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.

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.

Water Issues film series begins tonight, July 7

At last night's Volunteers For Change-Fresno general meeting, V4CF Water Team leader Dr. Bob Merrill invited all members to learn more about the history of water issues by attending a six-part Water Film series, sponsored by the Valley Water Consortium and the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno.

The series begins with 'The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?,' a documentary about the Southwest's history of conflict over water, and how that situation will only get worse unless the conflicts between population, agriculture, and environmental needs are balanced. 'American Southwest' is scheduled 7 p.m. today, July 7, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. in Fresno.Admission to all films in the series is free.

The series continues until Aug. 11, with the following films:

• July 14- Chinatown – The movie (Rated R)
• July 21- Cadillac Desert – How LA stole the Owens River
• July 28- A Land Between Rivers – (Fresno County)
• Aug. 4- Tales of the San Joaquin and Cadillac Desert – Part 3 (The San Joaquin Valley)
• Aug. 11- FLOW (Global Privatization of Water)

The film series "is meant to improve our understanding of water and its related issues and to provoke thoughtful conversation and discussion based on facts,' according to the event's sponsors. "To succeed at this goal, discussion leaders will try to focus the discussions and attempt to make certain that varying perspectives are heard."

For more information, call (559) 434-8046 or (559) 313-7674.

Who we are, and what we're all about

So... what is Volunteers For Change-Fresno? Who are we? And what are we all about? This 'get fired up' video from our Election Day Anniversary celebration should explain things.



Want to join us? You can join V4CF through this online form, or by sending us an an e-mail message. The cost is only time and passion; the payback is the Change you demand.

Primary election the topic of June V4CF meeting

The June 8 primary election will be the primary topic (no pun intended) of our next Volunteers For Change-Fresno meeting, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, in the large community room of the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

At the meeting, members and guests will be invited to share their own views on the candidates running for various offices in the primary, the ballot propositions, and more. We'll also have brief presentations on GOTV efforts, Pride Day, and our usual bevy of volunteer opportunities.

Our usual fun and camaraderie will be included, of course, at no extra charge. We hope to see you there!

Several V4CF members to participate in 'Day of Action' May 22

Now as you know, Volunteers For Change-Fresno is not in the business or endorsing specific candidates; instead, we tend to focus on specific issues and on volunteer activities.

Still, we'd have to be living under a rock to somehow miss that the California Primary Elections are just days away, scheduled Tuesday, June 8. And since we're indeed living but see no granite, shale or marble above our collective heads, we did want to pass along word about an activity in which several Volunteers For Change-Fresno members plan to participate.

The event? It's called 'Day of Action,' and it'll involve precinct walking and phone banking in support of three local candidates friendly to our positions on our core issues. Scheduled 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 'Day of Action' will allow volunteers to hit the streets in support of:

• Henry T. Perea, running for State Assembly District 31;
• Cynthia Sterling, running for Board of Supervisors District 1; and
• Oliver Baines, running for Fresno City Council District 3, who's spoken with V4CF on several occasions about both his candidacy and the annual Santa's Village event.

At the 'Day of Action,' each candidate is scheduled speak about the issues in their respective campaigns beginning at 11 a.m. An afternoon of phone banking and precinct walking for each of the candidates will follow, with a ‘Thank You Barbecue’ for participating volunteers scheduled at 3 p.m. To join in the Day of Action, RSVP by calling (559) 447-2578.

In the meantime, if there's a candidate's event for which you'd like to invite V4CF members' participation, send us the details at v4cfresno@yahoo.com.

Generation Green 2010 Report

On April 24th, Erik Nodacker and Kris Arden participated in Generation Green 2010 sponsored by Hands On Central California. The event kick-off took place at 8:00am at Woodward Park.

Kris and Erik worked on a milk thistle removal project with the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust at the Jensen River Ranch. Despite the heat, prickly plants, and bugs, Kris and Erik enjoyed the event.

While working on the project, they noticed many large red beetles in the field. The project leader told them that the beetles were an endangered beetle called Elderberry Beetles. The plot of land we cleared has been set aside to help restore plant species native, such as the elderberry plant, to the San Joaquin River area.

After the event, Erik and Kris enjoyed eating a well-deserved frozen yogurt at the shopping center across the street from Woodward Park.

Join V4CF at 'Earth Day' events April 24

As announced at our general meeting April 6, Volunteers For Change-Fresno invites it members to participate in a pair of Earth Day events scheduled Saturday, April 24.

In the first event, 'Generation Green 2010,' participants will help with several environmental restoration projects near the Jensen River Ranch, helping to rid the area of invasive species and restore the area. To participate, meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at Woodward Park in Fresno for the Generation Green kickoff event. Participants will leave from there with their 'restoration parties' and head to the Jensen River Ranch. For more information or to volunteer, contact Kris Arden at kkarden@yahoo.com or (559) 978-1736. Wear your boots and your 'Volunteers For Change-Fresno' t-shirts, and count on getting dirty.

