NWSOFA Indivisible January 2021 Progressive Newsletter

  NEWSLETTER and CALENDAR JANUARY 2021
A Practical Guide to Fixing Our Democracy
Right now we are in a position to enact bold change. Our goal is to unrig the system that has been exploited for last four years.
Since 2016, Indivisible has rolled out a new guide after every major election. Each guide was designed to help understand the ways we could best bring about change at that time.
A lot of things have changed in the past 4 years but we still have our own unique GRASSROOTS POWER to influence our elected officials and heal our democracy. This guide will help show us how.
Here are the highlights:
  • Make the most of a Democratic trifecta: four lessons from 2009. Control in the White House and all of Congress is rare, brief, and requires action. Republicans will work to see that we fail.
  • Fix our democracy. Structural reform is the only way to secure lasting change because it brings us closer to true democracy. Goals: passing the For The People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act, DC statehood, fixing the courts, eliminating the filibuster, and more.
  • Understand your members of Congress and how we can apply pressure accordingly. Get involved at the local level. It is the most effective way for you to be part of the political process and build the power we need to move our priorities.
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We also have planned demonstrations, strategy sessions, and more.
  • The People Lead virtual and in-person events: Congressional recess (the week of January 11), is the perfect time to organize and be heard. It’s our best opportunity to let our MoC’s know that we expect them to do: denounce the president’s actions and draw up articles of impeachment. You can join virtual events or gather safely with other Indivisibles outside of district offices. Check out our events map to find an event near you or register your own event with the help of our The People Lead Toolkit.
  • 1st Strategy Session: A half-day webinar, discussing plans to reform our democracy as we head into a Democratic trifecta! Expect deep dives into prioritizing our new power, highlights of the work that got us to this point and the lessons that will carry us forward. If you thrive in community and want to learn how to make a strategic impact, theis trainings is for you.
  • Date: Sunday, January 31 at 3:00 pm EST — Register here.
The First Test of Our Power is Happening Right Now!
Now is the time for action. Call the House of Representatives to immediately draw up articles of impeachment, move quickly to vote on them, and send them to the Senate for a speedy trial, where *rump must be convicted and disqualified from ever holding federal office again. Click here right now to call your members of Congress and tell them it’s time to impeach, convict and disqualify.
We know that “healing” does not equal “compromise.” The Georgia Senate runoffs showed us what we can accomplish with organizing on the ground to motivate voters. Hard work by grassroots activists made this victory possible.
We have a mandate, and it’s time to act and we need to act NOW!
In solidarity,
Indivisible Team
This is an original email from INDIVISIBLE modified for this format
NWSOFA – INDIVISIBLE
UPCOMING EVENTS
SCHEDULED EVENTS FOR JANUARY 2021
  • JAN 12 –  DFPT Fundraiser
  • JAN 13 – NWSOFA Indivisible Fiscal and Economic Issue Team December Meeting 7 pm
  • JAN 18 – MLK Day of Service from Presidential Inauguration Committee
  • JAN 19 – NWSOFA Indivisible SWW – Monthly Meeting 7 PM details TBA
  • JAN 21 – NWSOFA Indivisible Gun Violence Prevention Issues Team Planning Meeting 7:00 pm
  • JAN 26 – NWSOFA Indivisible Climate Change Team Topic: Focus on Railroad Transportation of HAZARDOUS GOODS, With Special Guests @ 7 PM
  • JAN 28 – NWSOFA Indivisible  Restore Our Democracy TBA

TAKE OUT TUESDAY FUNDRAISER

for Democrats for Palatine Township Board

TUESDAY JAN. 12 from 5 to 7 PM

A new year is a chance for a new start.

Democrats for Palatine Township are running to flip the township blue in the April 6 elections. They want to expand the reach of the food pantry and expand services to all residents, including younger residents and minorities.

You can help by donating to their Take Out Tuesday Fundraiser on Jan. 12 at Salsa Street!

Candidates will bring your order to your car.

