“Look What’s Happening this Week in the Northwest Suburbs” Week of November 22nd – November 28th, 2015

Please Join the NWSOFA Climate Change Team 
in Participating in the Climate March in Palatine, 11/29!!
      
Meet at the Palatine Village square
(Smith St. & Palatine Rd.) at 1:00 p.m. and rally for an hour
with signs and banners in support of:
Paris climate talks (COP21)
  • Friends and Fellow March Organizers:

     In an attempt to keep some momentum going here in the NW ‘burbs in the fight against climate change, I registered a climate march in Palatine for Sunday, Nov. 29.  This is a “KISS” event — no meetings required, no fancy logistics needed.  People just show up (or not) at ~1:00 p.m. and walk (or stand) carrying signs for about an hour.  We may do some chanting, if there are enough of us.

    I wanted us (here in the ‘burbs) to again answer a call for a global march (as we did back in October).  This march is in support of the opening of the Paris talks, and now I feel it is more important than ever, because the big march that was to be held in Paris has been cancelled, due to security concerns.

    Please publicize this through your friends and e-mail lists, etc.  I don’t expect a huge crowd, but I will feel it is a big success if we can get ~20 people to come.  It’s too early to know what the weather will be like, but I’m resolved to be there, regardless (even if it’s miserable, like today!).

    People can read about the march details (and RSVP) in two places:
    https://secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/Global_Climate_March_in_Palatine
    Meet at the Palatine Village square (Smith St. & Palatine Rd.) at 1:00 p.m. and rally for an hour or so with signs and banners in support of the Paris climate talks (COP21). There’s plenty of parking in the area, but it is suggested that small groups of people walk (march) to the square from all directions, carrying signs.

    One group will walk from Countryside Church (1025 N. Smith St.), south down Smith St., starting at about 12:30 p.m.. Others may self-organize to arrive walking north on Plum Grove, or east or west along Palatine Road. This could give the event a little bit of a “flash-mob” feel, with different cohorts arriving from different directions. Walk a mile or a couple of blocks.

    So make a sign and come join us!! We can do some chanting in the square, and show solidarity with those marching in Paris. Hope to see you there!

    This event is part of the Global Climate March. On November 30th, world leaders meet in Paris to start negotiating the next global climate deal. That’s why, the day before, people around the world will take to the streets and push leaders at every level of government to commit to 100% clean energy. Together, we can push the world towards a climate deal that gets us off dirty energy and unleashes clean energy for all. Let’s make history!

    ++++++++++
    No fancy logistics required.  A thermos or two of hot coffee or hot chocolate might be nice, if someone wants to arrange that (or just BYO and maybe a little extra to share).  The Palatine Village Square has an open air gazebo in the center, where refreshments could be located (or items of small value, that you don’t want to hold/carry, could be set down).  This might also be a meeting point at the end of the event for a few chants and/or a short speech.
    This will be organic (and possibly pathetically small — but it *will* happen!).  Signs used last month could probably be re-used (if people still have them).

To let us know if your are interested or coming to the event RSVP by clicking this link:

 
“Look What’s Happening this Week in the Northwest Suburbs”
 
Week of 
November 22nd – November 28th

“Upcoming December Events”

NWSOFA
Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Team Planning Meeting

Tuesday, December 3, 2015
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Poplar Creek Public Library District
405 S Park Ave, Streamwood, Illinois 60107
Call Patrick Watson

630-947-4865
For More Information
 
Join us as we discuss:
          • the current status of the expanded DAPA/DACA
          • the Syrian Refugee Crisis
          • help create our plan for action events in 2016.
Come with your ideas

and plans

for action events

in 2016

NWSOFA Stand w/Women “Empowerment Project”
Movie Night
Friday, December 4, 2015 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Arlington Hts. Library 

500 N Dunton Ave
Arlington Heights, IL60004
2nd floor Meeting / Film Screening …

Hendricksen Room
 
We are screening a film, the Empowerment Project, and hosting a panel of local, successful women to engage and inspire women and men alike to feel like their gender does not limit their options and potential success.
Bring your family for a fun Friday movie night!

“NWSOFA & OFA stands with women-from expanding women’s leadership and economic security to protecting health care choices.”

NWSOFA Diversity Outreach
is Partnering on the ACA

So our volunteers on the ground reach targeted communities where health insurance education and ACA education are low.
General Information on the ACA OPEN ENROLLMENT
 
NWSOFA’s goals for the 3rd ACA enrollment period.  This ACA enrollment period will be November 1, 2015 — January 31, 2016, with 3 important deadlines:
    • December 15th: deadline for coverage to begin January 1, 2016
    • January 1st: deadline for coverage to begin February 1, 2016
    • January 31st: deadline for coverage to begin March 1, 2016

OFA will have three key roles during this enrollment period:

    • Gather stories touting the success and benefits of the ACA
    • Collaborate with national and local partners in the health care service and enrollment space.*
    • Utilizing chapters and volunteers on the ground to reach target communities where health insurance education and ACA education are low.
*Note: Neither OFA nor volunteers on behalf of OFA should be participating in the actual enrollment of people. This is the same as in the previous enrollment periods.

