President's weekly address: Global cooperation needed on world's problems

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the multitude of problems and opportunities before the world through the prism of Passover and Easter.

"These are two very different holidays with their own very different traditions. But it seems fitting that we mark them both during the same week. For in a larger sense, they are both moments of reflection and renewal. They are both occasions to think more deeply about the obligations we have to ourselves and the obligations we have to one another, no matter who we are, where we come from, or what faith we practice."

If you cannot see the video screen above, the video is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/11/Weekly-Address-Passover-and-Easter/.

April's second 'Call to Action': Help us build a playground for Lemoore in one day

Our second Call to Action opportunity this month offers Volunteers for Change-Fresno members the opportunity to help build a playground in Lemoore, start to finish, in a single day.

Sponsored by Hands On Central California, Kaboom!, California Volunteers, the City of Lemoore and other organizations, this effort is designed to honor the life and values of Cesar Chavez by having our groups join forces to build a new, state-of-the-art playground for children living there.

The event is scheduled 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the build site in Lemoore. Volunteers will receive on-site training, an event T-shirt, and morning and afternoon meals. Be advised the time and date for this opportunity are nearly identical to those of the Generation Green Earth Day event, so interested volunteers will need to choose which of the events they want to join.

V4CF member Tim Savage has volunteered to act as our 'Call to Action' coordinator on this activity. To participate, contact him via e-mail as soon as possible. Tim will provide our list of participating volunteers to the event's director, and will assist those participants in arranging carpooling to the event early that day.

V4CF invited to participate in Earth Day restoration 'Call to Action'

Fresh from our successes with last month's community garden project, Rally in the Valley and Call your Representatives activities, Volunteers for Change-Fresno members discussed four possible Calls to Action for April. And with each of the possible Actions receiving wide initial interest from the meeting's attendees, we decided this month not to limit ourselves.

So, if you're interested in Call to Action opportunities, April may be a busy month for you.

The first Call to Action opportunity is called the Generation Green Earth Day event, scheduled April 25. In this event, V4CF members will collaborate with Hands On Central California and several other community organizations in conducting an environmental restoration project, getting down and dirty in replanting native species, removing non-native plants, removing debris and enhancing the habitat.

Cathy Caples, executive director of Hands On Central California, invites all V4CF members to join in this effort. Cathy said participants need not bring any special tools or equipment; just a healthy work ethic and a sense of respect and admiration for our environment to this Earth Day effort.

The kickoff is scheduled 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the San Joaquin River Parkway River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road in Fresno. To participate, download the flier, then call Hands On at (559) 237-3101 to register. Please be sure to identify yourself as a Volunteers for Change member when you call.

We're also looking for someone to shoot video and take photos at the Generation Green Earth Day event. If you're willing and able, please let us know.

The propositions are coming May 19; Wanna phone bank?

With California's six budget propositions on the ballot May 19, member James Williams invites V4CF members to take action early by undertaking an activity many of us performed during the Obama campaign: phone banking. From James:

We talked about the six budget propositions at our meeting; let's do something about them now. Let's have phone banks on the weekends starting in two weeks.

We would need:

• An event lead, to get the entire effort under way and moving forward;
• A phone banking host, willing to host callers most likely at the host's home;
• Volunteers equipped with their own cell phones; and
• A script and a call list.

People would bring their own cell phones and chargers, and the host would let us know how many callers they could host at their house. Refreshments could be done as a snack-food potluck.

The lead on this project could develop the script, and we would use the Voter Activation Network (VAN) software -- the same stuff we used in the Obama election -- to enter in the phone bank results and pull the "voters to call" list.

Two weeks is enough time to get the phone list developed and host homes picked. Phone bank volunteers would be familiar with the issues by then. Goals could be set for each phone bank site and a good time will be had by all.

Respect the people enough to ask for their vote, Empower them with information on the issues and Include them in the democratic process by getting them to vote, just like we did in the Obama campaign.

Interested in helping, or calling, or leading this project? Contact V4CF member James Williams via e-mail. And right away, too... May 19 will be here sooner than we think.

Volunteers needed for 'Meet in the Middle' rally, coming soon

From our member James Williams comes this:

Meet in the Middle 4 Equality, a Fresno-based group seeking marriage equality in California and across the United States, is seeking volunteers to help in signing in people who attend its rally in downtown Fresno, scheduled the Saturday after the California Supreme Court announces its ruling on Proposition 8.

Because it's currently unknown exactly when this ruling will come, Meet in the Middle is looking for volunteers who can be ready to go on a moment's notice. Or as they put it, "The announcement will be a very last-minute thing, so sleep with your tennis shoes on."