The second event, 'Fresno Earth Day 2010,' will feature speakers, live music, kid's activities, workshops, demonstrations and more, all designed to help people learn more about environmental sustainability and environmental justice. Sponsored by Fresno Pacific University, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno and GreenFresno.org, the event is scheduled 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. in Clovis. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Scenes from Sunday's Peace and Justice Festival

The Volunteers For Change-Fresno booth was indeed a busy place at this year's Peace and Justice Festival, held Sunday, March 21, at the Fresno Fairgrounds. More than a thousand people attended the Festival, and many of those attendees either stopped by the V4CF booth or met one of our representatives as they circulated, taking a moment to learn more about our group and to sign the 'Restore Democracy to California' petition.

Many thanks to Kris Arden, Nancy Griesser, Wendy Negri, Ruth Afifi, Erik Nodacker, Linda Traynor and all the others who helped to make the day a great success. Here's how it looked:

Much to happen at our V4CF meeting March 9

A lot is happening in the Fresno community, and with March finally upon us, it's time once again to gather our group and find our common direction.

In that spirit, we invite you to attend our next Volunteers For Change-Fresno general meeting, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in the large community room of the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

Our meeting agenda includes:

• A wrap-up of last month's 'Taking Stock' conversation;
  
  
• An array of possible community service projects, including those from the Community Food Bank and from Bringing Broken Neighborhoods Back to Life;
  
  
• A variety of possible 'issues actions,' including actions in support of public education, the Peace and Justice Festival, and the California Majority petition campaign; and
  
  
• An opportunity to meet at least one candidate running for Fresno City Council.

As always, we'll follow our meeting with some quality 'networking time.' All members and their guests are welcome to attend... and we hope to see you there!

Save the Date: Next V4CF general meeting scheduled Tuesday, March 9

Just a quick update: Our next Volunteers For Change-Fresno general meeting is scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in the large meeting room of the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

Stay tuned for our agenda!

Volunteers needed to staff V4CF booth at 'Peace and Justice Festival' March 21

Volunteers For Change-Fresno will indeed have a booth at PeaceFresno's 'Peace and Justice Festival,' scheduled 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

At our booth, we plan to tell visitors about V4CF's mission and vision, all while seeking to meet like-minded people who are open to working for the Change we seek. We'll also offer Festival visitors the chance to sign the 'Restore Democracy to California' petition.

To be an effective presence there, we need another five to ten volunteers to staff the booth during the Festival. We also need volunteers to help with booth set-up and teardown.

Want to help? Contact V4CF via e-mail at v4cfresno@yahoo.com. In your message, please specify whether you prefer to assist earlier or later in the day. We look forward to seeing you there!

'Taking Stock' the topic of our next V4CF general meeting Tuesday, Feb. 9

A 'Taking Stock' discussion will be the main topic at our next Volunteers For Change-Fresno meeting, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the large meeting room of the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

After more than a year of hard work on the part of our Volunteers, and in the wake of President Obama's recent 'State of the Union' address, it's time for V4CF to take stock of where we've been, to examine what's on our agenda, and to determine we go from here. Shall we reaffirm our priorities? What additional tasks should we take on this year? And how can we keep working on those goals not yet fully realized? With your help, all can be decided at our Tuesday meeting.

Can't make it? Drop us a line at v4cfresno@yahoo.com, and let us know what you think should be a V4CF priority this year. We hope to see you there Tuesday!

'Homelessness in Fresno' forum happening Thursday, Jan. 28

After the excellent presentation at our last meeting by Greg Barfield, the City of Fresno's Homelessness Prevention Manager, we thought our members might be interested in learning more about the scope of the homelessness problem here in Fresno.

In that spirit, V4CF is passing along a note from the St. Paul Newman Center's Peace and Justice Ministry, which will host a 'Homelessness in Fresno Forum' 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the St. Paul Newman Center, 1572 E Barstow Ave. in Fresno.

The Forum's scheduled events include:

• 6:30 p.m.: The films "Hotel Fresno" and "Homeless Dog," produced by Teresa Flores and Dixie Salazar;
  
  
• 6:45 p.m.: Discussion about the causes and the experience of homelessness with three members of Fresno's Homeless Community;
  
  
• 7:10 p.m.: A presentation at the Kincaid Center by Mike Rhodes, publisher of the Community Alliance newspaper;
  
  
• 7:25 p.m.: A presentation on the city's and county's 10-year plans to end homelessness here by Greg Barfield; and
  
  
• 7:50-8:45 p.m.: A Q-and-A session on the topic, with questions to be submitted in writing.

For more information, contact Bill Simon (559) 227-6565.

Volunteers needed for V4CF booth at 'Peace and Justice Festival' March 21

Save the Date! Peace Fresno has announced the 'Peace and Justice Festival,' and as we did at last year's 'Rally in the Valley,' Volunteers For Change-Fresno plans to participate.

