In this uncertain time, when the next direction this country, its policies and its economy will take is yet to be decided, it's important to at least be informed about the local involvement opportunities. Jefferson wrote in 1789, "…whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights." The Valley Advocate has assembled the 2008 Annual Manual in hopes of providing readers with guidance to stay informed about civic and political affairs. It's time to set things to rights.
Dedicated to supporting and enhancing the lives of those in need in Hampden County, the United Way of Pioneer Valley offers dozens of ways volunteers can get involved. Led by president and CEO Joel F. Weiss, United Way's assimilated network of businesses, schools, government and faith-based groups provides opportunities to volunteer to help the elderly, children or those with intellectual disabilities. Your assistance may range from serving in an educational capacity to working in a food pantry or simply providing comfort and companionship. To volunteer or donate to United Way, log onto www.uwpv.com or call (413) 737-2691.
Working off the tenets of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities (MAASH) is a group that strives "to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences," and advocates the creation of jobs and communities through well-rounded cultural education. Members of MAASH work to increase the state's investment in the Mass. Cultural Council and create legislation that provides tax deductions to those who donate to the cause. Learn more about MAASH and how to contact your elected officials by logging onto www.maash.org.
At a time when the depressed state of the national economy is reflected in high food and fuel costs, stagnant wages and the state of the banking system, a gesture toward improving your local economy will at least lift spirits. Community Involved with Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is an organization perhaps best known for its "Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown" campaign, said to be the nation's longest running comprehensive multi-media buy local campaign. Those who wish to help can join a fundraising team, help at a farm or food event, encourage grocery stores to stock local products or simply make an effort to buy local. To volunteer or donate, log on to www.buylocalfood.com or call CISA at (413) 665-7100.
By building a core army of researchers, advocates, organizers, students and young people, MASSPIRG has become an organization loud enough to stand up to powerful special interest groups on issues that can enormously affect average citizens, like identity theft, political corruption, prescription drugs, public transportation and voting rights. Based in Boston, this advocacy group has a network of volunteers across the state. To learn more, visit www.masspirg.com or call (617) 292-4800.
MoveOn.org boasts democracy in action, and its many active campaigns exemplify exactly that. With over 3 million members, the site is among the top progressive organizing websites in the country. Pushing to build awareness about what it perceives to be a corrupt Republican party, MoveOn has campaigned to save publicly funded broadcasting, reveal truths about political candidates and reform Medicare, nutritional programs and health care programs. They have called for a boycott of Fox News, demanded that Congress ban paperless voting and sought to educate citizens about the climate crisis and what they can do to help. Visit MoveOn.org to learn how you can get involved in one of the myriad movements the organization advocates.
The Paradise City Forum (PCF), formed in 2001, is a non-partisan, citywide network of residents in Northampton and its villages of Bay State, Florence and Leeds. By holding live public forums, the PCF hopes to give a voice to citizens on "both sides of the aisle" who may share common concerns about policy issues and decisions (like the landfill/aquifer issue) citywide. Armed with an online email group so residents can keep the discussions active and stay informed, PCF is open to all concerned citizens and community groups. To learn more, visit www.paradisecityforum.net or call (413) 586-8555.
Western Mass Jobs with Justice is a Springfield based pro-union activist group that fights for workers' rights by leading rallies. Most recently, they accused the Baystate Franklin Medical Center of union-busting tactics and stood with the Massachusetts Nurses Association by calling for a reform of the shift and sick leave policies at the center. For more information on how to get involved and to sign up for a solidarity calendar, visit www.wmjwj.org or call (413) 827-0301.
Boasting "reality-based commentary" on politics and policy in Massachusetts and around the country, Blue Mass. Group can be found at www.bluemassgroup.com. Blue Mass. Group's reality has a decidedly "blue" bent, and they have made no secret of their support of Barack Obama in the current race for the presidency. The site is complete with an overview of the day's relevant news via juicy videos and links to other political commentary sites.
In this water-rich valley, our towns' conservation commissions are kept busy. Amherst hosts an Energy Conservation Task Force founded in 2000. Members include representatives from Amherst College, Hampshire College, the University of Massachusetts, various town departments and local citizens. Once a month these members hold a meeting to discuss the town's environmental future and to develop the Climate Action Plan. Interested parties can contact Stephanie Ciccarello, Energy Task Force Coordinator, by phone at (413) 259-3149.