If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Meet in the Middle's lead organizer Robin McGehee; Robin can be reached at (559) 287-9670 or via e-mail.

Want more information about Meet in the Middle or its mission? Visit their website at http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com.

'Survey Says': Members respond to 'Time, Date and Tech' survey

Many thanks to all Volunteers for Change-Fresno members who took the time to respond to our recent 'Time, Date and Tech' online survey. In it, we asked what would be the best days, weeks and times for our regular monthly meetings, and also inquired as to which forms of Internet technology our members are most comfortable using.

The results?

• Tuesdays are the preferred night for our meetings, but members responding also showed good support for meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. This will provide V4CF more flexibility in scheduling our regular monthly get-togethers.
  

• When asked "Which week of the month is best for a meeting," our members overwhelmingly chose "No preference" over the first, second, third or fourth weeks of the month. Again, this choice will provide us extra flexibility in securing meeting rooms.
  

• Members answering the survey chose our current meeting time (7-8:30 p.m.) over the other options provided.
  
  
• Our members are most comfortable utilizing websites and e-mail for their communications with V4CF, and are willing to embrace Internet-based video sites like YouTube for communication with V4CF as well. The other technological options presented, including social networks like Facebook and podcasts, showed only "niche" support in our survey.

The survey results will be used to improve our communications with our members. Again, many thanks to all who participated!

A primer on the six budget propositions

At our recent meeting, V4CF members Ruth Afifi and James Williams presented a primer on the six budget propositions California voters will decide during a special election May 19.

Here is the primer they presented:

Proposition 1A: Changes the California budget process and limits state spending. Increases the "Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund. Implements a spending cap based on the rate of growth from the last 10 years. If approved, it would extend the length of the taxes approved by the Legislature.

Proposition 1B Education Funding: Changes the state's education funding law -- Proposition 98 -- for supplemental education payments to local districts due to recent budget cuts.

Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act: Borrows from future lottery earnings to balance the state budget.

Proposition ID Children's Services Funding: Takes money from the First 5 Commissions -- aka Proposition 10 funds for early childhood education and other programs -- to help balance the state budget.

Proposition IE Mental Health Services Funding: Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget. Takes money from the Mental Health Services Act -- aka Proposition 63 funds -- to help balance the budget.

Proposition 1F Elected Officials' Salaries: Prevents state-level elected officials from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.

Ruth also shared a position document from the League of Women Voters California, in which the organization states its position on each of the budget propositions. While Volunteers for Change-Fresno has not yet taken an official position on these propositions, because it was presented at our meeting we wanted to make League of Women Voters' position document available all of our members, especially those who could not attend. So, here it is:

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDS
MAY 19, 2009 SPECIAL ELECTION

PROP 1A Restrictions on State Budget Process
OPPOSE

Prop 1A is touted by its proponents as the way to bring stability to the state budget process: However, it would actually make it more difficult for future governors and legislatures to enact budgets that meet California's needs and address state priorities. It would amend the state Constitution to dictate restrictions on the use of funds put into the reserve and limit how "unanticipated" revenues can be used in good years. It could lock in a reduced level of public services by not taking proper account of the state's changing demographics and actual growth in costs. Prop 1A would also give future governors new power to make budget cuts without legislative oversight. Like the other propositions opposed by the League on this ballot, Prop 1A came from a deeply flawed process that resulted in measures written in haste and without public input or analysis. The League would support real budget reform, but we regretfully conclude that this measure would only make things worse. Most of its provisions would not take effect for two years; we should spend that time working on real budget reform.

PROP 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan
NEUTRAL

This measure requires the state to make $9.3 billion in supplemental payments to K-14 education over approximately five to six years beginning in 2011-12. This funding is intended to address uncertainty about what the Proposition 98 school funding guarantee requires. The League supports full funding of public education and believes that making up for the devastating cuts of recent years must be a priority. Prop 1B is not needed, however, and even if passed by the voters, it would take effect only if Prop 1A is also passed. The legislature has the power to restore funding to education in a more straightforward way that is not tied to Prop 1A.

PROP 1C Lottery-Based Borrowing
OPPOSE

This measure makes changes in state lottery operations intended to increase its profitability and allows the state to issue $5 billion in bonds that are "securitized" by future lottery profits. The lottery would no longer be a source of revenue for education, and the state General Fund would be required to make up for the loss to education of lottery funds. League positions on long-term financing anticipate the use of bonds for capital improvements, not borrowing, and call for prudent consideration of debt levels within the budget. In light of California's poor credit rating and the state of the economy, these bonds may have to be sold at interest rates very unfavorable to the state, if indeed they can be sold at all. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office says that in the long term, lottery profits probably would not cover the higher payments to education required by Prop 1C.

