle* for Putting the SOCIAL Back in Social Justice IV
Wednesday, January 30th at 7PM
No program. No speaker. Just arrive and enjoy yourself.

RSVP (greatly appreciated!) at www.sojust.org - newcomers always welcome!

There will be drink and appetizer specials - 1/2 price appetizers, $7 pitchers of beer, and $12 fishbowls.

At Socializing for Justice (SoJust) events you can hang out with friends, make new ones, find a date, get the scoop on a job, and find out what's going on this weekend - political or social. And the best part is that SoJust members share your vision of building a more just world.

If you're involved with a group or project and want to spread the word bring flyers for the free lit table - and there'll be lots of opportunity to schmooze and network while sharing cheap pitchers of beer

*Sorry, this event is 21+ and the bathroom is located downstairs (no elevator).

The Foggy Goggle is across from the Hynes Convention Center at 911 Boylston Street.

$2 fee per person to cover group expenses.

From our FAQs:
"It's not very easy for me to meet new people and I'm not really one for small talk at bars."
We hear you. That's why at SoJust events, in addition to traditional name tags, we have "Ask Me About" and "Looking For" tags. That way you can slap whatever you're into lately up on your shirt and wait for fellow SoJusters to approach you. These seem to do the trick of moving past the basic "where do you live? what do you do for work?" questions to conversations that lead to more substantial connections.

"What actually happens at events?"
You'll always be greeted by friendly folks who can help get you socializing, introduce you to people, and chat with you about questions or wishes. It's likely a few people will be there promoting their campaigns and issues (yes, SoJust welcomes that sort of behavior). At our bigger events, there's always a literature table to toss down flyers, postcards, and other paraphenalia about events around town. Most importantly, we can pretty much guarantee there will be someone there you've never met before. As one of our members said, "You are bringing together people who might never get together otherwise - if that ain't a step towards justice I don't know what is."

Wanna know more about SoJust? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and Event Photos.
__________________________
__________________________

Robbie Samuels
Socializing for Justice - Co-Organizer
putting the SOCIAL back in social justice
www.SocializingforJustice.org
www.myspace.com/sojust

event posted on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7245618166

Jewish Organzing Initiative Fellowship

The Jewish Organzing Initiative (JOI) builds a vibrant, pluralistic community of Jewish young adults who learn grassroots community organizing, explore their Jewish identity together, and become leaders in the pursuit of social justice.
In addition to providing cutting-edge training in community organizing , the JOI year-long fellowship program is a source of Jewish community, intellectual stimulation, mentorship, and professional networking.

Over the last decade, we have built a network of over 100 alum and countless mentors and trainers from the Jewish community and beyond. Now JOI is looking for fellows who have the aptitude and the appetite to become excellent organizers, who are committed to pursuing social justice professionally, and who are looking to build progressive community in a Jewish context.

Are you up for the challenge? JOIN us.

www.jewishorganizing.org

Catherine Bell
JOI Program Director
617-350-9994
cbell@jewishorganizing.org

Gift It Up! is back -- in JP and online!

Dear friends,

It's that time of the year again, when I put in a plug to you all for Conscious Consuming's alternative gift fair, Gift it Up! Please visit our website at http://www.giftitup.org and consider making a donation in a loved one's name.

According to the Consumer's Union, children in our country are sent 30,000 TV ads per year to get their parents to buy them stuff. And yet you know that there also are millions of children around the world who wish every day they had enough food or a safe place to sleep. American's produce 4-5 pounds of trash per person, per day, while children in many parts of the world labor to make us these cheap, "throwaway" goods. Instead of the newest incarnation of something you probably already have, won't you consider giving a gift to change the world?

If you live in the Boston area, come to Gift it Up! Conscious Consuming gathers 14 non-profits on Saturday, December 1, at the River of Life Church in Jamaica Plain. "Shoppers" will get to talk with representatives from each of the nonprofits, browse their programs, choose a gift to fit any budget, and receive a Gift it Up! card announcing the gift. The event is to be held:

Saturday, December 1
12noon - 4pm
River of Life Church
440 Center Street
Jamaica Plain, MA

If you are unable to attend the fair, you can visit the Gift it Up! website at www.giftitup.org to learn more about it, to see the list of participating non-profits, and to purchase gifts securely on line.

Because Conscious Consuming is an all-volunteer non-profit, our PR is grassroots. If you could please send your contacts something as simple as the following, we'd be much obliged!

Thanks! Enjoy the peace and good will of the holiday season,

Cindy