“November Completed Events

Highlights of  the November 19th GVP Planning Meeting
“those attending want to make a difference”
The November 19th NWSOFA Gun Violence Prevention Planning meeting offered lively discussions and lots of new information. We covered all of the following topics and more:
  • Information about meetings people from our group have held with local mayors about the proposed state regulations for Gun Dealers
  • Petitions asking for signatures to show support for the proposed state regulations for Gun Dealers were distributed to everyone at our meeting. We will post the petition on our website for anyone else who would like to help collect signatures.
  • Possible participation in the 3rd Annual National Vigil for victims of gun violence being sponsored by the Newtown Alliance
  • Plans to reach out to faith-based groups in 2016 were discussed
  • Good news seems hard to find at times but we talked about several developments that are encouraging
  • Midwest Sport Good in Lyon, IL (considered one of the major “Bad Apple” Dealers in the Chicago area has agreed to instate stringent new rules in relation to their gun sales business.
  • Law enforcement in the Moline, IL area personnel have been collecting FOID cards and some firearms from local residents who have lost their gun owning privileges (for committing felonies etc.)
  • Public opinion polls U.S. are continuing to show strong support for background checks
 
 
Our next meeting will be Thursday January 21, 2015
Corner Bakery Café Arlington Heights at Rand and Palatine Road
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, November 18th, the College Outreach and CIR team
 partnered with Nina Sedeño at

Northwestern University
along with the 
Alianza – Latinx Student Alliance
 for an immigration education/reform event titled 
“The UndocuEducation: A discussion on immigration.”
NWSOFA DO / CIR  & ICIRR meet with Northwestern University Students to discuss DACA / DAPA
OFA held it’s first ever Campus Organizing Summit over the summer. It is by far one of the best Campus Organizing Summits in the country. Kym Garnett, NWSOFA College Outreach Co-Lead and Nina Sedeño, Secretary | Alianza – Latinx Student Alliance at Northwestern University, attended the Summit and made a connection immediately and have been working closely on CIR as well as Campus Organizing.
On Wednesday, November 18th, the College Outreach and CIR team partnered with Nina Sedeño at Northwestern University along with the Alianza – Latinx Student Alliance for an immigration education/reform event titled “The UndocuEducation: A discussion on immigration.”  There was a presentation on DACA/DAPA by Cindy Murillo from ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights).

Marlene Rivera, CIR Co-Lead, Kym Garnett and Cindy Murillo spoke on the panel before 30 students explaining where the U.S. stands on immigration as of now, an explanation of President Obama’s executive action, Immigration and the upcoming presidential election and how important immigration will be on this event as well as shedding light on Central America and why people are immigrating.
Kym and Marlene also spoke on how OFA is organizing and educating the public on Immigration Reform. Kathy Carter, NWSOFA Social Media Lead, attended the event as well and kept our members and followers up to date on the evenings event.
NWSOFA and the Alianza – Latinx Student Alliance formed a great partnership. Stay tuned for future organizing efforts between the groups.

The NWSOFA’s
Fiscal and Economic Issues
Had a Great Discussion at the November 
Discussion Group Meeting On Jobs, Deficit and Debt for the US and Illinois at the November 16th meeting.
Click on Image for Larger Vi
Karl Faulstich lead a great discussion as we moved through the Agenda (link below) and the Data and Graphs (also linked below) from the Bureau of Labor Static’s and the Congressional Budget Office latest data. 
 
Other discussions and Deep Dives: Congress raised the debt ceiling at the end of October so that threat is behind us. They also determined total spending for FY’s 2016 and 2017, but have not yet passed the appropriations bills. Therefore, there is still a small threat of a partial shutdown on December 12th, but it is much less likely. We will be discussing this legislation at our 11/16 meeting, as well as updating jobs data through October. The October numbers will come out Friday, November 6th.

Deep Dives into the BLS Jobs reports, the US Budget and Illinois Jobs and stalled Budget..
    • October Jobs Gains 271,000
    • August and September Jobs report had +30,000 new jobs added
    • Unemployment @ 5%
    • Wages are on the uptick

We had a good Start and then..the Streaming Broadcast from Paris was canceled due to the Terrorist assault on Paris….
NWSOFA: “24 HOURS” OF 
REALITY CLIMATE CHANGE BROADCAST
We will Reschedule as Soon as we know when!!
To Be Rescheduled .. Soon!
What makes this such a special event is that right now we will be having a special viewing of the documentary as world leaders are about to head to Paris to create a global climate agreement.
So 24 Hours of Reality is bringing millions of people together all around the world to send a clear message to our leaders and make sure they take action. EVENT DETAILS: When: Friday November 13, 5 ;00 – 8:00 Where: The Arlington Heights Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Hts, IL 60004 Hope to see you there!