PROP 1D Diverting Children's Services Funding
OPPOSE

This proposition would redirect tobacco tax funds reserved for First 5 early childhood programs by Proposition 10 (passed in 1998) to the state General Fund. $608 million would be diverted in 2009-10 and $268 million a year for the following four years, creating the illusion that more revenues are available. In reality, Prop 1D raids these funds in the short term in order to pay for some services, while taking funding away from other services. It also includes unnecessary provisions, such as new county baseline funding levels unrelated to population needs. We oppose this stopgap measure.

PROP 1E Diverting Mental Health Services Funding
OPPOSE

For the next two years, Proposition 1E would redirect about $230 million a year from the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to the state General Fund to replace state funding for an existing screening, diagnosis and treatment program. As with Prop 1D, it raids existing programs to create temporary "savings," but makes less money available for some services. It may even result in the loss of federal matching funds. The League opposes this short-sighted measure.

PROP 1F Elected Officials' Salaries
NO POSITION

Because League positions do not cover the issues in Proposition 1F, "Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years," the LWVC is taking no stand on this.

Any thoughts on this, V4CF members? We want to hear from you. Please post your thoughts and opinions by clicking "Comments." In the meantime, stay tuned to the Action Blog for more information about the May 19 propositions.

Action opportunities presented at April 7 Volunteers for Change-Fresno meeting

Approximately 35 members traveled through rain and thunder to attend the regular Volunteers For Change-Fresno meeting, held April 7 at the Fig Garden Library in northwest Fresno.

After participating in a quick "getting to know you" exercise, the group reviewed the six upcoming budget-related propositions voters will decide during a special election scheduled Tuesday, May 19.

Our end-of-meeting announcements included information about several political and volunteer opportunities, all of which invite V4CF members to participate. Click any of the following links to download more information:

• April 17: The Fresno State College Democrats are sponsoring an evening titled "A New Era and New Beginnings," where they will present their 2009-10 plan for Fresno State and the city.
  

• April 25: Hands On Central California is among the sponsors of the Generation Green Earth Day event, a local environmental restoration project. Participants will be involved in replanting native species and removal of non-native plants, debris removal and habitat enhancement.The kickoff event is scheduled 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the San Joaquin River Parkway River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road in Fresno.
  

Our group discussed several Calls to Action, many of which are scheduled around Earth Day, and also heard a presentation from Cathy Caples, Executive Director of Hands On Central California, who spoke to V4CF about possible collaboration on volunteer projects. Watch the Action Blog for more information on these opportunities, coming soon.

Credo Action sponsors petition aimed at reducing carbon emissions

From our member Connie Peterson comes an opportunity to show support for action on reducing carbon emissions:

Representatives of the coal, utility and auto industries in the Senate have refused to exercise leadership on climate change. It's time for President Obama to use his executive power through the Environmental Protection Agency and take action on global warming.

On Wednesday, 26 Democrats joined Republicans in the Senate and voted to ensure that the filibuster will be used to block any meaningful climate legislation this year. The rule passed prohibits Congress from using the budget reconciliation process to pass real action on climate. Any truly effective bill will surely suffer death by filibuster because there are more than 40 Senators committed to deferring any real action on climate change that would threaten the coal, oil, and auto industries.

The betrayal by 26 Democrats on one of the most important issues of our time is deeply disappointing. However, President Obama doesn't need Congress' help to take a very important step: Regulating carbon. By establishing a "price point" for dirty fuels, alternatives can be moved to market more competitively and more expediently.

Fortunately, on March 20 the Obama Administration's EPA finally submitted a long-awaited "endangerment finding" to the White House. Now with this finding, President Obama can order the EPA to reduce carbon emissions, including those from coal burning utilities. With Congress dragging its feet on progress, the time for President Obama to act is now.

Sign Credo Action's petition today to ask President Obama to approve the EPA endangerment finding and reduce carbon emissions now.

President Obama's weekly address: The challenges of our time

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

In this week’s address, President Obma discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face. Recapping his trip, though, it is clear just how much opportunity lies in reshaping America’s relationships around the world.

On everything from turning our economy around -- which shed hundreds of thousands more jobs last month -- to ending the threat of nuclear arms, President Obama said, "The only way forward is through shared and persistent efforts to combat fear and want wherever they exist."