Next Meeting--Monday, January 9, 2012

Monday, January 9 • 7 p.m.
V4CF monthly meeting at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw. Speaker will be advocate for Single Payer healthcare extraordinaire, Rose Roach. If you have not heard and seen her excellent presentation on WHY AND HOW SINGLE PAYER IN CA, this is one meeting you will not want to miss! This is the vital bookend presentation to the Health Care Justice tour many enjoyed last month. Rose hails from Stockton with an important, well presented, articulate and passionate message on this subject.

Next Meeting--Monday, December 12, 2011

Volunteers for Change-Fresno will hold its annual holiday potluck on Monday, December 12th. Bring a main dish, side dish, salad, or dessert and enjoy the company of V4CF members. Contact Connie Peterson at c.peterson8784@sbcglobal.net or Nancy Griesser at nancyg@mail.fresnostate.edu for location information.

Stop Hidden Influence of Big Money with AB 1148, the California DISCLOSE Act

V4CF member Connie Peterson has become the Coordinator for the Fresno County Working Group to help pass AB 1148.

First Meeting:
Tuesday, October 25 from 6:30-8 PM

Round Table Pizza at 775 W. Herndon (NE corner at Willow).

Special Guest Trent Lange, President of California Clean Money Campaign will share the latest developments and help with local outreach plans for endorsements, petitions, and letting the public know about this important legislation.

AB 1148 must be out of the state Assembly by the end of January. It is vital to show a huge amount of grassroots support to get it through, and now is the time to build enough local support to make sure this happens.

For more information go to CAclean.org or email:

Fresno-info@CAclean.org.

Next Meeting--Mon., Oct. 10, 2011

At our October 10 meeting, Michael D. Evans, Chair of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee, will share the many positions open on boards and commissions that some of us may be interested in filling. We'll also enjoy a recap of the very successful progressive forum featuring Jim Hightower that V4CP co-sponsored on Oct. 1st and learn which "next steps" are being proposed. Remember to bring information and handouts about upcoming actions and opportunities to share during "Around the Table."

Join us at 7 pm at the University of California Center, 550 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno, across from Fashion Fair Shopping Center, next to the Men's Wearhouse.

As Jim Hightower suggests for a new bumper sticker: "Don't be a Bystander. Be a Stander-Upper!" See you at the Oct. meeting!

JIM HIGHTOWER TO SPEAK HERE ON SAT., OCT. 1ST

Fiery, humorous, no-holds-barred, former Texas ag commissioner, syndicated columnist and national radio commentator, editor of the Hightower Lowdown newsletter, and author of seven books, including national best seller Thieves in High Places -- They've Stolen Our Country and It's Time to Take It Back Jim Hightower is coming to Fresno on Sat., October 1, 2011. Sponsored by Volunteers for Change-Fresno, the Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee of Fresno, the Community Alliance, the Central Valley Progressive Pac, Fresno Mental Health Services, and the Central Valley-Sierra Progressives, Hightower will be the keynote speaker for "Strengthening Our Voice-Bringing Valley Progressives Together" Saturday afternoon and will be the guest of honor at a dinner that evening.

"Strengthening Our Voice-Bringing Valley Progressives Together"
Saturday, October 1, 2011
1-4 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno
Suggested donation $10.00

"Evening dinner with Jim Hightower"
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Arte Americas
1630 Van Ness Ave., Fresno
Cost: $50.00 per person

RSVP by submitting contact information and check made
payable to Fresno MHS to
Fresno MHS, P.O. Box 842, Fresno, CA 93712-0842
Questions? Contact Connie at 559-325-8941.

MAY 21ST COMMUNITY FOOD BANK DATE CANCELLED

Due to a lack of funding to buy food, The Community Food Bank has cancelled the Saturday Sort Day for May. More information regarding the June Saturday Sort Day will be made available soon.

Important V4CF Action Sat., April 16, 2011

America is not broke--the problem is unregulated greed! 83 of America's 100 richest corporations, including Bank of America, pay NO income tax. Yet they use our common good--roads, railways, and airports to distribute their products; police and firemen to protect their facilities; schools to educate their workforce...etc.! If you are not okay with this, let your voice join with others to be heard on:

Saturday, April 16 10 am to noon
Bank of America, 590 E. Shaw,
across of Fashion Fair Shopping Center

The theme is "WE PAID OUR TAXES, WHAT ABOUT YOU?" Some signs will be provided but feel free to bring signs, too. Go to www.USuncut.org for more information on this true grassroots movement. This action is sponsored locally by Volunteers for Change-Fresno, http://v4cf.blogspot.com. For additional information, please contact Connie Peterson at (559) 325-8941.

Next Meeting--Monday, April 11, 2011

The April Volunteers for Change-Fresno meeting will bring not one, but TWO changes.

First, we'll be meeting in a new location--the UC Center on E. Shaw, across from Fashion Fair Shopping Center. The address is 550 E Shaw Ave., Suite 100, Fresno, 93710--nearly midway between N. Fresno and N. 1st Sts, on the north side of E. Shaw. On site, follow the arrows to the meeting room.

Second, for this meeting only, we're changing the date to a Monday evening. So the meeting date will be Monday, April 11, 2011. Please mark your calendars now!

We're very fortunate to have Dr. Jeffrey Cummins, Fresno State political science professor, as our guest speaker. Using an outstanding power-point presentation, he'll explain the California budget process to us and engage us in lively discussion on how we can positively affect what's included in the next CA budget.

We hope to see you at this important meeting in our new location. New location, different night of the week--after all, aren't we all about change?!

Volunteer for Earth Day--Sat., April 9th

SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2011 8:00AM - 1:00PM

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a day of serving our community and our environment. HandsOn Central California is sponsoring this Earth Day Celebration at the San Joaquin River Parkway and is looking for 185 volunteers. Projects will include: river cleanup, habitat enhancement, trail improvement & restoration. The event will kick off with a Pancake Breakfast at the River Parkway.

Here’s how to get involved:

1 Sign up with HandsOn through the link in the attached flyer. (They need to track numbers.)

2 Sign up with Wendy Negri, the V4CF coordinator, by emailing her at wnegri@att.net to let her know you are going to participate or if you have questions. We may arrange carpools.

3 Show up April 9^th at 8:00 at 11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno 93730 for sign in, breakfast & job assignment.

4 Wear long pants, sturdy shoes & your V4CF t-shirt, can bring own gardening gloves if want but some will be provided. Tools will be provided.

5 Enjoy camaraderie & breakfast with your fellow earth stewards.

Next Meeting Tues., March 8

Join us on Tues., March 8, to learn more about the California budget, threats to women's rights, and possible June ballot initiatives. We're also working on a forum that will bring Fresno County progressives together so our collective voices will be heard. Attend the meeting and help us plan for the future! Please see meeting details in box above.

MLK MARCH ON MONDAY JANUARY 17

This coming Monday Volunteers for Change-Fresno members will once
again carry the V4CF banner in the march honoring Martin Luther
King, Jr. Members are encouraged to participate!

• Date: Mon., Jan. 17, 2011
• Place: Gather for the parade at St. John’s Cathedral,
  2814 Mariposa St. (at R St.)
• Time: 9:15 am

Parade starts at 10 am, pauses at City Hall, and ends at
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium.

Depending on the weather, consider wearing V4CF t-shirts and
members are also encouraged to bring musical instruments (kazoos,
recorders, tambourines, drums, bells) to accompany marchers singing
"We Shall Overcome." Donations for the Community Food Bank
(non-perishable food or checks) are also encouraged.