Click on the above Image for the full video _ remarks
NWSOFA Leadership Participated in the
OFA Summit Weekend in Washington, D.C.  November 7-9th, 2015 With Keynote Speaker President Barack Obama
This year NWSOFA is represented at the OFA Summit, November 7-9th, 2015 in Washington DC by Kym Garnett, Karl Faulstich, Kathy Carter and Bill Davis.  Activities include seminars on Organizing skills, Meeting with other Chapter Leaders across the US, Exchanging ideas, and on Monday 11/9, a meeting with the Senior Executives of OFA and the President Obama as he explains the administrations efforts on behalf of the Progressive Issues OFA champions.
Even Boo, the Obama’s dog got into the action Welcoming our Social Media Lead, Kathy Carter during our tour of the White House on Saturday prior to the Summit 
 
Boo knew a friendly face as he ran up to Kathy and rolled over to let Kathy rub his belly.

NWSOFA was pleased to participate in the Harper College Student

Involvement Volunteer Fair. 

The NWSOFA College Outreach Team Exhibited a display showing a video promoting all our teams, and publicity for our chapter.
The College Outreach Team explained what OFA is and what we do as a Chapter of OFA.  
 
Great Results.. Over 16 Students signed up to become part of the CO team and expressed interest in getting involved with our other teams. 

“Partner November Events”

Great News from Get Covered Enroll
 
Get Covered Enroll is getting their Call Teams back together every … Every Monday for this short enrollment period from now  thru January!
Every Monday night at Panera and Arlington Heights on Rand Road!  The Get Covered Enroll Team will be making calls from our cell phones, recording information on the computer,  call sheets will be available.
Training starts at 4..calls follow till around 7,or so!
Please RSVP to Chris Ross, cjr60089@gmail, 847-668-4922 or Michael King directly 312 288 5279
Per Chris and Michael…. Hope to see or hear from you one way if you can help this enrollment period!

Current Event Discussion Groups
For those that like Politics
@ Maxfield’s Restaurant in Schaumburg.. 
Second Tuesday of every Month
11/10/15 Area to the Right 
 10 am to 12 noon
Arlington Heights Library 
(meets at the AH Senior Center)
Every Thursday 10 am to 12 noon
 

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Notice: This is a public meeting / event(s) 
 
NWSOFA is a 501(c)4,  
 
non-partisan organization. 
 
All opinions are solely those of NWSOFA
In This Issue

About NWSOFA
QuickView-A49F6DCE9425D079601D1793F2D88B8A In January 2013 we started as a gathering of friends and neighbors from the NW Suburbs who wanted to continue to have impact on the progressive issues we voted for in 2012.This grassroots, bottom up movement spread across the country and sparked the creation of Organizing for Action, OFA National which now has  Chapters all over the country. This is a non-partisan, volunteer organization that focuses on progressive issues we are committed to taking Action on to make a difference locally, statewide and nationally.
NWSOFA’s 1st Issue Team was  right after the tragedy at Sandy Hook. The Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) team felt we needed accurate information and facts, events to teach others and actions we could take to make a difference on pushing for common sense gun violence prevention. That has been our basic format as new issues arose and team developed. We now have the GVP, ACA/Obamacare, Climate Change,Fiscal Issues and Stand with Women Issue Teams.Check out their individual pages to see all the events they have scheduled and to join the teams you want to make a difference with. Other teams are developing such as for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
OFA National coordinates “Days of Action” that Chapters across the country will all do on the same day. Each team also has local events and may work with affiliate organizations i.e. Sierra Club, Al Gore Reality Project, etc. to combine like-minded groups on a local, state or national event.
In this type of organization there are numerous ways you can be involved with the teams and in other roles.
Thanks for stopping and hope you’ll stay and join us.

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NWSOFA “November Events”  In Pictures

NWSOFA GVP (Gun Violence Prevention) Focused on Il Gun Dealers State Licensing on Thursday 11/ 19

NWSOFA Diversity Outreach / Comprehensive Immigration Reform Team Meet on Wednesday 11/18 with Students at Northwestern University to explain DACA and DAPA

NWSOFA Fiscal & Economics Team Reviewed the BLS November Report on Monday 11/16

NWSOFA Climate Change 24 Hr.Climate Reality Projects’ “The World is Watching”

NWSOFA Attendees at a the “White House” Before the Weekend Meetings begin

NWSOFA College Outreach Team Exhibits at Harper College Volunteer Fair
November 5th

NWSOFA Receives the
Jim Hightower
“Community Organizing Award”
from the Greater Palatine Area Democrats (GPAD)

Matt Flam of GPAD Presents the Award to Members of NWSOFA: Bill Davis, Renee Gladstone, Patrick Watson & Harold Whyte

   
It’s time to Act .. It Is Time To Get Involved
Over the years the American Citizens have lost their voices, believing that we can not make a difference.  We have been beat down by the constant droning noise of the conservative right. This onslaught has made us like sheep .. afraid to express our views.  Not anymore!  OFA gives us back our voices and by working together we are making change one issue at a time. Together we can and will make a difference.

Just Click on the Photo to link the NWSOFA e-magazines daily & archived articles 

Thank You to our NWSOFA Issue Leads in 2015
Dan Huntsha Climate
Nikki Gundimeda Stand w/Women

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Contact Information
NWSOFA Co-Leaders Sara Horan & Bill Davis
Phone: 224-241-2012 
email: nws.ofa@gmail.com
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