NWSOFA Indivisible Fiscal and Economic Issue Team
December Meeting
December 13 @ 7 pm
BONUS: Watch the 15 minute Presentation “US Economy Performs far Better under Democratic Presidents (Truman to D *rump)”
The US continues to be in a deep downturn, down over nine (9) million jobs versus the pre-recession peak. This is still down more jobs than any time since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.
David and Karl will give an update on the economy (jobs, real GDP growth) and the fiscal situation for FY 2021 and future years, including the recent budget deal and its Covid relief/stimulus.
Today’s employment report from the BLS showed a loss of 140,000 jobs in December.
In December we started the meeting with a comparison of economic performance under Democratic and Republican presidents since WW II.
You can watch a fifteen minute video of this presentation at https://www.facebook.com/nwsofa/videos/1317720485244752/
The PowerPoint slides for this initial presentation are at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SXgItvf8lHpMA5C-OMIMPtd3YI8Z1ku1/view?usp=sharing
The PowerPoint slides for the longer fiscal and economic update at our December meeting are at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zF9UKw80iBmAqvIee0EjJuPz_hL4YL1t/view?usp=sharing
We will post a draft of the PowerPoint for our January meeting after the employment numbers are published.
Come and join us for this discussion.
Karl Faulstich
(m) 773-991-6587
MLK Day of Service from Presidential Inauguration Committee
January 18
MLK Day of Service from Presidential Inauguration Committee
In just a few short weeks, we’ll come together to celebrate the new Biden-Harris administration –– an administration focused on unity and empathy. Help us to demonstrate our values and honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by hosting a service event in your community.
Service events can be simple and still impactful. They can take many forms, like a virtual care package making party, or a virtual fundraiser for a local organization supporting those who have been particularly impacted by the virus.
Interested in hosting an event in your area and wanted to find out more? Join a Midwest Day of Service organizing meeting, where you can learn about the types of service events you might put on, how to submit your event, and some ways to recruit for your event once it’s ready to go.
If you already have an event in mind, you can get started by submitting it here. We still strongly encourage you to join an organizing meeting!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Thank you for your leadership! We’re excited to work with you.
Warmly,
Andrew Sacks
Presidential Inaugural Committee National Day of Service
Illinois Volunteer State Lead
NWSOFA Indivisible SWW – Monthly Meeting
JAN 19 @ 7 PM
TBA
NWSOFA Indivisible Gun Violence Prevention
January 21 @ 7:00 pm
There are no words to adequately respond to the tragic death of George Floyd and to the 1000 other individuals who have lost their lives to police violence in 2020.
As a Gun Violence Prevention Issues Team, we stand in solidarity with those peacefully protesting and calling for an end to police violence and calling for comprehensive police reform and an end to systemic racism.
And just like the public health crisis of Covid-19, we know that racism and gun violence are at epidemic levels in the U.S. and all intersect in a space where our individual and collective voices of protest and action can make a difference to bring a change in our laws to ensure that equality, justice and peace is experienced by everyone.
So – because of Newtown in 2012 and Parkland in 2018 – and now because of the worldwide protests to end police violence and dismantle systemic racism, the NWSOFA GVP Issues group, currently in its seventh year, has re-committed itself to become even more relentless advocates of change and action.
We are determined to change the conversation surrounding gun violence in America no matter where it occurs, change the hearts of people we encounter through a spirit of volunteerism and kindness and take action to change the laws to create safer communities for every family in America.
The GVP Issue team educates by having periodic informational meetings, collaborates with coalition non-partisan groups, such as local faith communities and Moms Demand Action and takes action by supporting the efforts of our youth and March for Our Lives and by recruiting legislators to build support for commonsense gun violence prevention legislation.
In addition, our GVP Team celebrates the success that has been achieved in America – because of Parkland – in changing the conversation around gun violence prevention. We also celebrate the fact that Gov. Pritzker signed, in January 2019, the law that requires a certification process for gun dealers in Illinois. We know from the research that this law will definitely help to save lives, including the lives of our police officers everywhere – the majority of whom we acknowledge conduct themselves with a spirit of honor, dedication and service to their communities.
And we continue to work to strengthen background checks and raise community awareness through hosting vigils, using social media, writing letters to the editor and handing out fliers.
Until our days of social distancing are over, we will hold one hour video conference meetings on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Registration is required to receive a link and password to join the meeting since the “seating” on Zoom is limited to 100.
Please join us! We know that by uniting and working together we can make a difference. . In the June 2020 Indivisible post, I included this quote from Charlie Beck, the author of the April 15, 2020, Tribune article, who said, “Unite to end gun violence as you have united to slow the coronovirus.” If we do, we can end “gun violence in the same way…..flatten the curve.”
Yet tragically today, nearly nine months later, the curve no longer shows signs of flattening anytime soon. In fact, that curve continues upward at an alarming speed. And gun violence in Chicago has been increasing, too.