Want to help? V4CF needs volunteers to staff its booth at the event, scheduled noon-5 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at the Fresno Fairgrounds. At our booth, we plan to tell visitors about V4CF's mission and vision, all while seeking to meet like-minded people who are open to working for the Change we seek. We also need volunteers for booth set-up and teardown.

Fortunately -- especially for those who experienced sunshine, heat, rain, cold and hail all within the five-hour span of last year's event -- the 'Peace and Justice Festival' will be held indoors this year, at the Fairgrounds' Junior Exhibit Hall.

Want to volunteer? Contact V4CF via e-mail at v4cfresno@yahoo.com. In your message, please specify the times you can assist. We look forward to seeing you there!

Scenes from today's MLK Day march

More than a dozen V4CF members braved the (forecast) rain and wind to participate in Fresno's Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade, held Jan. 18 in downtown Fresno.

As V4CF marcher Nancy Griesser reported, "We had a great time at the parade! Several who signed up didn't attend but others did so we had a fine complement of V4CF members on board. And, luckily for us, the rain held off."

Here's how it looked, with photos courtesy of Kris Arden and Nancy Griesser. Thanks to all who participated!

Get out your marching shoes: V4CF to participate in MLK Day parade Jan. 18

Want to show your support for equality? Join V4CF as we march in this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, scheduled Monday, Jan. 18, in downtown Fresno.

V4CF participants will have the opportunity to carry our 'Volunteers For Change-Fresno' banner and perhaps the 'CHANGE' sign shown on the Fresno Bee's front page after last year's event.

We plan to meet at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in front of St. John's Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Ave. in downtown Fresno. While we will not have a more specific meeting place, participants should look for others wearing our new black-and-green 'Volunteers For Change' t-shirts. Please wear your own V4CF t-shirt and dress warmly.

Scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., the march will proceed from the Cathedral to the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, with a commemorative program honoring Dr. King's legacy to follow immediately at 10:45 a.m.

With the numbers of participants expected, carpooling or taking mass transit to downtown is indeed recommended. We hope to see you there!

MLK Day celebrations will include 'Mountain of Food' collection and distribution

In conjunction with Fresno's celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the Community Food Bank (CFB) invites V4CF members to participate in the 'Mountain of Food' collection and distribution.

Want to donate? Instead of bringing canned goods or nonperishables to the MLK celebrations, CFB asks that volunteers consider making a monetary donation. The food bank can achieve a greater distribution through its bulk food purchases than it can through donated food stocks.

To donate or for questions, contact Wendy Negri at (559) 299-5052. Wendy will collect any donations before and during the event, and will give them to the Community Food Bank representative.

Homelessness in Fresno, water to be the topics at next V4CF General Meeting Jan. 12

Save the date, V4CFers! With the holiday season relegated to memory, it'll soon be time to get together again, to continue the work we began more than a year ago.

With that in mind, Volunteers For Change-Fresno invites all members and interested folk to attend our next General Meeting, scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the large meeting room of the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

The evening will include:

• A presentation by Gregory Barfield, Homelessness Prevention Manager for the City of Fresno. Mr. Barfield will spend 15 minutes briefing us about what Fresno is currently doing for the homeless in our area, and will also address what is being planned for the future.
  

• An update from V4CF Water Issue Team leader Bob Merrill, who will provide some information for the group about this important issue.
  

As always, it'll be 'the more, the merrier.' We hope to see you all Jan. 12!

V4CF to co-sponsor day-long Candidate Training seminar Saturday, Jan. 9

Volunteers For Change-Fresno, along with allies the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee, the CLC and the College Democrats, is co-sponsoring a day-long Candidate Training seminar, designed for candidates, potential candidates and campaign staff, scheduled 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at the CWA Hall, 4422 E. Ashlan Avenue, in Fresno. Want to get elected to public office? V4CF invites you to attend.

The Candidate Training seminar will focus on how to be an optimal candidate, and places participants in touch with experienced people who have 'been there and done that.' The training will address what it takes to be an effective candidate for public office, how to enlarge your circle of advisers, and how to find valuable resources that can help you to succeed. The cost to attend is $15 per person, with lunch provided.

Topics to be addressed at the training will include:

* Building your team
* Messaging
* Fundraising
* Presentation
* Public speaking
* Meeting voters
* Understanding labor
* Attitude and movitation
* Media, and more.

Presenters will include:

* Michael Rubio
* Henry T. Perea
* T.J. Cox
* Patsy Montgomery
* Randy Ghan
* Susan Good
* Debilyn Molineaux
* Chuck Riojas
* Mai Thao
* Warren Meyers
* Michael D. Evans

Interested? To register or for more information, contact Michael D. Evans via e-mail at evansm@usa.net. We hope to see you there!