It might surprise you to learn that the Council of Churches of Greater Springfield is one of the busiest, most caring advocacy organizations in the Lower Valley. Each winter it provides heating assistance to scores of families. It has an emergency services program that bails out people and families in all kinds of crises; it goes to bat with landlords to keep people in their homes and with utilities to keep their lights on. It helps people getting out of jail reestablish themselves in the community, and sends at-risk kids to camp so they can have a taste of a secure, hopeful way of living. It helps keep seniors in their homes. If you want a chance to help make life better for someone, the Council can sit down with you and figure out a way to use your particular talents and experience as a volunteer or a member of their board. Call them at 413-733-2149.
If the long arm of foreclosure is reaching for your house, you need to know about the Hampden County Bar Association's Foreclosure Task Force. When you're going to be unable to make a mortgage payment, call your lender first and try to work something out. If that doesn't help, or even if it does, call the Task Force, which is allied with the Massachusetts Justice Project and Neighborhood Legal Services. The Bar Association has mustered more than 25 lawyers from this area who are trained to deal with the technicalities of predatory lending and foreclosure. You may be eligible for a free initial consult and further assistance based on your ability to pay. The task force operates a bilingual hotline you can call to determine whether your house can be saved and how you should proceed. Before it's too late for good advice to help you, call the Western Massachusetts Foreclosure Hotline at 413-322-7404.
For a vigorous dose of political discussion and DIY talk, the Valley's own Valley Free Radio provides a forum for community-minded programming. The non-profit volunteer-run radio station fills its schedule with shows like Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, and Farm to Fork and The Enviro Show tackle local social and environmental issues. Those who are interested in establishing their own programming are welcome to submit a proposal to the station. If approved, the station provides on-air training and practice sessions. To learn more about how to volunteer for Valley Free Radio or become an on air talent, log on to www.valleyfreeradio.org.
The South Pole, robotics, television journalism, The Supreme Court and China are among the topics of discourse for the Springfield Public Forum's 2008 series. Held at Springfield's historic Symphony Hall, the forum hosts many esteemed lecturers like Nina Totenberg and Roger Mudd. The lecture series is held free of charge due to member support and sponsors. To learn about becoming a member or attending a forum, visit www.springfieldpublicforum.org.
Founded by David and Peter Simpson (of Haymarket Cafe), the Commonwealth Center for Change (C3) is a non-profit that strives to provide quality, affordable program and office space, shared resources and capacity building services to Northampton area nonprofits and artists so they can do their work more effectively, sustainably and collaboratively. The group is responsible for StorefrontART, a program that temporarily transforms empty storefronts into studio and exhibition spaces (artists were recently set up in Thornes Marketplace in a space that is now undergoing remodeling for a new business). For information on volunteering a space or submitting your own art, log on to www.commonwealthcenter.org or call (413) 648-5406.
Impassioned by the idea of change? Want to get involved on the national level? The campaign to elect Barack Obama for president has settled into the Thornes Marketplace lower level (the former location of Dynamite Records). Volunteer to knock on doors or make phone calls. Or learn more about Western Mass. Drive for Change, a movement that takes advantage of our proximity to New Hampshire by organizing car pools and trips to the Granite State. Call (413) 584-1476 to get involved.
Formed two decades ago in response to the decrease in affordable housing and blue-collar jobs, the Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC) was organized to improve the lives of low- to moderate-income people by providing affordable rental and ownership housing and cultivating economic freedom by offering workshops on computer programs and accounting. With offices in Northampton and Easthampton, the CDC publishes an event calendar which, together with contact info, is available online at www.valleycdc.com.
Based in Northampton with offices in Greenfield and Amherst, the Center for New Americans offers adult education to immigrants, refugees and migrants in Western Mass. The program's approach is based on a "vision of collaboration," and students, teachers, employees and volunteers are encouraged to champion each other and newcomers. Volunteer tutors help keep the program alive, and those interested in offering their expertise can visit www.cnam.org or call (413) 587-0084.
Self-identified liberals have a new impetus to enjoy themselves and bond with each other by indulging in libations. The national movement Drinking Liberally has a local chapter that meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Northampton's Paradise City Tavern. Here fun-lovers and like-thinkers can imbibe, discuss and organize campaigning events. Information is available on www.livingliberally.org/drinking.
