July Meeting Info and Some Announcements

Please join us for the JULY MEETING of VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE FRESNO!

Date/Time: Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 7pm (meetings end promptly at
8:30pm)

Location: UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

Topic: We will focus on engaging V4CF members in the November 2012
election, discussing the ways each person is (or plans to be)
involved, possibly through voter registration, phone banking, and fund-
raising. We have invited a representative from Obama for America to
share information about how we can help re-elect President Obama. In
addition, there will be a presentation by two Democratic Central
Committee members about ways to get involved in local Democratic party
efforts, candidate campaigns, ballot initiatives, and working the
polls on Election Day. Our goal in the meeting will be to mobilize the
group around specific action plans.

Light refreshments will be served and announcements are welcome

during the "Around the Table" portion of the agenda (bring handouts if
available).

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR MEMBERS:

1) MEDICAL SUPPLIES NEEDED -- V4CF members CJ & Sekani Radellant
request that we bring to our meeting any medical supplies for donation
to the 23rd Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, which will be in Fresno
on Monday, July 9. Sekani participated in the Caravan last year and
shared information about his trip during a recent V4CF meeting. For
more info about the Cuba Caravan and their visit to Fresno, go to
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/07/02/18716796.php .

2) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY -- V4CF member Kai Bolden reports that the
Sierra Foothill Conservancy will be having "a good old fashioned weed
pull" at the SFC's Bean Creek Preserve, as part of a meadow
restoration project there in which star thistle plants need to be
removed.

When: Saturday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 11th, 2012, 9am-2pm
(both days)

Where: SFC's Bean Creek Preserve- http://goo.gl/maps/FEL2

Wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, sunscreen
and a hat. SFC will provide snacks and water. Pack a lunch to enjoy
under the shade of a willow next to the creek. For more info contact
Ray at 209-742-5556 or ray@sierrafoothill.org. Ray would also
appreciate knowing if you're planning to join the weed pull on either
or both of the days.

3) HEALTH CARE TRAINING – PRIMARY PREVENTION FOR CHANGE -- Another
reminder from CJ about the FREE one-day training sponsored by the
Prevention Institute and the California Endowment.

When: Friday, July 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: UC Merced Center, 550 East Shaw Ave., Fresno 93710, Room 230-A.

The training will focus on understanding and analyzing the community
factors that shape health, safety and equity, and on developing
comprehensive strategies to create environments that prevent illness
and injury. Call CJ (559) 307-9505 to RSVP. Seats are limited!

Meeting Reminder- July 9, 7pm

Happy 4th of July!

Join us for V4CF's next meeting:

Monday, July 9, 2012 at 7:00pm (meetings end promptly at 8:30pm)UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

We will be focusing on how V4CF members can become more engaged and involved in the 2012 election. Please come ready with suggestions!

Light refreshments will be available, and we welcome your announcements during the "Around the Table" part of the agenda (bring hand outs if available) - **Please note that our meetings are held on the second MONDAY of each month.

*May Meeting Reminder*

Please join us for the Monthly Meeting of Volunteers for Change, Fresno!

Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 7pm (meetings end promptly at 8:30pm)

UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)

Our guest speakers are going to be:

*Liz Shields, Chair of Voter Services for the Fresno League of Women Voters, will discuss the propositions on the June ballot. 

She will also describe the League's work registering voters and hosting candidate forums.

*Debbie Harkness, candidate for the Board of Supervisors, District 2

Debbie has a website:  www.harkness.4supervisor.com  

*Susan Good, candidate for City Council, District 4
Susan has a website: http://www.good4council.com/

Light refreshments will be available, and we welcome your
announcements during the "Around the Table" part of the agenda (bring
hand outs if available)
-
**Please note that our meetings are held on the second MONDAY of each
month.

*We also have another great volunteer opportunity! At our April meeting, Radley Reep of Friends of Lost Lake Park invited us to join other groups in assisting with the maintenance of the park, which is on the San Joaquin River near the Friant dam.  Four V4CF members helped paint the campground kiosk and removed litter and invasive thistle last Saturday.

The Next Volunteer Event begins Sat., May 12, 2012 at 7:00 am.  Meet at the campground kiosk at the north end of the park. Tools and gloves will be provided.  You may want to bring a hat, snacks and water.  There is no need to sign up.  Just mark the date on your calendar, and come out to the park as early as you can Saturday morning.  If you are interested but have questions, please feel free to contact Ruth at ruth37@gmail.com or 559-297-8582.

Next Meeting-- Mon., March 12, 2012

Join us for our March meeting to learn about genetically modified food and Cuba. We will feature two speakers:

*Judy Nelson will explain a ballot initiative that would require labeling on genetically modified food. Judy is the Central Valley coordinator
for the statewide organization sponsoring the initiative.

* Sekani Radellant,
a pre-med student, will speak and show pictures from his trip to Cuba last July
as part of a national group taking medical supplies.

V4CF meetings are held at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, across from Fashion Fair and next to the Men's Wearhouse. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

Next Meeting--Mon., Feb. 13, 2012

Join us for an informative update on the situation of Fresno's homeless. Our speaker will be Mike Rhodes, editor of the Community Alliance and advocate for the homeless. We'll also hear from the local Obama campaign.

V4CF meetings are held at the UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, across from Fashion Fair and next to the Men's Wearhouse. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.

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.