For those of us who agree with the experts who see both Covid-19 and gun violence as public health issues, we also agree with those who see the impact of the pandemic and gun violence on communities of color as part of underlying issues of systemic racism. But once we take a truly holistic look at these issues – and unite and work together – we then will be able to take the necessary steps and move closer to reaching our goal of creating safer and more equitable communities for all Americans.
Link to event information: http://www.nwsofa.org/
NWSOFA Indivisible Climate Change
Topic: Focus on Railroad Transportation of
HAZARDOUS GOODS
With Special Guests
January 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
This Month we feature a discussion on railroad transportation of dangerous goods including oil trains and other hazardous goods transported through our rails, roads, and air.
Moderator Gerri Songer will host:
  • Bruce Campbell (formerly with Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives),
  • Investigative Journalist Justin Mikulka, and
  • Railroad Workers Union representatives Mark Burrows and Fritz Edler.
Topic: Fossil fuels transported on rail and truck are directly connected to the climate crisis.
The January meeting on Climate Change issues will feature a discussion on railroad transportation of dangerous goods including oil trains and other hazardous goods transported through our rails, roads, and air. Moderator Gerri Songer will host Bruce Campbell (formerly with Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives), Investigative Journalist Justin Mikulka, and Railroad Workers Union representatives Mark Burrows and Fritz Edler. Fossil fuels transported on rail and truck are directly connected to the climate crisis. Please join us.
JUSTIN MIKULKA is an investigative journalist for the independent news and research organization DeSmog and author of the book, Bomb Trains: How Industry Greed and Regulatory Failure Put the Public at Risk. For the past five years, Justin has reported on the growing threat of explosive oil and ethanol trains in North America. Mikulka holds a degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University. He currently lives in Trumansburg, New York.
For Purchase on Amazon
BRUCE CAMPBELL is a former Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, one of Canada’s leading independent think tanks. Author of The Lac-Mégantic Rail Disaster: Public Betrayal, Justice Denied, Campbell also wrote three major reports and a number of media commentaries on the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster, in which he chronicles the history of regulatory and managerial failure that made the Lac- Mégantic wreck invisible and which drives the increasingly risky industry that hasn’t learned any of the lessons revealed there.
Please join us. Everyone Welcome!
SAVE THE DATE!
JAN 28 DETAILS TBA
DETAILS TBA
LIVE STREAM DECEMBER’S VIRTUAL INTERFAITH #ENDGUNVIOLENCE VIGIL..
ANYTIME (CLICK ON IMAGE)
“Coffee & Conversation/Breakfast Club”
with NWSOFA every weekday @ 9 AM in JANUARY
Start your mornings off with Coffee and Conversations with the Northwest Suburbs Organizing for Action – An Indivisible Chapter. Join us, bring your favorite coffee, tea and /or snack and your smile. There will be no agenda so we will use the time to reconnect. Open Mic – all are welcome!
Open Office” hours with NWSOFA.. 1-2 pm M-F
Open Office” hours with NWSOFA. M-F
New “Open-Office” from 1 pm- 2pm is open: a place for leaders to drop in and talk about the issues teams / communications efforts ..
NWSOFA – INDIVISIBLE HAPPY HOUR!
EVERY FRIDAY IN DECEMBER @ 5:00 PM
JUST FOR FUN, join us every Friday at 5:00 PM for our weekly “Friday Happy Hour”. Join us, bring your favorite beverage and your smile. There will be no agenda so we will use the time to reconnect and refresh.
NWSOFA – INDIVISIBLE FUND RAISER
We have our ACT BLUE account back! So you can quickly and easily DONATE to NWSOFA-Indivisible!
Begin donating today to help us make this country and the World a better place to live.
Revisit and Review past meeting videos of NWSOFA programs on our youtube.com Channel
at:
Podcast – Conversation Z:
a new SM targeted approach
All Episodes are available to stream.
Conversation Z was heard in 90 countries and every continent, except Antarctica.
GREAT NEWS!!!!! Justin was selected into a DNC Cohort (Communications Segment) and will be in training 1/11 – 3/2021 or 4/2021. Congratulations, Justin!!!
Listen on Spotify:
IN THE BOOKS-RECENT EVENTS
  • DEC 1 – NWSOFA Indivisible – Stand With Women Victory Celebration @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • DEC 1 – NWSOFA & Indivisible Illinois weekly GA Twitterstorm events via Zoom @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • DEC 1 – 29 – NWSOFA Indivisible SWW – “Get out the vote in Georgia” to control the Senate! POSTCARDS
  • DEC 2 – NWSOFA Indivisible – National Day of Action Call-A-Thons for Georgia @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  • DEC 3 – NWSOFA Indivisible Restore Our Democracy @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • DEC 5 – NWSOFA Indivisible Gun Violence Prevention Teach Partner Event: Survivor of Gun Violence Reconciliation Event @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • DEC 8 – NWSOFA Indivisible the 2020 Nationwide Vigils/Events to #EndGunViolence
  • DEC 15 – NWSOFA Indivisible Gun Violence Prevention Team Vigil Honoring Sandy Hook in Partnership with Chicago Survivors, First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, and Moms Demand Action – time TBD
  • JAN 2 – NWSOFA Indivisible Gun Violence Prevention Teach Partner Event: Survivor of Gun Violence Reconciliation Event @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • JAN 4 – NWSOFA & Indivisible Illinois weekly GA Twitterstorm events via Zoom @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • JAN 5 – NWSOFA & Indivisible Illinois are inviting you to our GA Twitterstorm event via Zoom
Notice: These are public meeting(s) / event(s)
NWSOFA is a 501(c)4,  non-partisan organization.
All opinions are solely those of NWSOFA
NWSOFA ORGANIZATION CHART NWSOFA Issue Leads 2019